i3 Verticals, Inc 8-K, filed Oct 9, 2026
i3 Verticals, Inc. (IIIV)
8-K
2026-10-09
For: 2026-10-09
View Original
Added on
October 09, 2026
About this 8-K
i3 Verticals, Inc filed this 8-K on October 9, 2026.
i3 Verticals, Inc.’s subsidiary entered an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement on October 9, 2026, replacing its May 8, 2023 agreement and providing $350 million in senior secured revolving commitments. AI summary
Items reported
- Item 1.01: Entered into a material agreement
- Item 2.03: New debt or off-balance-sheet obligation
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 9, 2026
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||||||||
(615 ) 465-4487
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |||||
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |||||
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d- 2(b)) | |||||
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e- 4(c)) | |||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company. ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
The information in Item 2.03 is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
On October 9, 2026, i3 Verticals, LLC (the “Borrower”), a Delaware limited liability company and subsidiary of i3 Verticals, Inc. (the “Company”), entered into that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) with the guarantors and lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (“JPMorgan”). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement replaces Borrower’s prior Credit Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2023, among the Borrower, the guarantor and lender parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides for aggregate commitments of $350 million in the form of a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”).
The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides that the Borrower has the right to seek additional commitments to provide additional term loan facilities or additional revolving credit commitments in an aggregate principal amount up to, as of any date of determination, the sum of (i) the greater of $100 million and 100% of the Borrower’s consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) for the most recently completed four quarter period, plus (ii) the amount of certain prepayments of certain indebtedness. The provision of any such additional amounts under the additional term loan facilities or additional revolving credit commitments are subject to certain additional conditions and the receipt of certain additional commitments by existing or additional lenders.
The proceeds of the Revolver, together with proceeds from any additional amounts under the additional term loan facilities or additional revolving credit commitments, may be used by the Borrower to finance working capital, capital expenditures and other lawful corporate purposes.
Borrowings under the Revolver will be made, at the Borrower’s option, at the base rate or the Term SOFR Rate, plus, in each case, an applicable margin. The base rate is a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to the highest of (a) the greater of the federal funds rate or the overnight bank funding rate, plus ½ of 1%, (b) the Wall Street Journal prime rate and (c) the Term SOFR Rate for an interest period of one month, plus 1%; provided, that the base rate shall not be less than 1% in any event. The applicable margin is based upon the Borrower’s consolidated total net leverage ratio (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement), as reflected in the schedule below:
| Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio | Commitment Fee | Letter of Credit Fee | Term Benchmark Loans | Base Rate Loans | ||||||||||
| > 3.00 to 1.0 | 0.275 | % | 2.50 | % | 2.50 | % | 1.50 | % | ||||||
| > 2.50 to 1.0 but ≤ 3.00 to 1.0 | 0.225 | % | 2.00 | % | 2.00 | % | 1.00 | % | ||||||
| > 2.00 to 1.0 but ≤ 2.50 to 1.0 | 0.175 | % | 1.75 | % | 1.75 | % | 0.75 | % | ||||||
| ≤ 2.00 to 1.0 | 0.125 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 0.50 | % | ||||||
In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the Revolver, the Borrower will be required to pay a commitment fee equal to the product of between 0.125% and 0.275% (the applicable percentage depending on the Borrower’s consolidated total net leverage ratio as reflected in the schedule above) times the actual daily amount by which $350 million exceeds the total amount outstanding under the Revolver and available to be drawn under all outstanding letters of credit.
The Borrower will be permitted to voluntarily reduce the unutilized portion of the commitment amount and repay outstanding loans under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, whether such amounts are issued under the Revolver or under the additional term loan facilities or additional revolving credit facilities, at any time without premium or penalty. In addition, if the total amount borrowed under the Revolver exceeds $350 million at any time, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement requires the Borrower to prepay such excess outstanding amounts.
All obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and each of the Company’s existing and future direct and indirect material, wholly owned domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions. The obligations are secured by first-priority security interests in substantially all tangible and intangible assets of the Borrower, the Company and each subsidiary guarantor, in each case whether owned on the date of the initial borrowings or thereafter acquired.
The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement requires the Borrower to maintain a consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) of not less than 3.00 to 1.00 and a consolidated total net leverage ratio (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) of not more than 4.00 to 1.00, in each case as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower. In addition, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement places certain restrictions on the ability of the Borrower, the Company and their subsidiaries to, among other things, incur debt and liens; merge, consolidate or liquidate; dispose of assets; enter into hedging arrangements; make certain restricted payments; undertake transactions with affiliates; enter into sale-leaseback transactions; make certain investments; prepay or modify the terms of certain indebtedness; and modify the terms of certain organizational agreements.
The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other material indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, material judgments, certain ERISA events, invalidity of loan documents and certain changes in control.
The foregoing description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and to the Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement, copies of which are attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2, respectively, and incorporated by reference herein.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits:
| Exhibit No. | Description | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |||||||
* Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. i3 Verticals agrees to furnish, on a supplemental basis, a copy of such omitted schedules and exhibits to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: October 9, 2026
i3 VERTICALS, INC. | ||||||||
By: | /s/ Geoff Smith | |||||||
Name: | Geoff Smith | |||||||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||||||
| (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | ||||||||
Execution Version
Published CUSIP Numbers:
Deal: 44932JAH2
Revolver: 44932JAJ8
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 9, 2026
among
i3 VERTICALS, LLC,
as the Borrower,
i3 VERTICALS, INC. and THE SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER IDENTIFIED HEREIN,
as the Guarantors,
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and L/C Issuer,
and
THE OTHER LENDERS PARTY HERETO
PINNACLE BANK
and
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Co-Documentation Agents
Arranged By:
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
and
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
TABLE OF CONTENTS
7.13 Amendments to Other Documents; Fiscal Year; Legal Name, State of Formation and Form of Entity 109
SCHEDULES
1.01(a) Disqualified Institutions
1.01(b) Indian Subsidiaries
2.01 Commitments and Applicable Percentages
2.03(a) Letter of Credit Commitments
2.03(b) Existing Letters of Credit
5.10 Insurance
5.13 Subsidiaries
5.17 IP Rights
5.20(a) Locations of Real Property
5.20(b) Location of Chief Executive Office, Taxpayer Identification Number, Etc.
5.20(c) Changes in Legal Name, State of Formation and Structure
5.20(d) Deposit and Investment Accounts
7.01 Liens Existing on the Closing Date
7.02 Investments Existing on the Closing Date
7.03 Indebtedness Existing on the Closing Date
11.02 Certain Addresses for Notices
EXHIBITS
1.01 Form of Secured Party Designation Notice
2.02 Form of Loan Notice
2.04 Form of Swingline Loan Notice
2.05 Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment
2.11(a) Form of Amended and Restated Note
3.01 Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates
6.02 Form of Compliance Certificate
6.13 Form of Joinder Agreement
11.06(b) Form of Assignment and Assumption
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of October 9, 2026 among i3 VERTICALS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), the Guarantors (defined herein), the Lenders (defined herein) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and L/C Issuer.
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01Defined Terms.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
“Acquired Indebtedness” has the meaning specified in Section 7.03(l).
“Acquired Investments” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02(i).
“Acquisition”, by any Person, means the acquisition by such Person, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of either (a) all or any substantial portion of the property of, or a line of business, division of or other business unit of, another Person or (b) at least a majority of the Voting Stock of another Person, in each case whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with such other Person.
“Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan (or any of its designated branch offices or affiliates), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.
“Administrative Agent’s Office” means, with respect to Dollars, the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account specified in this Agreement with respect to Dollars, or such other address or account with respect to Dollars as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower or any Lender, as the context requires.
“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
“Aggregate Revolving Commitments” means the Revolving Commitments of all the Lenders. The initial amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in effect on the Closing Date is $350,000,000.
“Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, including all schedules, exhibits and annexes hereto.
“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the Term SOFR Rate for a one month Interest Period as published two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day (or if such day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the immediately preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day) plus 1%; provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Term SOFR Rate for any day shall be based on the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m. Chicago time on such day (or any amended publication time for the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as specified by the CME Term SOFR Administrator in the Term SOFR Reference Rate methodology). Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Term SOFR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Term SOFR Rate, respectively. If the Alternate Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 3.03 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until the Benchmark Replacement has been determined pursuant to Section 3.03(b)), then the Alternate Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Alternate Base Rate as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be less than 1.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.00% for purposes of this Agreement.
“Applicable Percentage” means with respect to any Lender at any time, (a) with respect to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time; provided that if the commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Revolving Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination; and (b) with respect to such Lender’s portion of any outstanding Incremental Term Loan at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the outstanding principal amount of such Incremental Term Loan held by such Lender at such time. The Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01, in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto or in any documentation executed by such Lender pursuant to Sections 2.16, 2.17 or 2.18, as applicable. The Applicable Percentages shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15.
“Applicable Rate” means the following percentages per annum, based upon the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(b):
Pricing Tier | Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio | Commitment Fee | Letter of Credit Fee | Term Benchmark Loans | ABR Loans | ||||||||||||
1 | > 3.00 to 1.0 | 0.275% | 2.50% | 2.50% | 1.50% | ||||||||||||
2 | > 2.50 to 1.0 but ≤ 3.00 to 1.0 | 0.225% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 1.00% | ||||||||||||
3 | > 2.00 to 1.0 but ≤ 2.50 to 1.0 | 0.175% | 1.75% | 1.75% | 0.75% | ||||||||||||
4 | ≤ 2.00 to 1.0 | 0.125% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 0.50% | ||||||||||||
Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the third Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b); provided, however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with Section 6.02(b), then, upon the request of the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders, Pricing Tier 1 shall apply as of the third Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until the third Business Day immediately following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered in accordance with Section 6.02(b), whereupon the Applicable Rate shall be adjusted based upon the calculation of the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio contained in such Compliance Certificate. The Applicable Rate in effect from the Closing Date through the third Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b) for the first full fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date shall be determined based upon Pricing Tier 1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b).
“Applicable Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(c).
“Approved Bank” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Cash Equivalents.”
“Approved Borrower Portal” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(a).
“Approved Electronic Platform” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.03(a).
“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
“Arrangers” means JPMorgan, U.S. Bank National Association and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, each in its capacity as a joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner.
“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 11.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit 11.06(b) or any other form (including an electronic documentation form generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Attributable Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date, (a) in respect of any capital lease, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease or similar payments under the relevant lease or other applicable agreement or instrument that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease or other agreement or instrument were accounted for as a capital lease, (c) in respect of any Securitization Transaction, the outstanding principal amount of such financing, after taking into account reserve accounts and making appropriate adjustments, determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable judgment and (d) in respect of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the present value (discounted in accordance with GAAP at the debt rate implied in the applicable lease) of the obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the term of such lease.
“Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, including the notes thereto.
“Auto-Extension Letter of Credit” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii).
“Availability Period” means, with respect to the Revolving Commitments, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (c) the date of termination of the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.
“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to clause (e) of Section 3.03.
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, rule, regulation or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy”, as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.
“Benchmark” means, initially, with respect to any Term Benchmark Loan, the Term SOFR Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event, and the related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the Term SOFR Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to clause (b) of Section 3.03.
“Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:
(a)the Daily Simple SOFR;
(b)the sum of: (i) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (A) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (B) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time in the United States and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
(c)If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or
method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.
“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement and/or any Term Benchmark Loan, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
“Benchmark Replacement Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(d)in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(e)in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been, or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or component thereof) have been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.
(f)For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:
(g)a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(h)a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), in each case, which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(i)a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative.
(j)For the avoidance of doubt, if such Benchmark is a term rate, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 3.03 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 3.03.
“Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.
“BIN/ISO Agreement” means (a) any sponsorship, depository, processing or similar agreement between a Person and a bank or financial institution which provides such Person with the use of such bank or financial institution’s Bank Identification Number or Interbank Card Association Number (or similar mechanism) to clear credit card transactions through one or more card associations, or (b) any
agreement between a Person and any independent sales organization or similar entity related to, or providing for, payments processing to merchant customers.
“BofA Autoborrow” means the autoborrow arrangement entered into between Bank of America, N.A., as lender, and the Borrower pursuant to which Bank of America, N.A. provides a revolving line of credit that is funded pursuant to an autoborrow agreement; provided, that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred in connection with the BofA Autoborrow shall not exceed $15,000,000.
“Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Borrower Communications” means, collectively, any Loan Notice, Notice of Loan Prepayment, Letter of Credit Application, Swingline Loan Notice, or other notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent through an Approved Borrower Portal.
“Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Term Benchmark Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.16.
“Business Day” means, any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in New York City; provided that, in addition to the foregoing, a Business Day shall be any such day that is also a U.S. Government Securities Business Day in relation to Loans referencing the Term SOFR Rate and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such Loans referencing the Term SOFR Rate or any other dealings of such Loans referencing the Term SOFR Rate.
“Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, (a) cash or deposit account balances, (b) backstop letters of credit entered into on terms, from issuers and in amounts satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer and/or (c) if the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
“Cash Equivalents” means, as at any date, (a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve (12) months from the date of acquisition, (b) Dollar denominated time deposits and certificates of deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii) any domestic commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 or (iii) any bank whose short term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an “Approved Bank”), in each case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s and maturing within six (6) months of the date of acquisition, (d) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the United States in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations and (e) investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 which are administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of at least $500,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the character described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d).
“Cash Management Agreement” means (a) any agreement that is not prohibited by the terms hereof to provide treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overnight draft, credit cards, debit cards, p-cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services and (b) the BofA Autoborrow.
“Cash Management Bank” means (a) any Person in its capacity as a party to a Cash Management Agreement with a Loan Party or a Subsidiary that, (i) at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement with a Loan Party or any Subsidiary, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or (ii) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes a Lender, is a party to a Cash Management Agreement with a Loan Party or any Subsidiary, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement (even if such Person ceases to be a Lender or such Person’s Affiliate ceases to be a Lender); provided, however, that for any of the foregoing to be included as a “Secured Cash Management Agreement” on any date of determination by the Administrative Agent, the applicable Cash Management Bank (other than the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) must have delivered a Secured Party Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to such date of determination and (b) Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as the lender with respect to the BofA Autoborrow.
“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (having the force of Law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
“Change of Control” means an event or series of events by which:
(a)any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) other than a Permitted Holder becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all Equity Interests that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock of HoldCo representing thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the combined voting power of all Voting Stock of HoldCo on a fully diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); or
(b)during any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of HoldCo cease to be composed of individuals (x) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (y) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (x) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (z) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (x) and (y) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body; or
(c)HoldCo shall cease to own and control, of record and beneficially, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the aggregate Equity Interests of the Borrower on a fully diluted
basis, or the Borrower shall cease to be a manager-managed limited liability company with HoldCo as its sole direct or indirect manager.
“Closing Date” means October 9, 2026.
“CME Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited as administrator of the forward-looking term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) (or a successor administrator).
“Communications” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.03(c).
“Collateral” means a collective reference to all property with respect to which Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself and the other holders of the Obligations, are purported to be granted pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Documents.
“Collateral Documents” means a collective reference to the Security Agreement, the Mortgages, and other security documents as may be executed and delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to the terms of Section 6.14 or any of the Loan Documents.
“Commitment” means, as to each Lender, the Revolving Commitment of such Lender and/or the Incremental Term Loan Commitment of such Lender.
“Commitment Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.09(a).
“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.).
“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 6.02.
“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, for HoldCo and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to (a) Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (b) the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (i) Consolidated Interest Charges for such period, (ii) the provision for federal, state, local, foreign income, franchise, value added, sales or other taxes payable for such period, including Permitted Tax Distributions and payments made in connection with the Tax Receivable Agreement, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense for such period, (iv) any fees, expenses and charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any equity offering, Investment, acquisition, disposition or recapitalization permitted hereunder or the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred hereunder (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including all such fees, expenses and charges incurred as a result of (A) the entering into and funding of the Loans on the Closing Date and (B) any amendment or other modification of this Agreement and any other credit facilities or debt securities; provided that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (iv) shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of Consolidated EBITDA (determined without giving effect to this add back), (v) legal expenses incurred in connection with assessing claims related to Acquisitions that closed prior to the Closing Date and amounts incurred in connection with the settlement of such claims; provided, that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (v) during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $1,000,000, (vi) the Louisiana Claim Amount; provided that the Louisiana Claim Amount shall only be added back in the one (1) fiscal quarter in which the Louisiana Claim Amount is recognized on HoldCo’s financial statements, (vii) any expense to the extent that a corresponding amount is received during such period in cash by the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries under any agreement providing for indemnification or reimbursement of such expenses, (viii) any expense with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption to the extent reimbursed or advanced to the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries during such period by third party insurance, (ix) pro forma “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies related to Permitted Acquisitions, Dispositions and other specified transactions, restructurings, cost savings initiatives and other initiatives that are reasonably identified and projected by the Borrower to result from actions that have been taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken (in the good faith
determination of the Borrower) within twelve (12) months after the relevant transaction; provided that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (ix) shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of Consolidated EBITDA (determined without giving effect to this add back), (x) the amount of cost savings and synergies actually achieved at the time of the closing of any Permitted Acquisition, Disposition and other specified transaction, (xi) non-cash charges, expenses and losses (other than the write down of current assets) to the extent such charges, expenses or losses do not represent an accrual or reserve for a future cash charge, expense or loss, (xii) any loss resulting from a mark to market adjustment of an earn out obligation and (xiii) deferred revenue write-downs required by GAAP in the opening balance sheet of any Permitted Acquisition during such period less (c) without duplication and to the extent reflected as a gain or otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income, (i) non-cash income and gains (excluding any such non-cash gains to the extent (A) there were cash gains with respect to such gains in past accounting periods or (B) there is a reasonable expectation that there will be cash gains with respect to such gains in future accounting periods) and (ii) any gain resulting from a mark to market adjustment of an earn out obligation.
“Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination with respect to HoldCo and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, without duplication, the sum of: (a) the outstanding principal amount of all obligations for borrowed money (including Obligations) and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; (b) the maximum amount available to be drawn under issued and outstanding letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments; (c) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and any earn-out obligation prior to such time as it becomes a due and payable); (d) all purchase money Indebtedness; (e) all Attributable Indebtedness; (f) all obligations to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment prior to the Maturity Date in respect of any Equity Interests or any warrant, right or option to acquire such Equity Interest, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; (g) all Guarantees with respect to Indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (a) through (f) above of another Person; and (h) all Indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary is a general partner or joint venturer, except to the extent that Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, “Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” shall not include Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions or Permitted Warrant Transactions.
“Consolidated Interest Charges” means, for any period, for HoldCo and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) the portion of rent expense with respect to such period under capital leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP plus (c) the implied interest component of Synthetic Lease Obligations with respect to such period.
“Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters to (b) Consolidated Interest Charges (excluding non-cash interest expense relating to Permitted Convertible Indebtedness) for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, for HoldCo and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, net income (or loss) for such period; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall exclude (a) extraordinary gains and losses for such period, (b) the net income of any Subsidiary during such period to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of such income is not permitted by operation of the terms of its Organization Documents or any agreement, instrument or Law applicable to such Subsidiary during such period, and (c) any income (or loss) for such period of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that HoldCo’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such period to HoldCo or a Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (and in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a
Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is not precluded from further distributing such amount to HoldCo as described in clause (b) of this proviso).
“Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Debt) that is secured by a Lien (other than a Lien described in Section 7.01(m)) minus up to $20,000,000 of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Loan Parties as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters.
“Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of any date of determination, the total assets of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness minus up to $20,000,000 of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Loan Parties as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed four fiscal quarters.
“Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote five percent (5%) or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.
“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.
“Covered Entity” has the meaning specified in Section 11.21(b).
“Credit Extension” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.
“Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day (such day, a “SOFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to SOFR for the day (such day, a “SOFR Determination Date”) that is five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to (i) if such SOFR Rate Day is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (ii) if such SOFR Rate Day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website; provided that if the Daily Simple SOFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Borrower. If by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the second (2nd) U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately following any SOFR Determination Date, SOFR in respect of such SOFR Determination Date has not been published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Daily Simple SOFR has not occurred, then SOFR for such SOFR Determination Date will be SOFR as published in respect of the first (1st) preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such SOFR was published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website.
“Debt Issuance” means the issuance by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Indebtedness other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03.
“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
“Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
“Default Rate” means (a) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is specified, a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate otherwise applicable thereto and (b) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is not specified or available, a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans plus two percent (2%), in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.
“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.15(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.15(b)) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, the L/C Issuer, the Swingline Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.
“Designated Jurisdiction” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory is the subject of any Sanction.
“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition of any property by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction and any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith, but excluding any Recovery Event.
“Disqualified Institutions” means (a) any Person designated by the Borrower by legal name as a “Disqualified Institution” on Schedule 1.01(a) and such other Persons as mutually agreed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (the consent of the Administrative Agent not to be unreasonably withheld) and identified as a “Disqualified Institution” in writing to the Administrative Agent as an update to Schedule 1.01(a); provided that such designation shall become effective one (1) Business Day after the date that such written designation to the Administrative Agent is made available to the Lenders on the Approved Electronic Platform but which shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any Persons that have previously become a Lender, (b) any other Person that is a bona fide competitor of the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries each of which has been designated by the Borrower as a “Disqualified Institution” by legal name on Schedule 1.01(a) or such other bona fide competitor identified in writing to the Administrative Agent as an update to Schedule 1.01(a); provided that such designation shall become effective one (1) Business Day after the date that such written designation to the Administrative Agent is made available to the Lenders on the Approved Electronic Platform but which shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any Persons that have previously become a Lender and (c) any Affiliate of Persons identified in clause (a) or (b) to the extent such entity is clearly identifiable as an Affiliate of such Person based solely on such Affiliate’s name; provided that “Disqualified Institutions” shall exclude any Person that the Borrower has designated as no longer being a “Disqualified Institution” by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent from time to time; provided further that during continuation of any Event of Default, the Borrower may not designate any additional Persons as Disqualified Institutions without the consent of the Administrative Agent.
“Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.
“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the Laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.
“DQ List” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(g).
“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a Subsidiary of an institution described in clause (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.
“Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Sections 11.06(b) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 11.06(b)(iii)).
“Environmental Laws” means any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.
“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b)
the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person (but only after such conversion) or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination. For the avoidance of doubt, “Equity Interests” shall not include Permitted Convertible Indebtedness, Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions or Permitted Warrant Transactions.
“Equity Issuance” means any issuance by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to any Person of its Equity Interests, other than (a) any issuance of its Equity Interests pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants, (b) any issuance of its Equity Interests pursuant to the conversion of any debt securities to equity or the conversion of any class of equity securities to any other class of equity securities, (c) any issuance of options or warrants relating to its Equity Interests, (d) any issuance by HoldCo of its Equity Interests as consideration for a Permitted Acquisition and (e) any issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary to HoldCo or another Subsidiary. The term “Equity Issuance” shall not be deemed to include any Disposition.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with HoldCo within the meaning of Sections 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code).
“ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of HoldCo or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by HoldCo or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (f) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Internal Revenue Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with regard to a Pension Plan, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon HoldCo or any ERISA Affiliate; or (i) a failure by HoldCo or any ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or the failure by HoldCo or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.
“Excluded Account” means any deposit account or securities account (a) that has a balance of less than $200,000; provided that the aggregate balance of all accounts excluded pursuant to this clause
(a) shall not exceed $1,500,000, (b) that contains solely funds for accrued payroll, taxes or employee benefits, (c) that contains solely funds held in trust for third parties or (d) the balance of which is swept (net of such minimum balance (not to exceed $50,000 per account), if any, required by the bank at which such account is maintained) at the end of each Business Day into a deposit account or securities account subject to a control agreement in favor of the Administrative Agent, so long as such daily sweep is not terminated or modified (other than to provide that the balance in such deposit account or securities account is swept into another deposit account or securities account subject to a control agreement) without the consent of the Administrative Agent.
“Excluded Equity” means Equity Interests (a) of any Subsidiary with respect to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrower have determined in their reasonable judgment that the costs of providing a pledge of such Equity Interest or perfection thereof is excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained therefrom, (b) to the extent the pledge thereof would be prohibited by such Person’s Organization Documents or joint venture documents on the Closing Date (or, with respect to any Subsidiary acquired by a Borrower or a Subsidiary after the Closing Date, so long as such prohibition or restriction was not incurred in contemplation of such Acquisition, on the date such Subsidiary is so acquired) (excluding any prohibition or restriction that is ineffective under the UCC), (c) of any Subsidiary of the Borrower the pledge of which is prohibited by applicable Laws, (d) of any Indian Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 1.01(b) and (e) of any direct Foreign Subsidiary of any Loan Party to the extent not required to be pledged to secure the Obligations pursuant to Section 6.14(a).
“Excluded Property” means, with respect to any Loan Party, (a) any owned real property located in the United States having a fair market value of less than $5,000,000, (b) any owned real property located outside of the United States, (c) any leased real property, (d) any IP Rights for which a perfected Lien thereon is not effected either by filing of a UCC financing statement or by appropriate evidence of such Lien being filed in either the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office, (e) any personal property (other than personal property described in clause (d) above) for which the attachment or perfection of a Lien thereon is not governed by the UCC, (f) [Reserved], (g) any property which, subject to the terms of Section 7.09, is subject to a Lien of the type described in Section 7.01(i) pursuant to documents which prohibit such Loan Party from granting any other Liens in such property, (h) any general intangible, permit, lease, license, contract or other instrument to the extent the grant of a security interest in such general intangible, permit, lease, license, contract or other instrument in the manner contemplated by the Loan Documents, under the terms thereof or under applicable Law, is prohibited and would result in the termination thereof or give the other parties thereto the right to terminate, accelerate or otherwise alter such Loan Party’s rights, titles and interests thereunder (including upon the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both); provided that (i) any such limitation described in the foregoing clause (h) on the security interests granted under the Loan Documents shall only apply to the extent that any such prohibition could not be rendered ineffective pursuant to the UCC or any other applicable Law (including Debtor Relief Laws) or principles of equity and (ii) in the event of the termination or elimination of any such prohibition or the requirement for any consent contained in any applicable Law, general intangible, permit, lease, license, contract or other instrument, to the extent sufficient to permit any such item to become Collateral, or upon the granting of any such consent, or waiving or terminating any requirement for such consent, a security interest in such general intangible, permit, lease, license, contract or other instrument shall be automatically and simultaneously granted under the Collateral Documents and shall be included as Collateral, (i) any Excluded Account, (j) any Merchant Funds, (k) any Excluded Equity, (l) any margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U), (m) assets for which the Borrower and the Administrative Agent have determined in their reasonable judgment that the cost of creating or perfecting such pledges or security interests therein (including any adverse tax consequences) would be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom; provided that the assets excluded pursuant to this clause (m) shall not have an aggregate fair market value in excess of $5,000,000, and (n) any intent-to-use trademark application prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” or “Amendment to Allege Use” with respect thereto, to the extent, if any, that, and solely during the period, if any, in which the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of such intent-to-use trademark application under applicable federal law.
“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a Lien to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the
Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 10.08 and any other “keepwell”, support or other agreement for the benefit of such Guarantor and any and all guarantees of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor, or grant by such Guarantor of a Lien, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a Master Agreement governing more than one Swap Contract, such exclusion shall apply to only the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swap Contracts for which such Guaranty or Lien is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.
“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the Laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a Law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 11.13) or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii), 3.01(a)(iii) or 3.01(c), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 3.01(f) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.
“Existing Credit Agreement” shall mean that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2023, by and among the Borrower, the guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and JPMorgan, as administrative agent for such lenders (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, increased, extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, and/or otherwise modified in writing from time to time prior to the Closing Date).
“Existing Lenders” shall mean, collectively, all lenders party to the Existing Credit Agreement, as such agreement is in effect as of the date that is immediately prior to the Closing Date.
“Existing Letters of Credit” shall mean those certain letters of credit issued and outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement as of the Closing Date, as set forth on Schedule 2.03(b).
“Extended Revolving Commitment” means any class of Revolving Commitments the maturity of which shall have been extended pursuant to Section 2.18.
“Extended Revolving Loans” means any Revolving Loans made pursuant to the Extended Revolving Commitments.
“Extended Incremental Term Loans” means any class of Incremental Term Loans the maturity of which shall have been extended pursuant to Section 2.18.
“Extending Lender” means a Lender who has accepted an Extension Offer pursuant to Section 2.18.
“Extension” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a).
“Extension Amendment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(d).
“Extension Offer” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a).
“Facility Termination Date” means the date as of which all of the following shall have occurred: (a) all Commitments have terminated, (b) all Obligations arising under the Loan Documents have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations), and (c) all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall have been made).
“FASB ASC” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the Closing Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as shall be set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the effective federal funds rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than 0%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0% for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.
“Fee Letter” means the letter agreement, dated as of September 23, 2026, among the Borrower and JPMorgan.
“Flood Hazard Property” means any real property subject to a Mortgage that is in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or mudslide hazards.
“Flood Laws” means, collectively, (i) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (which comprehensively revised the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973), as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (ii) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, and (iii) the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, together with all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing, implementing or interpreting any of the foregoing, as amended and modified from time to time.
“Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to the Term SOFR Rate or the Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt the initial Floor for each of the Term SOFR Rate or the Daily Simple SOFR shall be 0%.
“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is not a U.S. Person.
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure (other than, in the case of a Defaulting Lender that is a Swingline Lender, the portion of such Swingline Exposure referred to in clause (b) of the definition of such term).
“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the accounting profession) including the FASB ASC, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied and subject to Section 1.03.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
“Guarantee” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness of the kind described in clauses (a) through (g) and (i) of the definition thereof of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed or expressly undertaken by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
“Guarantors” means, collectively, (a) HoldCo, (b) each Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower identified as a “Guarantor” on the signature pages hereto, (c) each Person that joins as a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.13 or otherwise, (d) with respect to (i) Obligations under any Secured Hedge Agreement, (ii) Obligations under any Secured Cash Management Agreement and (iii) any Swap Obligation of a Specified Loan Party (determined before giving effect to Sections 10.01 and 10.08) under the Guaranty, the Borrower, and (e) the successors and permitted assigns of the foregoing.
“Guaranty” means the guarantee made by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the other holders of the Obligations pursuant to Article X.
“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, natural gas, natural gas liquids, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, toxic mold, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances, wastes, chemicals, pollutants, contaminants or compounds of any nature in any form regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
“Hedge Bank” means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Swap Contract with a Loan Party or any Subsidiary that, (a) at the time it enters into a Swap Contract with a Loan Party or any Subsidiary not prohibited under Articles VI or VII, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes a Lender, is a party to a Swap Contract with a Loan Party or any Subsidiary not prohibited under Articles VI or VII, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract (even if
such Person ceases to be a Lender or such Person’s Affiliate ceases to be a Lender); provided that, in the case of a Secured Hedge Agreement with a Person who is no longer a Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender), such Person shall be considered a Hedge Bank only through the stated termination date (without extension or renewal) of such Secured Hedge Agreement; provided further that for any of the foregoing to be included as a “Secured Hedge Agreement” on any date of determination by the Administrative Agent, the applicable Hedge Bank (other than the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) must have delivered a Secured Party Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to such date of determination.
“HoldCo” means i3 Verticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Honor Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c)(i).
“IFRS” means international accounting standards within the meaning of IAS Regulation 1606/2002 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements delivered under or referred to herein.
“Immaterial Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary, at any date of determination, whose contribution to Consolidated EBITDA for the recently completed four fiscal quarters is less than two and one-half percent (2.5%) of such Consolidated EBITDA; provided that if, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date, Immaterial Subsidiaries contribute more than five percent (5.0%) of Consolidated EBITDA for the recently completed four fiscal quarters, then the Borrower shall, not later than ten (10) days after the date by which financial statements for such fiscal quarter are required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), (i) designate in writing to the Administrative Agent one or more of such Subsidiaries as no longer being an “Immaterial Subsidiary” to the extent required such that Immaterial Subsidiaries, in the aggregate do not contribute more than five percent (5.0%) of Consolidated EBITDA for the recently completed four (4) fiscal quarters and (ii) comply with the provisions of Section 6.13 applicable to such Subsidiary.
“Incremental Amount” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the total of (i) the greater of (A) $100,000,000 and (B) 100% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed four fiscal quarter period for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) plus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of voluntary prepayments, repurchases and redemptions (including loan buy-backs pursuant to Dutch auctions and open-market purchases with credit given to the par value of the loans purchased) of the Incremental Term Loans (to the extent such Incremental Term Loans were incurred in reliance on clause (a)(i) above), Incremental Equivalent Debt and Revolving Loans (to the extent such prepayment of Revolving Loans is accompanied by a permanent reduction of the applicable Aggregate Revolving Commitments) made prior to such date, in each case except to the extent such prepayments, repurchases and redemptions were funded with the proceeds of long-term Indebtedness (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any proceeds from Revolving Loans) minus (b) the aggregate amount of Incremental Facility Loans incurred in reliance on clause (a)(i) above prior to such date pursuant to Section 2.16 minus (c) the aggregate amount of any Incremental Equivalent Debt incurred prior to such date.
“Incremental Equivalent Debt” has the meaning specified in Section 7.03(n).
“Incremental Facility Amendment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16.
“Incremental Facility Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16.
“Incremental Request” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16.
“Incremental Revolving Commitments” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16.
“Incremental Revolving Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16.
“Incremental Term Facility” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16.
“Incremental Term Loan Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to make its portion of an Incremental Term Loan to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.16 in the principal amount set forth in the applicable Incremental Facility Amendment.
“Incremental Term Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16.
“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:
(a)all obligations for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;
(b)the maximum amount of all direct or contingent obligations arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;
(c)the Swap Termination Value of any Swap Contract;
(d)all obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (including earn out obligations) (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business);
(e)indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;
(f)all Attributable Indebtedness;
(g)all obligations to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment prior to the Maturity Date in respect of any Equity Interests or any warrant, right or option to acquire such Equity Interest, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends;
(h)all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing; and
(i)all Indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person;
provided, that the term “Indebtedness” shall not include obligations in connection with the Tax Receivable Agreement, any Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions or any Permitted Warrant Transactions.
“Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.
“Indemnitee” has the meaning specified in Section 11.04(b).
“Information” has the meaning specified in Section 11.07(a).
“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date, (b) with respect to any
Term Benchmark Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period, and the Maturity Date and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid and the Maturity Date.
“Interest Period” means with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, three or six months thereafter (in each case, subject to the availability for the Benchmark applicable to the relevant Loan or Commitment), as the Borrower may elect; provided that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period and (iii) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 3.03(e) shall be available for specification in any Loan Notice. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and, in the case of a Revolving Loan, thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
“Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
“Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person, or (c) an Acquisition. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, determined as of the date such Investment is made, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment, but reduced by (i) in the case of an Investment in the form of a loan or advance, the repayment to such Person of principal thereof in (or that has been converted into) cash or Cash Equivalents and (ii) in the case of any other Investment, any return of capital in respect of such Investment received by such Person in (or that has been converted into) cash or Cash Equivalents.
“IP Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 5.17.
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“ISP” means the International Standby Practices, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time).
“Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.
“Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 6.13 executed and delivered by a Domestic Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.13 or any other documents as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose.
“JPMorgan” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and its successors.
“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.
“LCT Test Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.02(e).
“L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
“L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Borrowing of Revolving Loans.
“L/C Commitment” means, with respect to the L/C Issuer, the commitment of the L/C Issuer to issue Letters of Credit hereunder. The initial amount of the L/C Issuer’s L/C Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.03(a). The L/C Commitment of the L/C Issuer may be modified from time to time by agreement between the L/C Issuer and the Borrower, and notified to the Administrative Agent.
“L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.
“L/C Issuer” means JPMorgan, in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.
“L/C Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
“Lenders” means each of the Persons identified as a “Lender” on the signature pages hereto, each other Person that becomes a “Lender” in accordance with this Agreement and their successors and assigns and, unless the context requires otherwise, includes the Swingline Lender.
“Lending Office” means, as to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, the office or offices of such Person described as such in such Person’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as such Person may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, which office may include any Affiliate of such Person or any domestic or foreign branch of such Person or such affiliate.
“Letter of Credit” means (a) any standby letter of credit issued hereunder providing for the payment of cash upon the honoring of a presentation thereunder or (b) any Existing Letter of Credit.
“Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.
“Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is seven (7) days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).
“Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(h).
“Letter of Credit Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $20,000,000 and (b) the Aggregate Revolving Commitments. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance
on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
“Limited Conditionality Transaction” means a Permitted Acquisition or other Investment, the consummation of which is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third-party financing.
“Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Revolving Loan or Swingline Loan, and shall include as the context requires, any Incremental Facility Loan.
“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, each Note, each Issuer Document, each Joinder Agreement, the Collateral Documents, each Incremental Facility Amendment, each Subordination Agreement, each Market Intercreditor Agreement and the Fee Letter (but specifically excluding Secured Hedge Agreements and any Secured Cash Management Agreements).
“Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing of Revolving Loans or any Incremental Term Loan, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Term Benchmark Loans, in each case pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.02 or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an Approved Borrower Portal, or any other electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent) appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower; provided that, in the case of a Loan Notice submitted through an Approved Borrower Portal, the foregoing signature requirement may be waived at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent.
“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.
“Louisiana Claim” means that certain class action lawsuit styled “State of Louisiana, by and through its Division of Administration, East Baton Rouge Parish Law Enforcement District, by and through the duly elected East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff, Sid J. Gautreaux, III, et. al., individually and as class representatives vs. i3-Software & Services, LLC; 1120 South Pointe Properties, LLC, formerly known as Software and Services of Louisiana, L.L.C.; i3 Verticals, Inc.; i3 Verticals, LLC; Gregory R. Teeters; and Scott Carrington, originally filed in the 19th Judicial District for the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana.”
“Louisiana Claim Amount” means the amount that is utilized by the Borrower in connection with the payment or other satisfaction of any judgment or order arising out of, or the settlement of, and all related legal fees and expenses associated with, the Louisiana Claim; provided that the Louisiana Claim Amount shall not exceed $15,000,000.
“Market Intercreditor Agreement” means an intercreditor agreement the terms of which are consistent with market terms (as determined by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in good faith) governing security arrangements for the sharing of Liens, subordination arrangements and/or arrangements relating to the distribution of payments, as applicable, at the time the intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness subject thereto.
“Master Agreement” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Swap Contract.”
“Material Acquisition” means a Permitted Acquisition for which the aggregate cash and non-cash consideration (including assumed Indebtedness, the good faith estimate by the Borrower of the maximum amount of any deferred purchase price obligations (including any earn out payments) and Equity Interests) exceeds five percent (5%) of Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (determined as of the last day of the most recently ended four (4) fiscal quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) or 6.01(b)).
“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), or financial condition of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their obligations under any Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a
party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.
“Maturity Date” means the later of (a) October 9, 2031 and (b) if maturity is extended pursuant to Section 2.18, such extended maturity date as determined pursuant to Section 2.18; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.
“Merchant” means any customer for whom any of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries directly or indirectly provides electronic payment processing services, including credit, debit, PIN debit, fleet, gift card, rewards and loyalty programs, electronic benefit transfer and check authorization and conversion, or with respect to whom any of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries directly or indirectly receives residuals, commissions or fees.
“Merchant Funds” means any loss reserves, deposits, suspended/held funds and any other monies or accounts consisting of any Merchants’ funds, whether held by Loan Parties, their Subsidiaries or third parties.
“Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time, (a) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided to reduce or eliminate Fronting Exposure during any period when a Lender constitutes a Defaulting Lender, an amount equal to 105% of the Fronting Exposure of the L/C Issuer with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, (b) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.14(a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii), an amount equal to 105% of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, and (c) otherwise, an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer in their sole discretion.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
“Mortgages” means the mortgages, deeds of trust or deeds to secure debt that purport to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, a security interest in the fee interests and/or leasehold interests of any Loan Party in any real property.
“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which HoldCo or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five (5) plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
“Multiple Employer Plan” means a Pension Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including HoldCo or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
“Net Cash Proceeds” means the aggregate cash or Cash Equivalents proceeds received by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in respect of any Disposition, Equity Issuance, Debt Issuance or Recovery Event, net of (a) direct costs incurred in connection therewith (including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions), (b) taxes paid or payable as a result thereof and (c) in the case of any Disposition or any Recovery Event, the amount necessary to retire any Indebtedness secured by a Permitted Lien (ranking senior to any Lien of the Administrative Agent) on the related property; it being understood that “Net Cash Proceeds” shall include any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in any Disposition, Equity Issuance, Debt Issuance or Recovery Event.
“NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
“NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a federal funds
broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates as so determined would be less than 0%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0% for purposes of this Agreement.
“NYFRB’s Website” means the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.
“Non-Consenting Lender” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (a) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 11.01 and (b) has been approved by the Required Lenders.
“Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.
“Non-Extending Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(c).
“Non-Extension Notice Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii).
“Note” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a).
“Notice of Loan Prepayment” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.05 or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an Approved Borrower Portal, or any other electronic platform or electronic transmission system, as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower; provided that, in the case of a Notice of Loan Prepayment submitted through an Approved Borrower Portal, the foregoing signature requirement may be waived at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent.
“Obligations” means with respect to each Loan Party (i) all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, (ii) all obligations of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary owing to a Cash Management Bank or a Hedge Bank in respect of Secured Cash Management Agreements or Secured Hedge Agreements, and (iii) all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the foregoing, including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest, expenses and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof pursuant to any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest, expenses and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided, however, that without limiting the foregoing, (i) the “Obligations” of a Loan Party shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Loan Party and (ii) for the avoidance of doubt, “Obligations” shall not include Permitted Convertible Indebtedness, Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions or Permitted Warrant Transactions.
“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement or limited liability company agreement (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction) and (d) with respect to all entities, any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction).
“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 3.06).
“Outbound Investment Rules” means the regulations administered and enforced, together with any related public guidance issued, by the United States Treasury Department under U.S. Executive Order 14105 of August 9, 2023, or any similar law or regulation, as of the date of this Agreement, and as codified at 31 C.F.R. § 850.101 et seq.
“Outstanding Amount” means (a) with respect to any Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any Borrowings and prepayments or repayments of any Loans occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.
“Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.
“Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d).
“Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(d).
“PATRIOT Act” has the meaning specified in Section 11.18.
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
“Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA regarding minimum funding standards with respect to Pension Plans and set forth in Sections 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Internal Revenue Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
“Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by HoldCo and any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which HoldCo or any ERISA Affiliate has any liability and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code.
“Permitted Acquisition” means an Investment consisting of an Acquisition by any Loan Party; provided that (a) except in the case of a Limited Conditionality Transaction (in which case, compliance with this clause (a) shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.02(e)), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such Acquisition, (b) the property acquired (or the property of the Person acquired) in such Acquisition is used or useful in a line of business that the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries are permitted to engage in pursuant to Section 7.07 (or any reasonable extensions or expansions thereof), (c) in the case of an Acquisition of the Equity Interests of another Person, the board of directors (or other comparable governing body) of such other Person shall have duly approved such Acquisition, (d) except in the case of a Limited Conditionality Transaction (in which case, compliance with this clause (d) shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.02(e)), the Borrower
shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a Pro Forma Compliance Certificate demonstrating that the Loan Parties would be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11, recomputed as of the end of the period of the four (4) fiscal quarters most recently ended for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) after giving effect to such Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, (e) except in the case of a Limited Conditionality Transaction (in which case, compliance with this clause (e) shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.02(e)), the representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in each Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects at and as if made as of the date of such Acquisition (after giving effect thereto), (f) if such transaction involves the purchase of an interest in a partnership between any Loan Party as a general partner and entities unaffiliated with the Borrower as the other partners, such transaction shall be effected by having such equity interest acquired by a corporate holding company directly or indirectly wholly owned by such Loan Party newly formed for the sole purpose of effecting such transaction and (g) the aggregate cash and non-cash consideration (including assumed Indebtedness, the good faith estimate by the Borrower of the maximum amount of any deferred purchase price obligations (including any earn out payments) and Equity Interests) for any such Acquisition shall not exceed $75,000,000.
“Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions” means any call or capped call option (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) relating to HoldCo’s common stock (or other securities or property following a merger event, reclassification or other change of the common stock in HoldCo) purchased by the Borrower in connection with the issuance of any Permitted Convertible Indebtedness; provided that the purchase price for such Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions, less the proceeds received by HoldCo from the sale of any related Permitted Warrant Transactions, does not exceed the net proceeds received by the Borrower from the issuance of such Permitted Convertible Indebtedness in connection with such Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions.
“Permitted Convertible Indebtedness” means (a) any Indebtedness of the Borrower that is convertible into common stock in HoldCo (or other securities or property following a merger event, reclassification or other change to the common stock in HoldCo), cash or a combination thereof (such amount of cash determined by reference to the price of such common stock or such other securities or property), and cash in lieu of fractional shares of common stock and (b) the Guarantee of any of the Indebtedness described in the foregoing clause (a) by HoldCo.
“Permitted Holder” means (a) Greg Daily, (b) his immediate family members and lineal descendants, and (c) trusts or other estate-planning vehicles established for the benefit of any of the Persons listed in clause (a) or (b) above, in respect of which trusts or estate-planning vehicles the individual referred to in the foregoing clause (a) serves as sole trustee or in a similar capacity.
“Permitted Liens” means, at any time, Liens in respect of property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary permitted to exist at such time pursuant to the terms of Section 7.01.
“Permitted Tax Distributions” means, for any period during which the Borrower is taxed as a partnership under the Internal Revenue Code, cash distributions to the holders of the Borrower’s Equity Interests for purposes of paying the Borrower’s best estimate of their taxable income determined without regard to any basis adjustment to a member arising under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
“Permitted Transfers” means (a) Dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business; (b) Dispositions of property to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided, that if the transferor of such property is a Loan Party then the transferee thereof must be a Loan Party; (c) Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof; (d) Dispositions of assets no longer used or useful in the conduct of business of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries; (e) licenses, sublicenses, leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; (f) the sale or disposition of Cash Equivalents for fair market value; (g) Investments permitted by Section 7.02; and (h) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.06.
“Permitted Warrant Transactions” means any call option, warrant or right to purchase (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) relating to HoldCo’s common stock (or other securities or property following a merger event, reclassification or other change to the common stock in HoldCo) sold
by HoldCo substantially concurrently with any purchase by the Borrower of related Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions and the performance by HoldCo of its obligations thereunder.
“Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of HoldCo or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which HoldCo or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.
“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.
“Pro Forma Basis” means, with respect to any transaction, that for purposes of calculating the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11, such transaction (including the incurrence of any Indebtedness therewith) shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the most recent four fiscal quarter period preceding the date of such transaction for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b). In connection with the foregoing, (a) with respect to any Disposition or Recovery Event, (i) income statement and cash flow statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property disposed of shall be excluded to the extent relating to any period occurring prior to the date of such transaction and (ii) Indebtedness which is retired shall be excluded and deemed to have been retired as of the first day of the applicable period and (b) with respect to any Acquisition, (i) income statement and cash flow statement items attributable to the Person or property acquired shall be included to the extent relating to any period applicable in such calculations to the extent (A) such items are not otherwise included in such income statement and cash flow statement items for HoldCo and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP or in accordance with any defined terms set forth in Section 1.01 and (B) such items are supported by financial statements or other information reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (including the Person or property acquired) in connection with such transaction and any Indebtedness of the Person or property acquired which is not retired in connection with such transaction (A) shall be deemed to have been incurred as of the first day of the applicable period and (B) if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate which is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination.
“Pro Forma Compliance Certificate” means a certificate of a Responsible Officer of HoldCo containing reasonably detailed calculations of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 recomputed as of the end of the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended for which HoldCo has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) after giving effect to the applicable transaction on a Pro Forma Basis.
“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
“Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 9.03(a).
“QFC Credit Support” has the meaning specified in Section 11.21.
“Qualified Acquisition” means a Permitted Acquisition for which the aggregate cash and non-cash consideration (including assumed Indebtedness, the good faith estimate by the Borrower of the maximum amount of any deferred purchase price obligations (including any earn out payments) and Equity Interests) exceeds $20,000,000; provided that for any Permitted Acquisition to qualify as a “Qualified Acquisition”, the Administrative Agent shall have received (not fewer than five (5) Business Days (or such lesser period of time as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition) a Qualified Acquisition Election Certificate with respect to such Permitted Acquisition.
“Qualified Acquisition Election Certificate” means a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (a) certifying that the applicable Permitted Acquisition meets the criteria set forth in the definition of “Qualified Acquisition”, and (b) notifying the Administrative Agent that the Borrower has elected to treat such Permitted Acquisition as a “Qualified Acquisition”.
“Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, at any time, each Loan Party with total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or that qualifies at such time as an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
“Real Property Security Documents” means with respect to the fee interest and/or leasehold interest of any Loan Party in any real property:
(a) a fully executed and notarized Mortgage encumbering the fee interest and/or leasehold interest of such Loan Party in such real property;
(b) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, maps or plats of an as-built survey of the sites of such real property certified to the Administrative Agent and the title insurance company issuing the policies referred to in clause (c) of this definition in a manner satisfactory to each of the Administrative Agent and such title insurance company, dated a date satisfactory to each of the Administrative Agent and such title insurance company by an independent professional licensed land surveyor, which maps or plats and the surveys on which they are based shall be sufficient to delete any standard printed survey exception contained in the applicable title policy and be made in accordance with the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for Land Title Surveys jointly established and adopted by the American Land Title Association and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping in 2011 with items 2, 3, 4, 6(b), 7(a), 7(b)(1), 7(c), 8, 9, 10, 11(a), 13, 14, 16,17, 18 and 19 on Table A thereof completed;
(c) ALTA mortgagee title insurance policies issued by a title insurance company acceptable to the Administrative Agent with respect to such real property, assuring the Administrative Agent that the Mortgage covering such real property creates a valid and enforceable first priority mortgage lien on such real property, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances except Permitted Liens, which title insurance policies shall otherwise be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall include such endorsements as are requested by the Administrative Agent;
(d) (i) a completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to such real property (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by each Loan Party relating thereto) and (ii) if such real property is a Flood Hazard Property, (A) notices to (and confirmations of receipt by) such Loan Party as to the existence of a special flood hazard and, if applicable, the unavailability of flood hazard insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program and (B) evidence of applicable flood insurance, if available, in each case in such form, on such terms and in such amounts as required by The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 or as otherwise required by the Administrative Agent;
(e) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, an environmental assessment report, as to such real property, in form and substance and from professional firms acceptable to the Administrative Agent;
(f) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that such real property, and the uses of such real property, are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable zoning Laws (the evidence submitted as to which should include the zoning designation made for such real property, the permitted uses of such real property under such zoning designation and, if available, zoning requirements as to parking, lot size, ingress, egress and building setbacks);
(g) in the case of a leasehold interest of any Loan Party in such real property, (i) such estoppel letters, consents and waivers from the landlords on such real property as may be required by the Administrative Agent, which estoppel letters shall be in the form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (ii) evidence that the applicable lease, a memorandum of lease with respect thereto, or other evidence of such lease in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, has been or will be recorded in all places to the extent necessary or desirable, in the judgment of the Administrative Agent, so as to enable the Mortgage encumbering such leasehold interest to effectively create a valid and enforceable first priority lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on such leasehold interest in favor of the Administrative Agent (or such other Person as may be required or desired under local Law); and
(h) if requested by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, an opinion of legal counsel to the Loan Party granting the Mortgage on such real property, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
“Recipient” means the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder.
“Recovery Event” means any loss of, damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking for public use of, any property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary.
“Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (1) if such Benchmark is the Term SOFR Rate, 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the day that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (2) if, following a Benchmark Transition Event and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate, such Benchmark is Daily Simple SOFR, then four U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such setting or (3) if such Benchmark is none of the Term SOFR Rate or Daily Simple SOFR, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.
“Refinancing Amendment” means an amendment to this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders providing Specified Refinancing Facilities, effecting the incurrence of such Specified Refinancing Facilities in accordance with Section 2.17.
“Register” has the meaning specified in Section 11.06(c).
“Registered Equivalent Notes” means, with respect to any notes originally issued in an offering pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or other private placement transactions under the Securities Act of 1933, substantially identical notes (having the same guarantees) issued in a dollar-for-dollar or euro-for-euro exchange, as applicable, therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.
“Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Regulatory Authority” has the meaning specified in Section 11.07(e).
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors, consultants, service providers and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto.
“Relevant Rate” means, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Term SOFR Rate.
“Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty-day notice period has been waived.
“Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Loans, a Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a Swingline Loan, a Swingline Loan Notice.
“Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Total Credit Exposures representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the Total Credit Exposures of all Lenders. The Total Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time; provided that the amount of any participation in any Swingline Loan and Unreimbursed Amounts that such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund that have not been reallocated to and funded by another Lender shall be deemed to be held by the Lender that is the Swingline Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in making such determination.
“Rescindable Amount” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.12(b)(ii).
“Residual Buyout” means any transaction in which a Loan Party or Subsidiary purchases a portion of the residual payments of any third party Person which provides business services to a Loan Party or Subsidiary; provided that any such residual buyout transaction shall be made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with prudent business practices customary in the industry in which the Borrower operates.
“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party, and, solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates, the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party. To the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, each Responsible Officer will provide an incumbency certificate, and to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, appropriate authorization documentation, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
“Restricted Payment” means (a) any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests of any Person, (b) any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests or on account of any return of capital to such Person’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Person thereof), or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such dividend or other distribution or payment (other than with respect to Permitted Convertible Indebtedness, Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions and Permitted Warrant Transactions), (c) any payment made in cash to holders of
Permitted Convertible Indebtedness in excess of the original principal (or notional) amount thereof and interest thereon (other than payment of customary fees, costs and expenses associated therewith), and interest on such excess amount, except to the extent that a corresponding amount is received by the Borrower in cash (whether through a direct cash payment or a settlement in shares of stock that are promptly sold for cash) substantially contemporaneously from the other party to a Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction relating to such Permitted Convertible Indebtedness, and (d) any cash payment made in connection with the settlement of a Permitted Warrant Transaction solely to the extent HoldCo has the option of satisfying such payment obligation through the issuance of shares of common stock.
“Revolving Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01, (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, and (c) purchase participations in Swingline Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption or other documentation pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. Revolving Commitments shall include any Incremental Revolving Commitment.
“Revolving Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Revolving Loans, its Swingline Exposure and such Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations at such time.
“Revolving Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global Inc., and any successor thereto.
“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means, with respect to any Person, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby such Person shall sell or transfer any property used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred.
“Sanction(s)” means any sanction, trade embargo or similar restriction imposed, administered or enforced by the United States Government, including OFAC, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
“Secured Cash Management Agreement” means any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and any Cash Management Bank with respect to such Cash Management Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of Obligations in respect of Secured Cash Management Agreements shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 8.03 and Section 9.08.
“Secured Hedge Agreement” means any Swap Contract that is entered into by and between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and any Hedge Bank with respect to such Swap Contract. For the avoidance of doubt, a holder of Obligations in respect of Secured Hedge Agreements shall be subject to the last paragraph of Section 8.03 and Section 9.08.
“Secured Party Designation Notice” means a notice from any Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.01.
“Securitization Transaction” means, with respect to any Person, any financing transaction or series of financing transactions (including factoring arrangements) pursuant to which such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person may sell, convey or otherwise transfer, or grant a security interest in, accounts, payments, receivables, rights to future lease payments or residuals or similar rights to payment to a special purpose subsidiary or affiliate of such Person.
“Security Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, executed in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations by each of the Loan Parties.
“Settlement” means the transfer of cash or other property with respect to any credit or debit card charge, check or other instrument, electronic funds transfer, or other type of paper-based or electronic payment, transfer, or charge transaction for which a Person acts as a processor, remitter, funds recipient or funds transmitter in the ordinary course of business.
“Settlement Asset” means any cash, receivable or other property, including a Settlement Receivable, due or conveyed to a Person in consideration for a Settlement made or arranged, or to be made or arranged, by such Person or an Affiliate of such Person.
“Settlement Lien” means a Lien securing obligations arising under or related to any Settlement or Settlement Obligation that attaches to (a) Settlement Assets (including any assignment of Settlement Assets in consideration of Settlement Payments), (b) any intraday and overnight overdraft and automated clearing house exposure or asset specifically related to Settlement Assets, (c) loss reserve accounts specifically related to Settlement Assets, (d) merchant suspense funds specifically related to Settlement Assets, or (e) rights under any BIN/ISO Agreement or fees paid or payable under any BIN/ISO Agreement.
“Settlement Obligations” means any payment or reimbursement obligation in respect of a Settlement Payment.
“Settlement Payment” means the transfer, or contractual undertaking (including by automated clearing house transaction) to effect a transfer, of cash or other property to effect a Settlement.
“Settlement Receivable” means any general intangible, payment intangible, or instrument representing or reflecting an obligation to make payments to or for the benefit of a Person in consideration for a Settlement made or arranged, or to be made or arranged, by such Person.
“SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
“SOFR Administrator” means the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
“SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the NYFRB’s website, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.
“SOFR Determination Date” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.
“SOFR Rate Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.
“Solvent” or “Solvency” means, with respect to any Person as of a particular date, that on such date (a) such Person is able to pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business, (b) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature in the ordinary course of business, (c) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute unreasonably small capital, (d) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person and (e) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and
circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
“Specified Event of Default” means an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8.01(a), Section 8.01(f) or Section 8.01(g).
“Specified Loan Party” has the meaning specified in Section 10.08.
“Specified Refinancing Indebtedness” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a).
“Specified Refinancing Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a).
“Specified Refinancing Facilities” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a).
“Specified Refinancing Revolving Commitments” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a).
“Specified Refinancing Term Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a).
“Subordinated Debt” means any unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that has been subordinated in right of payment and priority to the Obligations, all on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
“Subordination Agreement” means any subordination agreement entered into by the Administrative Agent with respect to Subordinated Debt of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of Voting Stock is at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of HoldCo.
“Supported QFC” has the meaning specified in Section 11.21.
“Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, “Swap Contract” shall not include any Permitted Convertible Indebtedness, Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions or Permitted Warrant Transactions.
“Swap Obligation” means with respect to any Guarantor any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s) and (b) for any date prior to the date
referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
“Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be the sum of (a) its Applicable Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time (excluding any Swingline Loans made by such Lender in its capacity as a Swingline Lender), adjusted to give effect to any reallocation under Section 2.15 of the Swingline Exposure of Defaulting Lenders in effect at such time, and (b) in the case of any Lender that is a Swingline Lender, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans made by such Lender outstanding at such time, less the amount of participations funded by the other Lenders in such Swingline Loans.
“Swingline Lender” means JPMorgan (or any of its designated branch offices or affiliates), in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.
“Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.
“Swingline Loan Notice” means a notice of a Borrowing of Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.04 or such other form as approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an Approved Borrower Portal, or any other electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower; provided, that, in the case of a Swingline Loan Notice submitted through an Approved Borrower Portal, the foregoing signature requirement may be waived at the sole discretion of the Swingline Lender.
“Swingline Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $15,000,000 and (b) the Aggregate Revolving Commitments. The Swingline Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.
“Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).
“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Tax Receivable Agreement” means that certain tax receivable agreement dated as of June 25, 2018, among HoldCo, the Borrower and each of the equity owners of the Borrower (other than HoldCo) party thereto, which provides for the payment by HoldCo to such equity owners of certain tax benefits, if any, that it realizes from time to time as a result of (a) redemptions funded by HoldCo or exchanges of common units of the Borrower for class A common stock of HoldCo or cash, and (b) certain additional tax benefits attributable to payments made under such tax receivable agreement, as may be assigned and amended from time to time in accordance with its terms.
“Term Benchmark” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Term SOFR Rate.
“Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning assigned to it under the definition of Term SOFR Reference Rate.
“Term SOFR Rate” means, with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator; provided that if the Term SOFR Rate as so determined would be less than the Floor, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement.
“Term SOFR Reference Rate” means, for any day and time (such day, the “Term SOFR Determination Day”), with respect to any Term Benchmark Borrowing denominated in Dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the rate per annum published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and identified by the Administrative Agent as the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. If by 5:00 pm (New York City time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the “Term SOFR Reference Rate” for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate has not occurred, then, so long as such day is otherwise a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.
“Threshold Amount” means $10,000,000.
“Total Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the unused Commitments of such Lender at such time, the outstanding Loans of such Lender at such time and such Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans at such time.
“Total Revolving Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Loans, all Swingline Loans and all L/C Obligations.
“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Term SOFR Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.
“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York; provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.
“UCP” means the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time).
“UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any Person subject to IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.
“Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).
“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
“U.S. Person” means (a) for purposes of Sections 5.24 and 7.18 hereof, any United States citizen, lawful permanent resident, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States, including any foreign branch of any such entity, or any person in the United States, and (b) for all other purposes, any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code.
“U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning specified in Section 11.21.
“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(3).
“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, Equity Interests issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right to so vote has been suspended by the happening of such contingency.
“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years (and/or portion thereof) obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that Person or any other Person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.
1.02Other Interpretive Provisions.
With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a)The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Loan Document or Organization Document) shall be construed as
referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, amended and restated, modified, extended, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, Preliminary Statements of and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory rules, regulations, orders and provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such Law and any reference to any Law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such Law or regulation as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all assets and properties, tangible and intangible, real and personal, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
(b)In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”
(c)Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(d)Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to include a division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation), as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each division of any limited liability company that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity).
(e)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction the terms of this Agreement require (i) compliance with any financial ratio or test (including any Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio test or Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio test) or basket (including the amount of Consolidated Total Assets or the amount of Consolidated EBITDA), (ii) the absence of a Default or Event of Default (or any type of Default or Event of Default) as a condition to the consummation of any Limited Conditionality Transaction or incurrence of Indebtedness in connection therewith, (iii) a determination of the amount of any basket based on Consolidated Total Assets or Consolidated EBITDA or (iv) a determination as to whether the representations and warranties contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, are true and correct in all material respects (or, if qualified by materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, in all respects), the determination of whether the relevant condition is satisfied may be made, at the election of the Borrower, at the time of (on the basis of the financial statements for the most recently ended four quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b)) the execution of the definitive agreement with respect to such Limited Conditionality Transaction (the “LCT Test Date”), after giving effect to the relevant Limited Conditionality Transaction and any related incurrence of Indebtedness, on a Pro Forma Basis; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the absence of Specified Event of Default shall be a condition to the consummation of any such Limited Conditionality Transaction and incurrence of any related Indebtedness, (B) if the proceeds of an Incremental Term Loan are to be used to finance a Limited Conditionality Transaction, then such financing may be subject to customary “SunGard” or “certain funds” conditionality and the representations and warranties required shall be limited
to customary “Specified Representations” and such other representations and warranties as may be required by the applicable lenders providing such Incremental Term Loan and (C) the Limited Conditionality Transaction and any related Indebtedness to be incurred (and any associated Lien) and the use of proceeds thereof (including the consummation of any Acquisition or Investment) shall be deemed incurred and/or applied at the LCT Test Date (until such time as the Indebtedness is actually incurred or the applicable definitive agreement is terminated without actually consummating the applicable Limited Conditionality Transaction) and outstanding thereafter for purposes of pro forma compliance (other than with respect to any Restricted Payment) with any applicable calculation of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11, or the amount or availability of any basket based on Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Total Assets, as the case may be (it being understood and agreed that with respect to any such ratio test or basket to be used to effect a Restricted Payment, the Borrower shall demonstrate compliance with the applicable test both after giving effect to the applicable Limited Conditionality Transaction and assuming that such transaction had not occurred). For the avoidance of doubt, if any of such ratios or amounts for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date are thereafter exceeded as a result of fluctuations in such ratio or amount (including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA), at or prior to the consummation of the relevant Limited Conditionality Transaction, such ratios or amounts will not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations solely for purposes of determining whether the relevant Limited Conditionality Transaction is permitted to be consummated or taken.
1.03Accounting Terms.
(a)Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, (i) Indebtedness of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded, (ii) all liability amounts shall be determined excluding any liability relating to any operating lease, all amortization amounts shall be determined excluding any amortization of a right-of-use asset relating to any operating lease, and all interest amounts shall be determined excluding any deemed interest comprising a portion of fixed rent payable under any operating lease, in each case, to the extent that such liability, amortization or interest would not have been accounted for as such under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2015, and (iii) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under FASB ASC Topic 825 “Financial Instruments” (or any other financial accounting standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein. For purposes of determining the amount of any outstanding Indebtedness, no effect shall be given to (x) any election by the Borrower to measure an item of Indebtedness using fair value (as permitted by Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 825–10–25 (formerly known as FASB 159) or any similar accounting standard) or (y) any change in accounting for leases pursuant to GAAP resulting from the implementation of Financial Accounting Standards Board ASU No. 2016–02, Leases (Topic 842), to the extent such adoption would require recognition of a lease liability where such lease (or similar arrangement) would not have required a lease liability under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2015.
(b)Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP (including the adoption of IFRS) would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement
shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
(c)Calculations. Notwithstanding the above, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that: (i) all calculations of the financial covenants in Section 7.11 (including for purposes of determining the Applicable Rate) shall be made on a Pro Forma Basis with respect to (w) any Disposition of all of the Equity Interests of, or all or substantially all of the assets of, a Subsidiary, (x) any Disposition of a line of business or division of any Loan Party or Subsidiary, (y) any Acquisition, or (z) any Residual Buyout, in each case, occurring during the applicable period and (ii) for purposes of all calculations hereunder, the principal amount of Permitted Convertible Indebtedness shall be the outstanding principal (or notional) amount thereof, valued at par.
1.04Rounding.
Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
1.05Times of Day.
Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
1.06Letter of Credit Amounts.
Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
1.07Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification.
The interest rate on a Loan denominated in Dollars may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that may be discontinued or is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, Section 3.03(b) provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission, performance or any other matter related to any interest rate used in this Agreement, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof, including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the existing interest rate being replaced or have the same volume or liquidity as did any existing interest rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates and/or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of any interest rate used in this Agreement or any alternative, successor or alternative rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) and/or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent may select
information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any interest rate used in this Agreement, any component 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 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.
ARTICLE II
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01Revolving Loans and Incremental Term Loans.
(a)Revolving Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “Revolving Loan”) to the Borrower in Dollars from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Borrowing of Revolving Loans, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. Within the limits of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01. Revolving Loans may be ABR Loans or Term Benchmark Loans, or a combination thereof, as further provided herein; provided, however, all Borrowings made on the Closing Date shall be made as ABR Loans.
(b)Incremental Term Loans. On the effective date of the applicable Incremental Term Facility, each lender party thereto severally agrees to make its portion of the Incremental Term Loan in a single advance to the Borrower in Dollars in the amount of its Incremental Term Loan Commitment as set forth in such Incremental Facility Amendment. Amounts repaid on Incremental Term Loans may not be reborrowed. The Incremental Term Loans may consist of ABR Loans or Term Benchmark Loans, as further provided herein.
2.02Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
(a)Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Term Benchmark Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by (A) telephone, or (B) a Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Loan Notice. Each such Loan Notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of, Term Benchmark Loans or of any conversion of Term Benchmark Loans to ABR Loans, and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of ABR Loans. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, in connection with any conversion or continuation of an Incremental Term Loan, if less, the entire principal thereof then outstanding). Except as provided in Section 2.03(c), each Borrowing of or conversion to ABR Loans (other than Swingline Loans) shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, in connection with any conversion or continuation of an Incremental Term Loan, if less, the entire principal thereof then outstanding). Each Loan Notice shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Term Benchmark Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect
thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, ABR Loans. Any such automatic conversion to ABR Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Term Benchmark Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans in any Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one (1) month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (x) a Swingline Loan may not be converted to a Term Benchmark Loan and (y) in no event shall the Borrower be permitted to request pursuant to this Section 2.02 prior to a Benchmark Transition Event and Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate, a Loan bearing interest based on Daily Simple SOFR (it being understood and agreed that Daily Simple SOFR shall only apply to the extent provided in Sections 3.03(a) and 3.03(f)), as applicable.
(b)Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to ABR Loans described in the preceding clause (a). In the case of a Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of JPMorgan with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date the Loan Notice with respect to a Borrowing of Revolving Loans is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings and second, shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above.
(c)Except as otherwise provided herein, a Term Benchmark Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Term Benchmark Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Term Benchmark Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders, and the Required Lenders may demand that any or all of the outstanding Term Benchmark Loans be converted immediately to ABR Loans.
(d)Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error.
(e)After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than ten Interest Periods in effect.
(f)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue or rollover all or a portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement (including, without limitation, a new credit facility documented as an amendment and restatement of this Agreement), pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Lender.
(g)With respect to SOFR or the Term SOFR Rate, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without
any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that, with respect to any such amendment effected, the Administrative Agent shall post each such amendment implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes to the Borrower and the Lenders reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective.
(h)This Section 2.02 shall not apply to Swingline Loans.
2.03Letters of Credit.
(a)The Letter of Credit Commitment.
(i)Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit in Dollars for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with clause (b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) each Lender severally agrees to purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in (I) all Existing Letters of Credit on the Closing Date, and (II) in other Letters of Credit issued on or after the Closing Date for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any drawings thereunder, in each case of clauses (I) and (II), in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (w) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, (x) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, (y) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations owed to the L/C Issuer shall not exceed the L/C Commitment. Each issuance of a Letter of Credit (including, without limitation, the Existing Letters of Credit) shall be deemed to utilize the Revolving Commitment of each Lender by an amount equal to the amount of such participation. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and, at all times from and after the Closing Date, shall be subject to, and governed by, the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.
(ii)The L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A)subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii), the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve (12) months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) holding a majority of the Revolving Credit Exposure have approved such expiry date; or
(B)the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless all the Lenders that have Revolving Commitments have approved such expiry date.
(iii)The L/C Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue, amend or extend any 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 the L/C Issuer from issuing, amending or extending such Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance, amendment or extension of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;
(B)the issuance, amending or extending of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;
(C)except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, such Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $250,000;
(D)such Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars;
(E)any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Defaulting Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.15(b)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which the L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion;
(F)such Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder; or
(G)the issuance, amendment or extension of such Letter of Credit would result in more than a total of twenty (20) Letters of Credit outstanding.
(iv)The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.
(v)The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.
(vi)The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article IX included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.
(b)Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.
(i)Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower; provided, that, in the case of a Letter of Credit Application submitted through an Approved Borrower Portal, the foregoing signature requirement may be waived at the sole discretion of the L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by fax transmission, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using an Approved Borrower Portal or any other system provided by the L/C Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least three (3) Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may require.
(ii)Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.
(iii)If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve-
month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.
(iv)Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.
(c)Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.
(i)Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of drawing under such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 10:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an “Honor Date”), the Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of ABR Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.
(ii)Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the L/C Issuer at the Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 12:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Loan that is a ABR Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.
(iii)With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Borrowing of Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on
demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03.
(iv)Until each Lender funds its Revolving Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.
(v)Each Lender’s obligations to make Revolving Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.
(vi)If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii), then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Loan included in the relevant Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d)Repayment of Participations.
(i)At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.
(ii)If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 11.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of
the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e)Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:
(i)any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement or any other Loan Document;
(ii)the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that any Loan Party or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;
(iii)any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;
(iv)waiver by the L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for the L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by the L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;
(v)honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;
(vi)any payment made by the L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;
(vii)any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or
(viii)any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary.
The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
(f)Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight or time draft, certificates and documents expressly required by such Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower from pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves, as determined by a final nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight or time draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring, endorsing or assigning or purporting to transfer, endorse or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The L/C Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.
(g)Applicability of ISP; Limitation of Liability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and the L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the L/C Issuer required or permitted under any Law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade – International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such Law or practice.
(h)Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance, subject to Section 2.15, with its Applicable Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) due and payable on the fifteenth day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand and (ii) computed on a
quarterly basis in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any fiscal quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such fiscal quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.
(i)Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at the rate per annum specified in the Fee Letter, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable on the fifteenth Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December in respect of the most recently-ended quarterly period (or portion thereof, in the case of the first payment), commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.
(j)Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.
(k)Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.
2.04Swingline Loans.
(a)Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, from time to time during the Availability Period, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender exceeding the Swingline Sublimit or (ii) any Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding its Revolving Commitment; provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.
(b)To request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall submit a Swingline Loan Notice to the Administrative Agent by telecopy or electronic mail (or transmit by electronic communication, including an Approved Borrower Portal, if arrangements for such transmission have been approved by the Administrative Agent) not later than 12:00 noon on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan. Each Swingline Loan Notice shall be in a form approved by the Administrative Agent, shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any Swingline Loan Notice received from the Borrower. The Swingline Lender shall make the requested Swingline Loan available to the Borrower by means of a credit to an account of the Borrower with the Administrative Agent designated for such purpose by 3:00 p.m. on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.
(c)[Reserved].
(d)The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent require the Lenders to acquire participations in all or a portion of its Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loans. Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, promptly upon receipt of such notice from the Administrative Agent (and in any event if such notice is received by 12:00 noon on a Business Day, no later than 5:00 p.m. on such Business Day and if received after 12:00 noon on a Business Day, no later than 10:00 a.m. on the immediately succeeding Business Day), to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loans. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligations to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph and to make payments in respect of such acquired participations are absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.
(e)The Swingline Lender may resign as Swingline Lender in accordance with Section 11.06(f), in which case the Swingline Lender shall be replaced in accordance with Section 11.06(f).
2.05Prepayments.
(a)Voluntary Prepayments of Loans.
(i)Revolving Loans and Incremental Term Loans. The Borrower may, upon delivery of a Notice of Loan Prepayment to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Revolving Loans and Incremental Term Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that, unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, (A) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (1) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Term Benchmark Loans and (2) on the date of prepayment of ABR Loans; (B) any prepayment of Term Benchmark Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding); (C) any prepayment of ABR Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding); and (D) any prepayment of any Incremental Term Loan shall be applied to the remaining principal amortization payments as set forth in the Incremental Facility Amendment pursuant to which such Incremental Term Loans were made. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Term Benchmark Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The
Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a Term Benchmark Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Subject to Section 2.15, each such prepayment shall be applied to the Loans of the applicable Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.
(ii)Swingline Loans. The Borrower may, upon notice to the Swingline Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swingline Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that, unless otherwise agreed by the Swingline Lender, (A) such notice must be received by the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (B) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal thereof then outstanding). Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a Swingline Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.
(b)Mandatory Prepayments of Loans.
(i)Revolving Commitments. If for any reason the Total Revolving Outstandings at any time exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments then in effect, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Revolving Loans and/or Swingline Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05(b)(i) unless after the prepayment in full of the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans the Total Revolving Outstandings exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments then in effect.
(ii)Debt Issuance. Immediately upon receipt by HoldCo or any Subsidiary of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Specified Refinancing Indebtedness, the Borrower shall prepay the Loans being refinanced or replaced in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds.
(iii)Application of Mandatory Prepayments. All amounts required to be paid pursuant to (a) Section 2.05(b)(i) shall be applied, first, ratably to the L/C Borrowings and the Swingline Loans, second, to the outstanding Revolving Loans, and, third, to Cash Collateralize the remaining L/C Obligations and (b) Section 2.05(b)(ii) shall be applied ratably to the Loans being refinanced or replaced by such Specified Refinancing Indebtedness (and in the case of any Specified Refinancing Indebtedness which refinances all or a portion of a revolving credit facility hereunder, the commitments under such revolving credit facility shall be permanently reduced by the amount of such payment).
Within the parameters of the applications set forth above, prepayments shall be applied first to ABR Loans and then to Term Benchmark Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. All prepayments under this Section 2.05(b) shall be subject to Section 3.05, but otherwise without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by interest on the principal amount prepaid through the date of prepayment.
2.06Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Revolving Commitments.
(a)The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swingline Sublimit, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swingline Sublimit; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. five (5) Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, (iv) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Letter of Credit Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, (v) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Swingline Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Outstanding Amount of Swingline Loans would exceed the Swingline Sublimit and (vi) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swingline Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, such sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction. Any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be applied to the Revolving Commitment of each Lender according to its Applicable Percentage. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.
2.07Repayment of Loans.
(a)Revolving Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.
(b)Swingline Loans. The Borrower shall repay each Swingline Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date ten (10) Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.
(c)Incremental Term Loans. The Borrower shall repay the outstanding principal amount of the Incremental Term Loans in installments on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the related Incremental Facility Amendment pursuant to which such Incremental Term Loans were made.
2.08Interest and Default Rate.
(a)Interest. Subject to the provisions of clause (b) below, (i) each Term Benchmark Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Term SOFR Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; (ii) each ABR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate; and (iii) each Swingline Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate. To the extent that any calculation of interest or any fee required to be paid under this Agreement shall be based on (or result in) a calculation that is less than zero, such calculation shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.
(b)Default Rate. (i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(i)(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(ii)(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists (other than as set forth in clauses (b)(i) and (b)(ii) above), the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iii)(iv) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
(c)Interest Payments. Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
2.09Fees.
In addition to certain fees described in clauses (h) and (i) of Section 2.03:
(a)Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee (the “Commitment Fee”) equal to the product of (i) the Applicable Rate times (ii) the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Revolving Commitments exceed the sum of (y) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and (z) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15. For the avoidance of doubt, the Outstanding Amount of Swingline Loans shall not be counted towards or considered usage of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments for purposes of determining the Commitment Fee. The Commitment Fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the fifteenth day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period. The Commitment Fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any fiscal quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such fiscal quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.
(b)Other Fees.
(i)The Borrower shall pay to JPMorgan for its own account fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
(ii)The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
2.10Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate.
(a) Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for ABR Loans determined by reference to the Prime Rate shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid; provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one (1) day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(b) Financial Statement Adjustments or Restatements. If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of HoldCo or for any other reason, HoldCo or the Lenders determine that (i) the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as calculated by HoldCo as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to HoldCo under the Bankruptcy Code, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This clause (b) shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under any provision of this Agreement to payment of any Obligations hereunder at the Default Rate or under Article VIII. The Borrower’s obligations under this clause (b) shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.
2.11Evidence of Debt.
(a)Maintenance of Accounts. The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register in accordance with Section 11.06(c). The accounts or records maintained by each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the Register, the Register shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a promissory note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each such promissory note shall be in the form of Exhibit 2.11(a) (a “Note”). Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
(b)Maintenance of Records. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in clause (a) above, each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
2.12Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.
(a)General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. Subject to Section 2.07(b) and as otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement, if any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
(b)(i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Term Benchmark Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of ABR Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of ABR Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(i)Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the applicable Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. With respect to any payment that the Administrative Agent makes for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder as to which the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that any of the following applies (such payment referred to as the “Rescindable Amount”): (1) the Borrower has not in fact made such payment; (2) the Administrative Agent has made a payment in excess of the amount so paid by the Borrower (whether or not then owed); or (3) the Administrative Agent has for any reason otherwise erroneously made such payment;
then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this clause (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(c)Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
(d)Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 11.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 11.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 11.04(c).
(e)Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
2.13Sharing of Payments by Lenders.
If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of the Loans made by it, or the participations in L/C Obligations or in Swingline Loans held by it resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans or participations and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided that:
(i)if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
(ii)the provisions of this Section 2.13 shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), (B) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.14, or (C) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the
assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations or Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (as to which the provisions of this Section 2.13 shall apply).
Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.
2.14Cash Collateral.
(a)Certain Credit Support Events. If (i) the L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, (ii) as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, (iii) the Borrower shall be required to provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.05 or 8.02(c) or (iv) the Borrower shall be required to provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.15(a)(v), the Borrower shall immediately (in the case of clause (iii) above) or within one (1) Business Day (in all other cases) following any request by the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer provide Cash Collateral in an amount not less than the applicable Minimum Collateral Amount (determined in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to clause (iv) above, after giving effect to Section 2.15(b) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).
(b)Grant of Security Interest. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as Collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.14(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer as herein provided (other than Liens permitted under Section 7.01(m)), or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at JPMorgan. The Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.
(c)Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.14 or Sections 2.03, 2.15 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.
(d)Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or to secure other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 11.06(b)(vi)) or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (x) any such release shall be without prejudice to, and any disbursement or other
transfer of Cash Collateral shall be and remain subject to, any other Lien conferred under the Loan Documents and the other applicable provisions of the Loan Documents, and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.
2.15Defaulting Lenders.
(a)Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:
(i)Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” and Section 11.01.
(ii)Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 11.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.14; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.14; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise as may be required under the Loan Documents in connection with any Lien conferred thereunder or directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.15(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii)Certain Fees.
(A)No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).
(B)Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.14.
(C)With respect to any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.15(a)(iv) below, (y) pay to the L/C Issuer the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.
(iv)Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment. Subject to Section 11.20, no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.
(v)Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swingline Loans. If the reallocation described in Section 2.15(a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under applicable Law, (x) first, prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.14.
(b)Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and the L/C Issuer agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans, the Swingline Exposure and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.15(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.
2.16Incremental Facility Loans.
(a)Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower shall have the right, from time to time and upon at least ten (10) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent (an “Incremental Request”), to institute one or more term loans (“Incremental Term Loans”; and any credit facility for providing for any Incremental Term Loans being referred to as an “Incremental Term Facility”) and/or increase the Aggregate Revolving Commitments (the “Incremental Revolving Commitments”; and revolving loans made thereunder the “Incremental Revolving Loans”; the Incremental Revolving Loans, together with the Incremental Term Loans are referred to herein as the “Incremental Facility Loans”); subject, however, in any such case, to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a)the aggregate amount of all Incremental Revolving Commitments and Incremental Term Loans effected pursuant to this Section 2.16 plus the aggregate amount of all Incremental Equivalent Debt shall not exceed the Incremental Amount;
(b)subject to Section 1.02(e), on the date on which any Incremental Facility Amendment is to become effective, both immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Facility Loans (assuming that the full amount of the Incremental Facility Loans shall have been funded on such date) and any related transactions, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(c)subject to Section 1.02(e), after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Facility Loans (assuming the full amount of the Incremental Facility Loans have been funded) and any related transactions, on a Pro Forma Basis, the Loan Parties shall be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11;
(d)subject to Section 1.02(e), the representations and warranties set forth in Article V shall be true and correct in all material respects (or if such representation and warranty is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, it shall be true and correct) on and as of the date on which such Incremental Facility Amendment is to become effective, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects (or if such representation and warranty is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, it shall be true and correct) as of such earlier date;
(e)such Incremental Facility Loans shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or such lesser amounts as agreed by the Administrative Agent);
(f)any Incremental Revolving Commitments shall be made on the same terms and provisions (other than upfront fees) as apply to the existing Revolving Commitments, including with respect to maturity date, interest rate and prepayment provisions, and shall not constitute a credit facility separate and apart from the existing revolving credit facility set forth in Section 2.01;
(g)any Incremental Term Loans shall be made on terms and pursuant to documentation consistent with the existing Loans, except with respect to maturity date, any upfront or similar fees, mandatory prepayments and amortization that, in each case, may be agreed to among the Borrower and the lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans;
(h)the maturity date of any Incremental Term Loan shall not be earlier than the Maturity Date;
(i)the Administrative Agent shall have received additional commitments in a corresponding amount of such requested Incremental Facility Loans from either existing Lenders
and/or one or more other institutions that qualify as Eligible Assignees (it being understood and agreed that no existing Lender shall be required to provide an additional commitment); and
(j)the Administrative Agent shall have received customary closing certificates and legal opinions and all other documents (including resolutions of the board of directors of the Loan Parties) it may reasonably request relating to the corporate or other necessary authority for such Incremental Facility Loans and the validity of such Incremental Facility Loans, and any other matters relevant thereto, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
Each Incremental Term Facility and any Incremental Revolving Commitments shall be evidenced by an amendment (an “Incremental Facility Amendment”) to this Agreement, giving effect to the modifications permitted by this Section 2.16 (and subject to the limitations set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph), executed by the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and each Lender providing a portion of the Incremental Term Facility and/or Incremental Revolving Commitments, as applicable, which such amendment, when so executed, shall amend this Agreement as provided therein. Each Incremental Facility Amendment shall also require such amendments to the Loan Documents, and such other new Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to effect the modifications and credit extensions permitted by this Section 2.16. Neither any Incremental Facility Amendment, nor any such amendments to the other Loan Documents or such other new Loan Documents, shall be required to be executed or approved by any Lender, other than the Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans and/or Incremental Revolving Commitments, as applicable, and the Administrative Agent, in order to be effective. The effectiveness of any Incremental Facility Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth above and as such other conditions as requested by the Lenders under the Incremental Facility Amendment established in connection therewith.
2.17Refinancing Facilities.
(a)The Borrower may from time to time, (i) add one or more new term loan facilities (“Specified Refinancing Term Loans”) or new revolving credit facilities (“Specified Refinancing Revolving Commitments” and together with the Specified Refinancing Term Loans, the “Specified Refinancing Facilities”) to the credit facilities under this Agreement pursuant to procedures reasonably specified by the Administrative Agent and reasonably acceptable to the Borrower or (ii) issue senior notes that may be unsecured or secured by the Collateral on a junior basis to the credit facilities under this Agreement (“Specified Refinancing Notes” and together with the Specified Refinancing Facilities, the “Specified Refinancing Indebtedness”) to refinance all or any portion of any Loans then outstanding under this Agreement; provided that such Specified Refinancing Indebtedness: (i) will rank pari passu in right of payment as to the other Loans and Commitments hereunder; (ii) will not have guarantors or contingent guarantors that are not Loan Parties; (iii) (A) with respect to Specified Refinancing Facilities, will be (x) unsecured or (y) secured by the Collateral on a pari passu or junior basis with the Obligations and (B) with respect to Specified Refinancing Notes, will be unsecured or secured by the Collateral on a junior basis with the Obligations, in each case pursuant to a Market Intercreditor Agreement that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower; (iv) any Specified Refinancing Indebtedness will have a maturity date that is not prior to the Maturity Date of the Loans being refinanced; (v) any Specified Refinancing Term Loans will have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity that is not shorter than the weighted average life to maturity of the Incremental Term Loans being refinanced; (vi) shall have terms and conditions (other than interest rate margins, rate floors, fees, original issue discount and applicable premiums) that are the same as the Loan(s) being refinanced; (vii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time such Specified Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred; and (viii) the Net Cash Proceeds of such Specified Refinancing Indebtedness shall be applied, substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, to the pro rata prepayment of outstanding Loans being so refinanced, in each case pursuant to Section 2.05 and 2.07, as applicable, and in the case of any
Specified Refinancing Revolving Commitments which replace all or a portion of a revolving credit facility hereunder, the commitments under such revolving credit facility shall be permanently reduced on a pro rata basis by the Specified Refinancing Revolving Commitments; provided, however, that such Specified Refinancing Indebtedness; (A) shall not have a principal or commitment amount (or accreted value) greater than the Loans being refinanced (excluding accrued interest, fees (including original issue discount and upfront fees), discounts, premiums or expenses) and (B) may provide for any additional or different financial or other covenants or other provisions that are agreed among the Borrower and the lenders thereof and applicable only during periods after the Maturity Date of any of the Loans that remain outstanding after giving effect to such Specified Refinancing Indebtedness or the date on which all non-refinanced Obligations are paid in full.
(b)The Borrower shall make any request for Specified Refinancing Indebtedness pursuant to a written notice to the Administrative Agent specifying in reasonable detail the proposed terms thereof. Any proposed Specified Refinancing Facilities may be provided by existing Lenders (it being understood that existing Lenders are not required to provide such proposed Specified Refinancing Facilities) or, subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent to the extent required by Section 11.06, Eligible Assignees in such respective amounts as the Borrower may elect.
(c)The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in clause (a) above and Section 4.02, and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements, including any supplements or amendments to the Collateral Documents providing for such Specified Refinancing Facilities to be secured thereby, generally consistent, where applicable, with those delivered on the Closing Date under Section 4.01 (other than changes to such legal opinions resulting from a Change in Law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent). The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Borrower as may be necessary in order to establish any Specified Refinancing Indebtedness and to make such technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in connection with the establishment of such Specified Refinancing Indebtedness, in each case on terms consistent with and/or to effect the provisions of this Section 2.17.
(d)Each class of Specified Refinancing Facilities incurred under this Section 2.17 shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (i) not less than $5,000,000 or $1,000,000 increments in excess thereof or (ii) the amount required to refinance all of the applicable class of Loans and/or Commitments.
(e)The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Specified Refinancing Facilities incurred pursuant thereto (including the addition of such Specified Refinancing Facilities as separate facilities hereunder and treated in a manner consistent with the credit facilities under this Agreement being refinanced, including for purposes of prepayments and voting). Any Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any Person other than the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders providing such Specified Refinancing Facilities, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to effect the provisions of or be consistent with this Section 2.17.
2.18Extension of Maturity Date.
(a)Requests for Extension. The Borrower may, by notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time request an extension (each, an “Extension”) of the maturity date of any
class of Loans and Commitments for one (1) year; provided that (i) the Borrower may only request an Extension two (2) times during the term of this Agreement and (ii) in no event shall the period between the effective date of such Extension and the Maturity Date (after giving effect to such Extension) exceed five (5) years. Such notice shall (i) set forth the amount of the applicable class of Revolving Commitments and/or Incremental Term Loans that will be subject to the Extension (which shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and, if greater, in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or such lesser amounts as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion)), (ii) set forth the date on which such Extension is requested to become effective (which shall be not less than ten (10) Business Days nor more than sixty (60) days after the date of such Extension notice (or such longer or shorter periods as the Administrative Agent shall agree in its sole discretion)) and (iii) identify the relevant class of Revolving Commitments and/or Incremental Term Loans to which such Extension relates. Each Lender of the applicable class shall be offered (an “Extension Offer”) an opportunity to participate in such Extension on a pro rata basis and on the same terms and conditions as each other Lender of such class pursuant to procedures established by, or reasonably acceptable to, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower. If the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loans in respect of which Lenders shall have accepted the relevant Extension Offer shall exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount of Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, subject to the Extension Offer as set forth in the Extension notice, then the Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, of Lenders of the applicable class shall be extended ratably up to such maximum amount based on the respective principal amounts with respect to which such Lenders have accepted such Extension Offer.
(b)Conditions Precedent. The following shall be conditions precedent to the effectiveness of any Extension: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to such Extension, (ii) the representations and warranties set forth in Article V and in each other Loan Document shall be deemed to be made and shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the effective date of such Extension, (iii) Lenders constituting the Required Lenders shall have consented to such Extension, and (iv) the terms of such Extended Revolving Commitments and Extended Incremental Term Loans shall comply with clause (d) of this Section 2.18.
(c)Additional Lenders. The Borrower shall have the right to replace each Lender that determines not to so extend its Maturity Date (a “Non-Extending Lender”) with, and add as “Lenders” under this Agreement in place thereof, one or more Eligible Assignees as provided in Section 11.13; provided that each of such assignee shall enter into an Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such assignee shall, effective as of the existing Maturity Date, undertake a Revolving Commitment and/or Incremental Term Loan Commitment, as applicable (and, if such assignee is already a Lender, its Commitment shall be in addition to any other Commitment of such Lender hereunder on such date).
(d)Extension Terms. The terms of each Extension shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the applicable Extending Lenders and set forth in an amendment to this Agreement (an “Extension Amendment”); provided that (i) the final maturity date of any Extended Revolving Commitment or Extended Incremental Term Loan shall be no earlier than the maturity date of the class of Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loans being extended, respectively, (ii) there shall be no scheduled amortization of the loans or reductions of commitments under any Extended Revolving Commitments and (iii) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Extended Incremental Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the class of Incremental Term Loans being extended, (iv) the Extended Revolving Loans and the Extended Incremental Term Loans will rank pari passu in right of payment and with respect to security with the existing Revolving Loans and any existing Incremental Term Loans and the borrower and guarantors of the Extended Revolving Commitments or Extended Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, shall be the same as the Borrower and Guarantors with respect to the existing Revolving Loans or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, (v) the interest rate margin, rate floors, fees, original issue discount and premium applicable to any Extended Revolving Commitment (and the Extended Revolving
Loans thereunder) and Extended Incremental Term Loans shall be determined by the Borrower and the applicable Extending Lenders, (vi) the Extended Incremental Term Loans may participate on a pro rata or less than pro rata (but not greater than pro rata) basis in voluntary or mandatory prepayments with the class of Incremental Term Loans, (vii) borrowing and prepayment of Extended Revolving Loans, or reductions of Extended Revolving Commitments, and participation in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, shall be on a pro rata basis with the other Revolving Loans or Revolving Commitments (other than upon the maturity of the non-extended Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments) and (viii) the terms of the Extended Revolving Commitments or Extended Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, shall be substantially identical to the terms set forth herein (except as set forth in clauses (i) through (v) above).
(e)Extension Effectiveness. In connection with any Extension, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each applicable Extending Lender (and the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender with respect to any Extension of the Revolving Commitments, to the extent that such Extension provides for the issuance or extension of Letters of Credit or making of Swingline Loans at any time during the extended period) shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Extension Amendment and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify to evidence the Extension. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Extension. Any Extension Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lender, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to implement the terms of any such Extension, including any amendments necessary to establish Extended Revolving Commitments or Extended Incremental Term Loans as a new class or tranche of Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, and such other technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in connection with the establishment of such new class or tranche (including to preserve the pro rata treatment of the extended and non-extended classes or tranches and to provide for the reallocation of Revolving Credit Exposure upon the expiration or termination of the commitments under any class or tranche), in each case on terms consistent with this Section 2.18. This Section 2.18 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.13 or 11.01 to the contrary.
ARTICLE III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01Taxes.
(a)Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes.
(i)Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws. If any applicable Laws (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Administrative Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party, then the Administrative Agent or such Loan Party shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to clause (e) below.
(ii)If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Internal Revenue Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States Federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to clause (e) below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or
deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
(iii)If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Internal Revenue Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, as required by such Laws, shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to clause (e) below, (B) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, to the extent required by such Laws, shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Laws, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
(b)Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. Without limiting the provisions of clause (a) above, the Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Laws, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(c)Tax Indemnifications. (i) Each of the Loan Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each of the Loan Parties shall, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender or the L/C Issuer for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required pursuant to Section 3.01(c)(ii) below.
(ii) Each Lender and the L/C Issuer shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, (x) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (y) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 11.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability
delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii).
(d)Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable, after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e)Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation.
(i)Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A), 3.01(e)(ii)(B) and 3.01(e)(ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii)Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,
(A)any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B)any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1)in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable) establishing an exemption from,
or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(2)executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3)in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.01-A to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable); or
(4)to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.01-B or Exhibit 3.01-C, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.01-D on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C)any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies (or originals, as required) of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D)if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their 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 (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the Closing Date.
(iii)Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(f)Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or the L/C Issuer, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by any Loan Party or with respect to which any Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01, it shall pay to the Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by a Loan Party under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that the Loan Party, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to the Loan Party pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This clause (f) shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Loan Party or any other Person.
(g)Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
3.02Illegality.
If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Lending Office to perform any of its obligations hereunder or to make, maintain or fund or charge interest with respect to any Credit Extension or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Term SOFR Rate, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest with respect to any such Credit Extension or continue Term Benchmark Loans or to convert ABR Loans to Term Benchmark Loans shall be suspended and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining ABR Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Term SOFR Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate, the interest rate on which ABR Loans of such Lender, shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Term SOFR Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Term Benchmark Loans of such Lender to ABR Loans (the interest rate on which ABR Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Term SOFR Rate component of the Alternate Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Term Benchmark Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Term
Benchmark Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Term SOFR Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Alternate Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Term SOFR Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Term SOFR Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.
3.03Alternate Rate of Interest.
(a)Subject to clauses (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Section 3.03, if:
(i)the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Term SOFR Rate (including because the Term SOFR Reference Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for such Interest Period; or
(ii)the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Borrowing, the Term SOFR Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, telecopy or electronic mail as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrower delivers a new Loan Notice in accordance with the terms of Section 2.02, any Loan Notice that requests the conversion of any Revolving Loan to, or continuation of any Revolving Loan as, a Term Benchmark Loan and any Loan Notice that requests a Term Benchmark Borrowing shall instead be deemed to be a Loan Notice for an ABR Borrowing. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower’s receipt of the notice from the Administrative Agent referred to in this Section 3.03(a) with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan, then until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the Borrower delivers a new Loan Notice in accordance with the terms of Section 2.02, any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, an ABR Loan on such day.
(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (a) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark (including any related adjustments) for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark (including any related adjustments) for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any
Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.
(c)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(d)The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders, in writing, of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (e) below and (v) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 3.03, 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 to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 3.03.
(e)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), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Rate) and either (A) 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 the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) 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 or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
(f)Upon the Borrower’s receipt of written notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing or conversion to or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any request for a Term Benchmark Borrowing into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to an ABR Borrowing. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of ABR based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of ABR. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan, then until such time as a Benchmark Replacement is implemented pursuant to this Section 3.03, any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan, be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, an ABR Loan on such day.
3.04Increased Costs.
(a)Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i)impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender or the L/C Issuer;
(ii)subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iii)impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the applicable offshore interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender, the L/C Issuer or such other Recipient of making, continuing, converting or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to increase the cost to such Lender, the L/C Issuer or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, the L/C Issuer or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender, the L/C Issuer or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, the L/C Issuer or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b)Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c)Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in clause (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d)Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than six (6) months prior to the date that such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such
increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
3.05Compensation for Losses.
Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
(a)any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Term Benchmark Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);
(b)any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Term Benchmark Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or
(c)any assignment of a Term Benchmark Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 11.13;
including loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.
3.06Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a)Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender, the L/C Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then at the request of the Borrower such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b)Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 3.06(a), the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 11.13.
3.07Survival.
All of the Loan Parties’ obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, resignation of the Administrative Agent and the Facility Termination Date.
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
4.01Conditions of Initial Credit Extension.
This Agreement shall become effective upon, and the obligation of the L/C Issuer and each Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is subject to, the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a)Receipt by the Administrative Agent of the following, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
(i)Loan Documents. Executed counterparts of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party and, in the case of this Agreement, by each Lender.
(ii)Opinions of Counsel. Favorable opinions of legal counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, dated as of the Closing Date.
(iii)Organization Documents, Resolutions, Etc.
(A)copies of the Organization Documents of each Loan Party certified to be true and complete as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority of the state or other jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, where applicable, and certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of such Loan Party to be true and correct as of the Closing Date;
(B)such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party; and
(C)such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in its state of organization or formation.
(iv)Personal Property Collateral.
(A)UCC financing statements for each appropriate jurisdiction as is necessary, in the Administrative Agent’s discretion, to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral;
(B)all certificates evidencing any certificated Equity Interests pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement, together with duly executed in blank, undated stock powers attached thereto (unless, with respect to the pledged Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary, such stock powers are deemed unnecessary by the Administrative Agent in its
reasonable discretion under the Law of the jurisdiction of organization of such Person); and
(C)duly executed notices of grant of security interest in the form required by the Security Agreement as are necessary, in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the United States registered intellectual property of the Loan Parties.
(v)Real Property Collateral. Real Property Security Documents with respect to the fee interest of any Loan Party in each real property identified as a “mortgaged property” on Schedule 5.20(a) (other than Excluded Property).
(vi)Evidence of Insurance. Copies of insurance policies or certificates of insurance of the Loan Parties evidencing liability and casualty insurance meeting the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents, including naming the Administrative Agent and its successors and assigns as additional insured (in the case of liability insurance) or lender loss payee (in the case of property insurance) on behalf of the Lenders.
(vii)Closing Certificate. A certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.01(b), 4.01(c), 4.02(a) and 4.02(b) have been satisfied.
(viii)Existing Indebtedness of the Loan Parties. Evidence that all of the existing Indebtedness for borrowed money of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement, but excluding Indebtedness permitted to exist pursuant to Section 7.03) shall be repaid in full and all security interests related thereto (other than Liens securing the Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement) shall be terminated on or prior to the Closing Date.
(b)No Material Adverse Effect. There shall not have occurred since September 30, 2025 any event or condition that has had or could reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c)Litigation. There shall not exist any action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing in any court or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d)Anti-Money-Laundering; Beneficial Ownership. To the extent requested in writing at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date by any Lender, the Borrower shall have provided to such Lender, and such Lender shall be reasonably satisfied with, the documentation and other information so requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act, and any Loan Party that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall deliver at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, to each Lender that so requests, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Loan Party.
(e)Fees. Receipt by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders of any fees (including, without limitation, any arrangement fee, upfront fee, and administrative agency fee, as applicable) required to be paid on or before the Closing Date.
(f)Attorney Costs. The Borrower shall have paid all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing
proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent).
Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.02(b), for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
4.02Conditions to all Credit Extensions.
The obligation of each Lender and the L/C Issuer to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Term Benchmark Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:
(a)The representations and warranties of each Loan Party contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects (or if such representation and warranty is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, it shall be true and correct) on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects (or if such representation and warranty is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, it shall be true and correct) as of such earlier date.
(b)No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.
(c)The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.
Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Term Benchmark Loans) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension; provided, however, that the application of clauses (a) and (b) hereto to any Incremental Term Loan made in connection with any Limited Conditionality Transaction shall, at the Borrower’s option, be subject to Section 1.02(e).
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Loan Parties represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:
5.01Existence, Qualification and Power.
Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and,
as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.02Authorization; No Contravention.
The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation (other than the Loan Documents) to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any material order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law.
5.03Governmental Authorization; Other Consents.
No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document other than (a) those that have already been obtained and are in full force and effect and (b) filings to perfect the Liens created by the Collateral Documents.
5.04Binding Effect.
Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. Each Loan Document constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party that is party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party that is a party thereto in accordance with its terms; except as enforceability may be limited by applicable Debtor Relief Laws or by equitable principles.
5.05Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
(a)The financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and 6.01(b) (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein (subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments); and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.
(b)The Audited Financial Statements and the unaudited consolidated and consolidating financial statements of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2026 (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby (subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments); and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of HoldCo and its
Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.
(c)From the date of the Audited Financial Statements to and including the Closing Date, there has been no Disposition or any Recovery Event of any material part of the business or property of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and no purchase or other acquisition by any of them of any business or property (including any Equity Interests of any other Person) material in relation to the consolidated financial condition of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case, which is not reflected in the foregoing financial statements or in the notes thereto and has not otherwise been disclosed in writing to the Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date.
(d)Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.06Litigation.
There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Responsible Officers of the Loan Parties, threatened in writing, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or (b) either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.07No Default.
(a)No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation that individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b)No Default has occurred and is continuing.
5.08Ownership of Property.
Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, valid leasehold interests in or other valid rights to use, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.09Environmental Compliance.
(a)No Loan Party or Subsidiary has received any written claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation by any Loan Party or Subsidiary of any Environmental Law other than those that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b)To the knowledge of the Loan Parties, none of the properties currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary is listed on the National Priorities List under CERCLA or on the CERCLIS; to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, there are no and never have been any underground or above-ground storage tanks or any surface impoundments, septic tanks, pits, sumps or lagoons in which Hazardous Materials are being or have been treated, stored or disposed on any property currently owned by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary; to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, there is no asbestos or asbestos-containing material on any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any
Subsidiary; and Hazardous Materials have not been released, discharged or disposed of on any property currently owned by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, in each case except in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(c)No Loan Party or Subsidiary is undertaking, or has completed, either individually or together with other potentially responsible parties, any investigation or assessment or remedial or response action relating to any actual or threatened release, discharge or disposal of Hazardous Materials at any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or pursuant to the order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any Environmental Law, other than those that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, all Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at, or transported to or from, any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary have been disposed of in a manner not reasonably expected to result in material liability to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary.
5.10Insurance.
(a)The properties of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the applicable Loan Party or the applicable Subsidiary operates. The property and general liability insurance coverage of the Loan Parties as in effect on the Closing Date is outlined as to carrier, policy number, expiration date, type, amount and deductibles on Schedule 5.10.
(b)Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries maintain, if available, fully paid flood hazard insurance on Flood Hazard Property, on such terms and in such amounts as required by The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 or as otherwise required by the Administrative Agent.
5.11Taxes.
Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries have filed all federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect. No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary is party to any tax sharing agreement.
5.12ERISA Compliance.
(a)Except to the extent that any event could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Pension Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other federal or state Laws. Each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable determination letter or is subject to a favorable opinion or advisory letter from the IRS to the effect that the form of such Pension Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the IRS to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS. To the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, nothing has occurred that would reasonably be expected to prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status of such Pension Plan.
(b)There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Pension
Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Pension Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c)(i) No ERISA Event has occurred, and no Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (ii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code) is sixty percent (60%) or higher and no Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below sixty percent (60%) as of the most recent valuation date; (iii) no Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (iv) no Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA with regard to a Pension Plan; and (v) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan.
(d)Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to, or has any unsatisfied obligation to contribute to, or liability under, any active or terminated Pension Plan other than Pension Plans not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement.
(e)The Borrower represents and warrants as of the Closing Date that the Borrower is not and will not be using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to the Borrower’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement.
5.13Subsidiaries.
Set forth on Schedule 5.13 is a complete and accurate list as of the Closing Date of each Subsidiary of any Loan Party, together with (i) jurisdiction of organization, (ii) number of shares of each class of Equity Interests outstanding, and (iii) number and percentage of outstanding shares of each class owned (directly or indirectly) by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary. The outstanding Equity Interests of each Subsidiary of any Loan Party are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
5.14Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.
(a)The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of the assets (either of the Borrower only or of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 or Section 7.05 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between the Borrower and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender relating to Indebtedness and within the scope of Section 8.01(e) will be margin stock.
(b)None of the Borrower, any Person Controlling the Borrower, or any Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
5.15Disclosure.
Each Loan Party has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent, or has filed publicly, a complete and correct copy of the Tax Receivable Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date, including any amendments, supplements or modifications with respect to such agreement through the Closing Date. The reports, financial statements, certificates and other written information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), taken as a whole, do not contain any material misstatement of fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under and at the time at which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Responsible Officers of the Loan Parties to be reasonable at the time (it being understood that projected financial information is subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, which may be beyond the Loan Parties’ control, no representation is made by the Loan Parties that such projections will be realized, the actual results may differ from the projections and such differences may be material). As of the Closing Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct in all respects.
5.16Compliance with Laws.
Each Loan Party and Subsidiary is in compliance with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.17Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.
Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary owns, or possesses the right to use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “IP Rights”) that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses. Set forth on Schedule 5.17 is a list of (i) all IP Rights registered or pending registration with the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office that, as of the Closing Date, a Loan Party owns and (ii) all licenses of IP Rights registered with the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office as of the Closing Date. Except for such claims and infringements that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any IP Rights or the validity or effectiveness of any IP Rights, nor does any Loan Party know of any such claim, and, to the knowledge of the Responsible Officers of the Loan Parties, the use of any IP Rights by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or the granting of a right or a license in respect of any IP Rights from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary does not infringe on the rights of any Person. As of the Closing Date, none of the IP Rights owned by any Loan Party is subject to any licensing agreement or similar arrangement except as set forth on Schedule 5.17.
5.18Solvency.
The Borrower and the other Loan Parties are Solvent on a consolidated basis.
5.19Perfection of Security Interests in the Collateral.
The Collateral Documents create valid security interests in, and Liens on, the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, which security interests and Liens will be, upon the timely and proper filings, deliveries, notations and other actions contemplated by the Collateral Documents, perfected security interests and Liens (to the extent that such security interests and Liens can be perfected by such filings, deliveries, notations and other actions), prior to all other Liens other than Permitted Liens.
5.20Business Locations; Taxpayer Identification Number.
Set forth on Schedule 5.20(a) is a list of all real property located in the United States that, as of the Closing Date, (i) is owned by any Loan Party or (ii) is leased by a Loan Party pursuant to an agreement providing for annual lease payments in excess of $100,000. Set forth on Schedule 5.20(b) is the jurisdiction of organization, chief executive office, exact legal name, U.S. taxpayer identification number and organizational identification number of each Loan Party as of the Closing Date. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.20(c), no Loan Party has during the five (5) years preceding the Closing Date (i) changed its legal name, (ii) changed its state of formation or (iii) been party to a merger, consolidation or other change in structure. Set forth on Schedule 5.20(d) is a list of each deposit and investment account of each Loan Party as of the Closing Date other than Excluded Accounts.
5.21Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws.
(a)Sanctions Concerns. None of the Loan Parties, nor any of their Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction. HoldCo and its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Sanctions and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures that they reasonably deem necessary to promote and achieve compliance with such Sanctions.
(b)Anti-Corruption Laws. The Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions, and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures that they reasonably deem necessary to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
5.22Affected Financial Institutions.
No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution.
5.23Covered Entities.
No Loan Party is a Covered Entity.
5.24Outbound Investment Rules.
No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “covered foreign person” as that term is used in the Outbound Investment Rules. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries currently engages, or has any present intention to engage in the future, directly or indirectly, in (a) a “covered activity” or a “covered transaction”, as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, (b) any activity or
transaction that would constitute a “covered activity” or a “covered transaction”, as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, if the Borrower were a U.S. Person or (c) any other activity that would cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be in violation of the Outbound Investment Rules or cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be legally prohibited by the Outbound Investment Rules from performing under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until the Facility Termination Date, each Loan Party shall and shall cause each Subsidiary to:
6.01Financial Statements.
Deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(a)as soon as available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of HoldCo (or, if earlier, fifteen (15) days after the date required to be filed with the SEC), commencing with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, a consolidated balance sheet of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit; and
(b)as soon as available, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each fiscal year of HoldCo (or, if earlier, five (5) days after the date required to be filed with the SEC), commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2026, a consolidated balance sheet of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, the related consolidated statements of income or operations for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of HoldCo’s fiscal year then ended, and the related consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of HoldCo’s fiscal year then ended, in each case setting forth in comparative form, as applicable, the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and certified by the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, senior vice president of finance, treasurer or controller of HoldCo as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(d), the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b), but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) at the times specified therein.
6.02Certificates; Other Information.
Deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders:
(a)concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a), a certificate of its independent certified public accountants certifying such financial statements and stating that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained of any Default under the financial covenants set forth herein or, if any such Default shall exist, stating the nature and status of such event;
(b)concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and 6.01(b), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower which shall include such supplements to Schedules 5.13, 5.17, 5.20(a), 5.20(b), 5.20(c) and 5.20(d), as are necessary such that, as supplemented, such Schedules would be accurate and complete as of the date of such Compliance Certificate (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent, or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes);
(c)not later than thirty (30) days after the beginning of each fiscal year of HoldCo, commencing with the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, an annual business plan and budget of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries containing, among other things, pro forma financial statements for each fiscal quarter of such fiscal year;
(d)promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the equityholders of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which a Loan Party or any Subsidiary may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;
(e)promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of HoldCo by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of HoldCo or any Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them;
(f)promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02;
(g)promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary;
(h)promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act;
(i)to the extent any Loan Party qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, an updated Beneficial Ownership Certification promptly following any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered to any Lender in relation to such Loan Party that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in such certification; and
(j)promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan
Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) or Section 6.02(d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which HoldCo posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on HoldCo’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 11.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on HoldCo’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) HoldCo shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon its request to HoldCo to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) HoldCo shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by fax transmission or e-mail transmission) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by e-mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by HoldCo with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
6.03Notices.
Promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender of:
(a)the occurrence of any Default;
(b)any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c)the occurrence of any ERISA Event; and
(d)any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, including any determination by HoldCo referred to in Section 2.10(b).
Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and to the extent applicable, stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
6.04Payment of Taxes.
Pay and discharge, before the same shall become overdue, all federal and state and other material Taxes, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary.
6.05Preservation of Existence, Etc.
(a)Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05.
(b)Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05.
(c)Take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d)Preserve or renew all of its IP Rights, the non-preservation or non-renewal of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.06Maintenance of Properties.
(a)Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear, casualty losses and Recovery Events excepted.
(b)Make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c)Use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its material facilities.
6.07Maintenance of Insurance.
(a)Maintain in full force and effect insurance (including worker’s compensation insurance, liability insurance, casualty insurance and business interruption insurance) with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where such Loan Party or such Subsidiary operates.
(b)Without limiting the foregoing, (i) maintain, if available, fully paid flood hazard insurance on all real property that is located in a special flood hazard area and that constitutes Collateral, on such terms and in such amounts as required by The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 or as otherwise required by the Administrative Agent, (ii) furnish to the Administrative Agent evidence of the renewal (and payment of renewal premiums therefor) of all such policies prior to the expiration or lapse thereof, and (iii) furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any redesignation of any such improved real property into or out of a special flood hazard area.
(c)Cause the Administrative Agent and its successors and assigns to be named as lender’s loss payee or mortgagee, as its interest may appear, and/or additional insured with respect to any such insurance providing liability coverage or coverage in respect of any Collateral, and cause each provider of any such insurance to agree, by endorsement upon the policy or policies issued by it or by independent instruments furnished to the Administrative Agent, that it will give the Administrative Agent thirty (30) days (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may agree) prior written notice before any such policy or policies shall be altered or canceled.
6.08Compliance with Laws.
Comply with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.09Books and Records.
(a)Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
(b)Maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
6.10Inspection Rights.
(a)Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at the expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided, however, that (i) absent the existence of an Event of Default, Borrower shall be required to pay for only one such visit and/or inspection per fiscal year and (ii) when an Event of Default exists the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice; provided, further, that notwithstanding any provision of the Loan Documents, no Loan Party nor any Subsidiary shall be required to provide access to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, or any of its representatives or independent contractors to any record to the extent such inspection or access by such Person would (w) involve access to non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (x) be prohibited by Laws, (y) constitute a violation of any confidentiality agreement with any Person not an Affiliate of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary not entered into in contemplation of this Agreement or (z) constitute a breach of attorney-client privilege or constitutes attorney work product; provided that, in each case, the Borrower will advise the Administrative Agent that information is being withheld.
(b)If requested by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, permit the Administrative Agent, and its representatives, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower, to conduct an annual audit of the Collateral at the expense of the Borrower.
6.11Use of Proceeds.
Use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions (a) to finance working capital, capital expenditures and other lawful corporate purposes, (b) to finance Permitted Acquisitions, (c) to refinance certain existing Indebtedness (including, without limitation, all Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement) and (d) to pay amounts payable upon or in respect of any conversion of Permitted Convertible Indebtedness and the repayment of any Revolving Loans borrowed for such purposes; provided that in no event shall the proceeds of the Credit Extensions be used in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.
6.12ERISA Compliance.
Do, and cause each of its ERISA Affiliates to do, each of the following: (a) maintain each Pension Plan in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other federal or state Law; (b) cause each Pension Plan that is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code to maintain such qualification; and (c) make all required contributions to any Pension Plan subject to Section 412, Section 430 or Section 431 of the Internal Revenue Code.
6.13Additional Guarantors.
Within (a) forty-five (45) days, in the case of a Domestic Subsidiary resulting from a Material Acquisition and (b) ninety (90) days, in the case of any other Domestic Subsidiary (in each case, or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), after any Person becomes a Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary that is (i) a non-wholly-owned Subsidiary to the extent that the Organization Documents or other customary agreements with other equityholders do not permit such Subsidiary to be a Guarantor or the minority equityholders thereof do not consent to such Subsidiary complying with this Section 6.13 after the Borrower uses commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such consent and (ii) an Immaterial Subsidiary), cause such Person to (x) become a Guarantor by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a Joinder Agreement or such other documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably deem appropriate for such purpose, and (y) upon the request of the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, deliver to the Administrative Agent such Organization Documents, resolutions and favorable opinions of counsel, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
6.14Pledged Assets.
(a)Equity Interests. Other than Excluded Equity, cause (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Domestic Subsidiary and (ii) sixty-six percent (66%) (or such greater percentage that, due to a change in an applicable Law after the Closing Date, (A) could not reasonably be expected to cause the undistributed earnings of such Foreign Subsidiary as determined for United States federal income tax purposes to be treated as a deemed dividend to such Foreign Subsidiary’s United States parent and (B) could not reasonably be expected to cause any material adverse tax consequences) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) in each Foreign Subsidiary directly owned by any Loan Party to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents, and, in connection with the foregoing, deliver to the Administrative Agent such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may request including, any filings and deliveries to perfect such Liens and favorable opinions of counsel all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(b)Other Property. Cause all property (other than Excluded Property) of each Loan Party to be subject at all times to first priority, perfected and, in the case of owned real property, title insured Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the Obligations pursuant to the Collateral Documents (subject to Permitted Liens) and, in connection with the foregoing, deliver to the Administrative Agent such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may request including filings and deliveries necessary to perfect such Liens, Organization Documents, resolutions, Real Property Security Documents, landlord’s waivers and favorable opinions of counsel to such Person, all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. With respect to real property (other than Excluded Property) acquired after the Closing Date, the Loan Parties shall have ninety (90) days (or such later time as agreed by the Administrative Agent) to deliver Real Property Security Documents with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not enter into any Mortgage in respect of any such real property acquired by any Loan Party after the Closing Date unless the
Administrative Agent has delivered to the Lenders: (i) if such real property is not located in a “special flood hazard area”, a completed flood hazard determination with respect to such real property from a third-party vendor at least ten (10) Business Days prior to entering into such Mortgage or (ii) if such real property is located in a “special flood hazard area”, the following documents with respect to such real property at least thirty (30) days prior to entering into such Mortgage: (x) notices to (and confirmations of receipt by) the Loan Parties as to the existence of a special flood hazard and, if applicable, the unavailability of flood hazard insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program and (y) if required by the Flood Laws, evidence of applicable flood insurance, if available, in each case in such form, on such terms and in such amounts as required by The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, the Federal Flood Disaster Protection Act and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. With respect to deposit accounts and securities accounts (other than Excluded Accounts or any accounts with the Administrative Agent) with the average daily maximum balance, measured over any thirty (30) day period, in excess of $1,000,000 individually or in excess of $3,000,000 collectively, the Loan Parties shall have (x) one hundred eighty (180) days after the Closing Date (or such later time as agreed by the Administrative Agent) to deliver control agreements on such accounts in existence as of the Closing Date, and (y) with respect to such accounts opened or acquired (or that exceed such average daily maximum balance) after the Closing Date, one hundred eighty (180) days (or such later time as agreed by the Administrative Agent) following the opening or acquisition (or the occurrence of such accounts exceeding such average daily maximum balance) of such accounts to deliver control agreements with respect thereto.
(c)Further Assurances. At any time upon written request of the Administrative Agent, promptly execute and deliver any and all further instruments and documents and take all such other action as the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably necessary or desirable to maintain in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, Liens and insurance rights on the Collateral that are duly perfected in accordance with the requirements of, or the obligations of the Loan Parties under, the Loan Documents and all applicable Laws.
6.15Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions.
Conduct its businesses in compliance in all material respects with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other applicable anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions and with all applicable Sanctions, and maintain policies and procedures that it reasonably deems necessary to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and Sanctions.
6.16Depository Banks.
Within one hundred eighty (180) days after the Closing Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), (a) establish one or more of the Lenders as its principal depository banks, including for the maintenance of operating, administrative, cash management, collection activity, and other deposit accounts for the conduct of its business, (b) thereafter, maintain one or more of the Lenders as its principal depository banks, and (c) terminate the BofA Autoborrow (including its expiration in accordance with its terms).
6.17Post-Closing Matters.
Within thirty (30) days after the Closing Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion), deliver to the Administrative Agent, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (a) a copy of an amendment to (or an amendment and restatement of) the Organization Documents of Eduloka Limited, a Nevada limited liability company ("Eduloka"), duly executed and, to the extent required by applicable Law, filed with the appropriate Governmental Authority, evidencing that the Borrower is the sole member or the managing member of Eduloka, certified by a secretary, assistant secretary or Responsible Officer of Eduloka to be true, correct and complete and in full force and effect as of the date of such certification; and (b) a copy of
resolutions or a written consent of the Borrower, in its capacity as the sole member or the managing member of Eduloka, duly adopted in accordance with the Organization Documents of Eduloka (as so amended), ratifying, approving and confirming in all respects (i) the resolutions or written consent of Eduloka delivered to the Administrative Agent on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(iii)(B) and (ii) the execution, delivery and performance by Eduloka of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party and all actions taken by or on behalf of Eduloka in connection therewith, in each case effective as of the Closing Date, certified by a secretary, assistant secretary or Responsible Officer of Eduloka to be true, correct and complete and in full force and effect as of the date of such certification.
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until the Facility Termination Date, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:
7.01Liens.
Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following:
(a)Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;
(b)Liens existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 7.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof; provided that the property covered thereby is not increased;
(c)Liens (other than Liens imposed under ERISA) for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
(d)Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and repairmen or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period of more than thirty (30) days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;
(e)pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;
(f)deposits to secure the performance (including payment) of bids, trade contracts, licenses, leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(g)easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;
(h)Liens securing judgments for the payment of money (or appeal or other surety bonds relating to such judgments) not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h);
(i)Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(f); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and (ii) such Liens attach to such property concurrently with or within ninety (90) days after the acquisition thereof;
(j)leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material respect with the business of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary;
(k)any interest of title of a lessor under, and Liens arising from UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings, registrations or agreements in foreign jurisdictions) relating to, leases permitted by this Agreement;
(l)Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section 7.02(a);
(m)normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions;
(n)Liens on an insurance policy of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and the identifiable cash proceeds thereof in favor of the issuer of such policy and securing Indebtedness permitted to finance the premiums of such policies;
(o)Liens for the benefit of a seller deemed to attach solely to cash earnest money deposits in connection with a letter of intent or acquisition agreement with respect to a Permitted Acquisition;
(p)Liens constituting the filing of UCC financing statements solely as a precautionary measure in connection with the consignment of goods;
(q)Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(l); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than property of the Person acquired in the applicable Permitted Acquisition at the time of such Permitted Acquisition and (ii) such Liens shall exist prior to the applicable Permitted Acquisition and shall not be incurred in anticipation of the applicable Permitted Acquisition;
(r)Liens of a collecting bank arising under Section 4-210 of the UCC on items in the course of collection;
(s)Settlement Liens;
(t)Liens securing Incremental Equivalent Debt; and
(u)other Liens of a type not otherwise contemplated by this Section 7.01 that secure obligations in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000.
7.02Investments.
Make any Investments, except:
(a)Investments held in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(b)Investments existing as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.02;
(c)Investments in any Person that is a Loan Party prior to giving effect to such Investment;
(d)Investments by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in any other Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;
(e)Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;
(f)Guarantees permitted by Section 7.03;
(g)Permitted Acquisitions;
(h)Residual Buyouts; provided that if any Residual Buyout involves a payment of $2,000,000 or more, prior to the consummation of any such transaction, the Borrower shall provide a Pro Forma Compliance Certificate to the Administrative Agent which demonstrates compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 7.11 immediately prior and after giving effect to such Residual Buyout;
(i)Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any one time outstanding that are acquired in connection with Permitted Acquisitions (“Acquired Investments”); provided that such Acquired Investments shall exist prior to the applicable Permitted Acquisition and shall not have been incurred in anticipation of the applicable Permitted Acquisitions;
(j)earnest money required in connection with Permitted Acquisitions;
(k)Investments in non-wholly owned Subsidiaries, joint ventures and Foreign Subsidiaries, in each case, which are not Loan Parties, in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed ten percent (10%) of Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (determined as of the last day of the most recently ended four (4) fiscal quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b)); provided that compliance with this Section 7.02(k) shall be determined, in each case, as of the date an Investment is made in reliance on this Section 7.02(k) (it being understood that this Section 7.02(k) is a limitation on Investments on a prospective basis only and that no Default or Event of Default shall occur under this Section 7.02(k) retroactively);
(l)Investments consisting of Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions and Permitted Warrant Transactions entered into in connection with Permitted Convertible Indebtedness, and the performance of its obligations thereunder;
(m)[Reserved];
(n)to the extent constituting an Investment, any transaction permitted under Sections 7.03, 7.05 and 7.06; and
(o)other Investments of a type not otherwise contemplated by this Section 7.02; provided that (A) no Default or Event of Default shall exist immediately before or immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis and (B) the Borrower shall deliver a certificate from a Responsible Officer in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent confirming the foregoing and demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis.
7.03Indebtedness.
Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a)Indebtedness under the Loan Documents (including with respect to Specified Refinancing Facilities);
(b)Indebtedness with respect to Specified Refinancing Notes;
(c)Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date set forth on Schedule 7.03 (and renewals, refinancings and extensions thereof); provided that (i) the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder and (ii) the terms relating to principal amount, amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, renewal or extension are no less favorable in any material respect to the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries or the Lenders than the terms of the Indebtedness being refinanced, renewed or extended;
(d)intercompany Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.02; provided that in the case of Indebtedness owing by a Loan Party to a Foreign Subsidiary (i) such Indebtedness shall be subordinated prior to the Obligations in a manner and to an extent reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) such Indebtedness shall not be prepaid unless no Default exists immediately prior to or after giving effect to such prepayment;
(e)obligations (contingent or otherwise) existing or arising under any Swap Contract; provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates or foreign exchange rates, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a “market view;” and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;
(f)purchase money Indebtedness (including obligations in respect of capital leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations) hereafter incurred to finance the purchase of fixed assets, and renewals, refinancings and extensions thereof; provided that (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all such Indebtedness shall not exceed $25,000,000 at any one time outstanding; and (ii) such Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the purchase price of the asset(s) financed;
(g)Subordinated Debt or unsecured Indebtedness (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Permitted Convertible Indebtedness) and any refinancing in respect thereof; provided that for such Indebtedness, (i) no Event of Default shall exist immediately before or immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, (ii) the Borrower shall deliver a certificate from a Responsible Officer in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent confirming the foregoing and demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, (iii) such Indebtedness is not at any time guaranteed by any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor; and (iv) no such Indebtedness shall (A) have a scheduled maturity or require any regularly scheduled amortization payment to be made prior to the date that is 91 days after the Maturity Date or (B) be subject to any mandatory redemption, mandatory repurchase or other mandatory prepayments of principal (including, in the case of Permitted Convertible Indebtedness, early conversion triggers) other than those that, in the Borrower’s good faith judgment, are customary for Subordinated Debt or unsecured Indebtedness, as applicable;
(h)Indebtedness arising in connection with endorsement of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business or arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such Indebtedness is extinguished within ten (10) days of incurrence;
(i)Indebtedness consisting of deferred purchase price obligations (including earn out obligations), indemnification obligations, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations and guarantee obligations, in each case in connection with Acquisitions, dispositions of property and Investments and indemnification obligations arising under Contractual Obligations;
(j)Indebtedness incurred in connection with the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the premiums owed under such policy;
(k)Indebtedness in respect of appeal, bid, performance or surety or similar bonds, workers’ compensation claims and self-insurance obligations issued for the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
(l)Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20,000,000 outstanding at any one time acquired in Permitted Acquisitions (“Acquired Indebtedness”); provided that such Acquired Indebtedness shall exist prior to the applicable Permitted Acquisition and shall not have been incurred in anticipation of the applicable Permitted Acquisition, and renewals, refinancings and extensions of any Acquired Indebtedness; provided that (i) the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder and (ii) the terms relating to principal amount, amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, renewal or extension are no less favorable in any material respect to the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries or the Lenders than the terms of the Indebtedness being refinanced, renewed or extended;
(m)Guarantees with respect to Indebtedness permitted under this Section 7.03;
(n)Indebtedness in respect of (i) one or more series of notes issued by the Borrower that are either (x) senior or subordinated and unsecured or (y) secured by Liens on the Collateral ranking junior to or pari passu with the Liens securing the Obligations, in each case issued in a public offering, Rule 144A or other private placement in lieu of the foregoing (and any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor), and (ii) loans made to the Borrower that are either (x) senior or subordinated and unsecured or (y) secured by Liens on Collateral ranking junior to or pari passu with the Liens securing the Obligations (any such Indebtedness, “Incremental Equivalent Debt”); provided that (A) the aggregate initial principal amount of all Incremental Equivalent Debt plus the aggregate amount of all Incremental Revolving Commitments and Incremental Term Loans shall not exceed the Incremental Amount; provided, further, that (x) subject to Section 1.02(e), no Event of Default shall exist immediately before or immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis, (y) the Borrower shall deliver a certificate from a Responsible Officer in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent confirming the foregoing and demonstrating, after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis (assuming for such calculation that such Incremental Equivalent Debt is fully drawn), subject to Section 1.02(e), compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 and (z) in the case of Incremental Equivalent Debt that is secured, such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall be subject to a Market Intercreditor Agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, (B) the incurrence of such Indebtedness shall be subject to clause (h) of Section 2.16, as if such Incremental Equivalent Debt constituted Incremental Term Loans; provided that clause (h) of Section 2.16 shall not apply to any bridge facility on customary terms if the long-term Indebtedness that such bridge facility is to be converted into satisfies the maturity restriction in such clause, (C) if any Incremental Term Loan shall have “most-favored-nation” protection for the benefit of the lenders providing such facility, any Incremental Equivalent Debt that constitutes term loans secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations shall be subject to such “most-favored-nation” protection, (D) such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall not be secured by a Lien on any asset that does not constitute Collateral, (E) there shall be no obligors in respect of any Incremental Equivalent Debt that are not Loan Parties and (F) the terms and conditions, including such financial maintenance covenants (if any),
applicable to such Incremental Equivalent Debt and any refinancing in respect thereof shall not be, when taken as a whole, materially more favorable (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), to the holders of such Indebtedness than those applicable under this Agreement (except for covenants or other provisions (i) applicable only to periods after the Maturity Date or (ii) that are also incorporated for the benefit of all other Lenders in respect of Loans and Commitments outstanding at the time such Incremental Equivalent Debt is incurred, which may be accomplished by amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower without further consent of the Lenders or further amendment requirements); and
(o) Indebtedness in respect of Cash Management Agreements.
7.04Fundamental Changes.
Merge, dissolve, liquidate or consolidate with or into another Person, except that so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, (a) the Borrower may merge or consolidate with any of its Subsidiaries; provided that the Borrower is the continuing or surviving Person, (b) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with any other Subsidiary; provided that if a Loan Party is a party to such transaction, the continuing or surviving Person is a Loan Party, (c) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may merge with any other Person in connection with a Permitted Acquisition; provided that (i) if the Borrower is a party to such transaction, the Borrower is the continuing or surviving Person and (ii) if a Loan Party is a party to such transaction, a Loan Party is the surviving Person and (d) any Subsidiary may dissolve, liquidate or wind up its affairs at any time; provided that such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, as applicable, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.05Dispositions.
Make any Disposition except:
(a)Permitted Transfers;
(b)Permitted Warrant Transactions; and
(c)other Dispositions so long as (i) at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the consideration paid in connection therewith shall be cash or Cash Equivalents paid contemporaneously with consummation of the transaction and shall be in an amount not less than the fair market value (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrower) of the property disposed of, (ii) if such transaction is a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, such transaction is not prohibited by the terms of Section 7.15, (iii) such transaction does not involve the sale or other disposition of a minority Equity Interest in any Subsidiary, (iv) such transaction does not involve a sale or other disposition of receivables other than receivables owned by or attributable to other property concurrently being disposed of in a transaction otherwise permitted under this Section 7.05, (v) the Loan Parties would be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 recomputed as of the end of the period of the four (4) fiscal quarters most recently ended for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) after giving effect to such Disposition on a Pro Forma Basis, (vi) no Default shall exist or result therefrom, and (vii) the aggregate net book value of all of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in all such transactions occurring after the Closing Date shall not exceed five percent (5%) of Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (determined as of the last day of the most recently ended four (4) fiscal quarter period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b)); provided that compliance with this Section 7.05(c) shall be determined, in each case, as of the date a Disposition is made in reliance on this Section 7.05(c) (it being understood that this Section 7.05(c) is a limitation on Dispositions on a prospective basis only and that no Default or Event of Default shall occur under this Section 7.05(c) retroactively).
7.06Restricted Payments.
Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that:
(a)each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to Persons that own Equity Interests in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made;
(b)each Loan Party and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in common Equity Interests of such Person;
(c)so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, the Loan Parties may make loans, payments, dividends or distributions to permit or effect the repurchase of Equity Interests of the Borrower and HoldCo from employees, officers, directors and consultants (or their spouses, children, heirs, estates or estate planning vehicles); provided that (i) such payments, dividends or distributions shall not exceed $3,000,000 in the aggregate during any fiscal year of the Borrower and (ii) the Loan Parties would be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 recomputed as of the end of the period of the four (4) fiscal quarters most recently ended for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a Pro Forma Basis;
(d)Permitted Tax Distributions; provided that (i) the amount of such Permitted Tax Distributions shall not exceed in the aggregate the product of (x) the Borrower’s total taxable income for such tax year to the date of such a distribution determined without regard to any basis adjustment to a member arising under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, multiplied by (y) the sum of (A) the maximum marginal federal income tax rate applicable to any member of the Borrower for such tax year (after giving effect to the deductibility of state income taxes), (B) the highest marginal state income tax rate applicable to any member of the Borrower for such tax year and (C) the tax rate imposed by Section 1411 of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to any member of the Borrower for such tax year and (ii) such Permitted Tax Distributions shall be paid (if at all) on or about the respective dates for payment of estimated tax payments by the members of the Borrower; provided, further, if the financial results of the Borrower are retroactively revised such that the Permitted Tax Distributions made with respect to a previous fiscal year exceeded that which should have been paid if the accurate results had then been applied, the Administrative Agent may require that the excess distributions be withheld from subsequent Permitted Tax Distributions;
(e)Without duplication of payments made pursuant to Section 7.06(d), HoldCo may make payments in connection with the Tax Receivable Agreement (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes payments by HoldCo to any member of the Borrower in exchange for assignment of such member’s rights under the Tax Receivable Agreement, including such member’s right to receive Tax Benefit Payments (as defined therein)); provided that (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) the Borrower shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the covenants set forth in Section 7.11;
(f)so long as no Default exists immediately prior and after giving effect thereto, HoldCo may make other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed 5% of the Net Cash Proceeds received from any common Equity Issuance of HoldCo (determined as of the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter prior to the making of such Restricted Payment); and
(g)(i) the Borrower may make any payment of premium to a counterparty under a Permitted Bond Hedge Transaction; and (ii) HoldCo may deliver shares of HoldCo’s common stock in net share settlement of any Permitted Warrant Transaction upon the exercise and settlement or termination of such Permitted Warrant Transaction;
(h)the Borrower or HoldCo may deliver or cause to be delivered shares of HoldCo’s common stock to satisfy obligations in respect of Permitted Convertible Indebtedness;
(i)the Borrower or HoldCo may receive shares of HoldCo’s common stock on account of net share settlements or terminations of any Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions; and
(j) so long as no Default exists, the Loan Parties may repurchase Equity Interests of HoldCo or of the Borrower and declare and make dividend payments and other distributions with respect to the Equity Interests of such Person; provided, that, (i) the Loan Parties would be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 recomputed as of the end of the period of the four (4) fiscal quarters most recently ended for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a Pro Forma Basis and (ii) the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio shall be less than or equal to 2.75 to 1.00 recomputed as of the end of the period of the four (4) fiscal quarters most recently ended for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a Pro Forma Basis; and, provided further that the Loan Parties (1) may declare and pay any dividend or distribution within 60 days of the date of such declaration, if, at the date of declaration, such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement and (2) may consummate any repurchases if such repurchase would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement as of a date within 60 days prior to such repurchase.
7.07Change in Nature of Business.
Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries on the Closing Date or any business reasonably complementary, related or incidental thereto and reasonable expansions thereof.
7.08Transactions with Affiliates.
Enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of transactions with any Affiliate of such Person, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than (a) advances of working capital to any Loan Party, (b) transfers of cash and assets to any Loan Party, (c) intercompany transactions expressly permitted by Section 7.02, Section 7.03, Section 7.04, Section 7.05 or Section 7.06, (d) normal and reasonable compensation and reimbursement of expenses of officers and directors and (e) except as otherwise specifically limited in this Agreement, other transactions which are on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to such Person as would be obtainable by it in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate.
7.09Burdensome Agreements.
Enter into, or permit to exist, any Contractual Obligation (except for the Loan Documents) that (a) encumbers or restricts the ability of any such Person to (i) make Restricted Payments to any Loan Party, (ii) pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to any Loan Party, (iii) make loans or advances to any Loan Party, (iv) transfer any of its property to any Loan Party, (v) pledge its property pursuant to the Loan Documents or (vi) act as a Loan Party pursuant to the Loan Documents, except (in respect of any of the matters referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above) for (1) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (2) any document or instrument governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Sections 7.03(f) or 7.03(l); provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets constructed or acquired in connection therewith, (3) any agreement in effect at the time any Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower, so long as such agreement was not entered into solely in
contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (4) customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale of any property permitted under Section 7.05 pending the consummation of such sale, or (b) requires the grant of any security (other than a Permitted Lien) for any obligation if such property is given as security for the Obligations.
7.10Use of Proceeds.
Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, except in a transaction permitted by Regulation U; provided that following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of the assets (either of the Borrower only or of HoldCo and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 or Section 7.05 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between the Borrower and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender relating to Indebtedness and within the scope of Section 8.01(e) will be margin stock.
7.11Financial Covenants.
(a)Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of HoldCo to be greater than 4.00 to 1.00; provided that for each of the four (4) fiscal quarters immediately following a Qualified Acquisition, commencing with the fiscal quarter in which such Qualified Acquisition was consummated (such period of increase, the “Leverage Increase Period”), the required ratio set forth above shall be increased by 0.25; provided, further, that (i) there shall be no more than three (3) Leverage Increase Periods during the term of this Agreement, (ii) there shall be no more than one (1) Leverage Increase Period in effect at any time with respect to this Section 7.11(a), (iii) the maximum Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio shall revert to the then-permitted ratio (without giving effect to such increase) for at least one (1) fiscal quarter before a new Leverage Increase Period may be invoked, and (iv) the Leverage Increase Period shall only apply (A) with respect to the calculation of the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio for purposes of determining compliance with this Section 7.11(a) as of the end of any fiscal quarter of HoldCo during such period, (B) for purposes of determining compliance with this Section 7.11(a) on Pro Forma Basis to determine if an Acquisition is a Permitted Acquisition and (C) for purpose of determining compliance with this Section 7.11(a) on a Pro Forma Basis to determine if an Incremental Facility Loan is permitted to be incurred.
(b)Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of HoldCo to be less than 3.00 to 1.00.
7.12Prepayment of Other Indebtedness, Etc.
(a)Amend or modify any of the terms of any unsecured Indebtedness incurred under Section 7.03(g) or (n) or Indebtedness secured by Liens on the Collateral ranking junior with the Liens securing the Obligations (collectively, “Junior Indebtedness”) of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary if such amendment or modification would add or change any terms in a manner adverse to the interests of the Lenders in any material respect, or shorten the final maturity or average life to maturity or require any payment to be made sooner than originally scheduled or increase the interest rate applicable thereto.
(b)Amend or modify any of the terms of any Subordinated Debt except to the extent such amendment is permitted by the applicable Subordination Agreement; provided, however, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in any other Loan Document or in any applicable Subordination Agreement, the maturity date of any Subordinated Debt may be amended without
the consent of the Required Lenders and/or the Administrative Agent to be a date that is at least 181 days after the Maturity Date.
(c)Make (or give any notice with respect thereto) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment or redemption or acquisition for value of (including by way of depositing money or securities with the trustee with respect thereto before due for the purpose of payment when due), refund, refinance or exchange, in each case, prior to the scheduled maturity thereof, of any Junior Indebtedness except for (i) the refinancing thereof with the net cash proceeds of any such Indebtedness (to the extent such refinancing Indebtedness is permitted under Section 7.03), (ii) the conversion thereof to common stock in HoldCo (or other securities or property following a merger event, reclassification or other changes to the common stock of HoldCo) and (iii) additional prepayments, redemptions, purchases, acquisitions, refunds, refinances and exchanges thereof; provided that, in the case of this clause (iii), at the time of such prepayment, redemption, purchase, acquisition, refund, refinance or exchange, (A) no Event of Default shall exist immediately before or immediately after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis and (B) the Borrower shall deliver a certificate from a Responsible Officer in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent confirming the foregoing and demonstrating (1) compliance with the financial covenants after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis and (2) that the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio is at least 0.25x inside of the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio then permitted by Section 7.11(a).
(d)Make (or give any notice with respect thereto) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment or redemption or acquisition for value of (including by way of depositing money or securities with the trustee with respect thereto before due for the purpose of payment when due), refund, refinance or exchange of any Subordinated Debt except to the extent permitted by the applicable subordination agreement.
7.13Amendments to Other Documents; Fiscal Year; Legal Name, State of Formation and Form of Entity.
(a)Amend, modify or change its Organization Documents or the Tax Receivable Agreement in a manner adverse to the Lenders.
(b)Change its fiscal year without the consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld conditioned or delayed).
(c)Without providing ten (10) days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent (or such lesser period as the Administrative Agent may agree), change its name, state of formation or form of organization.
7.14Ownership of Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, except to the extent permitted by Section 7.02, (a) permit any Person (other than HoldCo, the Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary) to own any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary except to qualify directors where required by applicable Law or to satisfy other requirements of applicable Law with respect to the ownership of Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries, or (b) permit any Subsidiary to issue or have outstanding any shares of preferred Equity Interests.
7.15Sale Leasebacks.
Enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction.
7.16Anti-Corruption Laws.
Directly or indirectly use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 or other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions.
7.17Sanctions.
Directly or indirectly, use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension to any Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer, Swingline Lender, or otherwise) of Sanctions.
7.18Outbound Investment Rules.
No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) be or become a “covered foreign person”, as that term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules or (b) engage, directly or indirectly, in (i) a “covered activity” or a “covered transaction”, as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, (ii) any activity or transaction that would constitute a “covered activity” or a “covered transaction”, as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, if the Borrower were a U.S. Person or (iii) any other activity that would cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be in violation of the Outbound Investment Rules or cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be legally prohibited by the Outbound Investment Rules from performing under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01Events of Default.
Any of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:
(a)Non-Payment. Any Loan Party fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation or deposit any funds as Cash Collateral in respect of L/C Obligations, or (ii) within three (3) days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) within five (5) days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or
(b)Specific Covenants.
(i)Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.01 or 6.02 and such failure continues for five (5) days;
(ii)Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.03(a), 6.05(a), 6.10, 6.11 or Article VII; or
(c)Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in clauses (a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for thirty (30) days; or
(d)Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party herein, in any other
Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect (or if such representation and warranty is qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in any respect) when made or deemed made; or
(e)Cross-Default. (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness or Guarantee (other than Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than the Threshold Amount, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or Guarantee or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; provided that the occurrence of any event or condition that permits a conversion of any Permitted Convertible Indebtedness by the holders thereof shall not be an Event of Default pursuant to this clause (e)(i); provided, further, that any prepayment, redemption or conversion of any Permitted Convertible Indebtedness to the extent permitted to be paid pursuant to Section 7.06 or Section 7.12 shall not be an Event of Default pursuant to this clause (e)(i); or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as so defined) under such Swap Contract as to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than the Threshold Amount or (iii) there occurs under any Permitted Bond Hedge Transactions or Permitted Warrant Transactions an Early Termination Date (as defined therein) resulting from any event of default thereunder as to which the Borrower or HoldCo, as applicable, or any of its Subsidiaries is the Defaulting Party (as defined therein) and the termination value (determined on a net basis) owed by any Loan Party or Subsidiary as a result thereof, taken together, is greater than the Threshold Amount; or
(f)Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or
(g)Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within thirty (30) days after its issue or levy; or
(h)Judgments. There is entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments or orders) exceeding the Threshold Amount (or, in the case of the Louisiana Claim, exceeding the Louisiana Claim Amount) (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer has been notified of the claim and does not dispute coverage), or
(ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of ten (10) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or
(i)ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or
(j)Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect or ceases to give the Administrative Agent any material part of the Liens purported to be created thereby; or any Loan Party or any other Person contests in writing in any manner the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any provision of any Loan Document for any reason other than satisfaction of such liability or obligation, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document; or
(k)Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control.
(l) Invalidity of Subordination Provisions. Any Subordination Agreement shall, in whole or in part, terminate, cease to be effective or cease to be legally valid, binding and enforceable against any holder of the applicable Subordinated Debt.
8.02Remedies Upon Event of Default.
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:
(a)declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;
(b)declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;
(c)require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect thereto); and
(d)exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents or applicable Law or equity;
provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 8.01(f), the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to
Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
8.03Application of Funds.
(a)After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.14 and 2.15, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:
First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans and L/C Borrowings, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;
Fourth, to (a) payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and L/C Borrowings, (b) payment of Obligations then owing under any Secured Hedge Agreements, (c) payment of Obligations then owing under any Secured Cash Management Agreements and (d) the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03 and 2.14, in each case ratably among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.
(b)Subject to Sections 2.03(c) and 2.14, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above. Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Guarantor shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor or such Guarantor’s assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation to Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section 8.03.
(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application
described above if the Administrative Agent has not received a Secured Party Designation Notice, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be (unless such Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank is the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate thereof). Each Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank not a party to this Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Article IX for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.
ARTICLE IX
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
9.01Authorization and Action.
(a)Each Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints the entity named as Administrative Agent in the heading of this Agreement and its successors and assigns to serve as the administrative agent under the Loan Documents and each Lender and the L/C Issuer authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under such agreements and to exercise such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, each of the Loan Documents to which the Administrative Agent is a party, and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies that the Administrative Agent may have under such Loan Documents.
(b)As to any matters not expressly provided for herein and in the other Loan Documents (including enforcement or collection), the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the written instructions of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, pursuant to the terms in the Loan Documents), and, unless and until revoked in writing, such instructions shall be binding upon each Lender and the L/C Issuer; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that (i) the Administrative Agent in good faith believes exposes it to liability unless the Administrative Agent receives an indemnification and is exculpated in a manner satisfactory to it from the Lenders and the L/C Issuer with respect to such action or (ii) is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable Law, including any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any requirement of law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors; provided, further, that the Administrative Agent may seek clarification or direction from the Required Lenders prior to the exercise of any such instructed action and may refrain from acting until such clarification or direction has been provided. Except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to HoldCo, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Administrative Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(c)In performing its functions and duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent is acting solely on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (except in limited circumstances expressly provided for herein relating to the maintenance of the
Register), and its duties are entirely mechanical and administrative in nature. The motivations of the Administrative Agent are commercial in nature and not to invest in the general performance or operations of the Borrower. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(i)the Administrative Agent does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation or duty or any other relationship as the agent, fiduciary or trustee of or for any Lender, the L/C Issuer or holder of any other obligation other than as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and it is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” (or any similar term) herein or in any other Loan Document with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary duty or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law, and that such term is used as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties); additionally, each Lender agrees that it will not assert any claim against the Administrative Agent based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement and/or the transactions contemplated hereby; and
(ii)nothing in this Agreement or any Loan Document shall require the Administrative Agent to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by the Administrative Agent for its own account.
(d)The Administrative Agent may perform any of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any of their respective duties and exercise their respective rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities pursuant to this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agent except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agent.
(e)No Arranger shall have any obligations or duties whatsoever in such capacity under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and shall incur no liability hereunder or thereunder in such capacity, but all such persons shall have the benefit of the indemnities provided for hereunder.
(f)In case of the pendency of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any other Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(i)to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Borrowings and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent (including any claim under Sections 2.08, 2.09, 2.10, 3.01, 3.04 and 11.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(ii)to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each other holder of the Obligations to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer or the other holders of the Obligations, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due to it, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, under the Loan Documents (including under Section 11.04). Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the L/C Issuer in any such proceeding.
(g)The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, and, except solely to the extent of the Borrower’s rights to consent pursuant to and subject to the conditions set forth in this Article, none of Holdco, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any of their respective Affiliates, shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary under any such provisions. Each holder of the Obligations, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and of the Guaranty provided under the Loan Documents, to have agreed to the provisions of this Article.
9.02Administrative Agent’s Reliance, Limitation of Liability, Etc.
(a)Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be (i) liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by such party, the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties under or in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (x) with the consent of or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents) or (y) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (such absence to be presumed unless otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Administrative Agent’s reliance on any Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page) or for any failure of any Loan Party to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder.
(b)The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any (i) notice of any of the events or circumstances set forth or described in Section 6.03 unless and until written notice thereof stating that it is a “notice under Section 6.03” in respect of this Agreement and identifying the specific clause under said Section is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, or (ii) notice of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof (stating that it is a “notice of Default” or a “notice of an Event of Default”) is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer. Further, the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (A) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (B) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (C) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (D) the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (E) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items (which on their
face purport to be such items) expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or satisfaction of any condition that expressly refers to the matters described therein being acceptable or satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (F) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens on the Collateral or (G) compliance by Disqualified Institutions with the terms hereof relating to Disqualified Institutions. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any liabilities, costs or expenses suffered by the HoldCo, the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any Lender or the L/C Issuer as a result of, any determination of the Revolving Credit Exposure, any of the component amounts thereof or any portion thereof attributable to each Lender or the L/C Issuer.
(c)Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent (i) may treat the payee of any promissory note as its holder until such promissory note has been assigned in accordance with Section 11.06, (ii) may rely on the Register to the extent set forth in Section 11.06(c), (iii) may consult with legal counsel (including counsel to the Borrower), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts, (iv) makes no warranty or representation to any Lender or the L/C Issuer and shall not be responsible to any Lender or the L/C Issuer for any statements, warranties or representations made by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (v) in determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer sufficiently in advance of the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit and (vi) shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper party or parties (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof).
9.03Posting of Communications.
(a)The Borrower agrees that (a) the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Communications available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer by posting the Communications on IntraLinks™, DebtDomain, SyndTrak, ClearPar or any other electronic platform chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the “Approved Electronic Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Communications that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Communications shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Communications “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, any Affiliate thereof (including JPMorgan, in its capacity as an Arranger), the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Communications as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities Laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Communications constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 11.07); (y) all Communications marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Approved Electronic Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and any Affiliate thereof (including JPMorgan, in its capacity as an Arranger) shall be entitled to treat any Communications that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Approved Electronic Platform not designated as
“Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Communications “PUBLIC.”
(b)Although the Approved Electronic Platform and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Closing Date, a user ID/password authorization system) and the Approved Electronic Platform is secured through a per-deal authorization method whereby each user may access the Approved Electronic Platform only on a deal-by-deal basis, each of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of any Lender that are added to the Approved Electronic Platform, and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower hereby approves distribution of the Communications through the Approved Electronic Platform and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.
(c)THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM AND THE COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY ARRANGER OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (COLLECTIVELY, “APPLICABLE PARTIES”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, THE L/C ISSUER OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN PARTY’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR EXPENSES (X) ARE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY A FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH APPLICABLE PARTY OR (Y) RESULT FROM A CLAIM BROUGHT BY ANY LOAN PARTY AGAINST SUCH APPLICABLE PARTY FOR BREACH IN BAD FAITH OF SUCH APPLICABLE PARTY’S OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, IF SUCH LOAN PARTY HAS OBTAINED A FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT IN ITS FAVOR ON SUCH CLAIM AS DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY APPLICABLE PARTY HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, THE L/C ISSUER OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (AS OPPOSED TO DIRECT OR ACTUAL DAMAGES).
“Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Approved Electronic Platform.
(d)Each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that Communications have been posted to the Approved Electronic Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees (i) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (which could be in the form of electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s (as applicable) email address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (ii) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such email address.
(e)Each of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable Law) shall not be obligated to, store the Communications on the Approved Electronic Platform in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.
(f)Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.
9.04Borrower Communications.
(a)The Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer agree that the Borrower may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Borrower Communications to the Administrative Agent through an electronic platform chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the “Approved Borrower Portal”).
(b)Although the Approved Borrower Portal and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Closing Date, a user ID/password authorization system), each of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of the Borrower that are added to the Approved Borrower Portal, and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower hereby approves distribution of Borrower Communications through the Approved Borrower Portal and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.
(c)THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER COMMUNICATION, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL AND THE BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS OR THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE APPLICABLE PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, THE L/C ISSUER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF THE BORROWER’S TRANSMISSION OF BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR EXPENSES (X) ARE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY A FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH APPLICABLE PARTY OR (Y) RESULT FROM A CLAIM BROUGHT BY ANY LOAN
PARTY AGAINST SUCH APPLICABLE PARTY FOR BREACH IN BAD FAITH OF SUCH APPLICABLE PARTY’S OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, IF SUCH LOAN PARTY HAS OBTAINED A FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT IN ITS FAVOR ON SUCH CLAIM AS DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY APPLICABLE PARTY HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER, THE L/C ISSUER OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES (AS OPPOSED TO DIRECT OR ACTUAL DAMAGES).
(d)Each of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store the Borrower Communications on the Approved Borrower Portal in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.
(e)Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Borrower to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.
9.05The Administrative Agent Individually.
With respect to its Commitment, Loans (including Swingline Loans), L/C Commitment and Letters of Credit, the Person serving as the Administrative Agent shall have and may exercise the same rights and powers hereunder and is subject to the same obligations and liabilities as and to the extent set forth herein for any other Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The terms “L/C Issuer”, “Lenders”, “Required Lenders” and any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender, L/C Issuer or as one of the Required Lenders, as applicable. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with, HoldCo, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing as if such Person was not acting as the Administrative Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer.
9.06Successor Administrative Agent.
(a)The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ prior written notice thereof to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower, whether or not a successor Administrative Agent has been appointed. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York or an Affiliate of any such bank. In either case, such appointment shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Borrower (which approval may not be unreasonably withheld and shall not be required while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing). Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall succeed to, and become vested with, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent. Upon the acceptance of appointment as Administrative Agent by a successor Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Prior to any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the retiring Administrative Agent shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to assign to the successor Administrative Agent its rights as Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents.
(b)Notwithstanding clause (a) of this Section, in the event no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its intent to resign, the retiring Administrative Agent may give notice of the effectiveness of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower, whereupon, on the date of effectiveness of such resignation stated in such notice, (i) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided that, solely for purposes of maintaining any security interest granted to the Administrative Agent under any Collateral Document for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be vested with such security interest as collateral agent for the benefit of the holders of the Obligations, and continue to be entitled to the rights set forth in such Collateral Document and, and, in the case of any Collateral in the possession of the Administrative Agent, shall continue to hold such Collateral, in each case until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment in accordance with this Section (it being understood and agreed that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any further action under any Collateral Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any such security interest); and (ii) the Required Lenders shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent; provided that (A) all payments required to be made hereunder or under any other Loan Document to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Person other than the Administrative Agent shall be made directly to such Person and (B) all notices and other communications required or contemplated to be given or made to the Administrative Agent shall directly be given or made to each Lender and the L/C Issuer. Following the effectiveness of the Administrative Agent’s resignation from its capacity as such, the provisions of this Article and Section 11.04, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and in respect of the matters referred to in the proviso under clause (i) above.
9.07Acknowledgements of Lenders and the L/C Issuer.
(a)Each Lender and the L/C Issuer represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (ii) in participating as a Lender, it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and in providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in each case in the ordinary course of business, and not for the purpose of investing in the general performance or operations of the Borrower, or for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument such as a security (and each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing, such as a claim under the federal or state securities laws), (iii) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, or any other Lender or the L/C Issuer, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder and (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any other Lender or the L/C Issuer, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
(b)Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement on the Closing Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan
Document pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Closing Date.
(c)(i) Each Lender hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, individually and collectively, a “Payment”) were erroneously transmitted to such Lender (whether or not known to such Lender), and demands the return of such Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter (or such later date as the Administrative Agent, may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect, and (y) to the extent permitted by applicable Law, such Lender shall not assert, and hereby waives, as to the Administrative Agent, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Payments received, including without limitation any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender under this Section 9.07(c) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(i)Each Lender hereby further agrees that if it receives a Payment from the Administrative 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 sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such Payment (a “Payment Notice”) or (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a Payment Notice, it shall be on notice, in each such case, that an error has been made with respect to such Payment. Each Lender agrees that, in each such case, or if it otherwise becomes aware a Payment (or portion thereof) may have been sent in error, such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter (or such later date as the Administrative Agent, may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.
(ii)The Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby agrees that (x) in the event an erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) are not recovered from any Lender that has received such Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender with respect to such amount and (y) an erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party.
(iii)Each party’s obligations under this Section 9.07(c) shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations under any Loan Document.
(d)The Lenders acknowledge that there may be a constant flow of information (including information which may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of the Loan Parties) between the Loan Parties and their Affiliates, on the one hand, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and its Affiliates, on the other hand. Without limiting the foregoing, the Loan Parties or their Affiliates may provide information, including updates to previously provided information to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and/or its Affiliates acting in different capacities, including as Lender, lead bank, arranger or potential securities investor, independent of such entity’s role as administrative agent hereunder. The Lenders acknowledge that neither JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. nor its Affiliates shall be under any obligation to provide any of the foregoing information to them. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein or in any other Loan Document, except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide, and shall not be liable for the failure to provide, any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the Loans, the Lenders, the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates that is communicated to, obtained by, or in the possession of, the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity, including any information obtained by the Administrative Agent in the course of communications among the Administrative Agent and any Loan Party, any Affiliate thereof or any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such information may (but shall not be required to) be shared by the Administrative Agent with one or more Lenders, or any formal or informal committee or ad hoc group of such Lenders, including at the direction of a Loan Party.
9.08Collateral Matters.
(a)Except with respect to the exercise of setoff rights in accordance with Section 11.08 or with respect to a holder of the Obligations’ right to file a proof of claim in an insolvency proceeding, no holder of the Obligations shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the holders of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof.
(b)In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation thereof, no arrangements in respect of Cash Management Agreements which constitute Secured Cash Management Agreements and no Swap Contracts which constitute Secured Hedge Agreements, will create (or be deemed to create) in favor of any holder of the Obligations that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral or of the obligations of any Loan Party under any Loan Document. By accepting the benefits of the Collateral, each holder of the Obligations that is a party to any such arrangement in respect of Cash Management Agreements or Swap Contracts, as applicable, shall be deemed to have appointed the Administrative Agent to serve as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and agreed to be bound by the Loan Documents as a holder of the Obligations thereunder, subject to the limitations set forth in this paragraph.
(c)The holders of the Obligations irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to enter into any Market Intercreditor Agreement and to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Sections 7.01(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (m), (o), (r) and (s). The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders or any other holder of the Obligations for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.
9.09Credit Bidding.
The holders of the Obligations hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Obligations (including by accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, or (b) at any other sale, foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the holders of the Obligations shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid by the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Required Lenders on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that shall vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) for the asset or assets so purchased (or for the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are issued in connection with such purchase). In connection with any such bid, (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles and to assign any successful credit bid to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, (ii) each of the holders of the Obligations’ ratable interests in the Obligations which were credit bid shall be deemed without any further action under this Agreement to be assigned to such vehicle or vehicles for the purpose of closing such sale, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by, and the governing documents shall provide for, control by the vote of the Required Lenders or their permitted assignees under the terms of this Agreement or the governing documents of the applicable acquisition vehicle or vehicles, as the case may be, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in Section 11.01 of this Agreement), (iv) the Administrative Agent on behalf of such acquisition vehicle or vehicles shall be authorized to issue to each of the holders of the Obligations, ratably on account of the relevant Obligations which were credit bid, interests, whether as equity, partnership interests, limited partnership interests or membership interests, in any such acquisition vehicle and/or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle, all without the need for any holder of the Obligations or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (v) to the extent that Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of Obligations credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the holders of the Obligations pro rata with their original interest in such Obligations and the equity interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of such Obligations shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any holder of the Obligations or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action. Notwithstanding that the ratable portion of the Obligations of each holder of the Obligations are deemed assigned to the acquisition vehicle or vehicles as set forth in clause (ii) above, each holder of the Obligations shall execute such documents and provide such information regarding the holder of the Obligations (and/or any designee of the holder of the Obligations which will receive interests in or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the formation of any acquisition vehicle, the formulation or submission of any credit bid or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such credit bid.
9.10Certain ERISA Matters.
(a)Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i)such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments,
(ii)the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement,
(iii)(A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or
(iv)such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.
(b)In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that none of the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the Collateral or the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related to hereto or thereto).
(c)The Administrative Agent and each Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide investment advice or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments, this Agreement and any other Loan Documents (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments by such Lender
or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Loan Documents or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.
ARTICLE X
GUARANTY
GUARANTY
10.01The Guaranty.
Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees to each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each other holder of the Obligations as hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment of the Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof. The Guarantors hereby further agree that if any of the Obligations are not paid in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise), the Guarantors will, jointly and severally, promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any other of the Loan Documents or the other documents relating to the Obligations, the obligations of each Guarantor under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render such obligations subject to avoidance under applicable Debtor Relief Laws.
10.02Obligations Unconditional.
The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 10.01 are joint and several, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Obligations, or any substitution, release, impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 10.02 that the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances. Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against the Borrower or any other Loan Party for amounts paid under this Article X until such time as the Obligations have been paid in full and the Commitments have expired or terminated. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of any Guarantor hereunder, which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:
(a)at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Guarantor, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;
(b)any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Obligations shall be done or omitted;
(c)the maturity of any of the Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Obligations shall be modified, supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the Loan Documents or other documents relating to the Obligations shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the Obligations or any security therefor shall be released, impaired or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;
(d)any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any other holder of the Obligations as security for any of the Obligations shall fail to attach or be perfected; or
(e)any of the Obligations shall be determined to be void or voidable (including for the benefit of any creditor of any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person (including any creditor of any Guarantor).
With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any other holder of the Obligations exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under any of the Loan Documents or any other document relating to the Obligations, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Obligations.
10.03Reinstatement.
The obligations of each Guarantor under this Article X shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Obligations, whether as a result of any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each other holder of the Obligations on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such holder of the Obligations in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any Debtor Relief Law.
10.04Certain Additional Waivers.
Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of recourse to security for the Obligations, except through the exercise of rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 10.02 and through the exercise of rights of contribution pursuant to Section 10.06.
10.05Remedies.
The Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the other holders of the Obligations, on the other hand, the Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as specified in Section 8.02 (and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances specified in Section 8.02) for purposes of Section 10.01 notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of Section 10.01. The Guarantors
acknowledge and agree that their obligations hereunder are secured in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Documents and that the holders of the Obligations may exercise their remedies thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof.
10.06Rights of Contribution.
The Guarantors hereby agree as among themselves that, if any Guarantor shall make an Excess Payment (as defined below), such Guarantor shall have a right of contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s Contribution Share (as defined below) of such Excess Payment. The payment obligations of any Guarantor under this Section 10.06 shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the Obligations until such time as the Obligations have been paid-in-full and the Commitments have terminated, and none of the Guarantors shall exercise any right or remedy under this Section 10.06 against any other Guarantor until such Obligations have been paid-in-full and the Commitments have terminated. For purposes of this Section 10.06, (a) “Excess Payment” shall mean the amount paid by any Guarantor in excess of its Ratable Share of any Obligations; (b) “Ratable Share” shall mean, for any Guarantor in respect of any payment of Obligations, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) as of the date of such payment of Obligations of (i) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all of its assets and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of such Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder) to (ii) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all assets and other properties of all of the Loan Parties exceeds the amount of all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Loan Parties hereunder) of the Loan Parties; provided, however, that, for purposes of calculating the Ratable Shares of the Guarantors in respect of any payment of Obligations, any Guarantor that became a Guarantor subsequent to the date of any such payment shall be deemed to have been a Guarantor on the date of such payment and the financial information for such Guarantor as of the date such Guarantor became a Guarantor shall be utilized for such Guarantor in connection with such payment; and (c) “Contribution Share” shall mean, for any Guarantor in respect of any Excess Payment made by any other Guarantor, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) as of the date of such Excess Payment of (i) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all of its assets and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of such Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder) to (ii) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all assets and other properties of the Loan Parties other than the maker of such Excess Payment exceeds the amount of all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Loan Parties) of the Loan Parties other than the maker of such Excess Payment; provided, however, that, for purposes of calculating the Contribution Shares of the Guarantors in respect of any Excess Payment, any Guarantor that became a Guarantor subsequent to the date of any such Excess Payment shall be deemed to have been a Guarantor on the date of such Excess Payment and the financial information for such Guarantor as of the date such Guarantor became a Guarantor shall be utilized for such Guarantor in connection with such Excess Payment. This Section 10.06 shall not be deemed to affect any right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution that any Guarantor may have under Law against the Borrower in respect of any payment of Obligations.
10.07Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee.
The guarantee in this Article X is a guaranty of payment and not of collection, is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to the Obligations whenever arising.
10.08Keepwell.
Each Loan Party that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time the Guaranty in this Article X by any Loan Party that is not then an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (a “Specified Loan Party”) or the grant of a security interest under the Loan Documents by any such Specified Loan Party, in either case, becomes effective with respect to any Swap Obligation, hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support to each Specified Loan Party with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Loan Party from time to time to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of such Swap Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s obligations and undertakings under this Article X voidable under applicable Debtor Relief Laws, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 10.08 shall remain in full force and effect until the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. Each Loan Party intends this Section 10.08 to constitute, and this Section 10.08 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each Specified Loan Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUS
11.01Amendments, Etc.
(a)No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(i)extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or of any Default or a mandatory reduction in Commitments is not considered an extension or increase in Commitments of any Lender);
(ii)postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) or any scheduled reduction of the Commitments hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to receive such payment or whose Commitments are to be reduced;
(iii)reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (i) of the final proviso to this Section 11.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to receive such amount; provided, however, that (A) only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate and (B) an amendment to any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder shall not be deemed to be a reduction of the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document;
(iv)change Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;
(v)change any provision of this Section 11.01(a) or the definition of “Required Lenders” without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;
(vi)release all or substantially all of the Collateral without the written consent of each Lender whose Obligations are secured by such Collateral;
(vii)except as permitted under Section 9.08(c), subordinate, or have the effect of subordinating, (A) the Obligations hereunder to any other Indebtedness or other obligation or (B) the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the secured parties pursuant to the Security Agreement) in the Collateral, in each case, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(viii)release the Borrower without the consent of each Lender, or, except in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 7.04 or Section 7.05, all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty without the written consent of each Lender whose Obligations are guaranteed thereby, except to the extent such release is permitted pursuant to Section 9.08 (in which case such release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone); or
(b)unless also signed by the L/C Issuer, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it;
(c)unless also signed by the Swingline Lender, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender under this Agreement; and
(d)unless also signed by the Administrative Agent, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;
provided, further, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto, (ii) each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein, (iii) the Required Lenders shall determine whether or not to allow a Loan Party to use cash collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding and such determination shall be binding on all of the Lenders, (iv) the Administrative Agent may make amendments contemplated by Section 3.03(c), (v) Incremental Facility Amendments may be effected in accordance with Section 2.16, (vi) in order to implement any Specified Refinancing Indebtedness, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with Section 2.17 with only the consent of the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders providing such Specified Refinancing Indebtedness and (vii) Extension Amendments may be effected in accordance with Section 2.18.
(e)No Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders
or each affected Lender that by its terms affects such Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.
(f)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated, such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement.
(g)Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any other Loan Document to cure or correct administrative errors or omissions, any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency or to effect administrative changes, and such amendment shall become effective without any further consent of any other party to such Loan Document so long as (i) such amendment, modification or supplement does not adversely affect the rights of any Lender or other holder of Obligations in any material respect and (ii) the Lenders shall have received at least five Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date of such notice to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that the Required Lenders object to such amendment.
11.02Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications.
(a)Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in clause (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax transmission as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
(i)if to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender, to the address, fax number, e-mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 11.02; and
(ii)if to any other Lender, to the address, fax number, e-mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to HoldCo).
Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by fax transmission shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through Approved Electronic Platforms, Approved Borrower Portals or other electronic communications to the extent provided in clause (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such clause (b).
(b)Electronic Communications.
(i)Notices and other communications to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including Approved Electronic Platforms, Approved Borrower Portals, e mail, FpML messaging, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to an electronic
communication agreement (or such other procedures approved by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion); provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender, the Swingline Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender, Swingline Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Borrower may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(ii)Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (A) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address 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 e-mail or other written acknowledgement) and (B) notices and other communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received by the intended recipient upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail address or other written acknowledgement) indicating that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that for both clauses (A) and (B), if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.
(c)Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender may change its address, fax number or telephone number or email address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, fax number or telephone number or email address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Approved Electronic Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Communications that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Approved Electronic Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities Laws.
(d)Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders. The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic or electronic notices, Loan Notices, Letter of Credit Applications and Swingline Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of any Loan Party even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of a Loan Party. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
11.03No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement.
(a)No failure by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including the imposition of the Default Rate) preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by Law.
(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuer; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 11.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
11.04Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a)Costs and Expenses. The Loan Parties shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of one primary outside counsel for the Administrative Agent and of one special or one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent to the extent such special or local counsel is reasonably necessary) in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses incurred by the L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable and documented out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer (including the fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer) in connection with the enforcement, collection or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 11.04, or (B) in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out of pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b)Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Arranger, each Lender and the L/C Issuer, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted
against any Indemnitee by any Person (including any Loan Party) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.01), (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by any Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF THE INDEMNITEE; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (y) result from a claim brought by any Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, or (z) any dispute solely among the Indemnitees other than any claims against an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer, an Arranger or any similar role under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and other than any claims arising out of any act or omission of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(c), this Section 11.04(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.
(c)Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Loan Parties for any reason fail to indefeasibly pay any amount required under clause (a) or (b) of this Section 11.04 to be paid by them to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the L/C Issuer, the Swingline Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer, the Swingline Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s share of the Total Credit Exposures of all Lenders at such time) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender), such payment to be made severally among them based on such Lenders’ Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought); provided, that, the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d).
(d)Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information
or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet, any Approved Electronic Platform and any Approved Borrower Portal) in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from (x) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (y) a claim brought by any Loan Party against such Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e)Payments. All amounts due under this Section 11.04 shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.
(f)Survival. The agreements in this Section 11.04 and the indemnity provisions of Section 11.02(d) shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
11.05Payments Set Aside.
To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of any Loan Party is made to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
11.06Successors and Assigns.
(a)Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of clause (b) of this Section 11.06, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of clause (d) of this Section 11.06 or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of clause (e) of this Section 11.06 (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in clause (d) of this Section 11.06 and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b)Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this clause (b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swingline Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i)Minimum Amounts.
(A)in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the related Loans at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds (determined after giving effect to such assignments) that equal at least the amount specified in clause (b)(i)(B) of this Section 11.06 in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(B)in any case not described in clause (b)(i)(A) of this Section 11.06, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 in the case of any assignment in respect of a Revolving Commitment (and the related Revolving Loans thereunder) and $1,000,000 in the case of any assignment in respect of any Incremental Term Loan unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(ii)Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s Loans and Commitments, and rights and obligations with respect thereto, assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not (A) apply to the Swingline Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swingline Loans or (B) prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations in respect of its Revolving Commitment (and the related Revolving Loans thereunder) and its outstanding Incremental Term Loans, if any, on a non-pro rata basis;
(iii)Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by clause (b)(i)(B) of this Section 11.06 and, in addition:
(A)the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof;
(B)the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of (1) any unfunded Incremental Term Loan Commitment or any Revolving Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment in respect of the applicable facility subject to such assignment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender or (2) any Incremental Term Loan to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and
(C)the consent of the L/C Issuer and the Swingline Lender shall be required for any assignment in respect of Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments.
(iv)Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(v)No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made to (A) the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (B) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), (C) a natural person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated by or for the primary benefit of a natural person) or (D) any holder of Subordinated Debt.
(vi)Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this clause (vi), then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
(vii)Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 11.06, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05 and 11.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment); provided that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this clause (b) shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with clause (d) of this Section 11.06.
(c)Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d)Participations.
(i)Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a natural Person), a Defaulting Lender or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swingline Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 11.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participation.
(ii)Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in Section 11.01(a) that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 11.06 (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.01(e) shall be delivered to the Lender who sells the participation) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 11.06; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.06 and 11.13 as if it were an assignee under clause (b) of this Section 11.06 and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 3.01 or 3.04, with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 3.06 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 11.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any
obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(e)Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
(f)Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time JPMorgan assigns all of its Revolving Commitment and Revolving Loans pursuant to clause (b) above, JPMorgan may, (i) upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swingline Lender. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of JPMorgan as L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, as the case may be. If JPMorgan resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make ABR Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)). If JPMorgan resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make ABR Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(d). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swingline Lender, (1) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swingline Lender, as the case may be, and (2) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to JPMorgan to effectively assume the obligations of JPMorgan with respect to such Letters of Credit.
(g)Disqualified Institutions.
(i)No assignment shall be made to any Person that was a Disqualified Institution as of the date (the “Trade Date”) on which the applicable Lender entered into a binding agreement to sell and assign all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to such Person (unless the Borrower has consented to such assignment as otherwise contemplated by this Section 11.06, in which case such Person will not be considered a Disqualified Institution for the purpose of such assignment). For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any assignee that becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date (including as a result of the delivery of a notice pursuant to, and/or the expiration of the notice period referred to in, the definition of “Disqualified Institution”), such assignee shall not retroactively be considered a Disqualified Institution. Any assignment in violation of this clause (g)(i) shall not be void, but the other provisions of this clause (g) shall apply.
(ii)If any assignment is made to any Disqualified Institution without the Borrower’s prior consent in violation of clause (i) above, the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to the applicable Disqualified Institution and the Administrative Agent, (A) terminate any Revolving Commitment of such Disqualified Institution and repay all obligations of the Borrower owing to such Disqualified Institution in connection with such Revolving Commitment, (B) in the case of outstanding Incremental Term Loans held by Disqualified Institutions, prepay such Incremental Term Loans by paying the lesser of (x) the principal amount thereof and (y) the amount that such Disqualified Institution paid to acquire such Incremental Term Loans, in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and/or (C) require such Disqualified Institution to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in this Section 11.06), all of its interest, rights and obligations under this Agreement and related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations at the lesser of (x) the principal amount thereof and (y) the amount that such Disqualified Institution paid to acquire such interests, rights and obligations, in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided, that, (i) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 11.06(b), (ii) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws and (iii) in the case of clause (B), the Borrower shall not use the proceeds from any Loans to prepay Incremental Term Loans held by Disqualified Institutions.
(iii)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Disqualified Institutions (A) will not (x) have the right to receive information, reports or other materials provided to Lenders by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (y) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, or (z) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and (B) (x) for purposes of any consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of, or any action under, and for the purpose of any direction to the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, each Disqualified Institution will be deemed to have consented in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Disqualified Institutions consented to such matter, and (y) for purposes of voting on any plan of reorganization or plan of liquidation pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws (“Plan of Reorganization”), each Disqualified Institution party hereto hereby agrees (1) not to vote on such Plan of Reorganization, (2) if such Disqualified Institution does vote on such Plan of Reorganization notwithstanding the restrictions in the foregoing clause (1), such vote will be deemed not to be in good faith and shall be “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws), and such vote shall not be counted in determining whether the applicable class has accepted or rejected such Plan of Reorganization in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other Debtor Relief Laws) and (3) not to contest any request by any party for a determination by the Bankruptcy court (or other applicable court of competent jurisdiction) effectuating the foregoing clause (2).
(iv)The Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Borrower hereby expressly authorizes the Administrative Agent, to (A) post Schedule 1.01(a) and any updates thereto from time to time (collectively, the “DQ List”) on the Approved Electronic Platform, including that portion of the Approved Electronic Platform that is designated for “public side” Lenders or (B) provide the DQ List to each Lender requesting the same.
11.07Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.
(a)Treatment of Certain Information. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates, its auditors and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (ii) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (iii) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any other party hereto, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 11.07, to (A) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to become a Lender pursuant to Section 2.16 or (B) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative, insurance or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (vii) on a confidential basis to (A) any rating agency in connection with rating any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (B) the provider of any Approved Electronic Platform or other electronic delivery service used by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and/or the Swingline Lender to deliver Communications, (viii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the application, issuance, publishing and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, (ix) with the consent of the Borrower or (x) to the extent such Information (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 11.07, (B) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or (C) is independently discovered or developed by a party hereto without utilizing any Information received from the Borrower or violating the terms of this Section 11.07. For purposes of this Section 11.07, “Information” means all information received from a Loan Party or any Subsidiary relating to the Loan Parties or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by such Loan Party or any Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of information received from a Loan Party or any Subsidiary after the Closing Date, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 11.07 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Commitments.
(b)Non-Public Information. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that (i) the Information may include material non-public information concerning a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (iii) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.
(c)Press Releases. The Loan Parties and their Affiliates agree that they will not in the future issue any press releases or other public disclosure using the name of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or their respective Affiliates or referring to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, unless (and only to the extent that) the Loan Parties or such Affiliate is required to do so under law and then, in any event the Loan Parties or such Affiliate will consult with such Person before issuing such press release or other public disclosure.
(d)Customary Advertising Material. The Loan Parties consent to the publication by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of customary advertising material relating to the transactions contemplated hereby using the name, product photographs, logo or trademark of the Loan Parties.
(e)Voluntary Disclosures. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 11.07 shall prohibit any Person from voluntarily disclosing or providing any Information within the scope of this confidentiality provision to any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory organization (any such entity, a “Regulatory Authority”) to the extent that any such prohibition on disclosure set forth in this Section 11.07 shall be prohibited by the laws or regulations applicable to such Regulatory Authority.
11.08Rights of Setoff.
If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the L/C Issuer or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured, secured or unsecured, or are owed to a branch or office or Affiliate of such Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section 11.08 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have under applicable Law. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
11.09Interest Rate Limitation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
11.10Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.
This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successor and assigns.
11.11Survival of Representations and Warranties.
All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.
11.12Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.12, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.
11.13Replacement of Lenders.
(a)If the Borrower is entitled to replace a Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.06, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, a Non-Consenting Lender or a Non-Extending Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 11.06), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.04) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that:
(i)the Borrower or Lender accepting such assignment shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 11.06(b);
(ii)such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(iii)in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;
(iv)such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and
(v)in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.
(b)A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
(c)Each party hereto agrees that (i) an assignment required pursuant to this Section 11.13 may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and (ii) the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to and be bound by the terms thereof; provided, that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender; provided that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.
(d)Notwithstanding anything in this Section 11.13 to the contrary, (i) the Lender that acts as the L/C Issuer may not be replaced hereunder at any time it has any Letter of Credit outstanding hereunder unless arrangements satisfactory to such Lender (including the furnishing of a backstop standby letter of credit in form and substance, and issued by an issuer, reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer or the depositing of Cash Collateral into a Cash Collateral account in amounts and pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer) have been made with respect to such outstanding Letter of Credit and (ii) the Lender that acts as the Administrative Agent may not be replaced hereunder except in accordance with the terms of Section 9.06.
11.14Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
(a)GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b)SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. EACH LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, THE L/C ISSUER, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE L/C ISSUER 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.
(c)WAIVER OF VENUE. EACH LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (b) OF THIS SECTION 11.14. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
(d)SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 11.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
11.15Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 11.15.
11.16No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.
In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each of the Loan Parties acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (a) (i) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and any Affiliate thereof, any Arranger, and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and, as applicable, its Affiliates (including JPMorgan, in its capacity as an Arranger) and the Lenders and their Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this Section 11.16, the “Lenders”), on the other hand, (ii) each of the Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (iii) each of the Loan Parties is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (b) (i) the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including JPMorgan, in its capacity as an Arranger) and each Lender each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (ii) neither the Administrative Agent, any of its Affiliates (including JPMorgan, in its capacity as an Arranger) nor any Lender has any obligation to the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (c) the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including JPMorgan, in its capacity as an Arranger) and the Lenders may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, any of its Affiliates (including JPMorgan, in its capacity as an Arranger) nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, each of the Loan Parties hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, any of its Affiliates (including JPMorgan, in its capacity as an Arranger) or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transactions contemplated hereby.
11.17Electronic Execution.
Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of (x) this Agreement, (y) any other Loan Document and/or (z) any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any notice delivered pursuant to Section 11.02), certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or the transactions contemplated hereby and/or thereby (each an “Ancillary Document”) that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement, such other Loan Document or such Ancillary Document, as applicable. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept Electronic Signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent and pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept any
Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party without further verification thereof and without any obligation to review the appearance or form of any such Electronic signature and (ii) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed counterpart. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby (A) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, Electronic Signatures transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page and/or any electronic images of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, (B) the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders may, at its option, create one or more copies of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document in the form of an imaged electronic record in any format, which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document (and all such electronic records shall be considered an original for all purposes and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record), (C) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement, such other Loan Document and/or such Ancillary Document, respectively, including with respect to any signature pages thereto and (D) waives any claim against any Indemnitee for any liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agent’s and/or any Lender’s reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures and/or transmissions by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page, including any liabilities arising as a result of the failure of the Borrower and/or any other Loan Party to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.
11.18USA PATRIOT Act Notice.
Each Lender that is subject to the PATRIOT Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “PATRIOT Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of the Loan Parties and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Loan Parties in accordance with the PATRIOT Act. The Loan Parties shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
11.19Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness.
Each Loan Party (a “Subordinating Loan Party”) agrees that the payment of all obligations and indebtedness, whether principal, interest, fees and other amounts and whether now owing or hereafter arising, owing to such Subordinating Loan Party by any other Loan Party is expressly subordinated to the payment in full in cash of the Obligations. If the Administrative Agent so requests, any such obligation or indebtedness shall be enforced and performance received by the Subordinating Loan Party as trustee for the holders of the Obligations and the proceeds thereof shall be paid over to the holders of the Obligations
on account of the Obligations, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of the Subordinating Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Without limitation of the foregoing, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the Loan Parties may make and receive payments with respect to any such obligations and indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Loan Party receives any payment of any such obligations and indebtedness at a time when such payment is prohibited by this Section 11.19, such payment shall be held by such Loan Party, in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid forthwith over and delivered, upon written request, to the Administrative Agent.
11.20Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions .
Solely to the extent any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an Affected Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a)the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b)the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i)a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii)a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii)the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.
11.21Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs.
To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Swap Contract 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):
(a)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.
(b)As used in this Section 11.21, the following terms have the following meanings:
“BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
“Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).
11.22MIRE Events.
Each of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that, if there is any real property subject to a Mortgage, any increase, extension or renewal of any of the Commitments or Loans (including the provision of incremental credit facilities hereunder pursuant to Section 2.16, the extension of the Maturity Date pursuant to Section 2.17 or otherwise, but excluding (i) any continuation or conversion of Loans under Section 2.02, (ii) the making of any Revolving Loans or (iii) the issuance, renewal or extension of Letters of Credit) shall, if requested by any Lender, be subject to (and conditioned upon) the prior delivery of all flood hazard determination certifications, acknowledgements and evidence of flood insurance and other flood-related documentation with respect to such real property as required by the Flood Laws.
11.23Termination of Existing Credit Agreement.
Upon this Agreement becoming effective in accordance with Section 4.01, the Existing Credit Agreement shall automatically terminate (other than those provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement that, by their express terms, survive the termination of the Existing Credit Agreement), all commitments of the Existing Lenders to fund additional loans and/or advances thereunder shall terminate automatically, and all amounts outstanding thereunder, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, fees, expenses and other amounts, in each case of the foregoing, shall be automatically paid in full with the proceeds of the Borrowing under this Agreement on the Closing Date.
11.24Amendment and Restatement; Waiver of Breakage Costs; Reallocation.
(a)The parties hereto agree that, on the Closing Date, the following transactions shall be deemed to occur automatically, without further action by any party hereto: (i) the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be amended and restated in its entirety pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) all obligations of the Loan Parties under the Existing Credit Agreement that are outstanding as of the Closing Date shall, in all respects, be continuing, and shall be deemed to be Obligations outstanding hereunder; (iii) each of the Guarantees made pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement to JPMorgan (as successor in interest to the Existing Lenders) shall remain in full force and effect with respect to the Obligations and are hereby reaffirmed; (iv) the Collateral Documents, and the Liens created thereunder in favor of JPMorgan (as successor in interest to the Existing Lenders), shall remain in full force and effect with respect to the Obligations and are hereby reaffirmed; and (v) all references in the other Loan Documents to the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer, without further amendment, restatement, amendment and restatement, supplement or other modification thereof, to this singular Agreement.
(b)To the extent that any loans are outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement as of the date that is immediately prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall be required to make any prepayment(s) and/or adjustment(s) on, or with respect to, such loans as are necessary (in the determination of the Administrative Agent) to give effect to the Commitments, and the Applicable Percentages of Loans of the Lenders, set forth on Schedule 2.01. The Borrower, in consultation with the Administrative Agent, has endeavored to manage the allocation of Commitments and Loans, and the selection of Interest Period(s) (if applicable) with respect to any outstanding Loan(s), in such a manner as to minimize break-funding costs. However, notwithstanding the foregoing endeavors, such prepayment(s) of such Loans under this Agreement will likely result in the incurrence of breakage costs. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3.05, each of the Lenders party hereto that was party to the Existing Credit Agreement hereby waives its right to receive compensation or reimbursement for any such breakage costs: (i) in connection with the reallocation of the Commitments, and the Applicable Percentages of Loans, on the Closing Date; and (ii) in connection with any resetting of the Interest Period(s) (if applicable) for any Loan(s) outstanding as of the Closing Date.
(c)Reallocation. The Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties, and the Lenders hereby acknowledge and agree that the Commitment amounts of each Lender, as set forth on Schedule 2.01, are the Commitment amounts of such Lender as of the Closing Date, with the reallocation of Loans outstanding under the Commitments of the Lenders as they existed immediately prior to the Closing Date having been made per instructions from the Administrative Agent, and neither any Assignment and Assumption, nor any other action of any Person, is, or shall be, required in order to give effect to such Commitments as set forth on Schedule 2.01.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
BORROWER: I3 VERTICALS, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
GUARANTORS: I3 VERTICALS, INC.,
I3 VERTICALS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.,
I3 HOLDINGS SUB, INC.,
MENTIS TECHNOLOGY, INC.,
each a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
CP-DBS, LLC,
I3-SOFTWARE & SERVICES, LLC,
I3 HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS, LLC,
I3-IMAGESOFT, LLC,
I3-MILESTONE, LLC,
KIRIWORKS, LLC,
CELTIC NOMINEE HOLDINGS, LLC,
GRAVES HUMPHRIES STAHL, LLC,
each a Delaware limited liability company
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
AD VALOREM RECORDS, INC.,
a Texas corporation
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
ON-LINE INFORMATION SERVICES, INC.,
an Alabama corporation
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
I3-MSI CONSULTING, LLC,
an Arkansas limited liability company
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
CELTIC CROSS HOLDINGS, INC.,
an Arizona corporation
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
ACCUFUND, INC.,
a Colorado corporation
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
EDULOKA LIMITED,
a Nevada limited liability company
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
MV SOLUTIONS, LLC,
a South Carolina limited liability company
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
By: /s/ Elizabeth O’Conor
Name: Elizabeth O’Conor
Title: Authorized Officer
LENDERS: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender, L/C Issuer and Swingline Lender
By: /s/ Elizabeth O’Conor
Name: Elizabeth O’Conor
Title: Authorized Officer
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender
By: /s/ James Travagline
Name: James Travagline
Title: Managing Director
US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender
By: /s/ Cort Fontenot
Name: Cort Fontenot
Title: Senior Vice President
PINNACLE BANK,
as a Lender
By: /s/ Nicole Harrell
Name: Nicole Harrell
Title: SVP
KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender
By: /s/ John R. Macks
Name: John R. Macks
Title: Senior Vice President
FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as a Lender
By: /s/ Ross Florey
Name: Ross Florey
Title: Senior Vice President
FIRSTBANK,
as a Lender
By: /s/ Lizzie Hogan
Name: Lizzie Hogan
Title: Relationship Manager, VP
RAYMOND JAMES BANK,
as a Lender
By: /s/ Dean Atkinson
Name: Dean Atkinson
Title: Vice President
Execution Version
AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of October 9, 2026 among i3 VERTICALS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), the other parties identified as “Obligors” on the signature pages hereto and such other parties that may become Obligors hereunder after the date hereof (together with the Borrower, individually an “Obligor”, and collectively the “Obligors”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the holders of the Secured Obligations (defined below).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, modified, supplemented, increased, extended, restated, renewed, refinanced or replaced from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Borrower, the Guarantors identified therein, the Lenders identified therein and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders have agreed to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Credit Agreement, and the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in the UCC (defined below): Accession, Account, Adverse Claim, As-Extracted Collateral, Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort Claim, Consumer Goods, Deposit Account, Document, Electronic Chattel Paper, Equipment, Farm Products, Financial Asset, Fixtures, General Intangible, Goods, Instrument, Inventory, Investment Company Security, Investment Property, Letter-of-Credit Right, Manufactured Home, Money, Proceeds, Securities Account, Securities Intermediary, Security, Security Entitlement, Software, Supporting Obligation and Tangible Chattel Paper.
(b) In addition, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“Collateral” has the meaning provided in Section 2 hereof.
“Copyright License” means any written agreement, naming any Obligor as licensor, granting any right under any Copyright.
“Copyrights” means (a) all registered United States copyrights in all Works, now existing or hereafter created or acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including, without limitation, registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, and (b) all renewals thereof.
“Patent License” means any agreement, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to an Obligor of any right to manufacture, use or sell any invention covered by a Patent.
“Patents” means (a) all letters patent of the United States or any other country and all reissues and extensions thereof, and (b) all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all divisions, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof.
“Pledged Equity” means, with respect to each Obligor, except to the extent such Equity Interests constitute Excluded Equity as defined in the Credit Agreement, (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Domestic Subsidiary that is directly owned by such Obligor, and (ii) 66% (or such greater percentage that, due to a change in an applicable Law after the date hereof, (A) could not reasonably be expected to cause the undistributed earnings of such Foreign Subsidiary as determined for United States federal income tax purposes to be treated as a deemed dividend to such Foreign Subsidiary’s United States parent and (B) could not reasonably be expected to cause any material adverse tax consequences) of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) in each Foreign Subsidiary that is directly owned by such Obligor, including the Equity Interests of the Subsidiaries owned by such Obligor as set forth on Schedule 1(b) hereto, in each case together with the certificates (or other agreements or instruments), if any, representing such Equity Interests, and all options and other rights, contractual or otherwise, with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) all Equity Interests representing a dividend thereon, or representing a distribution or return of capital upon or in respect thereof, or resulting from a stock split, revision, reclassification or other exchange therefor, and any subscriptions, warrants, rights or options issued to the holder thereof, or otherwise in respect thereof; and
(2) in the event of any consolidation or merger involving the issuer thereof and in which such issuer is not the surviving Person, all shares of each class of the Equity Interests of the successor Person formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger, to the extent that such successor Person is a direct Subsidiary of an Obligor.
“Secured Obligations” means, without duplication, (a) all Obligations and (b) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the Obligations, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel.
“Trademark License” means any agreement, written or oral, providing for the grant by or to an Obligor of any right to use any Trademark.
“Trademarks” means (a) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers, and the goodwill associated therewith, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any state thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise and (b) all renewals thereof.
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“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the state of New York except as such term may be used in connection with the perfection of the Collateral and then the applicable jurisdiction with respect to such affected Collateral shall apply.
“Work” means any work that is subject to copyright protection pursuant to Title 17 of the United States Code.
2. Grant of Security Interest in the Collateral. To secure the prompt payment and performance in full when due, whether by lapse of time, acceleration, mandatory prepayment or otherwise, of the Secured Obligations, each Obligor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Secured Obligations, a continuing security interest in, and a right to set off against, any and all right, title and interest of such Obligor in and to all of the following, whether now owned or existing or owned, acquired, or arising hereafter (collectively, the “Collateral”): (a) all Accounts; (b) all Chattel Paper; (c) those certain Commercial Tort Claims set forth on Schedule 2(c) hereto; (d) all Copyrights; (e) all Copyright Licenses; (f) all Deposit Accounts; (g) all Documents; (h) all Equipment; (i) all Fixtures; (j) all General Intangibles; (k) all Goods; (l) all Instruments; (m) all Inventory; (n) all Investment Property; (o) all Letter-of-Credit Rights; (p) all Money; (q) all Patents; (r) all Patent Licenses; (s) all Pledged Equity; (t) all Software; (u) all Supporting Obligations; (v) all Trademarks; (w) all Trademark Licenses; and (x) all Accessions and all Proceeds of any and all of the foregoing.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the security interests granted under this Agreement shall not extend to any Excluded Property; provided that, upon the occurrence of any event that renders any property to no longer constitute Excluded Property, a security interest in such property shall be automatically and simultaneously granted hereunder and shall be included as Collateral hereunder.
The Obligors and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the holders of the Secured Obligations, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest created hereby in the Collateral (i) constitutes continuing collateral security for all of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or hereafter arising and (ii) is not to be construed as an assignment of any Copyrights, Copyright Licenses, Patents, Patent Licenses, Trademarks or Trademark Licenses.
3. Representations and Warranties. Each Obligor hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Secured Obligations, that:
(a) Ownership. Each Obligor is the legal and beneficial owner of its Collateral and has the right to pledge, sell, assign or transfer the same. There exists no Adverse Claim with respect to the Pledged Equity of such Obligor.
(b) Security Interest/Priority. This Agreement creates a valid security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the Secured Obligations, in the Collateral of such Obligor and, when properly perfected by filing, shall constitute a valid and perfected security interest in such Collateral (including all uncertificated Pledged Equity consisting of partnership or limited liability company interests that do not constitute Securities), to the extent such security interest can be perfected by filing under the UCC, free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Liens. The taking possession by the Administrative Agent of the certificated securities (if any) evidencing the Pledged Equity and all other Instruments constituting Collateral will perfect and establish the first priority of the Administrative Agent’s
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security interest in all the Pledged Equity evidenced by such certificated securities and such Instruments. With respect to any Collateral consisting of a Deposit Account, Security Entitlement or held in a Securities Account, upon execution and delivery by the applicable Obligor, the applicable depository bank or Securities Intermediary and the Administrative Agent of an agreement granting control to the Administrative Agent over such Collateral, the Administrative Agent shall have a valid and perfected, first priority security interest in such Collateral.
(c) Types of Collateral. None of the Collateral consists of, or is the Proceeds of, As-Extracted Collateral, Consumer Goods, Farm Products, Manufactured Homes or standing timber.
(d) Equipment and Inventory. With respect to any Collateral consisting of material Equipment and/or Inventory of an Obligor, each such Obligor has exclusive possession and control of such Equipment and Inventory of such Obligor except for (i) Equipment leased by such Obligor as a lessee, (ii) Equipment or Inventory in transit with common carriers, or (iii) Equipment absent for repair or refurbishment or absent for other bona fide business purposes. No Inventory of an Obligor is held by a Person other than an Obligor pursuant to consignment, sale or return, sale on approval or similar arrangement.
(e) Authorization of Pledged Equity. All Pledged Equity is duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and, to the extent applicable, nonassessable and is not subject to the preemptive rights of any Person.
(f) No Other Equity Interests, Instruments, Etc. As of the Closing Date, (i) no Obligor owns any certificated Equity Interests in any Subsidiary that are required to be pledged and delivered to the Administrative Agent hereunder except as set forth on Schedule 1(b) hereto, and (ii) no Obligor holds any Instruments, Documents or Tangible Chattel Paper required to be pledged and delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) of this Agreement other than as set forth on Schedule 3(f) hereto. All such certificated Equity Interests, Instruments, Documents and Tangible Chattel Paper have been delivered to the Administrative Agent to the extent required by Section 4(a)(i).
(g) Partnership and Limited Liability Company Interests. Except as previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent, none of the Collateral consisting of an interest in a partnership or a limited liability company (i) is dealt in or traded on a securities exchange or in a securities market, (ii) by its terms expressly provides that it is a Security governed by Article 8 of the UCC, (iii) is an Investment Company Security, (iv) is held in a Securities Account or (v) constitutes a Security or a Financial Asset.
(h) Contracts; Agreements; Licenses. The Obligors have no material contracts, agreements or licenses which constitute Collateral which prevent the granting of a security interest therein.
(i) Consents; Etc. There are no restrictions in any Organization Document governing any Pledged Equity or any other document related thereto which would limit or restrict (i) the grant of a Lien pursuant to this Agreement on such Pledged Equity, (ii) the perfection of such Lien or (iii) the exercise of remedies in respect of such perfected Lien in the Pledged Equity as contemplated by this Agreement. Except for (i) the filing or recording of UCC financing statements, (ii) the filing of appropriate notices with the United States Patent and Trademark
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Office and the United States Copyright Office, (iii) obtaining control to perfect the Liens created by this Agreement (to the extent required under Section 4(a) hereof), (iv) such actions as may be required by Laws affecting the offering and sale of securities, (v) such actions as may be required by applicable foreign Laws affecting the pledge of the Pledged Equity of Foreign Subsidiaries and (vi) consents, authorizations, filings or other actions which have been obtained or made, no consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or in respect of, any arbitrator or Governmental Authority and no consent of any other Person (including, without limitation, any stockholder, member or creditor of such Obligor), is required for (A) the grant by such Obligor of the security interest in the Collateral granted hereby or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by such Obligor, (B) the perfection of such security interest (to the extent such security interest can be perfected by filing under the UCC, the granting of control (to the extent required under Section 4(a) hereof) or by filing an appropriate notice with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office) or (C) the exercise by the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Secured Obligations of the rights and remedies provided for in this Agreement.
(j) Commercial Tort Claims. As of the Closing Date, no Obligor has any Commercial Tort Claims seeking damages in excess of $250,000 other than as set forth on Schedule 2(c) hereto.
(k) Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks.
(i) To the best of each Obligor’s knowledge, each material Copyright, Patent and Trademark of such Obligor is valid, subsisting, unexpired, enforceable and has not been abandoned.
(ii) To the best of each Obligor’s knowledge, no holding, decision or judgment has been rendered by any Governmental Authority that would limit, cancel or question the validity of any material Copyright, Patent or Trademark of any Obligor.
(iii) No action or proceeding is pending seeking to limit, cancel or question the validity of any material Copyright, Patent or Trademark of any Obligor, or that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the value of any such Copyright, Patent or Trademark of any Obligor.
(iv) All applications pertaining to the material Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks of each Obligor have been duly and properly filed, and all registrations or letters pertaining to such Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks have been duly and properly filed and issued.
(v) No Obligor has made any assignment or agreement in conflict with the security interest in the material Copyrights, Patents or Trademarks of any Obligor hereunder.
4. Covenants. Each Obligor covenants that until such time as the Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been made) and the Commitments have expired or been terminated, such Obligor shall:
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(a) Instruments/Chattel Paper/Pledged Equity/Control.
(i) If any amount in excess of $250,000 payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any Instrument or Tangible Chattel Paper, or if any property constituting Collateral shall be stored or shipped subject to a Document, ensure that such Instrument, Tangible Chattel Paper or Document is either in the possession of such Obligor at all times or, if requested by the Administrative Agent to perfect its security interest in such Collateral, is delivered to the Administrative Agent duly endorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Such Obligor shall ensure that any Collateral consisting of Tangible Chattel Paper is marked with a legend acceptable to the Administrative Agent indicating the Administrative Agent's security interest in such Tangible Chattel Paper.
(ii) Deliver to the Administrative Agent promptly upon the receipt thereof by or on behalf of an Obligor, all certificates and instruments constituting Pledged Equity. Prior to delivery to the Administrative Agent, all such certificates constituting Pledged Equity shall be held in trust by such Obligor for the benefit of the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto. All such certificates representing Pledged Equity shall be delivered in suitable form for transfer by delivery or shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, substantially in the form provided in Exhibit 4(a)(ii) hereto.
(iii) Execute and deliver, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause third parties (if necessary) to execute and deliver, all agreements, assignments, instruments or other documents as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining control with respect to any Collateral consisting of (i) Deposit Accounts, (ii) Investment Property, (iii) Letter-of-Credit Rights and (iv) Electronic Chattel Paper.
(b) Filing of Financing Statements, Notices, etc. Each Obligor shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such agreements, assignments or instruments (including affidavits, notices, reaffirmations and amendments and restatements of existing documents, as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request) and do all such other things as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate (i) to assure to the Administrative Agent its security interests hereunder, including (A) such instruments as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request in order to perfect and maintain the security interests granted hereunder in accordance with the UCC, (B) with regard to Copyrights, a Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Copyrights for filing with the United States Copyright Office in the form of Exhibit 4(b)(i) hereto, (C) with regard to Patents, a Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Patents for filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the form of Exhibit 4(b)(ii) hereto and (D) with regard to Trademarks, a Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Trademarks for filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the form of Exhibit 4(b)(iii) hereto, (ii) to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) to otherwise protect and assure the Administrative Agent of its rights and interests hereunder. Furthermore, each Obligor also hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent, its nominee or any other Person whom the Administrative Agent may designate, as such Obligor’s attorney-in-fact with full power and for the limited purpose to sign in the name of such Obligor any financing statements, or amendments and supplements to financing statements, renewal financing statements, notices or any similar documents which in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable
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discretion would be necessary or appropriate in order to perfect and maintain perfection of the security interests granted hereunder, such power, being coupled with an interest, being and remaining irrevocable until such time as the Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been made) and the Commitments have expired or been terminated. Each Obligor hereby agrees that a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or any such financing statement is sufficient for filing as a financing statement by the Administrative Agent without notice thereof to such Obligor wherever the Administrative Agent may in its sole discretion desire to file the same.
(c) Collateral Held by Warehouseman, Bailee, etc. If any Collateral is at any time in the possession or control of a warehouseman, bailee or any agent or processor of such Obligor and the Administrative Agent so requests (i) notify such Person in writing of the Administrative Agent’s security interest therein, (ii) instruct such Person to hold all such Collateral for the Administrative Agent’s account and subject to the Administrative Agent’s instructions and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a written acknowledgment from such Person that it is holding such Collateral for the benefit of the Administrative Agent.
(d) Commercial Tort Claims. (i) Within ten (10) Business Days, forward to the Administrative Agent an updated Schedule 2(c) listing any and all Commercial Tort Claims by or in favor of such Obligor seeking damages in excess of $250,000 and (ii) execute and deliver such statements, documents and notices and do and cause to be done all such things as may be reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, or required by Law to create, preserve, perfect and maintain the Administrative Agent’s security interest in any Commercial Tort Claims initiated by or in favor of any Obligor.
(e) Books and Records. Mark its books and records (and shall cause the issuer of the Pledged Equity of such Obligor to mark its books and records) to reflect the security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement.
(f) Nature of Collateral. At all times maintain the Collateral as personal property and not affix any of the Collateral to any real property in a manner which would change its nature from personal property to real property or a Fixture to real property, unless the Administrative Agent shall have a perfected Lien on such Fixture or real property.
(g) Issuance or Acquisition of Equity Interests in Partnerships or Limited Liability Companies. Not without executing and delivering, or causing to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such agreements, documents and instruments as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require, issue or acquire any Pledged Equity consisting of an interest in a partnership or a limited liability company that (i) is dealt in or traded on a securities exchange or in a securities market, (ii) by its terms expressly provides that it is a Security governed by Article 8 of the UCC, (iii) is an Investment Company Security, (iv) is held in a Securities Account or (v) constitutes a Security or a Financial Asset.
(h) Intellectual Property.
(i) Not do any act or omit to do any act whereby any material Copyright may become invalidated and (A) not do any act, or omit to do any act, whereby any material Copyright may become injected into the public domain; (B) notify the
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Administrative Agent immediately if it knows that any material Copyright may become injected into the public domain or of any materially adverse determination or development (including, without limitation, the institution of, or any such determination or development in, any court or tribunal in the United States or any other country) regarding an Obligor’s ownership of any such Copyright or its validity; (C) take all necessary steps as it shall deem appropriate under the circumstances, to maintain and pursue each application (and to obtain the relevant registration) of each material Copyright owned by an Obligor and to maintain each registration of each material Copyright owned by an Obligor including, without limitation, filing of applications for renewal where necessary; and (D) promptly notify the Administrative Agent of any material infringement of any material Copyright of an Obligor of which it becomes aware and take such actions as it shall reasonably deem appropriate under the circumstances to protect such Copyright, including, where appropriate, the bringing of suit for infringement, seeking injunctive relief and seeking to recover any and all damages for such infringement.
(ii) Not make any assignment or agreement in conflict with the security interest in the Copyrights of each Obligor hereunder (except as permitted by the Credit Agreement).
(iii) (A) Continue to use each material Trademark on each and every trademark class of goods applicable to its current line as reflected in its current catalogs, brochures and price lists in order to maintain such Trademark in full force free from any claim of abandonment for non-use, (B) maintain as in the past the quality of products and services offered under such Trademark, (C) employ such Trademark with the appropriate notice of registration, if applicable, (D) not adopt or use any mark that is confusingly similar or a colorable imitation of such Trademark unless the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Secured Obligations, shall obtain a perfected security interest in such mark pursuant to this Agreement, and (E) not (and not permit any licensee or sublicensee thereof to) do any act or omit to do any act whereby any such Trademark may become invalidated.
(iv) Not do any act, or omit to do any act, whereby any material Patent may become abandoned or dedicated.
(v) Notify the Administrative Agent and the holders of the Secured Obligations immediately if it knows that any application or registration relating to any material Patent or Trademark may become abandoned or dedicated, or of any materially adverse determination or development (including, without limitation, the institution of, or any such determination or development in, any proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any court or tribunal in any country) regarding such Obligor’s ownership of any Patent or Trademark or its right to register the same or to keep and maintain the same.
(vi) Take all reasonable and necessary steps, including, without limitation, in any proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or any similar office or agency in any other country or any political subdivision thereof, to maintain and pursue each application (and to obtain the relevant registration) and to maintain each
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registration of each material Patent and Trademark, including, without limitation, filing of applications for renewal, affidavits of use and affidavits of incontestability.
(vii) Promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the holders of the Secured Obligations after it learns that any material Patent or Trademark included in the Collateral is infringed, misappropriated or diluted by a third party and promptly sue for infringement, misappropriation or dilution, to seek injunctive relief where appropriate and to recover any and all damages for such infringement, misappropriation or dilution, or to take such other actions as it shall reasonably deem appropriate under the circumstances to protect such Patent or Trademark.
(viii) Not make any assignment or agreement in conflict with the security interest in the Patents or Trademarks of each Obligor hereunder (except as permitted by the Credit Agreement).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Obligors may, in their reasonable business judgment, fail to maintain, pursue, preserve or protect any Copyright, Patent or Trademark which is not material to their businesses.
5. Authorization to File Financing Statements. Each Obligor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to prepare and file such financing statements (including continuation statements) or amendments thereof or supplements thereto or other instruments as the Administrative Agent may from time to time deem necessary or appropriate in order to perfect and maintain the security interests granted hereunder in accordance with the UCC (including authorization to describe the Collateral as “all personal property”, “all assets” or words of similar meaning).
6. Advances. (a) Upon the occurrence of and during the existence of an Event of Default or (b) upon the failure of any Obligor to perform any of the covenants and agreements contained herein and upon prior written notice to the Obligors if, with respect to this clause (b), the Administrative Agent reasonably determines that the taking of a particular action is required prior to the expiration of any applicable cure period(s) in order to prevent an impairment of its rights in and to any Collateral, then in either case, the Administrative Agent may, at its sole option and in its sole discretion, perform the same and in so doing may expend such sums as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem advisable in the performance thereof, including, without limitation, the payment of any insurance premiums, the payment of any taxes, a payment to obtain a release of a Lien or potential Lien, expenditures made in defending against any adverse claim and all other expenditures which the Administrative Agent may make for the protection of the security hereof or which may be compelled to make by operation of Law. All such sums and amounts so expended shall be repayable by the Obligors on a joint and several basis promptly upon timely notice thereof and demand therefor, shall constitute additional Secured Obligations and shall bear interest from the date said amounts are expended at the Default Rate. No such performance of any covenant or agreement by the Administrative Agent on behalf of any Obligor, and no such advance or expenditure therefor, shall relieve the Obligors of any Default or Event of Default. The Administrative Agent may make any payment hereby authorized in accordance with any bill, statement or estimate procured from the appropriate public office or holder of the claim to be discharged without inquiry into the accuracy of such bill, statement or estimate or into the validity of any tax assessment, sale, forfeiture, tax lien, title or claim except to the extent such payment is being contested in good faith by an Obligor in appropriate proceedings and against which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP.
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7. Remedies.
(a) General Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during continuation thereof, the Administrative Agent shall have, in addition to the rights and remedies provided herein, in the Loan Documents, in any other documents relating to the Secured Obligations, or by Law (including, but not limited to, levy of attachment, garnishment and the rights and remedies set forth in the UCC of the jurisdiction applicable to the affected Collateral), the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC (regardless of whether the UCC is the law of the jurisdiction where the rights and remedies are asserted and regardless of whether the UCC applies to the affected Collateral), and further, the Administrative Agent may, with or without judicial process or the aid and assistance of others, (i) enter on any premises on which any of the Collateral may be located and, without resistance or interference by the Obligors, take possession of the Collateral, (ii) dispose of any Collateral on any such premises, (iii) require the Obligors to assemble and make available to the Administrative Agent at the expense of the Obligors any Collateral at any place and time designated by the Administrative Agent which is reasonably convenient to both parties, (iv) remove any Collateral from any such premises for the purpose of effecting sale or other disposition thereof, and/or (v) without demand and without advertisement, notice, hearing or process of law, all of which each of the Obligors hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by Law, at any place and time or times, sell and deliver any or all Collateral held by or for it at public or private sale (which in the case of a private sale of Pledged Equity, shall be to a restricted group of purchasers who will be obligated to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof), at any exchange or broker’s board or elsewhere, by one or more contracts, in one or more parcels, for Money, upon credit or otherwise, at such prices and upon such terms as the Administrative Agent deems advisable, in its sole discretion (subject to any and all mandatory legal requirements). Each Obligor acknowledges that any such private sale may be at prices and on terms less favorable to the seller than the prices and other terms which might have been obtained at a public sale and, notwithstanding the foregoing, agrees that such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner and, in the case of a sale of Pledged Equity, that the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to delay sale of any such securities for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer of such securities to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act of 1933. Neither the Administrative Agent's compliance with applicable Law nor its disclaimer of warranties relating to the Collateral shall be considered to adversely affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale. To the extent the rights of notice cannot be legally waived hereunder, each Obligor agrees that any requirement of reasonable notice shall be met if such notice, specifying the place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made, is personally served on or mailed, postage prepaid, to the Borrower in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 11.02 of the Credit Agreement at least 10 days before the time of sale or other event giving rise to the requirement of such notice. The Administrative Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. Each Obligor further acknowledges and agrees that any offer to sell any Pledged Equity which has been (i) publicly advertised on a bona fide basis in a newspaper or other publication of general circulation in the financial community of New York, New York (to the extent that such offer may be advertised without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933), or (ii) made privately in the manner described above shall be deemed to involve a “public sale” under the UCC, notwithstanding that such sale may not constitute a “public offering” under the Securities Act of 1933, and the Administrative Agent may, in such event, bid for the purchase of such
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securities. The Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale or other disposition of the Collateral regardless of notice having been given. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, any holder of Secured Obligations may be a purchaser at any such sale. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, each of the Obligors hereby waives all of its rights of redemption with respect to any such sale. Subject to the provisions of applicable Law, the Administrative Agent may postpone or cause the postponement of the sale of all or any portion of the Collateral by announcement at the time and place of such sale, and such sale may, without further notice, to the extent permitted by Law, be made at the time and place to which the sale was postponed, or the Administrative Agent may further postpone such sale by announcement made at such time and place.
(b) Remedies relating to Accounts. During the continuation of an Event of Default, whether or not the Administrative Agent has exercised any or all of its rights and remedies hereunder, (i) each Obligor will promptly upon request of the Administrative Agent instruct all account debtors to remit all payments in respect of Accounts to a mailing location selected by the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have the right to enforce any Obligor's rights against its customers and account debtors, and the Administrative Agent or its designee may notify any Obligor's customers and account debtors that the Accounts of such Obligor have been assigned to the Administrative Agent or of the Administrative Agent's security interest therein, and may (either in its own name or in the name of an Obligor or both) demand, collect (including without limitation by way of a lockbox arrangement), receive, take receipt for, sell, sue for, compound, settle, compromise and give acquittance for any and all amounts due or to become due on any Account, and, in the Administrative Agent's discretion, file any claim or take any other action or proceeding to protect and realize upon the security interest of the holders of the Secured Obligations in the Accounts. Each Obligor acknowledges and agrees that the Proceeds of its Accounts remitted to or on behalf of the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be solely for the Administrative Agent's own convenience and that such Obligor shall not have any right, title or interest in such Accounts or in any such other amounts except as expressly provided herein. Neither the Administrative Agent nor the holders of the Secured Obligations shall have any liability or responsibility to any Obligor for acceptance of a check, draft or other order for payment of money bearing the legend “payment in full” or words of similar import or any other restrictive legend or endorsement or be responsible for determining the correctness of any remittance. Furthermore, during the continuation of an Event of Default, (A) the Administrative Agent shall have the right, but not the obligation, to make test verifications of the Accounts in any manner and through any medium that it reasonably considers advisable, and the Obligors shall furnish all such assistance and information as the Administrative Agent may require in connection with such test verifications, (B) upon the Administrative Agent's request and at the expense of the Obligors, the Obligors shall cause independent public accountants or others satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to furnish to the Administrative Agent reports showing reconciliations, aging and test verifications of, and trial balances for, the Accounts and (C) the Administrative Agent in its own name or in the name of others may communicate with account debtors on the Accounts to verify with them to the Administrative Agent's satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any Accounts.
(c) Deposit Accounts. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during continuation thereof, the Administrative Agent may prevent withdrawals or other dispositions of funds in Deposit Accounts maintained with the Administrative Agent.
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(d) Access. In addition to the rights and remedies hereunder, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the continuance thereof, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to enter and remain upon the various premises of the Obligors without cost or charge to the Administrative Agent, and use the same, together with materials, supplies, books and records of the Obligors for the purpose of collecting and liquidating the Collateral, or for preparing for sale and conducting the sale of the Collateral, whether by foreclosure, auction or otherwise. In addition, the Administrative Agent may remove Collateral, or any part thereof, from such premises and/or any records with respect thereto, in order to effectively collect or liquidate such Collateral.
(e) Nonexclusive Nature of Remedies. Failure by the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Secured Obligations to exercise any right, remedy or option under this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any other document relating to the Secured Obligations, or as provided by Law, or any delay by the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Secured Obligations in exercising the same, shall not operate as a waiver of any such right, remedy or option. No waiver hereunder shall be effective unless it is in writing, signed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced and then only to the extent specifically stated, which in the case of the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Secured Obligations shall only be granted as provided herein. To the extent permitted by Law, neither the Administrative Agent, the holders of the Secured Obligations, nor any party acting as attorney for the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Secured Obligations, shall be liable hereunder for any acts or omissions or for any error of judgment or mistake of fact or law other than their gross negligence or willful misconduct hereunder. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the holders of the Secured Obligations under this Agreement shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right or remedy which the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Secured Obligations may have.
(f) Retention of Collateral. In addition to the rights and remedies hereunder, the Administrative Agent may, in compliance with Sections 9-620 and 9-621 of the UCC or otherwise complying with the requirements of applicable Law of the relevant jurisdiction, accept or retain the Collateral in satisfaction of the Secured Obligations. Unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have provided such notices, however, the Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have retained any Collateral in satisfaction of any Secured Obligations for any reason.
(g) Deficiency. In the event that the proceeds of any sale, collection or realization are insufficient to pay all amounts to which the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Secured Obligations are legally entitled, the Obligors shall be jointly and severally liable for the deficiency, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate, together with the costs of collection and the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel. Any surplus remaining after the full payment and satisfaction of the Secured Obligations shall be returned to the Obligors or to whomsoever a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine to be entitled thereto.
8. Rights of the Administrative Agent.
(a) Power of Attorney. In addition to other powers of attorney contained herein, each Obligor hereby designates and appoints the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the holders of the Secured Obligations, and each of its designees or agents, as attorney-in-fact of such
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Obligor, irrevocably and with power of substitution, with authority to take any or all of the following actions upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) to demand, collect, settle, compromise, adjust, give discharges and releases, all as the Administrative Agent may reasonably determine;
(ii) to commence and prosecute any actions at any court for the purposes of collecting any Collateral and enforcing any other right in respect thereof;
(iii) to defend, settle or compromise any action brought and, in connection therewith, give such discharge or release as the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably appropriate;
(iv) to receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to an Obligor and endorse checks, notes, drafts, acceptances, money orders, bills of lading, warehouse receipts or other instruments or documents evidencing payment, shipment or storage of the goods giving rise to the Collateral of such Obligor on behalf of and in the name of such Obligor, or securing, or relating to such Collateral;
(v) to sell, assign, transfer, make any agreement in respect of, or otherwise deal with or exercise rights in respect of, any Collateral or the goods or services which have given rise thereto, as fully and completely as though the Administrative Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes;
(vi) to adjust and settle claims under any insurance policy relating thereto;
(vii) to execute and deliver all assignments, conveyances, statements, financing statements, renewal financing statements, security agreements, affidavits, notices and other agreements, instruments and documents that the Administrative Agent may determine necessary in order to perfect and maintain the security interests and liens granted in this Agreement and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated herein;
(viii) to institute any foreclosure proceedings that the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate;
(ix) to sign and endorse any drafts, assignments, proxies, stock powers, verifications, notices and other documents relating to the Collateral;
(x) to exchange any of the Pledged Equity or other property upon any merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other readjustment of the issuer thereof and, in connection therewith, deposit any of the Pledged Equity with any committee, depository, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem appropriate;
(xi) to vote for a shareholder resolution, or to sign an instrument in writing, sanctioning the transfer of any or all of the Pledged Equity into the name of the Administrative Agent or one or more of the holders of the Secured Obligations or into the
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name of any transferee to whom the Pledged Equity or any part thereof may be sold pursuant to Section 7 hereof;
(xii) to pay or discharge taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral;
(xiii) to direct any parties liable for any payment in connection with any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all monies due and to become due thereunder directly to the Administrative Agent or as the Administrative Agent shall direct;
(xiv) to receive payment of and receipt for any and all monies, claims, and other amounts due and to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; and
(xv) to do and perform all such other acts and things as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem to be necessary, proper or convenient in connection with the Collateral.
This power of attorney is a power coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable until such time as the Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been made) and the Commitments have expired or been terminated. The Administrative Agent shall be under no duty to exercise or withhold the exercise of any of the rights, powers, privileges and options expressly or implicitly granted to the Administrative Agent in this Agreement, and shall not be liable for any failure to do so or any delay in doing so. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any act or omission or for any error of judgment or any mistake of fact or law in its individual capacity or its capacity as attorney-in-fact except acts or omissions resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct. This power of attorney is conferred on the Administrative Agent solely to protect, preserve and realize upon its security interest in the Collateral.
(b) Assignment by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may from time to time assign the Secured Obligations to a successor Administrative Agent appointed in accordance with the Credit Agreement, and such successor shall be entitled to all of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement in relation thereto.
(c) The Administrative Agent's Duty of Care. Other than the exercise of reasonable care to assure the safe custody of the Collateral while being held by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall have no duty or liability to preserve rights pertaining thereto, it being understood and agreed that the Obligors shall be responsible for preservation of all rights in the Collateral, and the Administrative Agent shall be relieved of all responsibility for the Collateral upon surrendering it or tendering the surrender of it to the Obligors. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Administrative Agent accords its own property, which shall be no less than the treatment employed by a reasonable and prudent agent in the industry, it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall not have responsibility for taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any of the Collateral. In the event of a public or private sale of Collateral pursuant to Section 7 hereof, the Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility for (i) ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions,
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exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relating to any Collateral, whether or not the Administrative Agent has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or (ii) taking any steps to clean, repair or otherwise prepare the Collateral for sale.
(d) Liability with Respect to Accounts. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each of the Obligors shall remain liable under each of the Accounts to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise to each such Account. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any holder of Secured Obligations shall have any obligation or liability under any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Administrative Agent or any holder of Secured Obligations of any payment relating to such Account pursuant hereto, nor shall the Administrative Agent or any holder of Secured Obligations be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of an Obligor under or pursuant to any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party under any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.
(e) Voting and Payment Rights in Respect of the Pledged Equity.
(i) So long as no Event of Default shall exist, each Obligor may (A) exercise any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Equity of such Obligor or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement and (B) receive and retain any and all dividends (other than stock dividends and other dividends constituting Collateral which are addressed hereinabove), principal or interest paid in respect of the Pledged Equity to the extent they are allowed under the Credit Agreement; and
(ii) During the continuance of an Event of Default, after delivery of written notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to such Obligor, (A) all rights of an Obligor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant to clause (i)(A) above shall cease and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Administrative Agent which shall then have the sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights, (B) all rights of an Obligor to receive the dividends, principal and interest payments which it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain pursuant to clause (i)(B) above shall cease and all such rights shall thereupon be vested in the Administrative Agent which shall then have the sole right to receive and hold as Collateral such dividends, principal and interest payments, and (C) all dividends, principal and interest payments which are received by an Obligor contrary to the provisions of clause (ii)(B) above shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, shall be segregated from other property or funds of such Obligor, and shall be forthwith paid over to the Administrative Agent as Collateral in the exact form received, to be held by the Administrative Agent as Collateral and as further collateral security for the Secured Obligations.
(f) Releases of Collateral. If any Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any Obligor in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement, then the
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Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of such Obligor, shall promptly execute and deliver to such Obligor all releases and other documents, and take such other action, reasonably necessary for the release of the Liens created hereby or by any other Collateral Document on such Collateral. The Administrative Agent may release any of the Pledged Equity from this Agreement or may substitute any of the Pledged Equity for other Pledged Equity without altering, varying or diminishing in any way the force, effect, lien, pledge or security interest of this Agreement as to any Pledged Equity not expressly released or substituted, and this Agreement shall continue as a first priority lien on all Pledged Equity not expressly released or substituted.
9. Application of Proceeds. Upon the acceleration of the Obligations pursuant to Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement, any payments in respect of the Secured Obligations and any proceeds of the Collateral, when received by the Administrative Agent or any holder of the Secured Obligations in Money, will be applied in reduction of the Secured Obligations in the order set forth in Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement.
10. Continuing Agreement.
(a) This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until such time as the Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been made) and the Commitments have expired or been terminated, at which time this Agreement shall be automatically terminated and the Administrative Agent shall, upon the request and at the expense of the Obligors, forthwith release all of its liens and security interests hereunder and shall execute and deliver all UCC termination statements and/or other documents reasonably requested by the Obligors evidencing such termination.
(b) This Agreement shall continue to be effective or be automatically reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, in whole or in part, of any of the Secured Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or any holder of the Secured Obligations as a preference, fraudulent conveyance or otherwise under any Debtor Relief Law, all as though such payment had not been made; provided that in the event payment of all or any part of the Secured Obligations is rescinded or must be restored or returned, all reasonable costs and expenses (including without limitation any reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any holder of the Secured Obligations in defending and enforcing such reinstatement shall be deemed to be included as a part of the Secured Obligations.
11. Amendments; Waivers; Modifications, etc. This Agreement and the provisions hereof may not be amended, waived, modified, changed, discharged or terminated except as set forth in Section 11.01 of the Credit Agreement; provided that any update or revision to Schedule 2(c) hereof delivered by any Obligor shall not constitute an amendment for purposes of this Section 11 or Section 11.01 of the Credit Agreement.
12. Successors in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon each Obligor, its successors and assigns and shall inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the holders of the Secured Obligations hereunder, to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the holders of the Secured Obligations and their successors and permitted assigns.
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13. Notices. All notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in conformance with Section 11.02 of the Credit Agreement.
14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. Delivery of executed counterparts of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as an original.
15. Headings. The headings of the sections hereof are provided for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.
16. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. The terms of Sections 11.14, 11.15, and 11.21 of the Credit Agreement with respect to governing law, submission to jurisdiction, venue, waiver of jury trial and acknowledgment regarding any supported QFCs are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis, and the parties hereto agree to such terms.
17. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.
18. Entirety. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the other documents relating to the Secured Obligations represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Loan Documents, any other documents relating to the Secured Obligations, or the transactions contemplated herein and therein.
19. Other Security. To the extent that any of the Secured Obligations are now or hereafter secured by property other than the Collateral (including, without limitation, real property and securities owned by an Obligor), or by a guarantee, endorsement or property of any other Person, then the Administrative Agent shall have the right to proceed against such other property, guarantee or endorsement upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, and the Administrative Agent shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to determine which rights, security, liens, security interests or remedies the Administrative Agent shall at any time pursue, relinquish, subordinate, modify or take with respect thereto, without in any way modifying or affecting any of them or the Secured Obligations or any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or the holders of the Secured Obligations under this Agreement, under any other of the Loan Documents or under any other document relating to the Secured Obligations.
20. Joinder. At any time after the date of this Agreement, one or more additional Persons may become party hereto by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a Joinder Agreement. Immediately upon such execution and delivery of such Joinder Agreement (and without any further action), each such additional Person will become a party to this Agreement as an “Obligor” and have all of the rights and obligations of an Obligor hereunder and this Agreement and the schedules hereto shall be deemed amended by such Joinder Agreement.
21. Rights of Required Lenders. All rights of the Administrative Agent hereunder, if not exercised by the Administrative Agent, may be exercised by the Required Lenders.
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22. Consent of Issuers of Pledged Equity. Each issuer and owner of Pledged Equity party to this Agreement hereby acknowledges, consents and agrees to the grant of the security interests in such Pledged Equity by the applicable Obligors pursuant to this Agreement, together with all rights accompanying such security interest as provided by this Agreement and applicable Law, notwithstanding any anti-assignment provisions in any operating agreement, limited partnership agreement or similar organizational or governance documents of such issuer.
23. Amendment and Restatement of Existing Security and Pledge Agreement. The parties hereto agree that certain Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of May 8, 2023 by and among the obligors party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the holders of the secured obligations (the “Existing Security and Pledge Agreement”), automatically shall be deemed amended and restated in its entirety by this Agreement and that the grant of liens and security interests made by the Obligors to the administrative agent, for the benefit of the holders of the secured obligations, in the Existing Security and Pledge Agreement, are valid and subsisting, are not impaired or diminished hereby, and are extended and carried forward hereby to secure the prompt payment and performance in full when due, whether by lapse of time, acceleration or otherwise, of the Secured Obligations. All indebtedness, obligations, liabilities and liens created by the Existing Security and Pledge Agreement shall continue unimpaired and in full force and effect, as amended and restated in this Agreement. This Agreement does not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities existing under the Existing Security and Pledge Agreement, and this Agreement evidences the obligations of the obligors under the Existing Security and Pledge Agreement as continued and amended and restated hereby.
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Each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
OBLIGORS: i3 VERTICALS, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
I3 VERTICALS, INC.,
I3 VERTICALS MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.,
I3 HOLDINGS SUB, INC.,
MENTIS TECHNOLOGY, INC.,
each a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
CP-DBS, LLC,
I3-SOFTWARE & SERVICES, LLC,
I3 HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS, LLC,
I3-IMAGESOFT, LLC,
I3-MILESTONE, LLC,
KIRIWORKS, LLC,
CELTIC NOMINEE HOLDINGS, LLC,
GRAVES HUMPHRIES STAHL, LLC,
each a Delaware limited liability company
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
AD VALOREM RECORDS, INC.,
a Texas corporation
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
ON-LINE INFORMATION SERVICES, INC.,
an Alabama corporation
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
i3 VERTICALS, LLC
AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT (2026)
I3-MSI CONSULTING, LLC,
an Arkansas limited liability company
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
CELTIC CROSS HOLDINGS, INC.,
an Arizona corporation
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
ACCUFUND, INC.,
a Colorado corporation
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
EDULOKA LIMITED,
a Nevada limited liability company
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
MV SOLUTIONS, LLC,
a South Carolina limited liability company
By: /s/ Paul Maple
Name: Paul Maple
Title: General Counsel and Secretary
i3 VERTICALS, LLC
AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT (2026)
Accepted and agreed to as of the date first above written.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
By: /s/ Elizabeth O’Conor
Name: Elizabeth O’Conor
Title: Authorized Officer
i3 VERTICALS, LLC
AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT (2026)
SCHEDULE 1(b)
PLEDGED EQUITY
[omitted]
15657420v3
SCHEDULE 2(c)
COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS
[omitted]
SCHEDULE 3(f)
INSTRUMENTS; DOCUMENTS; TANGIBLE CHATTEL PAPER
[omitted]
EXHIBIT 4(a)(ii)
IRREVOCABLE STOCK POWER
[omitted]
EXHIBIT 4(b)(i)
NOTICE
OF
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST
IN
COPYRIGHTS
[omitted]
EXHIBIT 4(b)(ii)
NOTICE
OF
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST
IN
PATENTS
[omitted]
EXHIBIT 4(b)(iii)
NOTICE
OF
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST
IN
TRADEMARKS
[omitted]
52200779.1