8-K
CARRIAGE SERVICES INC false 0001016281 0001016281 2021-05-13 2021-05-13

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 13, 2021

 

 

Carriage Services, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-11961   76-0423828
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77056

(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(713) 332-8400

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communication 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

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share   CSV   New York Stock Exchange

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

Indenture and Securities

On May 13, 2021, Carriage Services, Inc. (the “Company”) completed the issuance of $400 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”) and related guarantees by the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined below) (the “Guarantees” and, together with the Notes, the “Securities”) in a private offering (the “Private Offering”) under Rule 144A and Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

The Company used the net proceeds from the offering of approximately $395.5 million, together with borrowings under the Company’s newly amended and restated credit facility (discussed below) and cash on hand, to satisfy and discharge the indenture with respect to its existing 6.625% senior notes due 2026 (the “Existing Notes”). The Existing Notes are scheduled to be redeemed on June 1, 2021. This Current Report on Form 8-K does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the Existing Notes.

The Securities were issued under an indenture, dated as of May 13, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, certain of the Company’s existing subsidiaries (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (“Collateral Trustee”).

The Notes will bear interest at an annual rate of 4.25%. Interest is payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2021. The Notes mature on May 15, 2029, unless earlier redeemed or purchased. The Notes are unsecured, senior obligations of the Company. The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

The Company may redeem all or part of the Notes at any time prior to May 15, 2024 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed, plus a “make whole” premium, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. The Company has the right to redeem the Notes at any time on or after May 15, 2024 at the redemption prices described in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but excluding) the date of redemption. Additionally, at any time before May 15, 2024, the Company may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding under the Indenture using an amount of cash equal to the net proceeds of certain equity offerings, at a price equal to 104.250% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but excluding) the date of redemption; provided that (1) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including any additional Notes) outstanding under the Indenture remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (unless all Notes are redeemed concurrently), and (2) each such redemption must occur within 180 days of the date of the consummation of any such equity offering.

If a “change of control” occurs, each holder of the Notes will have the option to require the Company to purchase for cash all or a portion of their Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the date of purchase. In addition, if the Company makes certain asset sales and does not reinvest the proceeds thereof or use such proceeds to repay certain debt, it will be required to use the proceeds of such asset sales to make an offer to purchase the Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The Indenture contains restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares, create liens on certain assets to secure debt, pay dividends or make other equity distributions, purchase or redeem capital stock, make certain investments, sell assets, agree to certain restrictions on the ability of Restricted Subsidiaries to make payments to the Company, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all assets, or engage in transactions with affiliates. The Indenture also contains customary events of default.

A copy of the Indenture is attached as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The form of the Notes (included as Exhibit A of the Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.1 hereto) is filed as Exhibit 4.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is hereby incorporated by reference herein. The descriptions of the material terms of the Indenture and the Securities are qualified in their entirety by reference to such exhibits.

 

2


Amended and Restated Credit Facility

On May 13, 2021, in connection with the issuance of the Securities, the Company entered into an amended and restated $150 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Amended and Restated Credit Facility”) with the Credit Facility Guarantors (as defined below), the financial institutions party thereto, as lenders, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent.

The Amended and Restated Credit Facility allows for future increases in the facility size in the form of increased revolving commitments or new term loans by an additional amount of up to $75 million. The Amended and Restated Credit Facility matures on May 13, 2026. Interest will accrue on amounts outstanding under the Amended and Restated Credit Facility based on the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Facility) in accordance with the following pricing grid:

 

Applicable Rate

Pricing Level

  

Total Leverage Ratio

  

Eurodollar Rate / Letter
of Credit Fees

  

Base Rate

1

   < 3.00 : 1.00    1.500%    0.500%

2

   < 3.50 : 1.00 but ³ 3.00 : 1.00    1.625%    0.625%

3

   < 4.25 : 1.00 but ³ 3.50 : 1.00    1.750%    0.750%

4

   ³ 4.25 : 1.00    1.875%    0.875%

The Company’s obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the same subsidiaries which guarantee the Notes and certain of the Company’s subsequently acquired or organized domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the “Credit Facility Guarantors”).

The Amended and Restated Credit Facility is secured by a first-priority perfected security interest in and lien on substantially all of the Company’s personal property assets and those of the Credit Facility Guarantors, and will include provisions which require the Company and such subsidiaries, upon the occurrence of an event of default or in the event the Company’s actual Total Leverage Ratio is not at least 0.25 less than the required Total Leverage Ratio covenant level under the Amended and Restated Credit Facility, to grant additional liens on real property assets accounting for no less than 50% of the Company’s and the Credit Facility Guarantor’s funeral operations.

The Amended and Restated Credit Facility contains customary affirmative covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants with respect to the use of proceeds, payment of taxes and other obligations, continuation of the Company’s business and the maintenance of existing rights and privileges, the maintenance of property and insurance, amongst others.

In addition, the Amended and Restated Credit Facility also contains customary negative covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants that, among other things, restrict (subject to certain exceptions) the ability of the Company and the Credit Facility Guarantors to incur indebtedness, grant liens, make investments, engage in acquisitions, mergers or consolidations, and pay dividends and other restricted payments, and the following financial covenants: a Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Facility) not to exceed 5.00 to 1.00, and a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.20 to 1.00 as of the end of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters. The financial covenants will be calculated for the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

Immediately following the issuance of the Securities, the Company had approximately $58.8 million in outstanding borrowings under the Amended and Restated Credit Facility and had approximately $89.1 million available for additional borrowings after giving effect to $2.1 million of outstanding letters of credit.

The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated Credit Facility is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended and Restated Credit Facility, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1, and incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 2.03. CREATION OF A DIRECT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OR AN OBLIGATION UNDER AN OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENT OF A REGISTRANT

The disclosures above under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K are also responsive to Item 2.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and are hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

3


ITEM 7.01. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

On May 13, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Private Offering and the Amended and Restated Credit Facility. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the foregoing information, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information, including Exhibit 99.1, be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

ITEM 9.01.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

 

4


SIGNATURES

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

Date: May 13, 2021

 

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Steven D. Metzger

  Steven D. Metzger
  Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

5

EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

Execution Version

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC., AS ISSUER

AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

4.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

 

 

INDENTURE

DATED AS OF MAY 13, 2021

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

AS TRUSTEE

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01

 

Definitions

     1  

Section 1.02

 

Other Definitions

     29  

Section 1.03

 

Rules of Construction

     30  

Section 1.04

 

Acts of Holders

     31  

Section 1.05

 

Limited Condition Transactions; Measuring Compliance

     32  
ARTICLE II.

 

THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01

 

Form and Dating

     33  

Section 2.02

 

Execution and Authentication

     34  

Section 2.03

 

Registrar and Paying Agent

     34  

Section 2.04

 

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

     35  

Section 2.05

 

Holder Lists

     35  

Section 2.06

 

Transfer and Exchange

     35  

Section 2.07

 

Replacement Notes

     48  

Section 2.08

 

Outstanding Notes

     48  

Section 2.09

 

Treasury Notes

     48  

Section 2.10

 

Temporary Notes

     49  

Section 2.11

 

Cancellation

     49  

Section 2.12

 

Defaulted Interest

     49  

Section 2.13

 

Issuance of Additional Notes

     49  
ARTICLE III.

 

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

Section 3.01

 

Notices to Trustee

     50  

Section 3.02

 

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased

     50  

Section 3.03

 

Notice of Redemption

     50  

Section 3.04

 

Effect of Notice of Redemption

     51  

Section 3.05

 

Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price

     52  

Section 3.06

 

Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part

     52  

Section 3.07

 

Optional Redemption

     52  

Section 3.08

 

Mandatory Redemption

     53  
ARTICLE IV.

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01

 

Payment of Notes

     53  

Section 4.02

 

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     54  

Section 4.03

 

Reports

     54  

Section 4.04

 

Compliance Certificate

     56  

Section 4.05

 

Taxes

     56  

Section 4.06

 

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

     56  

Section 4.07

 

Restricted Payments

     56  

Section 4.08

 

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

     61  

 

i


Section 4.09

 

Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness

     63  

Section 4.10

 

Asset Sales

     67  

Section 4.11

 

Transactions with Affiliates

     70  

Section 4.12

 

Liens

     73  

Section 4.13

 

Conduct of Business

     74  

Section 4.14

 

Corporate Existence

     74  

Section 4.15

 

Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control

     74  

Section 4.16

 

Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries

     76  

Section 4.17

 

Additional Subsidiary Note Guarantees

     76  

Section 4.18

 

Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

     77  

Section 4.19

 

Changes in Covenants When Notes Rated Investment Grade

     77  
ARTICLE V.

 

SUCCESSORS

 

Section 5.01

 

Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets

     79  

Section 5.02

 

Successor Corporation Substituted

     80  
ARTICLE VI.

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01

 

Events of Default

     80  

Section 6.02

 

Acceleration

     82  

Section 6.03

 

Other Remedies

     84  

Section 6.04

 

Waiver of Past Defaults

     85  

Section 6.05

 

Control by Majority

     85  

Section 6.06

 

Limitation on Suits

     85  

Section 6.07

 

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

     86  

Section 6.08

 

Collection Suit by Trustee

     86  

Section 6.09

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     86  

Section 6.10

 

Priorities

     87  

Section 6.11

 

Undertaking for Costs

     87  
ARTICLE VII.

 

TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01

 

Duties of Trustee

     87  

Section 7.02

 

Rights of Trustee

     88  

Section 7.03

 

Individual Rights of Trustee

     89  

Section 7.04

 

Trustee’s Disclaimer

     90  

Section 7.05

 

Notice of Defaults

     90  

Section 7.06

 

Compensation and Indemnity

     90  

Section 7.07

 

Replacement of Trustee

     91  

Section 7.08

 

Acceptance by Successor Trustee

     92  

Section 7.09

 

Successor Trustee by Merger

     92  

Section 7.10

 

Eligibility; Disqualification

     92  

 

ii


ARTICLE VIII.

 

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.01

 

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     93  

Section 8.02

 

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     93  

Section 8.03

 

Covenant Defeasance

     93  

Section 8.04

 

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

     94  

Section 8.05

 

Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     96  

Section 8.06

 

Repayment to Company

     96  

Section 8.07

 

Reinstatement

     96  
ARTICLE IX.

 

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.01

 

Without Consent of Holders

     97  

Section 9.02

 

With Consent of Holders

     98  

Section 9.03

 

Revocation and Effect of Consents

     100  

Section 9.04

 

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

     100  

Section 9.05

 

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

     100  
ARTICLE X.

 

NOTE GUARANTEES

 

Section 10.01

 

Guarantee

     100  

Section 10.02

 

Limitation on Guarantor Liability

     101  

Section 10.03

 

Execution and Delivery of Supplemental Indenture

     101  

Section 10.04

 

Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms

     102  

Section 10.05

 

Releases

     103  
ARTICLE XI.

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 11.01

 

Satisfaction and Discharge

     104  

Section 11.02

 

Application of Trust Money

     105  
ARTICLE XII.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01

 

Notices

     105  

Section 12.02

 

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     106  

Section 12.03

 

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     107  

Section 12.04

 

Severability Clause; Entire Agreement

     107  

Section 12.05

 

Governing Law; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     107  

Section 12.06

 

No Recourse Against Others

     107  

Section 12.07

 

[Intentionally Omitted]

     107  

Section 12.08

 

Successors

     107  

Section 12.09

 

Multiple Originals

     107  

Section 12.10

 

Table of Contents; Headings

     108  

Section 12.11

 

Force Majeure

     108  

Section 12.12

 

Submission to Jurisdiction

     108  

Section 12.13

 

Legal Holidays

     108  

Section 12.14

 

No Security Interest Created

     108  

Section 12.15

 

Benefits of Indenture

     109  

Section 12.16

 

USA PATRIOT Act

     109  

 

iii


EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    Form of Note
Exhibit B    Form of Certificate of Transfer
Exhibit C    Form of Certificate of Exchange
Exhibit D    Form of Certificate from Acquiring Institutional Accredited Investor
Exhibit E    Form of Supplemental Indenture

 

 

iv


INDENTURE dated as of May 13, 2021, among Carriage Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as issuer (“Company”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (“Trustee”).

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined below) of the Company’s 4.25% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”):

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01    Definitions.

144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depository or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

Acquired Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of a Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or at the time it amalgamates, merges or consolidates with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or that is assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person and in each case not incurred by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such acquisition, amalgamation, merger or consolidation.

Additional Notes” means Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.13 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative of the foregoing. For the avoidance of doubt, no Death Care Trust the trustees of which are comprised of a majority of Persons who are Affiliates of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and no Death Care Trust having as its investment advisor or sub-advisor an Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including without limitation Carriage Services Investment Advisors, Inc., shall be considered an Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for any purpose.

Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent and any additional paying agent.

Applicable Calculation Date” means (1) with respect a transaction that is not a Limited Condition Transaction, (A) the applicable date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Debt Ratio and Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, or (B) if the Company or Restricted Subsidiary exercises its option pursuant to Section 4.09 with respect to an acquisition, the date that the definitive agreement for such acquisition is entered into and (2) with respect a transaction that is a Limited Condition Transaction and with respect to which the Company has made an LCT Election, the LCT Test Date.


Applicable Measurement Period” means the most recently completed four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company immediately preceding the Applicable Calculation Date for which internal financial statements are available.

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to a Note at any redemption date, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of such Note on May 15, 2024 (such redemption price being that described in Section 3.07(b) hereof) plus (ii) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through May 15, 2024, other than accrued interest to such redemption date, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points per annum discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis; over (b) the then principal amount of such Note on such redemption date. Calculation of the Applicable Premium will be made by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company shall designate; provided, however, that such calculation, verification or determination of the Applicable Premium, shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer, transaction or other action involving a Global Note or any beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depository for such Note, in each case to the extent applicable to such transfer, transaction or other action as in effect from time to time.

Asset Acquisition” means (1) an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any other Person pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, or shall be amalgamated or merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, or (2) the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of the assets of any Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) that constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person or comprises any division or line of business of such Person or any other properties or assets of such Person other than in the ordinary course of business.

Asset Sale” means any direct or indirect sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease, assignment or other transfer for value by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) to any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of: (a) any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required under applicable law); or (b) any other property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other than in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that Asset Sales or other dispositions shall not include:

(a)    a transaction or series of related transactions for which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries receive aggregate consideration of less than $20.0 million;

(b)    the sale, lease, conveyance, disposition or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company as permitted under Section 5.01 hereof;

(c)    the sale, use, consumption or other disposition of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(d)    the sale or discount, in each case without recourse, of accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof or in connection with a bankruptcy or similar proceeding;

 

2


(e)    disposals or replacements of obsolete, worn-out or no longer useful equipment or machinery in the ordinary course of business;

(f)    the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(g)    any Restricted Payment that is not prohibited by Section 4.07 or any Restricted Payment that constitutes a Permitted Investment;

(h)    the abandonment of Intellectual Property Rights no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(i)    licenses, sublicenses, leases or subleases granted to others (including licenses of Intellectual Property Rights), and terminations thereof not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

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

(k)    the surrender or waiver of contractual rights and settlement or waiver of contractual, tort or other litigation claims by the Company or any Subsidiary;

(l)    the settlement or unwinding of any Swap Obligation;

(m)    Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures, partnership agreements, and limited liability company agreements to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the parties thereto set forth in such arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

(n)    Dispositions of property or assets subject to a Recovery Event;

(o)    Dispositions made in connection with the consummation of an Asset Acquisition that are necessary or advisable to comply with applicable law or to avoid any impediment to the consummation of the Asset Acquisition under any applicable law;

(p)    the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any properties or assets taken as a whole or other form of transaction by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are covered by Section 4.15 or Section 5.01 hereof;

(q)    the sale of Qualified Capital Stock or the sale of Disqualified Capital Stock permitted under Section 4.07 hereof;

(r)    an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary;

(s)    transfers of assets between or among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(t)    the creation or perfection of any Lien that is not prohibited under the covenant described under Section 4.12 hereof;

(u)    Dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;

 

3


(v)    the lease or sublease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(w)    any issuance, sale or transfer of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(x)    to the extent allowable under Section 1031 of the Code, or any comparable successor provision any exchange of like property for use in the business of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, excluding, however, boot thereon to the extent such boot exceeds the amount set forth in clause (a) of this definition; and

(y)    the sale or discount of inventory in the ordinary course of business.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Beneficial Holders” means any person who holds a beneficial interest in Notes as shown on the books of the Depository or a participant of such Depository.

Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof or, with respect to any Person that is not a corporation, the Person or Persons performing corresponding functions.

Board Resolution” means, with respect to any Person, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday, a legal holiday or any other day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York or any place of payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capital Markets Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness consisting of bonds, debentures, notes or other similar debt securities issued in (a) a public offering registered under the Securities Act, (b) a private placement to institutional investors that is resold in accordance with Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act, whether or not it includes registration rights entitling the holders of such debt securities to registration thereof with the SEC or (c) a private placement to institutional accredited investors.

Capital Stock” means:

 

  (1)

with respect to any Person that is a corporation, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated and whether or not voting) of corporate stock, including each class of Common Stock and Preferred Stock of such Person; and

 

  (2)

with respect to any Person that is not a corporation, any and all partnership, membership or other equity interests of such Person.

Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, as to any Person, the obligations of such Person under a lease that are required to be classified and accounted for as capital lease obligations under GAAP and, for purposes of this definition, the amount of such obligations at any date shall be the capitalized amount of

 

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such obligations at such date, determined in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any lease (whether entered into before or after the Existing Notes Issue Date) that would have been classified as an operating lease pursuant to (i) GAAP as in effect or (ii) any accounting standards currently implemented by the Company, in each case on the Existing Notes Issue Date will be deemed not to represent a Capitalized Lease Obligation.

Cash Equivalents” means:

 

  (1)

United States dollars, Canadian dollars, Euros, British Pounds or any national currency of any participating member state of the European Union or such local currencies held by the Company and its Subsidiaries from time to time in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (2)

marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States, the Canadian Government, Canadian crown corporations, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France or Australia;

 

  (3)

marketable direct obligations issued by any agency of the United States and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

  (4)

marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s (or, in each case, if such Rating Agency ceases to rate such securities, from any Rating Agency selected by the Company as a replacement Rating Agency);

 

  (5)

commercial paper or corporate bonds maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-2 from S&P or at least P-2 from Moody’s (or, in each case, if such Rating Agency ceases to rate such securities, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any Rating Agency selected by the Company as a replacement Rating Agency);

 

  (6)

certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or any U.S. branch of a foreign bank having at the date of acquisition thereof combined capital and surplus of not less than $250.0 million;

 

  (7)

repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (2) above entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (6) above;

 

  (8)

securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any agency, subdivision or instrumentality thereof or by any foreign government (and that at the time of acquisition have an investment grade rating from S&P or Moody’s (or, in each case, if such Rating Agency ceases to rate such securities, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any Rating Agency selected by the Company as a replacement Rating Agency)) having maturities of not more than two years after the date of acquisition;

 

5


  (9)

marketable short term money market and similar securities having the highest rating obtainable from S&P or Moody’s (or, in each case, if such Rating Agency ceases to rate such securities, any Rating Agency selected by the Company as a replacement Rating Agency) at the time of acquisition and in each case maturing within two years after the date of acquisition; and

 

  (10)

Investments in money market funds that invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (9) above.

Change of Control” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

 

  (1)

any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person or group of related Persons for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act (a “Group”), together with any Affiliates thereof (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture) other than to one or more Guarantors;

 

  (2)

the approval by the holders of Capital Stock of the Company of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture); or

 

  (3)

any Person or Group shall become the owner, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, of shares representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (1) the Company becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company and (2)(A) the direct or indirect holders of the voting Capital Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the voting Capital Stock of the Company immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction no Person (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the owner, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, of shares representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of such holding company.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A. or any successor securities clearing agency.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

close of business” means 5:00 p.m., New York City time.

Common Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated and whether voting or non-voting) of such Person’s common stock, and includes, without limitation, all series and classes of such common stock.

Company” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor or assign replaces it pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, thereafter, means the successor or assign.

Consolidated Debt Ratio” as of any date of determination means, the ratio of (1) (x) the Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the

 

6


Applicable Measurement Period minus (y) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis to (2) the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness and Consolidated EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, for the Company and its Restricted 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 (other than clause (iv) and (xiv)):

(i)    Consolidated Interest Expense for such period;

(ii)    federal, state, local and foreign income tax expense for such period;

(iii)    depreciation and amortization expense for such period;

(iv)    expected cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies for such period related to mergers and other business combinations, acquisitions, Dispositions, restructuring, refinancings or cost savings initiatives, including, but not limited to, one-time costs related to Permitted Investments, the amount of any integration costs, costs related to the closure or consolidation of facilities, conversion or upgrading of computer systems (whether software or hardware), employee and management termination costs and costs of buy-out or termination of employment contracts or leases, which are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and other similar initiatives projected by the Company in good faith to result from actions with respect to which substantial steps have been taken, will be taken, or are expected to be taken; provided that (A) such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies are expected to be realized (in the good faith determination of the Company) within 24 months after such transaction or initiative is consummated and (B) amounts added-back for any period pursuant to this clause (iv) shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to this clause (iv)) (it being understood that no addbacks pursuant to this clause (iv) with respect to any specific merger, business combination, acquisition, Disposition, restructuring or cost savings initiative shall be permitted subsequent to 24 months after the applicable merger, business combination, acquisition, Disposition, restructuring or cost savings initiative);

(v)    non-cash losses, charges and expenses (including non-cash compensation charges, asset impairment charges, the cumulative effect of accounting changes, unrealized losses under Swap Obligations and unrealized losses with respect to trust investments but excluding (A) losses, charges and expenses to the extent representing an accrual of or reserve for cash losses, charges or expenses in any future period and (B) write-downs or reserves of account receivables or inventory);

(vi)    unusual or non-recurring losses, charges and expenses in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (A) $20.0 million or (B) 15% of Consolidated EBITDA during such period;

 

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(vii)    cash restructuring and related charges and expenses in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (A) $10.0 million or (B) 5% of Consolidated EBITDA during such period;

(viii)    unrealized losses due to foreign exchange adjustments (including, without limitation, losses and expenses in connection with currency and exchange rate fluctuations);

(ix)    costs and expenses in connection with this offering and the refinancing of the Existing Credit Facility;

(x)    expenses or charges related to any offering of equity interests, Permitted Investment, Disposition, recapitalization or incurrence of permitted Indebtedness (whether or not consummated), including premium or make whole payments, penalty payments, non-operating or non-recurring professional fees, brokerage commissions, and costs and expenses;

(xi)    the amount of expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events to the extent deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income and to the extent (A) covered by insurance or other sources of indemnity and actually reimbursed or, (B) that a determination has been made reasonably and in good faith by the Company that such amount will be reimbursed by one or more insurers or other indemnitors;

(xii)    losses from discontinued operations and non-ordinary course Dispositions;

(xiii)    notwithstanding it not having been deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income, the withdrawable income received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from Death Care Trusts that allow income to be withdrawn, less cash amounts required to be replaced, if any, during such period to the extent such income is not included in Consolidated Net Income for such period;

(xiv)    notwithstanding it not having been deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income, net cash flow actually received from any non-consolidated joint venture or other entity in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest to the extent such income is not included in Consolidated Net Income for such period minus

(c)    the following to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (i) non-cash income or gains, (ii) unrealized gains due to foreign exchange adjustments (including, without limitation, gains in connection with currency and exchange rate fluctuations) and (iii) income or gains from discontinued operations and non-ordinary course Dispositions.

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA of such Person during the Applicable Measurement Period to Consolidated Fixed Charges for the Applicable Measurement Period.

In addition to and without limitation of the foregoing, for purposes of this definition, “Consolidated EBITDA” and “Consolidated Fixed Charges” shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation to the following:

 

  (1)

the incurrence or repayment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and the application of the proceeds thereof) giving rise to the need to make such calculation and any incurrence or repayment of other Indebtedness (and the application of the proceeds thereof), other than the incurrence or repayment of

 

8


  Indebtedness under revolving Credit Facilities, occurring during the Applicable Measurement Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Applicable Measurement Period and on or prior to the Applicable Calculation Date, as if such incurrence or repayment, as the case may be (and the application of the proceeds thereof), occurred on the first day of the Applicable Measurement Period;

 

  (2)

any asset sales or Asset Acquisitions, including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any Person who becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the Asset Acquisition) incurring, assuming or otherwise being liable for Acquired Indebtedness and also including any Consolidated EBITDA (including any pro forma expense and cost reductions calculated on a basis consistent with Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act attributable to the assets that are the subject of the Asset Acquisition or asset sale during the Applicable Measurement Period) occurring during the Applicable Measurement Period or at any time subsequent to the last day of the Applicable Measurement Period and on or prior to the Applicable Calculation Date, as if such asset sale or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence or assumption of any such Acquired Indebtedness) occurred on the first day of the Applicable Measurement Period;

 

  (3)

if such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries referred to in the immediately preceding clause (2), directly or indirectly guarantees Indebtedness of a third Person, the immediately preceding clause (2) shall give effect to the incurrence of such guaranteed Indebtedness as if such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person had directly incurred or otherwise assumed such other Indebtedness that was so guaranteed;

 

  (4)

any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during the Applicable Measurement Period; and

 

  (5)

the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Applicable Calculation Date.

Furthermore, in calculating “Consolidated Fixed Charges” for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

 

  (1)

interest on outstanding Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis as of the Applicable Calculation Date and which will continue to be so determined thereafter shall be deemed to have accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to the rate of interest on such Indebtedness in effect on the Applicable Calculation Date; and

 

  (2)

notwithstanding clause (1) of this paragraph, interest on Indebtedness determined on a fluctuating basis, to the extent such interest is covered by agreements relating to Swap Obligations, shall be deemed to accrue at the rate per annum resulting after giving effect to the operation of such agreements.

Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

  (1)

Consolidated Interest Expense; plus

 

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  (2)

all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary; plus

 

  (3)

all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Capital Stock.

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication:

 

  (1)

the aggregate of the interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation: (a) any amortization of debt discount and amortization or write off of deferred financing costs; (b) the net costs under interest Swap Obligations; (c) all capitalized interest; and (d) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation;

 

  (2)

the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations paid and/or scheduled to be paid by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; less

 

  (3)

the aggregate of the interest income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, net income (or loss) for such period; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall exclude:

 

  (1)

extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses for such period (including life insurance proceeds);

 

  (2)

solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (iii)(v) of Section 4.07(a) hereof, any net income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Guarantors) if such Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company or a Guarantor by operation of the terms of such Restricted Subsidiary’s charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute or governmental rule or regulation applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its shareholders (other than restrictions that have been waived or otherwise released), except that the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash or Cash Equivalents actually distributed or that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject in the case of a dividend to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause); and

 

  (3)

any income (or loss) for such period of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that the Company’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 the Company or a Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution.

 

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Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio” as of any date of determination means, the ratio of (1) (x) the Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens as of the end of the Applicable Measurement Period minus (y) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis to (2) the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to Consolidated Total Indebtedness and Consolidated EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

Consolidated Total Assets” means the total consolidated assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum of (1) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, obligations in respect of purchase money Indebtedness and Capitalized Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments; (2) all direct or contingent obligations arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties and similar instruments; (3) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business) solely to the extent such obligation is evidenced by a note or similar instrument and such obligation is included as a liability on the balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP; (4) all Note Guarantees with respect to Indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (1) through (3) above of another Person; and (5) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Capital Stock of the Company and all Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, with the amount of such Disqualified Capital Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences and maximum fixed repurchase prices, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. For purposes hereof, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock as if such Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock were purchased on any date on which Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by an Officer of the Company.

continuingmeans, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee within the continental United States at which at any particular time its corporate trust business is administered, which office as of the date of this Indenture is located at 1100 North Market Street, Rodney Square North, Wilmington, Delaware 19890, Attention: Carriage Services, Inc. Administrator, or, in the case of any of such offices, such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company).

Credit Agreement” means the first amended and restated credit agreement dated on or about the Issue Date, among Carriage Services, Inc., as the borrower, certain subsidiaries of the borrower party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, and the other lenders party thereto, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof.

 

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Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities, including the Credit Agreement, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, credit agreements, commercial paper facilities or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing, bankers acceptances, letters of credit, debt securities or other indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed thereunder or alters the maturity thereof, whether or not by the same or any other agent, investor, lender or group of lenders (whether or not such added or substituted parties are banks or other institutional lenders), in each case, whether or not any such amendment, supplement, modification, extension, renewal, restatement, refunding, replacement or refinancing occurs simultaneously with the termination or repayment of a prior Credit Facility.

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

Death Care Trust” means any preneed funeral trust, preneed cemetery trust, preneed merchandise trust, pre-construction trust, perpetual care cemetery trust or endowed care cemetery trust or any similar trust or escrow arrangement relating to the business or properties of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Derivative Instrument” with respect to a Person, means any contract, instrument or other right to receive payment or delivery of cash or other assets to which such Person or any Affiliate of such Person that is acting in concert with such Person in connection with such Person’s investment in the Notes is a party (whether or not requiring further performance by such Person), the value and/or cash flows of which (or any material portion thereof) are materially affected by the value and/or performance of the Notes and/or the creditworthiness of the Company and/or any one or more of the Guarantors (the “Performance References”).

Default” means an event or condition the occurrence of which is, or with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

Definitive Note means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

Depository” means The Depository Trust Company and such other Person as is designated in writing by the Company and acceptable to the Trustee to act as depository in respect of one or more Notes.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as “Designated Non-Cash Consideration” pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration.

 

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Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition of any property by the Company or any Restricted 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 Capital Stock” means that portion of any Capital Stock which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the sole option of the holder thereof on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the final maturity date of the Notes; provided, however, only the portion of Capital Stock which is so redeemable or repurchasable prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Capital Stock. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Capital Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company or a direct or indirect parent of the Company to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof. The amount of Disqualified Capital Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Capital Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

Equity Offering” means any sale or public or private offering of Qualified Capital Stock (A) of the Company or successor to the Company (other than offerings registered on Form S-8 or any successor form) or (B) of the Parent, in each case to the extent that the proceeds of which are contributed to the equity capital of the Company and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, or any successor securities clearing agency.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute or statutes thereto.

Excluded Subsidiary” means:

 

  (1)

any Foreign Subsidiary that is treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code, and any Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary;

 

  (2)

any Subsidiary that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes if substantially all of the direct or indirect assets of such Subsidiary are Capital Stock of one or more “controlled foreign corporations” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code;

 

  (3)

any Insurance Subsidiary; and

 

  (4)

any Subsidiary that is an investment advisor, or sub-advisor (whether registered or exempt from registration as such under federal or state law) to any Death Care Trust.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary that guarantees any Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company under the Credit Facility is not an “Excluded Subsidiary.”

Existing Credit Facility” means the senior secured credit facility, dated as of May 31, 2018, among Carriage Services, Inc., Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, and the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, as amended prior to the date of the Credit Agreement.

Existing Notes Issue Date” means May 31, 2018.

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length, free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction, as determined reasonably and in good faith by the Company. Any determination that the Fair Market Value of any assets or properties (other than cash or Cash Equivalents) is equal to or greater than $25.0 million shall be made by the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof and shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution.

Foreign Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary that is not organized under the laws of the United States, any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, which are in effect as of the Existing Notes Issue Date.

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.

Guarantor” means: (1) each of the Initial Guarantors and (2) each of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that in the future executes a supplemental indenture in which such Restricted Subsidiary agrees to be bound by the terms of this Indenture as a Guarantor; provided that any Person constituting a Guarantor as described above shall cease to constitute a Guarantor when its respective Note Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

Holder” or Holders” means a Person in whose name a note is registered.

 

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IAI Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold to Institutional Accredited Investors.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:

 

  (1)

all Obligations of such Person for borrowed money;

 

  (2)

all Obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

 

  (3)

all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person;

 

  (4)

all Obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations and all Obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable and other accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business);

 

  (5)

all Obligations for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction which is issued in respect of Indebtedness referred to in clauses (1) through (4) above and clause (8) below;

 

  (6)

guarantees and other contingent obligations in respect of Indebtedness referred to in clauses (1) through (5) above and clause (8) below; provided, however, that Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries that is guaranteed by the Company or its Subsidiaries shall only be counted one time in the calculation of the amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;

 

  (7)

all Obligations of any other Person of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) above that are secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such Person, the amount of such Obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the Fair Market Value of such property or asset or the amount of the Obligation so secured;

 

  (8)

all net Swap Obligations of such Person; and

 

  (9)

all Disqualified Capital Stock issued by such Person with the amount of Indebtedness represented by such Disqualified Capital Stock being equal to the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and its maximum fixed repurchase price, but excluding accrued dividends, if any.

For purposes hereof, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Capital Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Capital Stock as if such Disqualified Capital Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Capital Stock, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.

Indebtedness shall not include:

 

  (1)

any liability for foreign, federal, state, local or other taxes;

 

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  (2)

any liability arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such liability is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence;

 

  (3)

any liability owed to any Person in connection with workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance provided by such Person pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (4)

any Indebtedness that is satisfied and discharged or defeased by legal defeasance;

 

  (5)

accrued expenses (other than accrued expenses with respect to Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (9) of the second preceding paragraph) and trade accounts payable, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business; and

 

  (6)

any obligation arising from any agreement providing for indemnities, purchase price adjustments, holdbacks, contingency payment obligations based on the performance of the acquired or disposed assets or entities or similar obligations incurred by the specified Person in connection with the acquisition or disposition of assets, including, without limitation, guarantees of such Indebtedness incurred by the Company or its Subsidiaries and guarantees of such Indebtedness by the Company or its Subsidiaries.

Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

Independent Financial Advisor” means a firm: (1) that does not, and whose directors, officers and employees or Affiliates do not, have a direct or indirect financial interest in the Company and (2) that, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, is otherwise independent and qualified to perform the task for which it is to be engaged.

Initial Guarantors” means the Subsidiaries of the Company that are guarantors under the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date.

Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

Initial Notes means the $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued by the Company on the date hereof under this Indenture.

Initial Purchasers means BofA Securities, Inc., Regions Securities LLC, BBVA Securities Inc., B. Riley Securities, Inc., Barrington Research Associates, Inc., Citizens Capital Markets, Inc., Roth Capital Partners, LLC and Sidoti & Company, LLC.

Institutional Accredited Investor” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.

Insurance Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary the primary business of which is providing insurance for the benefit of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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Intellectual Property Rights” means collectively, the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights of the Company or a Subsidiary.

Investment” means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect loan or other extension of credit (including, without limitation, a guarantee) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition by such Person of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or evidences of Indebtedness issued by, any other Person. “Investment” shall exclude extensions of trade credit by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on commercially reasonable terms. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Common Stock of any direct or indirect Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, the Company no longer owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding Common Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.

For purposes of Section 4.07 and Section 4.18 hereof:

 

  (1)

“Investment” will include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in a Restricted Subsidiary to be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Restricted Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (a) the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is so re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

  (2)

any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating of Baa3 (or its then equivalent) or better by Moody’s and BBB- (or its then equivalent) or better by S&P (or, in each case, if such Rating Agency ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any Rating Agency selected by the Company as a replacement Rating Agency).

Issue Date” means May 13, 2021.

Lien” means any lien, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof and any agreement to give any security interest); provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Limited Condition Transaction” means (1) any Investment or acquisition (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or the acquisition of Capital Stock or otherwise and which may include, for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction that may constitute a Change of Control), the consummation of which is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing, (2) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of

 

17


Indebtedness, Disqualified Capital Stock or Preferred Stock requiring irrevocable notice in advance of such redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment, (3) any Restricted Payment requiring irrevocable notice in advance thereof; (4) any asset sale or a disposition excluded from the definition of “Asset Sale”; and (5) a “Change of Control.”

Long Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally increases, and/ or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with negative changes to the Performance References.

Maturity Date” means May 15, 2029.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

Net Cash Proceeds” means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the proceeds in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations when received in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents (other than the portion of any such deferred payment constituting interest) received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from such Asset Sale net of:

 

  (1)

out-of-pocket expenses and fees relating to such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, brokerage and sales commissions, and survey, title and recording expenses, transfer taxes and expenses incurred for preparing such asset for sale, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale);

 

  (2)

taxes paid or payable, or estimated in good faith to be payable as a result of the Asset Sale, after taking into account any reduction in consolidated tax liability due to available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements;

 

  (3)

repayment of Indebtedness that is secured in whole or in part by the property or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale; and

 

  (4)

appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the assets or properties sold or the Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, after such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale.

Net Short” means, with respect to a Holder or beneficial owner, as of a date of determination, either (i) the value of its Short Derivative Instruments exceeds the sum of the (x) the value of its Notes plus (y) the value of its Long Derivative Instruments as of such date of determination or (ii) it is reasonably expected that such would have been the case were a Failure to Pay or Bankruptcy Credit Event (each as defined in the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions) to have occurred with respect to the Company or any Guarantor immediately prior to such date of determination.

Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

 

18


Note Guarantee” means the Guarantee pursuant to this Indenture by each Guarantor of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

Obligations” means all obligations for principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnification, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum dated April 29, 2021, pursuant to which the Notes are being offered to potential purchasers.

Officer” means, with respect to any Person, any of the following: the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer, General Counsel, Senior Vice President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer (including interim officers).

Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed on behalf of such Person by two Officers of such Person, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, chief financial officer, the principal financial officer, the general counsel, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of such Person, which meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, or other counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Participant” means, with respect to the Depository, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depository, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

Parent” means any Person of which the Company is or becomes a direct or indirect Subsidiary.

Pari Passu Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is equal in right of payment with the Notes or the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor, as applicable.

Permitted Business” means the businesses engaged in by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and businesses are the same, similar or reasonably related, incidental ancilliary or complementary thereto or reasonable extensions thereof.

Permitted Investments” means:

 

  (1)

Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any Person that is or will become after such Investment a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or that will merge, amalgamate or consolidate into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

  (2)

Investments in the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

19


  (3)

Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

  (4)

loans and advances to directors, officers and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business for reasonable and customary business-related purposes not in excess of $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

 

  (5)

Swap Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of the Company’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries’ businesses and otherwise in compliance with this Indenture;

 

  (6)

additional Investments in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (x) $65.0 million and (y) 6.0% of Consolidated Total Assets;

 

  (7)

Investments received (x) pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditors, suppliers or customers or in good faith settlement of delinquent obligations of such trade creditors, suppliers or customers; (y) as a result of the foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title, or (z) as a result of litigation, or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

 

  (8)

Investments made by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of consideration received in connection with an Asset Sale made in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof;

 

  (9)

Investments represented by guarantees that are otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

 

  (10)

Investments the payment for which is Qualified Capital Stock of the Company;

 

  (11)

Investments by the Company consisting of obligations of one or more officers, directors or other employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such officers’, directors’ or employees’ acquisition of shares of capital stock of the Company so long as no cash is paid by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to such officers, directors or employees in connection with the acquisition of any such obligations;

 

  (12)

any Investment (y) existing on the Issue Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or (z) consisting of any replacement, refinancing, extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may only be increased as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or as otherwise permitted by this Indenture;

 

  (13)

stock, obligations or securities received in satisfaction of judgments;

 

  (14)

advances, loans, rebates and extensions of credit (including the creation of receivables) to suppliers, customers and vendors, and performance guarantees, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (15)

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;

 

20


  (16)

securities issued by the World Bank or Federal Bank for Reconstruction and Development;

 

  (17)

Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit and customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

 

  (18)

(i) intercompany advances among the Company and its Subsidiaries arising from their cash management and accounting operations and (ii) intercompany loans, advances, or Indebtedness among the Company and its Subsidiaries having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any rollover or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (19)

advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (20)

Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease and utility and worker’s compensation deposits provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (21)

Investments resulting from repurchases of the Notes;

 

  (22)

any Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment or similar assets, or the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

  (23)

Investments consisting of the licensing or contribution of intellectual property to joint ventures or joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

 

  (24)

Investments in Death Care Trusts incurred in the ordinary course of business, including to satisfy Obligations to Death Care Trusts for the deposit of funds with respect to customer payments for preneed sales of goods, services or interment rights, to satisfy Obligations to deposit funds with respect to perpetual care or endowed care cemeteries, and Investments to satisfy Obligations to maintain minimum Death Care Trust balances as required by the governing documents of Death Care Trusts or applicable law; and

 

  (25)

Any other Investment (in addition to Investments permitted above under clauses (1) through (24)), so long as, (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom) and (y) after giving pro forma effect to such Investment, the Consolidated Debt Ratio shall be no greater than 3.25 to 1.00.

In determining whether any Investment is a Permitted Investment, the Company may allocate or reallocate all or any portion of an Investment among any of the clauses of this definition and any of the provisions under Section 4.07 hereof.

Permitted Liens” means the following types of Liens:

 

  (1)

Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims either (a) not yet overdue by more than 30 days or (b) which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted;

 

21


  (2)

statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen and repairmen, landlords, banks, employees, employers, construction Liens and other Liens imposed by law or pursuant to customary reservations or retentions of title incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet delinquent or being contested diligently and in good faith;

 

  (3)

Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, employers’ health tax and other types of social security, including any Lien securing letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business in connection therewith, and pledges and deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of insurance carriers or to secure the performance of tenders, trade contracts, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (including those to secure health safety and environmental obligations and exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

 

  (4)

judgment Liens securing the payment of money (or appeal or other surety bonds relating to such judgments) not giving rise to an Event of Default;

 

  (5)

survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines, fiber optic cables and other similar purposes, or zoning or other similar restrictions or minor irregularities of title as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not individually or in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole or materially impair the operation of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

 

  (6)

Liens upon specific items of inventory, receivables or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

  (7)

Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to commercial letters of credit which encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and products and proceeds thereof;

 

  (8)

Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual, or warranty requirements of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including rights of offset and set-off;

 

  (9)

Liens securing Capitalized Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clause (12) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness”; provided, however, that in the case of Purchase Money Indebtedness (a) the Indebtedness shall not be secured by any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other than the property and assets so acquired or constructed and the proceeds thereof and (b) the Lien securing such Indebtedness shall be created within 270 days of such acquisition or construction or, in the case of a refinancing of any Purchase Money Indebtedness, within 270 days of such refinancing;

 

22


  (10)

Liens securing Swap Obligations which Swap Obligations relate to Indebtedness that is otherwise permitted under this Indenture

 

  (11)

Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness incurred in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof; provided that:

 

  (a)

such Liens secured such Acquired Indebtedness at the time of and prior to the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and were not granted in connection with, or in anticipation of, the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

 

  (b)

such Liens do not extend to or cover any property or assets of the Company or of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than the property or assets that secured the Acquired Indebtedness prior to the time such Indebtedness became Acquired Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (and subsequent improvements thereto) of the Company and are no more favorable to the lienholders as a whole than those securing the Acquired Indebtedness prior to the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, as determined reasonably and in good faith by the Company;

 

  (12)

Liens on assets of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor to secure Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary that is otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

 

  (13)

leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses granted to others that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (14)

banker’s Liens, rights of setoff and similar Liens with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more bank accounts in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (15)

Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases;

 

  (16)

Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods;

 

  (17)

rights of customers with respect to inventory which arise from deposits and progress payments made in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (18)

additional Liens in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (A) $60.0 million and (B) 5.0% of Consolidated Total Assets;

 

  (19)

Liens existing as of the Issue Date (other than under the Credit Agreement);

 

  (20)

Liens securing the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

 

23


  (21)

Liens of the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company on assets of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and Liens on assets of the Company in favor of a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor;

 

  (22)

Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements;

 

  (23)

Liens of a collection bank arising under the Uniform Commercial Code, or other applicable law, on items in the course of collection;

 

  (24)

reservations, limitations provisos and conditions expressed in any original grants from any governmental authority or other grants of real or immovable property, or interests therein, which do not materially affect the use of the affected land or detract from the value thereof;

 

  (25)

the rights reserved to or vested in governmental authorities by statutory provisions or by the terms of leases, licenses, franchises, grants or permits, which affect any land, to terminate the leases, licenses, franchises, grants or permits or to require annual or other periodic payments as a condition of the continuance thereof;

 

  (26)

Liens in favor of public utilities or to any municipalities or governmental authorities or other public authorities when required by such utilities, municipalities or governmental authorities or such other public authorities in connection with the supply of services or utilities to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

  (27)

Liens (A) on cash advances or escrow deposits in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted under this Indenture to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment or otherwise in connection with any escrow arrangements with respect to any such Investment or any disposition permitted under this Indenture (including any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to such Investment or disposition) or (B) consisting of an agreement to dispose of any property in a disposition permitted under this Indenture, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

 

  (28)

Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

 

  (29)

in the case of Indebtedness permitted under this Indenture issued into escrow, Liens on the proceeds of such Indebtedness and any cash or Cash Equivalents consisting of prefunded interest in respect of such Indebtedness, in each case for so long as such funds remain in escrow;

 

  (30)

Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness which is incurred to Refinance any Indebtedness that has been secured by a Lien permitted under this Indenture and that has been incurred without violation of this Indenture; provided, however, that such Liens: (i) are no less favorable to the Holders and are not more favorable to the lienholders, in each case in any material respect, with respect to such Liens than the Liens in respect of the Indebtedness being Refinanced; and (ii) do not extend to or cover any categories of property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries not securing the Indebtedness so Refinanced;

 

24


  (31)

Liens securing existing or future borrowings under Credit Facilities incurred pursuant to clause (2) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness;

 

  (32)

Liens securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (18) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness;

 

  (33)

Liens in favor of a consignor encumbering assets delivered to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary on consignment in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (34)

dedications of real property and improvements thereon owned by the Company or any Subsidiary for cemetery purposes;

 

  (35)

Liens securing customer rights of interment, entombment, inurnment or other rights to dispose of final remains;

 

  (36)

Liens in favor or the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

  (37)

Liens securing cash earnest money deposits made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement relating to any acquisition of Capital Stock or assets not prohibited by this Indenture.

The Company may in its sole discretion divide, classify (or later divide and reclassify) any Lien in any one or more of the above categories, including part of a Lien in one category and the remainder of the Lien in one or more other categories of Permitted Liens.

Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, trust, or joint venture or other entity, or a governmental agency or political subdivision thereof.

Preferred Stock” of any Person means any Capital Stock of such Person that has preferential rights to any other Capital Stock of such Person with respect to dividends or redemptions or upon liquidation.

Purchase Agreement” means the Purchase Agreement dated April 29, 2021 by and among the Company, the Initial Guarantors and BofA Securities, Inc., as representative of the several initial purchasers named therein.

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(1) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

Purchase Money Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price, or the cost of installation, construction or improvement, of property or equipment.

QIB means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

Qualified Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Capital Stock.

Rating Agency” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P and (2) if Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.

 

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Recovery Event” means any loss of, damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking for public use of, any property of the Company or any Subsidiary.

Refinance” means, in respect of any security or Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, repurchase, defease or retire, or to issue a security or Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such security or Indebtedness, in whole or in part. Additionally, “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings; provided that the principal amount of such Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (a) the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (b) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, accrued and unpaid interest, premiums (including, without limitation, make-whole fees and tender premiums) and other costs and expenses (including, without limitation, original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with such refinancing.

Regulation S-X” means Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Note means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

Responsible Officer” means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) located at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter hereunder, and for the purposes of Section 7.01(c)(2) and the proviso in Section 7.05 shall also include any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and, in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

Restricted Subsidiary” of any Person means any Subsidiary of such Person which at the time of determination is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Rule 144” means Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), as it may be amended from time to time.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), as it may be amended from time to time.

Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any direct or indirect arrangement with any Person or to which any such Person is a party, providing for the leasing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of any property, whether owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary at the Issue Date or later acquired, which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person from whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such Property.

S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Short Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with negative changes to the Performance References.

Significant Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that satisfies the criteria for a “significant subsidiary” set forth in Rule 1.02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal (including any sinking fund payment) on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for their payment.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor, as the case may be.

Subsidiary” with respect to any Person, means:

 

  (1)

any corporation of which the outstanding Capital Stock having at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors under ordinary circumstances shall at the time be owned, directly or through another Subsidiary, by such Person; or

 

  (2)

any other Person of which at least a majority of the voting interest under ordinary circumstances is at the time, directly or through another Subsidiary, owned by such Person.

Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided, however, that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

27


Swap Obligations” means any and all Indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations, howsoever arising, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries to the counterparties under Swap Agreements of every kind and description (whether or not evidenced by any note or instrument and whether or not for the payment of money), direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising under Swap Agreements and including any guarantee obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect thereof.

Taxes” means any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other government charge (including penalties, interest and any other liabilities related thereto) imposed or levied by or on behalf of a Taxing Authority.

Taxing Authority” means any government or any political subdivision or territory or possession of any government or any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax.

Transactions” means, collectively, (i) the refinancing of the Existing Credit Facility, (ii) the offering of the Initial Notes and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the Offering Memorandum and (iii) entering into, and borrowings under, the Credit Agreement.

Treasury Rate” means, with respect to a redemption date, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to May 15, 2024; provided, however, that if the period from such redemption date to May 15, 2024 is not equal to the constant maturity of the United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from such redemption date to May 15, 2024 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

Trustee” means the party named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture in its capacity as trustee until a successor replaces it pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, means such successor. The foregoing sentence shall likewise apply to any such subsequent successor or successors.

Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” of any Person means:

 

  (1)

any Subsidiary of such Person that at the time of determination shall be or continue to be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of such Person in the manner provided below; and

 

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  (2)

any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns any Capital Stock of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided that:

 

  (1)

the Company certifies to the Trustee that such designation complies with Section 4.07 hereof; and

 

  (2)

each Subsidiary to be so designated and each of its Subsidiaries has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company to be a Restricted Subsidiary only if:

 

  (1)

immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Company is able to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

 

  (2)

immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” of any Person means any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person which at the time of determination is a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means any Subsidiary of such Person of which all the outstanding voting securities (other than in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary that is incorporated in a jurisdiction other than a State in the United States or the District of Columbia, directors’ qualifying shares or an immaterial amount of shares required to be owned by other Persons pursuant to applicable law) are owned by such Person or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person.

Section 1.02    Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
 

“Acceleration Notice”

     6.02  

“Acceptable Commitment”

     4.10  

“Affiliate Transaction”

     4.11  

“Alternate Offer”

     4.15  

“Applicable Premium Deficit”

     8.04  

“Authentication Order”

     2.02  

 

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Term

   Defined in
Section
 

“Change of Control Offer”

     4.15  

“Change of Control Payment”

     4.15  

“Change of Control Payment Date”

     4.15  

“Covenant Defeasance”

     8.03  

“Covenant Satisfaction Officers’ Certificate”

     6.02  

“Directing Holder”

     6.02  

“DTC”

     2.03  

“Event of Default”

     6.01  

“Fixed Amounts”

     1.05  

“Increased Amount”

     4.12  

“incur”

     4.09  

“Incurrence-Based Amounts”

     1.05  

“Initial Lien”

     4.12  

“LCT Election”

     1.05  

“LCT Test Date”

     1.05  

“Legal Defeasance”

     8.02  

“Litigation”

     6.02  

“Net Proceeds Offer”

     4.10  

“Net Proceeds Offer Payment Date”

     4.10  

“Noteholder Direction”

     6.02  

“Paying Agent”

     2.03  

“Performance References”

     1.01  

“Permitted Indebtedness”

     4.09  

“Position Representation”

     6.02  

“Reference Date”

     4.07  

“Registrar”

     2.03  

“Replacement Assets”

     4.10  

“Restricted Payment”

     4.07  

“Reversion Date”

     4.19  

“Second Commitment”

     4.10  

“Surviving Entity”

     5.01  

“Suspension Period”

     4.19  

“USA PATRIOT Act”

     12.16  

“Verification Covenant”

     6.02  

“Verification Officers’ Certificate”

     6.02  

Section 1.03    Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)    a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b)    an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it and shall be construed in accordance with GAAP;

(c)    “or” is not exclusive;

(d)    “including,” “includes” and “include” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

 

30


(e)    the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

(f)    unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” a “Section” or an “Exhibit” refers to an Article, a Section or an Exhibit, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

(g)    words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular;

(h)    all references to $, dollars, cash payments or money refer to United States currency; and

(i)    unless the context requires otherwise, all references to payments of interest on the Notes shall include additional interest, if any, payable in accordance with the terms of Section 4.02 or 6.01.

Section 1.04    Acts of Holders. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee or to the Company, as applicable. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.04. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, evidence of consents, waivers, demands or other actions with respect to a Global Note shall be sufficient if done in accordance with Applicable Procedures.

(a)    The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to such officer the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than such signer’s individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of such signer’s authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

(b)    Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

(c)    If the Company shall solicit from the Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the outstanding Notes shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such

 

31


authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

Section 1.05    Limited Condition Transactions; Measuring Compliance.

(a)    When calculating the availability under any ratio, test or basket under this Indenture or compliance with any provision of this Indenture in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence, issuance or assumption of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence or creation of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Sales), in each case, at the option of the Company (the Company’s election to exercise such option, an “LCT Election”), the date of determination for availability under any such ratio, test or basket and whether any such action or transaction is permitted (or any requirement or condition therefor is complied with or satisfied (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default)) under this Indenture shall be deemed to be the date (the “LCT Test Date”) the definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Transaction is entered into (or, if applicable, the date of delivery of an declaration of a Restricted Payment or similar event), and if, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence, issuance or assumption of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence or creation of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Sales) and any related pro forma adjustments, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been permitted to take such actions or consummate such transactions on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions), such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions) shall be deemed to have been complied with (or satisfied) for all purposes (in the case of Indebtedness, for example, whether such Indebtedness is committed, issued, assumed or incurred at the LCT Test Date or at any time thereafter); provided, that (a) if financial statements for one or more subsequent fiscal quarters shall have become available, the Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to redetermine all such ratios, tests or baskets on the basis of such financial statements, in which case, such date of redetermination shall thereafter be the applicable LCT Test Date for purposes of such ratios, tests or baskets and (b) except as contemplated in the foregoing clause (a), compliance with such ratios, test or baskets (and any related requirements and conditions) shall not be determined or tested at any time after the applicable LCT Test Date for such Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transaction related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence, issuance or assumption of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence or creation of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Sales).

For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company has made an LCT Election, (1) if any of the ratios, tests or baskets for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would at any time after the LCT Test Date have been exceeded or otherwise failed to have been complied with as a result of fluctuations in any such ratio, test or basket, including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Total Assets or Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Company or the Person subject to such Limited Condition Transaction, such baskets, tests or ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded or failed to have been complied with as a result of such fluctuations; (2) if any related requirements and conditions (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default) for which compliance or satisfaction was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would at any time after the LCT Test Date not have been complied with or satisfied (including due to the occurrence or continuation of an Default or Event of Default), such requirements and conditions will not be deemed to have been failed to be complied with or satisfied (and such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed not to have occurred or be continuing); and (3) in calculating the availability under any ratio, test or basket in connection with any action or transaction unrelated to such Limited Condition Transaction following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition

 

32


Transaction is consummated or the date that the definitive agreement or date for redemption, purchase or repayment specified in an irrevocable notice for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated, expires or passes (or, if applicable, the irrevocable notice is terminated, expires or passes) without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such ratio, test or basket shall be determined or tested giving pro forma effect to such Limited Condition Transaction.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, with respect to any amounts incurred or transactions entered into (or consummated) in reliance on a provision of this Indenture that does not require compliance with a financial ratio or financial test (including any Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test, Consolidated Debt Ratio test and/or any Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio test) (any such amounts, the “Fixed Amounts”) substantially concurrently with any amounts incurred or transactions entered into (or consummated) in reliance on a provision of this Indenture that requires compliance with a financial ratio or financial test (including any Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test, Consolidated Debt Ratio test and/or any Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio test) (any such amounts, the “Incurrence-Based Amounts”), it is understood and agreed that the Fixed Amounts shall be disregarded in the calculation of the financial ratio or test applicable to the Incurrence-Based Amounts (and thereafter, incurrence of the portion of such amount under the Fixed Amount shall be included in such calculation).

ARTICLE II.

THE NOTES

Section 2.01    Form and Dating.

(a)    General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and shall include the Private Placement Legend unless it is removed as contemplated by Section 2.06 hereof. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(b)    Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c)    Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in any Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

33


(d)    Additional Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited, subject to compliance with Sections 2.13 and 4.09 hereof.

Section 2.02    Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Company by manual, electronic or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by at least one Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders, the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in minimum denominations of $2,000 in aggregate principal amount and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Section 2.03    Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the parties may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Holder hereunder for all purposes.

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depository with respect to the Global Notes.

 

34


The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05    Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, promptly after each Record Date, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders.

Section 2.06    Transfer and Exchange.

(a)    Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or to another nominee of the Depository, or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:

 

  (1)

the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depository that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depository or that it has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depository is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depository;

 

  (2)

the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or

 

  (3)

there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes.

Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in clauses (1), (2) or (3) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names, and issued in any approved denominations, as requested by or on behalf of the Depository to the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the events described in clauses (1), (2) or (3) above and

 

35


pursuant to clause (c) below. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (d) hereof.

The Company shall be responsible for making calculations called for under the Notes, including but not limited to determination of redemption price, premium, if any, and any additional amounts or other amounts payable on the Notes. The Company will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on the Holders. The Company will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee when requested by the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification.

(b)    Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depository, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer set forth herein and to the extent required by the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

 

  (1)

Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

 

  (2)

All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar the applicable certificates prescribed by the succeeding sections and subparagraphs and either:

 

  (A)

both:

 

  (i)

a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depository in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depository to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

 

  (ii)

instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

 

36


  (B)

both:

 

  (i)

a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depository in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depository to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

 

  (ii)

instructions given by the Depository to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above

Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof.

 

  (3)

Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

  (A)

if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

  (B)

if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

  (C)

if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a IAI Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

  (4)

Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

  (A)

if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

  (B)

if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take

 

37


  delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (4), if the Company or the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company or the Registrar, as applicable, to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer or exchange is effected at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests so transferred or exchanged.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c)    Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

 

  (1)

Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clause (1), (2) or (3) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

  (A)

if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

 

  (B)

if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

  (C)

if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

  (D)

if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

  (E)

if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration

 

38


  requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

 

  (F)

if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

  (G)

if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depository and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

  (2)

Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clause (1), (2) or (3) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

  (A)

if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

 

  (B)

if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (2), if the Company or the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company or the Registrar, as

 

39


applicable, to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

  (3)

Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clause (1), (2) or (3) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Unrestricted Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depository and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d)    Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

 

  (1)

Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

  (A)

if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

 

  (B)

if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

  (C)

if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

  (D)

if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in

 

40


  accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

  (E)

if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

 

  (F)

if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

  (G)

if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Restricted Global Note pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof.

 

  (2)

Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

 

  (A)

if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

 

  (B)

if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (2), if the Company or the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company or the Registrar, as applicable, to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

41


Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

 

  (3)

Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of an applicable Unrestricted Global Note.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (2) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so exchanged or transferred.

(e)    Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

 

  (1)

Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

  (A)

if the transfer will be made to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

  (B)

if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

  (C)

if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

42


  (2)

Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

  (A)

if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

 

  (B)

if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (2), if the Company or the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company or the Registrar, as applicable, to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

  (3)

Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f)    Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

  (1)

Private Placement Legend.

 

  (A)

Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), IN THE CASE OF

 

43


REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S, ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS NOT A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AND THAT IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF ANOTHER INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SECURITIES OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE FURTHER AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.

IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER THEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES OR WILL CONSTITUTE THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), A PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (COLLECTIVELY, “SIMILAR LAWS”), OR OF AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REGULATION 29 C.F.R. SECTION 2510.3-101, AS MODIFIED BY SECTION 3(42) OF ERISA) OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT (EACH A “PLAN”), OR (2) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS.

 

44


FURTHER, IF THE INVESTOR IS A PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE (AN “ERISA PLAN”), SUCH INVESTOR WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT (I) NONE OF THE COMPANY, INITIAL PURCHASERS, TRUSTEE, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES, HAS PROVIDED ANY INVESTMENT ADVICE ON WHICH IT, OR ANY FIDUCIARY OR OTHER PERSON INVESTING THE ASSETS OF THE ERISA PLAN (“PLAN FIDUCIARY”), HAS RELIED IN CONNECTION WITH ITS DECISION TO INVEST IN THE SECURITIES, AND THEY ARE NOT OTHERWISE ACTING AS A FIDUCIARY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(21) OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975(E)(3) OF THE CODE, TO THE ERISA PLAN OR THE PLAN FIDUCIARY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ERISA PLAN’S ACQUISITION OF THE NOTES; AND (II) THE PLAN FIDUCIARY IS EXERCISING ITS OWN INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT IN EVALUATING THE TRANSACTION.”

 

  (B)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2) or (e)(3) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

  (2)

Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depository):

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITORY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(g)    Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has

 

45


been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(h)    General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

 

  (1)

To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

 

  (2)

No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.04 hereof).

 

  (3)

The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

 

  (4)

All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

  (5)

Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required:

 

  (A)

to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes for a period of 30 days prior to the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed;

 

  (B)

to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

 

  (C)

to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note (i) selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part or (ii) that have been tendered and not withdrawn in connection with any Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer, Net Proceeds Offer or other tender offer; or

 

46


  (D)

to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

 

  (6)

Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered on the Register as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

  (7)

The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

 

  (8)

All orders, certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

None of the Trustee or any Agent shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Definitive Note or Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof and to examine the register to determine the owner of such Note.

None of the Trustee or any Agent shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner in a Global Note, a Participant or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any Participant, with respect to any ownership interest in a Global Note or with respect to the delivery to any Participant, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository or its nominee) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount (other than the Depository or its nominee), under or with respect to such Global Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes and this Indenture shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of the Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in the Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the Applicable Procedures. The Trustee and the Agents shall be entitled to rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, Participants and any beneficial owners. The Trustee and the Agents shall be entitled to deal with the Depository, and any nominee thereof, that is the Holder of any Global Note for all purposes of this Indenture relating to such Global Note (including the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest and additional amounts, if any, and the giving of instructions or directions by or to the owner or holder of a beneficial ownership interest in such Global Note) as the sole holder of such Global Note and shall have no obligations to the beneficial owners thereof. None of the Trustee or any Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of the Depository with respect to such Global Note for the records of any such Depository, including records in respect of beneficial ownership interests in respect of any such Global Note, for any transactions between the Depository and any Participant or between or among the Depository, any such Participant and/or any holder or owner of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any such Global Note.

 

47


Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall be responsible for ascertaining whether any transfer complies with the registration provisions of or exemptions from the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws, ERISA (or any substantially similar federal, state or local law), the Code, or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Global Note, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository (or its nominee), as a Holder, with respect to such Global Note or shall impair, as between the Depository and owners of beneficial interests in such Global Note, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of the Depository (or its nominee) as Holder of such Global Note.

Section 2.07    Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08    Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09    Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

 

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Section 2.10    Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.11    Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of all Notes in accordance with its customary procedures. Upon written request in the form of a Company Order, the Company may direct the Trustee to deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company. Subject to Section 2.07, the Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12    Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest. At the Company’s election provided in writing to the Trustee, the Company may pay defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Section 2.13    Issuance of Additional Notes. 

The Company shall be entitled, upon delivery of an Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel and Authentication Order, to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture which shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price and, if applicable, the initial interest accrual date and the initial interest payment date, subject to compliance with Section 4.09 hereof. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes issued will be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number.

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in a resolution of its Board of Directors and an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information: (1) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, (2) the issue price, the date of issuance and the CUSIP number of such Additional Notes and (3) that the issuance of such Additional Notes does not contravene Section 4.09 hereof.

 

49


ARTICLE III.

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

Section 3.01    Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least three Business Days prior to the giving of a notice of redemption (unless a shorter time is agreed to by the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate setting forth:

 

  (1)

the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

 

  (2)

the redemption date;

 

  (3)

the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

 

  (4)

the redemption price.

If the redemption price is not known at the time such notice is to be given, the redemption price shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the redemption date.

Section 3.02    Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select the Notes for redemption (1) in compliance with the requirements of the principal securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed (so long as the Trustee has actual knowledge of such listing), (2) if the Notes are not so listed or such exchange prescribes no method of selection, in compliance with the requirements of DTC, or (3) if the Notes are not so listed or such exchange prescribes no method of selection, and the Notes are not held through DTC or DTC prescribes no method of selection, on a pro rata basis, by lot, or by such other method as the Trustee deems appropriate, subject to adjustments so that no Note in an unauthorized denomination remains outstanding after such redemption; provided, however, that no Note of $2,000 in aggregate principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part.

Section 3.03    Notice of Redemption.

At least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, or deliver electronically, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles VIII or XI hereof.

The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:

 

  (1)

the redemption date;

 

  (2)

the redemption price (if then determined and otherwise the method of determination);

 

50


  (3)

if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued (or transferred by book entry) upon cancellation of the original Note;

 

  (4)

the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

  (5)

that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

  (6)

that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

  (7)

the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

 

  (8)

that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least three Business Days prior to the giving of a notice of redemption (unless a shorter time is agreed to by the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Notice of any redemption of the Notes may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. If such redemption or purchase is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived by the Company (in its sole discretion), or such redemption or purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

Section 3.04    Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed or sent in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, except as may be provided in Section 3.03 if any such redemption is subject to any condition precedent, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price.

The notice of redemption, if sent or mailed in the manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note.

 

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Section 3.05    Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

Prior to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (or such later time as may be agreed to by the Paying Agent or Trustee), on any redemption or purchase date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on, Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, then, unless the Company defaults in the payment of such redemption price plus accrued interest, if any, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders whose Notes will be subject to redemption by the Company. If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06    Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder (or transfer by book-entry) at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07    Optional Redemption.

(a)    At any time prior to May 15, 2024, the Notes will be redeemable, at the Company’s option, in whole or in part from time to time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

(b)    In addition, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part from time to time, at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount thereof) plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 15 of the years set forth below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2024

     102.125

2025

     101.063

2026 and thereafter

     100.000

(c)    At any time, or from time to time, prior to May 15, 2024 the Company may, at its option, use an amount of cash up to the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings to redeem, up to 40% of the principal amount of the Notes (including any Additional Notes) outstanding under this Indenture at a redemption price of 104.250% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided that:

 

  (1)

at least 50% of the principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) outstanding under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after any such redemption (unless all such Notes are redeemed concurrently); and

 

52


  (2)

the Company makes such redemption not more than 180 days after the consummation of any such Equity Offering.

(d)    Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

(e)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in connection with any Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer, Net Proceeds Offer or other tender offer, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not validly withdraw such Notes in such Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer, Net Proceeds Offer or other tender offer and the Company, or any third party making a such Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer, Net Proceeds Offer or other tender offer in lieu of the Company, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, all of the Holders and Beneficial Holders of the Notes will be deemed to have consented to such offer, and, accordingly, the Company or such third party will have the right upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer, Net Proceeds Offer or other tender offer plus, to the extent not included, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, such redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

Section 3.08    Mandatory Redemption.

Except as described under Section 4.10 and Section 4.15, the Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

ARTICLE IV.

COVENANTS

Section 4.01    Payment of Notes.

The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the due date money deposited by or on behalf of the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due.

The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding or case under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding or case under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

53


Section 4.02    Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in the United States, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands; provided that the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall not be an office or agency of the Company for the purpose of service of legal process against the Company.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the United States for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03    Reports.

(a)    So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Trustee, within 15 days after the time periods specified below:

 

  (1)

within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, all financial information (including audited financial statements) of the Company that would be required to be contained in an annual report on Form 10-K, or any successor or comparable form, filed with the SEC, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm;

 

  (2)

within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, all financial information of the Company that would be required to be contained in a quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form, filed with the SEC; and

 

  (3)

within four Business Days after the occurrence of an event that would be required to be reported on Form 8-K filed or furnished with the SEC if the Company were required to file such reports;

in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form, except as described above or below and subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of information in the Offering Memorandum; provided, that the foregoing shall not obligate the Company to (i) make available any information otherwise required to be included on a Form 8-K regarding the occurrence of any such events if the Company determines in its good faith judgment that such event that

 

54


would otherwise be required to be disclosed is not material to the Holders of the Notes or the business, assets, operations, financial positions or prospects of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (ii) make available copies of any agreements, financial statements or other items that would be required to be filed as exhibits to such report.

(b)    Notwithstanding Section 4.03(a), the Company shall not be required to (i) comply with Regulation G under the Exchange Act or Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K with respect to any “non-GAAP” financial information contained in any report required by clauses (1), (2) and (3) of Section 4.03(a), (ii) provide any information that is not otherwise similar to information currently included in the Offering Memorandum or (iii) provide the type of information contemplated by Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X with respect to financial statements of affiliates whose securities collateralize certain securities or Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X with respect to separate financial statements for Guarantors or any financial statements for unconsolidated subsidiaries or 50% or less owned persons contemplated by Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X or any schedules required by Regulation S-X, or in each case any successor provisions. In addition, notwithstanding Section 4.03(a) or the foregoing, the Company will not be required to (i) comply with Sections 302, 906 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or (ii) otherwise furnish any information, certificates or reports required by Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K. To the extent any such information is not so filed or furnished, as applicable, within the time periods specified in Section 4.03(a) and such information is subsequently filed or furnished, as applicable, the Company will be deemed to have satisfied its obligations with respect thereto at such time (but without regard to the date on which such report was due) and any Default with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been cured. In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, the Company will agree that, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, it will furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(c)    At any time that any of the Company’s Subsidiaries are Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Excluded Subsidiaries and the assets or operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Excluded Subsidiaries taken as a whole are material to the assets or operations of the Company and all of its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, then the annual and quarterly financial information required by Section 4.03(a) will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, or in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

(d)    Substantially concurrently with the furnishing or making such information available to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.03, the Company shall also post copies of such information required by this Section 4.03 on a website (which may be nonpublic and may be maintained by the Company or a third party) to which access will be given to the Trustee and the Holders, prospective investors in the Notes (which prospective investors shall be limited to “qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A of the Securities Act or Non-U.S. persons that certify their status as such to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company), and securities analysts and market making financial institutions that are reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

(e)    The Trustee shall have no obligation to determine if and when the Company’s financial statements or reports are publicity available and accessible electronically. Delivery of these reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of them will not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates). The Trustee

 

55


shall have no duty to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, whether the Company has complied with its filing or reporting obligations with the SEC or EDGAR or on any website required under this Indenture.

(f)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 4.03, if the Company has furnished or filed the reports or other information described in this Section 4.03 with respect to the Company with the SEC via EDGAR (or any successor reporting system of the SEC), the Company shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this Section 4.03.

Section 4.04    Compliance Certificate.

(a)    The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ended after the Issue Date, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has complied with this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to his or her knowledge the Company has complied with this Indenture and no Default or Event of Default has occurred during such period (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b)    So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 15 Business Days after an Officer becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05    Taxes.

The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.06    Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07    Restricted Payments.

(a)    The Company shall not, and shall not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

  (1)

declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution (other than dividends or distributions payable in Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or dividends or

 

56


  distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) on or in respect of shares of the Company’s Capital Stock to holders of such Capital Stock;

 

  (2)

purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Capital Stock of the Company or any Parent or any warrants, rights or options to purchase or acquire shares of any class of such Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock within 365 days of the Stated Maturity thereof);

 

  (3)

make any principal payment on, purchase, defease, redeem, prepay, decrease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, earlier than one year prior to any scheduled final maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Subordinated Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries); or

 

  (4)

make any Investment (other than Permitted Investments);

(each of the foregoing actions set forth in clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) being referred to as a “Restricted Payment”), if at the time of such Restricted Payment or immediately after giving effect thereto,

 

  (i)

a Default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

  (ii)

the Company is not able to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness in compliance with Section 4.09(a); or

 

  (iii)

the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments (including such proposed Restricted Payment) made on or subsequent to the Issue Date (the amount expended for such purposes, if other than in cash, being the fair market value of such property as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) shall exceed the sum, without duplication, of:

(v) 50% of the cumulative Consolidated Net Income (or if cumulative Consolidated Net Income shall be a loss, minus 100% of such loss) of the Company earned on or after the first day of the fiscal quarter of the Company in which the Issue Date occurs and on or prior to the date the Restricted Payment occurs (the “Reference Date”) (treating such period as a single accounting period); plus

(w) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of readily marketable securities or other property received by the Company from any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company) from (i) the issuance and sale subsequent to the Issue Date and on or prior to the Reference Date of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or (ii) from the issue and sale subsequent to the Issue Date and on or prior to the Reference Date of Disqualified Capital Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company, in the case of this clause (ii), that has been converted into or exchanged for Qualified Capital Stock; plus

(x) without duplication of any amounts included in clause (iii)(x) above, 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and fair market value of readily marketable securities or other property, of any equity contribution received by

 

57


the Company subsequent to the Issue Date (excluding, in the case of clause (iii)(w) of this Section 4.07 and this clause (x), any such net cash proceeds to the extent used to (i) redeem the Notes in compliance with Section 3.07(c) or (2) to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to clauses (2) or (3) of the immediately succeeding paragraph); plus

(y) the sum of:

(1) the aggregate amount in cash and fair market value of other property returned on or with respect to Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made subsequent to the Issue Date whether through interest payments, principal payments, dividends, by merger, consolidation amalgamation or other distribution, payment, sale or transfer;

(2) the net cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries subsequent to the Issue Date from the disposition of all or any portion of such Investments (other than to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company); and

(3) upon redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary (except to the extent the Investment constituted a Permitted Investment), the fair market value of such Subsidiary;

provided, however, that the sum of subclauses (y)(1), (y)(2) and (y)(3) above shall not exceed the aggregate amount of all such Investments made subsequent to the Issue Date; plus

(z) $100.0 million.

(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions set forth in Section 4.07(a) do not prohibit:

 

  (1)

the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if the dividend, distribution or redemption payment would have been permitted on the date of declaration or giving of the redemption notice;

 

  (2)

if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the acquisition of any shares of Capital Stock of the Company, either (i) solely in exchange for shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or (ii) through the application of net proceeds of a substantially concurrent sale for cash (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company with a sale being deemed to be substantially concurrent if the applicable Restricted Payment occurs within 60 days thereof;

 

  (3)

if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the acquisition of any Subordinated Indebtedness, the acquisition of Disqualified Capital Stock, or the making of any other Restricted Payment, in each case, either (i) solely in exchange for shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, or (ii) in exchange for, or by conversion into, or through the application of net proceeds of a substantially concurrent sale for cash (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company), of (a) shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or (b) Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

58


  (4)

if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions by the Company of Common Stock of the Company (or options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Common Stock) from present, future or former directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their authorized representatives upon the death, disability, retirement or termination of employment of such directors, officers, employees or consultants, in an aggregate amount not to exceed the sum of (x) $10.0 million in any fiscal year and (y) the amount of Restricted Payments permitted but not made pursuant to this clause (4) in prior fiscal years; provided that no more than $20.0 million may be carried forward to any succeeding fiscal year; provided, further, however, that such amount in any fiscal year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

 

  (A)

the cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company to present, future or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries subsequent to the Issue Date (provided that the amount of cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (4)(iii) of Section 4.07(a)); plus

 

  (B)

the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date;

provided that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiary from any present, future or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Capital Stock of the Company will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provision of this Indenture;

 

  (5)

if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, other Restricted Payments in an amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $65.0 million or (ii) 6.0% of Consolidated Total Assets;

 

  (6)

additional Restricted Payments; provided, however, that (i) after giving pro forma effect to any such Restricted Payment, the Consolidated Debt Ratio shall be less than or equal to 3.0 to 1.00 and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

  (7)

in the event of a Change of Control, and if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor, in each case at a purchase price not greater than 101% of the principal amount of such Subordinated Indebtedness, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided, however, that prior to, or concurrently with, such payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, the

 

59


  Company (or a third party to the extent permitted by this Indenture) has made a Change of Control Offer (if so required by this Indenture) with respect to the Notes as a result of such Change of Control and has repurchased all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn in connection with such Change of Control Offer;

 

  (8)

in the event of an Asset Sale that requires the Company to offer to repurchase Notes pursuant to Section 4.10, and if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor, in each case at a purchase price not greater than 100% of the principal amount of such Subordinated Indebtedness, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided, however, that (A) prior to, or concurrently with, such payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement, the Company has made an offer (if so required by this Indenture) with respect to the Notes pursuant to Section 4.10 and has repurchased all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn in connection with such offer and (B) the aggregate amount of all such payments, purchases, redemptions, defeasances or other acquisitions or retirements of all such Subordinated Indebtedness may not exceed the amount of the Net Cash Proceeds remaining after the Company has complied with Section 4.10(a)(3);

 

  (9)

repurchases, redemption, retirement or other acquisition for value of Common Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, warrants, rights or other Equity Interests if the Common Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof or withholding taxes payable in connection with the exercise thereof;

 

  (10)

payments or distributions, in the nature of satisfaction of dissenters’ rights, pursuant to or in connection with an amalgamation, consolidation, merger or transfer of assets that complies with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

  (11)

the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of Equity Interests upon exercise or conversion of securities exercisable or convertible into Equity Interests of the Company or in connection with a share dividend, distribution, share split or reverse share split, amalgamation, consolidation or merger;

 

  (12)

the payment of cash dividends in an aggregate amount not to exceed in any fiscal year the greater of (A) $20.0 million or (B) 20% of Consolidated EBITDA; and

 

  (13)

the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness (including the payment of any required premium and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement) with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.

In determining the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made on or subsequent to the Issue Date in accordance with Section 4.07(a)(iii), amounts expended pursuant to Section 4.07(b)(1) shall be included in such calculation.

 

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For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, in the event that a proposed Restricted Payment (or portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in Section 4.07(b)(1) through (13) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.07(a), the Company will be entitled to divide, classify or re-classify (based on circumstances existing on the date of such reclassification) such Restricted Payment or portion thereof in any manner that complies with this Section 4.07 and such Restricted Payment will be treated as having been made pursuant to only such clause or clauses or Section 4.07(a).

Section 4.08    Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to:

 

  (1)

pay dividends or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (2)

make loans or advances or to pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

  (3)

transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

(b)    The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

  (1)

applicable law, rule, regulation, decree, order, license, permit or similar restriction;

 

  (2)

the Notes, any Additional Notes and the related Note Guarantees and this Indenture;

 

  (3)

customary subletting and non-assignment provisions of any lease or other contract of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

  (4)

any agreement or instrument (including those governing Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or Capital Stock) of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the properties or assets of the Person, or the Equity Interests of the Person, so acquired and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, extensions, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof; provided, that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, extensions, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the reasonable good faith judgment of an Officer of the Company, not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those in effect on the date of the acquisition; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

 

61


  (5)

contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date;

 

  (6)

the Credit Facility and any related documentation or an agreement governing other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided that, with respect to any agreement governing such other Indebtedness, the provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Company as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in its reasonable and good faith judgment than the provisions contained in the Credit Facility or this Indenture as in effect on the Issue Date;

 

  (7)

restrictions on the transfer of assets subject to any Lien permitted under this Indenture imposed by the holder of such Lien;

 

  (8)

restrictions imposed by any agreement to sell assets or Capital Stock permitted under this Indenture to any Person pending the closing of such sale;

 

  (9)

encumbrances or restrictions arising under deferred compensation arrangements or any “rabbi trust” formed in connection with any such arrangement;

 

  (10)

restrictions on cash or Cash Equivalents or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers or suppliers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (11)

customary provisions in joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements and other similar agreements (in each case relating solely to the respective joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or similar entity or the equity interests therein) entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (12)

agreements evidencing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor that is permitted under this Indenture for so long as such Restricted Subsidiary is not a Guarantor;

 

  (13)

customary restrictions on leases, subleases, licenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

 

  (14)

customary restrictions arising in connection with cash or other deposits in connection with Liens permitted under this Indenture; and

 

  (15)

any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, restructurings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (2) and (4) through (14) above; provided, however, that the provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction contained in any such agreements, taken as a whole, are not materially less favorable to the Company as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in its reasonable and good faith judgment than the provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction contained in agreements referred to in such clauses (2) and (4) through (14) above.

 

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Nothing contained in this Section 4.08 shall prevent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from (1) creating, incurring, assuming or suffering to exist any Liens otherwise permitted by Section 4.12 or (2) restricting the sale or other disposition of property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Section 4.09    Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, guarantee, acquire, become liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Acquired Indebtedness); provided, however, that, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Acquired Indebtedness) if on the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence thereof, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company is at least 2.0 to 1.0; provided, further, that any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not or will not, upon such incurrence, become a Guarantor may not incur Indebtedness under this paragraph if, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of such non-Guarantor Subsidiary outstanding under this paragraph at such time would exceed the greater of (A) $35.0 million or (B) 30% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period.

(b)    The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Indebtedness”):

 

  (1)

Indebtedness under the Notes issued on the Issue Date (including the related Note Guarantees);

 

  (2)

Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (a) $275.0 million and (b) an amount such that, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness (and application of the net proceeds therefrom), the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would be no greater than 2.25 to 1.0; provided that, solely for purposes of determining the amount of Indebtedness that may be incurred under clause (2)(b), all Indebtedness incurred under this clause (2) shall be treated as Indebtedness secured by Liens (whether or not is it so secured);

 

  (3)

Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness under clause (1) and (2) of this Section 4.09(b)) (including any amendments or replacements thereof that do not increase the principal amount);

 

  (4)

Swap Obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that such Swap Obligations are entered into for the purpose of mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or property held or reasonably anticipated by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, or changes in the value of securities issued or held by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or held by Death Care Trusts, and in each case, not entered into for purposes of speculation;

 

  (5)

Indebtedness of the Company owing to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company owing to and held by the

 

63


  Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that: (a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, and (b) any sale or other transfer (excluding Permitted Liens) of any such Indebtedness to a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, shall be deemed, in each case, to be the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, not permitted by this clause (5);

 

  (6)

(a) obligations pursuant to any cash management agreement and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and similar arrangements and (b) Indebtedness 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;

 

  (7)

Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries represented by letters of credit, pledges or deposits for the account of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in order to provide security for workers’ compensation claims, payment obligations in connection with health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or life insurance or self-insurance, the purchase of goods or other requirements in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (8)

Indebtedness represented by guarantees by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided that, in the case of a guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary, such Restricted Subsidiary complies with Section 4.17 to the extent applicable;

 

  (9)

Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of bid, payment and performance bonds, bankers’ acceptances, workers’ compensation claims, surety or appeal bonds, payment obligations in connection with insurance or similar obligations, and bank overdrafts (and letters of credit in respect thereof) in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (10)

Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of guarantees, earn-outs, hold backs, incentives, non-competes, consulting, indemnities or obligations (contingent or other) in respect of purchase price adjustments or other indemnities in connection with the acquisition or disposition of assets or Capital Stock;

 

  (11)

Indebtedness of (x) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance an acquisition or (y) Persons that are acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into or amalgamated or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that after giving effect to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, either: (a) the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a); or (b) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would not be lower than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger,

 

64


  amalgamation or consolidation; provided, further, that any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not or will not, upon such incurrence, become a Guarantor may not incur Indebtedness under clause (x) of this clause (11) if, after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of such non-Guarantor Subsidiary outstanding under clause (x) of this clause (11) at such time would exceed the greater of (A) $35.0 million or (B) 35% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period;

 

  (12)

Indebtedness represented by Capitalized Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, including any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, not to exceed the greater of (A) $35.0 million or (B) 35% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period;

 

  (13)

Indebtedness of the Company evidenced by commercial paper issued by the Company; provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (2) of this Section 4.09(b) and this clause (13) does not exceed the maximum amount of Indebtedness permitted under clause (2) of this Section 4.09(b);

 

  (14)

Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness described in clauses (1), (3), (4), (10), (11), (12) and (17) of this Section 4.09(b) and this clause (14);

 

  (15)

Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $30.0 million or 10% of such Foreign Subsidiary’s consolidated total assets;

 

  (16)

Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of $35.0 million and 35% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period;

 

  (17)

Indebtedness to customers incurred in the ordinary course of business, including with respect to Obligations for deferred delivery of goods, services or interment rights, and Obligations for refunds of customer deposits and preneed payments pursuant to the terms of customer contracts or applicable law;

 

  (18)

Indebtedness to Death Care Trusts incurred in the ordinary course of business, including Obligations to Death Care Trusts for the deposit of funds with respect to customer payments for preneed sales of goods, services or interment rights, Obligations to deposit funds with respect to perpetual care or endowed care cemeteries, and Obligations to maintain minimum Death Care Trust balances as required by the governing documents of Death Care Trusts or applicable law;

 

  (19)

Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness issued by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to present, future or former directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their authorized representatives, in each case to finance the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition by the Company of Common Stock of the Company to the extent permitted by Section 4.07(b)(4);

 

65


  (20)

Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (a) the financing of insurance premiums or (b) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business; and

 

  (21)

additional Indebtedness of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, including any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, not to exceed the greater of (A) $70.0 million and (B) 60% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period.

For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness under this Section 4.09, guarantees, Liens or letter of credit obligations supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included. For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that all or a portion of an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (1) through (21) of Section 4.09(b) or is permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a), the Company shall, in its sole discretion, divide, classify (or later reclassify) such item or portion of such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09, including under Section 4.09(a) if such reclassified Indebtedness could then be incurred under such test, except that Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date shall be deemed to have been incurred on the Issue Date under Section 4.09(b)(2) and may not be reclassified. Accrual of interest, accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the payment of dividends on Disqualified Capital Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Capital Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Capital Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09.

If at any time an Unrestricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under this Section 4.09, the Company shall be in default of this Section 4.09).

In the event that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (x) incurs Indebtedness to finance an acquisition or (y) assumes Indebtedness of Persons that are acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into, or consolidated, amalgamated or combined with, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, the date of determination of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or Consolidated EBITDA, as applicable, shall, at the option of the Company, be the date that a definitive agreement for such acquisition is entered into and the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or Consolidated EBITDA, as applicable, shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such acquisition and the other transactions to be entered into in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) consistent with the definition of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio or Consolidated EBITDA, as applicable, and, for the avoidance of doubt, (A) if any such ratios are exceeded as a result of fluctuations in such ratio (including due to fluctuations in the Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of the Company or the target company) at or prior to the consummation of the relevant acquisition, such ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations solely for purposes of determining whether such acquisition and any related transactions are permitted under this Indenture and (B) such ratios shall not be tested at the time of consummation of such acquisition or related transactions; provided that if the Company elects to have such determinations occur at the time of entry into such definitive agreement, (i) any such transaction shall be deemed to have occurred on the date the definitive agreement is entered into and to be outstanding thereafter for purposes of calculating any ratios under this Indenture after the date of such agreement and before the earlier of the date of consummation of such acquisition or the date such

 

66


agreement is terminated or expires without consummation of such acquisition and (ii) to the extent any covenant baskets were utilized in satisfying any covenants, such baskets shall be deemed utilized, but any calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for purposes of other incurrences of Indebtedness or Liens or making of Restricted Payments (not related to such acquisition) shall not reflect such acquisition until it has been consummated.

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt, and the amount of such debt will not be deemed to change as a result of fluctuations in currency exchange rates after such date of incurrence or commitment; provided, that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (a) the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (b) the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, accrued and unpaid interest, premiums (including, without limitation, tender premiums) and other costs and expenses (including, without limitation, original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with such refinancing.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies. The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

(c)    The Company will not, and will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any Indebtedness which by its terms (or by the terms of any agreement governing such Indebtedness) is expressly subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is also by its terms (or by the terms of any agreement governing such Indebtedness) made expressly subordinate to the Notes or the applicable Note Guarantee, as the case may be, to the same extent and in the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated to other Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be. For purposes of the foregoing, no Indebtedness will be deemed to be subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor solely by virtue of such Indebtedness being unsecured or by virtue of the fact that the holders of such Indebtedness have entered into one or more intercreditor agreements giving one or more of such holders priority over the other holders in the collateral held by them.

Section 4.10    Asset Sales.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

 

  (1)

the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at or prior to the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (measured as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Sale) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of (as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors if the fair market value is $25.0 million or more);

 

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  (2)

at least 75% of the consideration received by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from such Asset Sale shall be in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents and shall be received at or prior to the time of such disposition. For purposes of this clause (2), each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:

 

  (A)

(i) any liabilities, as reflected in the most recent consolidated balance sheet (or in the notes thereto) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (or would be reflected on such consolidated balance sheet (or in the notes thereto) as of the date of such Asset Sale), other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee or (ii) any guarantees of Indebtedness of Persons other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, that are assumed by the Person acquiring such assets to the extent that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries have no further liability with respect to such liabilities;

 

  (B)

any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received) within 270 days after receipt; and

 

  (C)

any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, in the aggregate, not to exceed the greater of $30.0 million and 3.0% of Consolidated Total Assets at the time of receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration, with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value;

 

  (3)

upon the consummation of an Asset Sale, the Company shall apply, or cause such Restricted Subsidiary to apply, the Net Cash Proceeds relating to such Asset Sale within 365 days of receipt thereof either:

 

  (A)

to (x) repay Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under any Credit Facility and in the case of any such Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility effect a permanent reduction in the availability under such revolving credit facility (provided, however, that, if there shall not be any term loan indebtedness outstanding under any Credit Facility, in the case of such Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility such prepayment shall not be required to effect a permanent reduction in the availability under such revolving credit facility), (y) repay or reduce Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that does not guarantee the Notes or (z) repay indebtedness secured in whole or in part by the assets or Capital Stock sold in such Asset Sale;

 

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  (B)

to acquire or make an investment in properties or assets that replace the properties and assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale or make an investment in properties or assets (including Capital Stock) that will be used or are useful, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as they are engaged in on the Issue Date or in businesses reasonably related, incidental, ancillary or complimentary thereto (“Replacement Assets”) or to make capital expenditures with respect to properties or assets that are used in or will be used in the business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of this clause (B), a binding commitment within 365 days of the date of the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds shall be treated as a permanent application of the Net Cash Proceeds from the date of such commitment so long as the Company or such other Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment with the good faith expectation that such Net Cash Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment (an “Acceptable Commitment”) and, in the event that any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Cash Proceeds are applied, the Company or such other Restricted Subsidiary enters into another Acceptable Commitment (a “Second Commitment”) within 180 days of such cancellation or termination; provided further that if any Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Cash Proceeds are applied, then such Net Cash Proceeds shall constitute part of the Net Proceeds Offer Amount if not otherwise applied as provided above within 365 days of the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds; or

 

  (C)

a combination of prepayment and investment permitted by the foregoing clauses (3)(A) and (3)(B).

(b)    Subject to Section 4.10(c), if any Net Cash Proceeds have not been applied as provided in clauses (3)(A), (3)(B) and (3)(C) of Section 4.10(a) within the applicable time period or the last provision of this sentence, such Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to make an offer to purchase (the “Net Proceeds Offer”) to all Holders and, to the extent required by the terms of any Pari Passu Indebtedness, to holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, on a date (the “Net Proceeds Offer Payment Date”) not less than 30 nor more than 60 days following the date that triggered the Company’s obligation to make such Net Proceeds Offer, from all Holders (and holders of any such Pari Passu Indebtedness) on a pro rata basis based upon the respective outstanding aggregate principal amounts (or accreted value, as applicable) of the Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness on the date the Net Proceeds Offer is made, the maximum amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased with the Net Proceeds Offer Amount at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of the Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to but excluding the date of purchase; provided, however, that if at any time any non-cash consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be, in connection with any Asset Sale is converted into or sold or otherwise disposed of for cash (other than interest received with respect to any such non-cash consideration), then such conversion or disposition shall be deemed to constitute an Asset Sale hereunder and the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be applied in accordance with this Section 4.10.

(c)    The Company may make a Net Proceeds Offer at any time and from time to time in advance of its obligation to make a Net Proceeds Offer pursuant to Section 4.10(b). The Company may also defer any Net Proceeds Offer until there is an aggregate unutilized Net Proceeds Offer amount equal

 

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to or in excess of $25.0 million resulting from one or more Asset Sales (at which time, the entire unutilized Net Proceeds Offer amount, and not just the amount in excess of $25.0 million, shall be applied as required pursuant to this paragraph). Upon completion of each Net Proceeds Offer, the amount of unutilized Net Proceeds Offer amount will be reset at zero.

(d)    In the event of the transfer of substantially all (but not all) of the property and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as an entirety to a Person in a transaction permitted under Section 5.01, which transaction does not constitute a Change of Control, the Surviving Entity shall be deemed to have sold the properties and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries not so transferred for purposes of this Section 4.10 and shall comply with the provisions of this Section 4.10 with respect to such deemed sale as if it were an Asset Sale. In addition, the fair market value of such properties and assets of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries deemed to be sold shall be deemed to be Net Cash Proceeds for purposes of this Section 4.10.

(e)    Notwithstanding Sections 4.10(a) and 4.10(b), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will be permitted to consummate an Asset Sale without complying with such sections to the extent that:

 

  (1)

at least 75% of the consideration for such Asset Sale constitutes Replacement Assets; and

 

  (2)

such Asset Sale is for fair market value; provided that any consideration not constituting Replacement Assets received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any Asset Sale permitted to be consummated under this Section 4.10(e) shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds subject to the provisions of Sections 4.10(a) and 4.10(b).

(f)    Each Net Proceeds Offer will be sent to the record Holders as shown on the register of Holders within 25 days following the date triggering the Company obligation to make such Net Proceeds Offer, with a copy to the Trustee, and shall comply with the procedures set forth in this Indenture. Upon receiving notice of the Net Proceeds Offer, Holders may elect to tender their Notes in whole or in part in integral multiples of $2,000 in exchange for cash. To the extent Holders properly tender Notes in an amount exceeding the pro rata portion of the Net Proceeds Offer Amount applicable to the Notes, the tendered Notes will be purchased in accordance with the Applicable Procedures if the Notes are in global form or, if there are no such Applicable Procedures, on a pro rata basis (based on amounts tendered). A Net Proceeds Offer shall remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days or such longer period as may be required by law.

(g)    The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with this Section 4.10, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.10 by virtue thereof.

Section 4.11    Transactions with Affiliates.

(a)    The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with, or for the benefit of, any of its Affiliates involving aggregate value in excess of $10.0 million (each an “Affiliate Transaction”), other than:

 

  (1)

Affiliate Transactions permitted under Section 4.11(b); and

 

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  (2)

Affiliate Transactions on terms, taken as a whole, that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that might reasonably have been obtained in a comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

If any such Affiliate Transaction (or a series of related Affiliate Transactions which are similar or part of a common plan) (x) involves aggregate payments or other property with a Fair Market Value in excess of $10.0 million but less than or equal to $25.0 million, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this covenant and (y) involves aggregate payments or other property with a Fair Market Value in excess of $25.0 million, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall file with the Trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 4.11 and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

(b)    The restrictions set forth in Section 4.11(a) shall not apply to:

 

  (1)

indemnification, employment, consultancy, advisory, services or separation agreements or arrangements, compensation plans and benefit plans or arrangements and any transactions contemplated by any of the foregoing, including equity awards, equity options, equity appreciation awards, the payment of compensation, fees and reimbursement of expenses to, and customary indemnities (including under customary insurance policies) and employee benefit and pension expenses, in each case, in respect of or provided on behalf of, existing, future or former directors, officers, consultants or employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (whether directly or indirectly and including through any Person owned or controlled by any of such directors, officers or employees) as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors or senior management;

 

  (2)

transactions exclusively between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or exclusively between or among such Restricted Subsidiaries (including any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such transaction);

 

  (3)

(A) any agreement or arrangement as in effect as of the Issue Date (or transactions pursuant thereto), (B) any other agreements or arrangements pursuant to or in connection with the Transactions or (C) any amendment, modification or supplement to the agreements referenced in clause (A) or (B) of this Section 4.11(b)(3) or any replacement thereof, so long as the terms of such agreement or arrangement, as so amended, modified, supplemented or replaced, are not materially more disadvantageous to the Company when taken as a whole compared to the applicable agreements or arrangements as in effect on the Issue

 

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  Date or as described in the Offering Memorandum, as applicable, as determined in good faith by an Officer of the Company or the Company’s Board of Directors;

 

  (4)

Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments not prohibited by this Indenture;

 

  (5)

transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, which are fair to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors or the senior management of the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary, or are on terms not materially less favorable than those that could reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

 

  (6)

issuances or sales of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Company or options, warrants or other rights to acquire such Capital Stock and the granting of registration and other customary rights in connection therewith or any contribution to capital of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

  (7)

transactions in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of Section 4.11(a)(2);

 

  (8)

payments to or the receipt of payments from, and the entry into and the consummation of transactions with, joint ventures (to the extent any such joint venture is only an Affiliate as a result of Investments by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in such joint venture) to the extent otherwise permitted by this Indenture, so long as such payments or transactions are on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be obtained in a comparable transaction at the time of such transaction;

 

  (9)

the Transactions and the payment of all fees, expenses, bonuses and awards related thereto;

 

  (10)

transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries owns an equity interest in such Person;

 

  (11)

the pledge of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries, Excluded Subsidiaries or joint ventures to support the indebtedness thereof;

 

  (12)

transactions between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and any Person, a director of which is also a director of the Company; provided, that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Company on any matter involving such other Person;

 

  (13)

transactions with a Person who is not an Affiliate immediately before the consummation of such transaction that becomes an Affiliate as a result of such transaction;

 

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  (14)

payments by the Company (or any other direct or indirect parent of the Company) or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any tax sharing, allocation or similar agreement;

 

  (15)

transactions between or among the Company and any Unrestricted Subsidiary or Excluded Subsidiary; and

 

  (16)

transactions permitted by, and complying with, Section 5.01 hereof.

Section 4.12    Liens.

(a)    The Company will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind against or upon any property, assets or revenues of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Permitted Liens) (such Lien, the “Initial Lien”), whether owned on the Issue Date or acquired after the Issue Date, or any proceeds therefrom, or assign or otherwise convey any right to receive income or profits therefrom unless:

 

  (1)

in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes or the Note Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; and

 

  (2)

in all other cases, the Notes or Note Guarantees, as the case may be, are equally and ratably secured.

(b)    Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to Section 4.12(a) shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Initial Lien.

(c)    For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.12, (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens described in clauses (1) through (37) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens described in clauses (1) through (37) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a), the Company shall, in its sole discretion, divide, classify, or later divide, classify or reclassify, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien in one of the clauses of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness will be treated as being incurred or existing pursuant to only one of such clauses or pursuant to Section 4.12(a).

With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The “Increased Amount” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock of the same class, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness described in subclause (4) of the first paragraph of the definition of “Indebtedness.”

 

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Section 4.13    Conduct of Business.

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any businesses other than a Permitted Business, except to such extent as would not, as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors, be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Section 4.14    Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article V hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things reasonably necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

 

  (A)

its corporate existence in accordance with its organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time); and

 

  (B)

the rights (charter and statutory) of the Company;

provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Section 4.15    Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

(a)    Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder will have the right to require that the Company purchase all or a portion of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to the offer described below (a “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date that is prior to the Change of Control Payment Date).

Within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of Control occurred (or prior to the Change of Control if a definitive agreement for the Change of Control is in place), the Company shall send a written notice to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, which notice shall govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer. Such notice shall state:

 

  (1)

that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15;

 

  (2)

the purchase price and the purchase date, which (unless otherwise required by law) shall be no earlier than 20 Business Days and no later than 90 days from the date such notice is sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

 

  (3)

that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest in accordance with this Indenture;

 

  (4)

that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

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  (5)

that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Trustee at the address specified in the notice (or, if a Global Note, by following the Applicable Procedures) prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

  (6)

that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and

 

  (7)

that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

(b)    On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

 

  (1)

accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

  (2)

deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered and not properly withdrawn; and

 

  (3)

deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased.

The Paying Agent will promptly deliver (but in any case not later than three Business Days after the Change of Control Payment Date) to each Holder properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set

 

75


forth in this Section 4.15 and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, (2) a notice of redemption has been given for all of the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price or the redemption is not consummated due to the failure of a condition precedent contained in the applicable redemption notice to be satisfied, (3) in connection with or in contemplation of any Change of Control, the Company has made an offer to purchase (an “Alternate Offer”) any and all Notes validly tendered at a cash price equal to or higher than the purchase price for a Change of Control Offer and has purchased all Notes properly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Alternate Offer or (4) the Notes have been satisfied and discharged in accordance with Section 11.01.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, subject to one or more conditions precedent, including but not limited to the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer is made. In such a case, the related notice shall describe such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the purchase date may be delayed until such time as such condition shall be satisfied, or such purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that such condition shall not have been satisfied by the purchase date, or by the purchase date as so delayed. The closing date of any such Change of Control Offer made in advance of a Change of Control may be changed to conform to the actual closing date of the Change of Control; provided that such closing date is not earlier than 20 Business Days nor later than 90 days from the date the Change of Control Offer notice is sent as described in Section 4.15(a) above.

Section 4.16    Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries.

The Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors to issue any Preferred Stock (other than to the Company or to a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) or permit any Person (other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) to own any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor.

Section 4.17    Additional Subsidiary Note Guarantees.

If any existing or future Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not already a Guarantor shall guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor under (i) a Credit Facility or (ii) Capital Markets Indebtedness, in either case, in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100.0 million, then the Company shall cause such Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

  (1)

execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes and this Indenture on the terms set forth in this Indenture; and

 

  (2)

deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that contains the statements set forth in Section 12.03 and that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Restricted Subsidiary and that such supplemental indenture complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

Thereafter, such Restricted Subsidiary shall be a Guarantor for all purposes of this Indenture until such Restricted Subsidiary is released from its Note Guarantee as provided in this Indenture.

 

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Any Excluded Subsidiary need not become a Guarantor under this Indenture for so long as it remains an Excluded Subsidiary.

The form of such supplemental indenture is attached as Exhibit E hereto.

Section 4.18    Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

The Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be either an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 or a Permitted Investment under one or more clauses of the definition of “Permitted Investments,” as determined by the Company. The designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09, the Company will be in default of such covenant.

The Company may at any time redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the Applicable Measurement Period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation. Any such designation by the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions.

Section 4.19    Changes in Covenants When Notes Rated Investment Grade.

Beginning on the date following the Issue Date that:

 

  (1)

the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating; and

 

  (2)

no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,

and ending on the date (the “Reversion Date”) that either Rating Agency ceases to have an Investment Grade Rating on the Notes (such period of time, the “Suspension Period”), the following Sections of this Indenture will no longer be applicable to the Notes:

 

  (1)

Section 4.09 (Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness);

 

  (2)

Section 4.07 (Restricted Payments);

 

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  (3)

Section 4.10 (Asset Sales);

 

  (4)

Section 4.08 (Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries);

 

  (5)

Section 5.01(a)(2) (Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets);

 

  (6)

Section 4.11 (Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates); and

 

  (7)

Section 4.17 (Additional Subsidiary Note Guarantees).

During a Suspension Period, the Company’s Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries unless the Company would have been permitted to designate such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if a Suspension Period had not been in effect for any period, and, following the Reversion Date, such designation shall be deemed to have created an Investment or a Permitted Investment pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 4.18.

On the Reversion Date, all Indebtedness incurred during the Suspension Period will be classified to have been incurred pursuant to and permitted under Section 4.09(a) or one of the clauses set forth in Section 4.09(b) (to the extent such Indebtedness would be permitted to be incurred thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness incurred prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent any Indebtedness would not be permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) or any of the clauses set forth in Section 4.09(b), such Indebtedness will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as Permitted Indebtedness under Section 4.09(b)(3) and permitted to be refinanced under Section 4.09(b)(14). All Liens and Investments in existence on the Reversion Date will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date. For purposes of Section 4.10, on the Reversion Date, the amount of unutilized Net Proceeds Offer amount will be reset to zero.

Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 will be made as though Section 4.07 had been in effect during the entire period of time after the Issue Date (including the Suspension Period) and all Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period not otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 4.07(b) will not constitute a Default or Event of Default but will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a)(iii), but not below zero. In addition, for purposes of Section 4.11, all agreements, arrangements and transactions entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with an Affiliate of the Company during the applicable Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Date will be deemed to have been entered into on or prior to the Issue Date, and for purposes of Section 4.08, all contracts entered into during the applicable Suspension Period prior to such Reversion Date that contain any of the restrictions contemplated by such covenant will be deemed to have been existing on the Issue Date.

Notwithstanding the fact that covenants suspended during a Suspension Period may be reinstated, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with such covenants during the Suspension Period or at the time such covenants are reinstated.

The Company shall give the Trustee written notice of the start of any Suspension Period and in any event not later than five (5) Business Days after such Suspension Period has begun. The Company shall give the Trustee written notice of any occurrence of a Reversion Date not later than five (5) Business Days after such Reversion Date. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the ratings of the Notes, shall

 

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not be deemed to have any knowledge of the ratings of the Notes and shall have no duty to notify Holders if the Notes achieve an Investment Grade Rating or of any Suspension Period or Reversion Date.

ARTICLE V.

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01    Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets.

(a)    The Company will not, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, amalgamate, consolidate or merge with or into any Person, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of (or cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of) all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (determined on a consolidated basis for the Company and the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries), whether as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, to any Person unless:

 

  (1)

either:

 

  (A)

the Company shall be the surviving or continuing corporation; or

 

  (B)

the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is amalgamated, merged or the Person which acquires by sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition the properties and assets of the Company and of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety (the “Surviving Entity”):

 

  (i)

shall be an entity organized or validly existing under the laws of the United States or any State or territory thereof or the District of Columbia; provided that in the case where the Surviving Entity is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation shall be an entity organized or validly existing under the laws of the United States or any State or territory thereof or the District of Columbia; and

 

  (ii)

shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on all of the Notes and the performance of every covenant of the Notes and this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

 

  (2)

immediately after giving effect to such transaction and the assumption contemplated by Section 5.01(a)(1)(B)(ii) (including giving effect to any Indebtedness and Acquired Indebtedness incurred or anticipated to be incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction), the Company or such Surviving Entity, as the case may be, (a) would be able to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Section 4.09(a) or (b) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would not be lower than it was immediately prior to such transaction;

 

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  (3)

immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction and the assumption contemplated by Section 5.01(a)(1)(B)(ii) above, if applicable (including, without limitation, giving effect to any Indebtedness and Acquired Indebtedness incurred or anticipated to be incurred and any Lien granted in connection with or in respect of the transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing; and

 

 

  (4)

the Company or the Surviving Entity shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such amalgamation, consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and that all conditions precedent in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, the Capital Stock of which constitutes all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.

(b)    Any amalgamation, merger or consolidation of, or sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of assets by, a Guarantor with the Company (with the Company being the surviving entity in case of an amalgamation, merger of consolidation) or another Guarantor that is a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company need only comply with Section 5.01(a)(4).

Section 5.02    Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any amalgamation, consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is amalgamated, merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such amalgamation, consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein and thereafter the predecessor Person shall be released and discharged of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof and, provided further, all such financial information and reports required by this Indenture shall be provided by and for such successor Person.

ARTICLE VI.

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01    Events of Default.

(a)    Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

 

  (1)

the failure to pay interest on any Notes when the same becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

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  (2)

the failure to pay the principal on any Notes, when such principal becomes due and payable, at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise (including the failure to make a payment to purchase Notes tendered pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or a Net Proceeds Offer on the date specified for such payment in the applicable offer to purchase);

 

  (3)

failure by the Company for 120 days after written notice by the Trustee or Holders representing 25% or more of the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding to comply with Section 4.03;

 

  (4)

a default in the observance or performance of any other covenants or agreements which default continues for a period of 60 days after the Company receives written notice specifying the default (and demanding that such default be remedied) from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes (except, in the case of a default with respect to Section 5.01 which will constitute an Event of Default with such notice requirement but without such passage of time requirement);

 

  (5)

the failure to pay at final stated maturity (giving effect to any applicable grace periods and any extensions thereof) the principal amount of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than Indebtedness owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), or the acceleration of the final stated maturity of any such Indebtedness (which acceleration is not rescinded, annulled, waived or otherwise cured within 20 days of receipt by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of notice of any such acceleration) if the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at final stated maturity or which has been accelerated (in each case with respect to which the 20-day period described above has passed), aggregates $10.0 million or more at any time;

 

  (6)

one or more final judgments in an aggregate amount of $10.0 million or more (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers, to the extent such coverage has not been denied) shall have been rendered against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries and such judgments remain undischarged, unpaid or unstayed for a period of 60 days after such judgment or judgments become final and non-appealable;

 

  (7)

the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

 

  (A)

commences a voluntary case or proceeding,

 

  (B)

consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding,

 

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  (C)

consents to the appointment of a trustee, interim receiver, receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, administrator, custodian, sequestrator, agent or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

 

  (D)

makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

 

  (E)

generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

 

  (8)

a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

  (A)

is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding;

 

  (B)

appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

 

  (C)

orders the liquidation or winding up of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

and the order or decree is not reversed or dismissed and remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

 

  (9)

any Note Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect or any Note Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary is declared to be null and void and unenforceable or any Note Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary is found to be invalid or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary denies its liability under its Note Guarantee (other than by reason of release of a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Indenture).

(b)    The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes unless a written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee by the Company or any Holder.

Section 6.02    Acceleration.

(a)    If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(7) or 6.01(a)(8) with respect to the Company) shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee, by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable by notice in writing to the Company (and the Trustee, if given by the Holders) specifying the applicable Event of Default and that it is a “notice of acceleration” (the “Acceleration Notice”), and the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

 

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(b)    Any notice of Default, Acceleration Notice or instruction to the Trustee to provide a notice of Default, Acceleration Notice or take any other action (a “Noteholder Direction”) provided by any one or more Holders (each a “Directing Holder”) must be accompanied by a written representation from each such Holder delivered to the Company and the Trustee that such Holder is not (or, in the case such Holder is DTC or its nominee, that such Holder is being instructed solely by beneficial owners that have represented to such Holder that they are not) Net Short (a “Position Representation”), which representation, in the case of a Noteholder Direction relating to the delivery of a notice of Default shall be deemed a continuing representation at all times until the resulting Event of Default is cured or otherwise ceases to exist or the Notes are accelerated. In addition, each Directing Holder is deemed, at the time of providing a Noteholder Direction, to covenant to provide the Company with such other information as the Company may reasonably request from time to time in order to verify the accuracy of such Noteholder’s Position Representation within five Business Days of request therefor (a “Verification Covenant”). In any case in which the Holder is DTC or its nominee, any Position Representation or Verification Covenant required hereunder shall be provided by the beneficial owner of the Notes in lieu of DTC or its nominee and DTC shall be entitled to conclusively rely on such Position Representation and Verification Covenant in delivering its direction to the Trustee and such beneficial owner shall provide proof of its holdings in a manner satisfactory to the Trustee. If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to the acceleration of the Notes, the Company determines in good faith that there is a reasonable basis to believe a Directing Holder providing such Noteholder Direction was, at any relevant time, in breach of its Position Representation and provides to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the Company has filed papers with a court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination that such Directing Holder was, at such time, in breach of its Position Representation (“Litigation”), and seeking to invalidate any Default or Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction, the cure period with respect to such Event of Default shall be automatically stayed pending a final and non-appealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction on such matter (a “Final Decision”). Once such Officers’ Certificate has been provided to the Trustee, the Trustee shall take no further action pursuant to the related Noteholder Direction until it receives written notice of a Final Decision. If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes, the Company provides to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that a Directing Holder failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant (a “Verification Officers’ Certificate”), the cure period with respect to any Default or Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction shall be automatically stayed pending satisfaction of such Verification Covenant and the Trustee shall take no further action pursuant to the related Noteholder Direction until the Company provides a subsequent Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee that such Verification Covenant has been satisfied (a “Covenant Satisfaction Officers’ Certificate”). The Company shall promptly deliver a Covenant Satisfaction Officer’s Certificate following satisfaction by the applicable Directing Holder of its Verification Covenant. Any breach of the Position Representation shall result in such Holder’s participation in such Noteholder Direction being disregarded; and, if, without the participation of such Holder, the percentage of Notes held by the remaining Holders that provided such Noteholder Direction would have been insufficient to validly provide such Noteholder Direction, such Noteholder Direction shall be void ab initio, with the effect that such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed never to have occurred, any related acceleration, rescinded and voided and the Trustee shall be deemed not to have received such Noteholder Direction or any notice of such Default or Event of Default, shall not be permitted to act thereon and shall be restricted from accepting and acting on any future Noteholder Direction in relation to such Default or Event of Default. Notwithstanding the above, if such Directing Holder’s participation is not required to achieve the requisite level of consent of Holders required under this Indenture to give such Noteholder Direction, the Trustee shall be permitted to act in accordance with such Noteholder Direction notwithstanding any action taken or to be taken by the Company (as described above).

 

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(c)    If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(7) or 6.01(a)(8) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, then all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the outstanding Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

(d)    At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Notes as described in Section 6.02(a) or 6.02(b), the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may rescind and cancel such declaration and its consequences by written notice to the Trustee and the Company:

 

  (1)

if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree;

 

  (2)

if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration;

 

  (3)

to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid;

 

  (4)

if the Company has paid the Trustee compensation and reimbursed the Trustee for its expenses, disbursements and advances; and

 

  (5)

in the event of the cure or waiver of an Event of Default of the type described in Section 6.01(a)(6), the Trustee shall have received an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel that such Event of Default has been cured or waived.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any Noteholder Direction delivered to it in accordance with this Indenture and shall have no duty to inquire as to or investigate the accuracy of any Position Representation, enforce compliance with any Verification Covenant, verify any statements in any Officers’ Certificate delivered to it, or otherwise make calculations, investigations or determinations with respect to Net Shorts or otherwise and shall have no liability for ceasing to take any action, staying any remedy or otherwise filing to act in accordance with a Noteholder Direction during the pendency of any Litigation or a Noteholder Direction after a Verification Covenant Officers’ Certificate has been provided to it but prior to receive of a Covenant Satisfaction Officers’ Certificate. The Trustee shall not have any liability or responsibility to the Company, any Holder or any other Person in acting in good faith on a Noteholder Direction or to determine whether or not any Holder has delivered a Position Representation or that such Position Representation conforms with this Indenture or any other agreement. The Trustee shall have no obligation to (i) monitor, investigate, verify or otherwise determine if a Holder has a Net Short position, (ii) inquire if the Company will seek action to determine if a Directing Holder has breached its Position Representation, (iii) monitor any court proceedings undertaken in connection therewith or (iv) monitor or investigate whether any Default or Event of Default has been publicly reported.

Each Holder, by accepting a Note, acknowledges and agrees that the Trustee (and any agent) shall not be liable to any party for acting or refraining to act in accordance with (i) the foregoing provisions, (ii) any Noteholder Direction, (iii) any Officers’ Certificate or (iv) its duties under this Indenture.

Section 6.03    Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

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The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04    Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase) and rescind any acceleration and its consequences with respect to the Notes issued under this Indenture and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

In the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(5), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof shall be annulled, waived and rescinded automatically without any action by the Trustee or the Holders if within 20 days after such Event of Default arose if: (1) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged; or (2) holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to the Event of Default; or (3) a default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

Section 6.05    Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be deemed to have an affirmative duty to determine whether any such direction is prejudicial to any Holder. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers hereunder at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense caused by taking such action.

Section 6.06    Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

 

  (1)

such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

 

  (2)

Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have made a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

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  (3)

such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

  (4)

the Trustee does not comply with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

  (5)

during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.

Section 6.07    Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the contractual right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be amended without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08    Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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Section 6.10    Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First:    to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.06 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second:    to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, respectively; and

Third:    to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11    Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE VII.

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01    Duties of Trustee.

(a)    If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b)    Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

  (1)

the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

  (2)

in the absence of willful misconduct or gross negligence on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; provided, however, that the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether they conform to the requirements set forth in this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated therein).

 

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(c)    The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

  (1)

this sub-section (c) does not limit the effect of the remainder of this Section 7.01;

 

  (2)

the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent or engaged in willful misconduct in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

  (3)

the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture absent gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(d)    All monies received by the Trustee shall, until delivered to the applicable Holders as herein provided, be held in trust in a non-interest bearing account for the purposes for which they were received. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(e)    No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers. The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers or duties hereunder.

(f)    Whether herein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Article VII, and the provisions of this Article VII shall apply to the Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent.

(g)    The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, other than a failure by the Company to make any payment hereunder when due, unless (i) written notice of such Default or Event of Default from the Company or any Holder is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture or (ii) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof.

Section 7.02    Rights of Trustee.

(a)    The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, judgment, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any such resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, judgment, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document. The Trustee may, however, in its discretion make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole expense of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

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(b)    Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting (except in connection with an application for authorization of Notes pursuant to Section 2.03) at the direction of the Company, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel and may conclusively rely upon such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

(c)    The Trustee may act through agents, attorneys or custodians and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent, attorney or custodian appointed with due care hereunder.

(d)    The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; provided, however, that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.

(e)    The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

(f)    The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.

(g)    The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee in accordance with such Section.

(h)    The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder, including, without limitation, the Registrar and Paying Agents.

(i)    The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(j)    Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, incidental, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Trustee has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(k)    Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Authentication Order or any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

Section 7.03    Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Section 7.10.

 

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Section 7.04    Trustees Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity, sufficiency, priority or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or investigate the Company’s compliance with or the breach of, or cause to be performed or observed, any representation, warranty, or covenant, or agreement of any Person, other than the Trustee, made in this Indenture.

Section 7.05    Notice of Defaults. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Responsible Officer, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder written notice of such Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs, or if later, a Trustee Officer has actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default; provided that except in the case of a Default described in Section 6.01(a)(1) or Section 6.01(a)(2), the Trustee may withhold the notice (except in payment on the Notes) if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.

Section 7.06    Compensation and Indemnity.

(a)    The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as shall be agreed upon from time to time in writing for all services rendered by it hereunder in any capacity. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, fees and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts and of all Persons not regularly in its employ. The Company shall fully indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee in any capacity under this Indenture and any other document or transaction entered into in connection herewith against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance and administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder in any capacity, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Holder or any other Person) and including enforcement of this Section 7.06. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence. All indemnifications and releases from liability granted hereunder to the Trustee shall extend to its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, custodians, successors and assigns.

(b)    To secure the Company’s payment obligations under this Section 7.06, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay the principal, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, or payment of the Change of Control Payment on particular Notes.

(c)    The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section 7.06 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the discharge of this Indenture. If the Trustee incurs expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(7) or Section 6.01(a)(8) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under applicable bankruptcy laws.

 

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(d)    “Trustee” for purposes of this Section shall include any predecessor Trustee; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.

(e)    The provisions of this Section shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the termination for any reason of this Indenture, and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

Section 7.07    Replacement of Trustee.

(a)    The Trustee may resign at any time by notifying the Company in writing and by mailing notice thereof to the Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor Trustee. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 60 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the Holders, the resigning Trustee may, upon ten Business Days’ notice to the Company and the Holders, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee, or any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months may on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.

(b)    In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

 

  (1)

the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.10 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder, or

 

  (2)

the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in either case, the Company may by a Board Resolution remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor Trustee, or any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months may, on behalf of himself or herself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee.

(c)    The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may, upon 30 days’ prior notice, remove the Trustee and nominate a successor Trustee that shall be deemed appointed as successor Trustee, unless within ten days after notice to the Company of such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case the Trustee so removed or any Holder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as specified in clause (a) above, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

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(d)    Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.07 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee as provided in Section 7.08.

Section 7.08    Acceptance by Successor Trustee. Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.07 shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee, the Trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights and powers of the Trustee so ceasing to act. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights and powers. Any Trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, other than money or property held in trust to pay the principal, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on particular Notes, to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06.

No successor Trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.08 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under the provisions of Section 7.10.

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee as provided in this Section 7.08, each of the Company and the successor Trustee, at the written direction and at the expense of the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed notice of the succession of such Trustee hereunder to the Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the Register. If the Company fails to mail such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.

Section 7.09    Successor Trustee by Merger.

(a)    If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets (including administration of this Indenture) to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided that if such successor Trustee is not eligible to act as Trustee pursuant to Section 7.10, such successor Trustee shall promptly resign pursuant to Section 7.07.

(b)    In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any such successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee.

Section 7.10    Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee must be a Person who is eligible to act as an indenture trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended and must have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of any supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and

 

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surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article.

ARTICLE VIII.

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01    Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Company may at any time elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes and the Note Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VIII.

Section 8.02    Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

  (1)

the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any and interest on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

 

  (2)

the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.10 and 4.02 hereof;

 

  (3)

the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

 

  (4)

this Article VIII.

Subject to compliance with this Article VIII, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

If the Company exercises its Legal Defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee, and any security for the Notes (other than the trust) will be released.

Section 8.03    Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth

 

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in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17 and 4.18 hereof and clause (2) of Section 5.01(a) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3), (4), (5), (6) and (9) hereof will not constitute Events of Default. If the Company exercises its Covenant Defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee, and any security for the Notes (other than the trust) will be released.

Section 8.04    Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

 

  (1)

the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, rated AAA or better by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s, or a combination thereof (or, in each case, if such Rating Agency ceases to rate such securities, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any Rating Agency selected by the Company as a replacement Rating Agency), in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be;

 

  (2)

in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions:

 

  (A)

the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

 

  (B)

since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders and Beneficial Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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  (3)

in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that subject to customary assumptions and exclusions the Holders and Beneficial Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

  (4)

no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from transaction occurring contemporaneously with the borrowing of funds, or the borrowing of funds, to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any Lien securing such borrowings);

 

  (5)

such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from transaction occurring contemporaneously with the borrowing of funds, or the borrowing of funds, to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any Lien securing such borrowings) or any other material agreement or instrument (including, without limitation, the Credit Facility) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

  (6)

the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company or others; and

 

  (7)

the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

In the case of Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited with the Trustee shall be sufficient for purposes of Section 8.04(1) and this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of three Business Days prior to the date of such deposit, with any deficit as of the date of redemption (any such amount, the “Applicable Premium Deficit”) only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption.

 

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Section 8.05    Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article VIII to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, investment bank or appraisal firm expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06    Repayment to Company.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 8.07    Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE IX.

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01    Without Consent of Holders.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees:

 

  (1)

to cure any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency; provided that such change does not adversely affect the rights of any of the Holders in any material respect;

 

  (2)

to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

 

  (3)

to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees by a successor to the Company or such Guarantor pursuant to Article V or Article X hereof;

 

  (4)

to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;

 

  (5)

to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of the Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees, which intent may be evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate to that effect;

 

  (6)

at the Company’s election, to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, if the Company elects to so qualify this Indenture, and, if so qualified, maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended;

 

  (7)

to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture;

 

  (8)

to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture (including to evidence its Note Guarantee) and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes; provided that any such supplemental indenture need be signed only by the Company, the added Guarantor and the Trustee;

 

  (9)

to provide for any Subsidiary of the Company or any other Person to provide a Note Guarantee, to add Note Guarantees with respect to the Notes, to add security to or for the benefit of Holders of the Notes, or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of (i) any Note Guarantee of the Notes or (ii) any Lien then securing the Notes, when required or not prohibited by this Indenture;

 

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  (10)

to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including to facilitate the issuance and administration of Notes; provided, however, that (i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities laws and (ii) such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes in any material respect; or

 

  (11)

to comply with the requirements of the Depository with respect to the Notes.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that adversely affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.02    With Consent of Holders.

Except as provided in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, or interest, if any, on, the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly adversely affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.

It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not,

 

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however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

 

  (1)

reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment;

 

  (2)

reduce the rate of, or change the time for payment of, interest, including defaulted interest, on any Notes;

 

  (3)

reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the Notes (other than with respect to Section 4.10 and Section 4.15); provided, that any amendment to the notice requirements may be made with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes;

 

  (4)

make any Notes payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

 

  (5)

make any change in the contractual provisions of this Indenture protecting the legal right of each Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on such Note on or after the due date thereof or to bring suit to enforce such payment, or permitting Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding to waive Defaults or Events of Default;

 

  (6)

after the Company’s obligation to purchase Notes arises thereunder, amend, change or modify in any material respect the obligation of the Company to make and consummate a Change of Control Offer in the event of a Change of Control or make and consummate a Net Proceeds Offer with respect to any Asset Sale that has been consummated or, after such Change of Control has occurred or such Asset Sale has been consummated, modify any of the provisions or definitions with respect thereto;

 

  (7)

release any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture otherwise than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

  (8)

waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding); or

 

  (9)

make any modification or change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

 

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Section 9.03    Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

Section 9.04    Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.05    Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.02 hereof, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE X.

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 10.01    Guarantee.

(a)    Subject to this Article X, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantees, on a senior unsecured basis, to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

 

  (1)

the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on the Notes, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

 

  (2)

in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

 

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Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b)    Subject to this Article X, the Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

(c)    If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d)    Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VI hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article VI hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.

Section 10.02    Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance or a transfer under value for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal, state or provincial law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article X, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

Section 10.03    Execution and Delivery of Supplemental Indenture.

To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that its execution and delivery of this Indenture or, if applicable, any supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof and this Section 10.03 shall evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof without the need for notation on the Notes.

 

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If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

If, after the Issue Date, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not already a Guarantor guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor under (i) a Credit Facility or (ii) Capital Markets Indebtedness, in either case, in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100.0 million, if required by Section 4.17 hereof, the Company will cause such Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.17 hereof and this Article X, to the extent applicable.

Section 10.04    Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof, each Guarantor will not, and the Company will not cause or permit any Guarantor to, amalgamate or consolidate with or merge with or into any Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets other than the Company or any other Guarantor unless:

 

  (1)

the entity formed by or surviving any such amalgamation, consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States or any State or territory thereof or the District of Columbia or such other jurisdiction as such Guarantor was organized or existing under;

 

  (2)

such entity (if other than such Guarantor) assumes by supplemental indenture all of the obligations of the Guarantor on its Note Guarantee;

 

  (3)

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

  (4)

the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such amalgamation, consolidated, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and that all conditions precedent in this Indenture relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

Any amalgamation, merger or consolidation of, or sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of assets by, a Guarantor with the Company (with the Company being the surviving entity in case of an amalgamation, merger of consolidation) or another Guarantor that is a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company need only comply with Section 5.01(a)(4).

In case of any such amalgamation, consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee and the due and

 

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punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. All the Note Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Except as set forth in Articles IV and V hereof, and notwithstanding clause 10.04(1) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any amalgamation, consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale, assignment, transfer, or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.

Section 10.05    Releases.

Each Note Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released automatically and unconditionally without the need for any action by any party:

(a)    upon such Guarantor amalgamating with, consolidating with, merging into or transferring all or substantially all of its properties or assets to the Company or another Guarantor;

(b)    in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of that Guarantor (including by way of amalgamation, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition complies with Section 4.10 hereof;

(c)    in connection with any sale or other disposition of all the Capital Stock of that Guarantor (including by way of amalgamation, consolidation, merger or otherwise) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition complies with Section 4.10 hereof;

(d)    if the Company designates such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or such Guarantor becomes an Excluded Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(e)    upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under Article VIII or upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture under Article XI;

(f)    such Guarantor being released from, or discharged of, its guarantee of, and all pledges and security, if any, granted by such Guarantor in connection with, a Credit Facility, except a release by or as a result of a payment thereon (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement is still a release);

(g)    solely in the case of a Note Guarantee created as a consequence of the Guarantor guaranteeing Capital Markets Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.17 or Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities, upon the release or discharge of the guarantee of Capital Markets Indebtedness or Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities, as applicable, which resulted in the creation of such Note Guarantee, except a discharge or release of such guarantee of Capital Markets Indebtedness or Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities, as applicable, by or as a result of payment under such guarantee (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement is still a release);

 

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(h)    upon the liquidation or dissolution of such Guarantor in a transaction that does not violate the terms of this Indenture; and

(i)    as permitted by Article IX.

Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any of the conditions described in clauses (a) through (h) of this Section 10.05 has occurred, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee.

Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee as provided in this Section 10.05 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article X.

ARTICLE XI.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01    Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture (including the Notes and the Note Guarantees) will be discharged and this Indenture will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes and Note Guarantees issued hereunder, when:

 

  (1)

either:

 

  (A)

all the Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

  (B)

all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or are to be called for redemption within one year), and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee cash, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash and non-callable Government Securities in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to the date of maturity or redemption, as the case may be, together with irrevocable instructions from the Company directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

  (2)

the Company has paid all other sums payable under this Indenture by the Company; and

 

  (3)

the Company, upon request for written acknowledgement of such satisfaction and discharge, has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

 

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In the case of satisfaction and discharge, upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited with the Trustee shall be sufficient for purposes of subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01 to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of three Business Days prior to the date of such deposit, with any Applicable Premium Deficit only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the date of redemption. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 11.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.06 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

Section 11.02    Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE XII.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01    Notices. Any request, demand, authorization, notice, waiver, consent or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person or by recognized overnight courier or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows or transmitted by facsimile transmission or other similar means of unsecured electronic methods to the following:

if to the Company:

Carriage Services, Inc.

3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77056

Attn: Legal Department

 

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Email: legal@carriageservices.com

if to the Trustee in any of its roles hereunder:

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19890

Attn: Carriage Services, Inc. Administrator

The Company or the Trustee, by notice given to the other in the manner provided above, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted electronically or by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication given to a Holder shall be mailed to the Holder, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at the Holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be deemed given on the date of such mailing. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository for such Note (or its designee) pursuant to the Applicable Procedures.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to the Holders, including any notice to Holders pursuant to Article X, it shall, at the same time, mail a copy to the Trustee and each of the Registrar and Paying Agent.

If the Company is required under this Indenture to give a notice to the Holders, in lieu of delivering such notice to the Holders, the Company may deliver such notice to the Trustee and cause the Trustee to have delivered such notice to the Holders on or prior to the date on which the Company would otherwise have been required to deliver such notice to the Holders. In such a case, the Company shall also cause the Trustee to mail a copy of the notice to each of the Registrar and Paying Agent at the same time it mails the notice to the Holders.

Section 12.02    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a)    an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signer, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b)    an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent relating to the proposed action (to the extent of legal conclusions) have been complied with.

 

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Section 12.03    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition (except for such Officers’ Certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.04) provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(a)    a statement that each individual making such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel has read such covenant or condition;

(b)    a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or judgments contained in such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel are based;

(c)    a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such individual to express an informed judgment as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d)    a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

Section 12.04    Severability Clause; Entire Agreement. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. This Indenture, the Notes and the exhibits hereto and thereto set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties related to this transaction and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written.

Section 12.05    Governing Law; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY. THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE, AND EACH HOLDER, BY ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTES, IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 12.06    No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee or stockholder of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Note Guarantees, or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.

Section 12.07    [Intentionally Omitted].

Section 12.08    Successors. All agreements of the Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and the Paying Agent in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors.

Section 12.09    Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or electronic format (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) transmission shall constitute effective execution and

 

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delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or electronic format (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. In furtherance of the foregoing, the words “execution”, “signed”, “signature”, “delivery” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Indenture and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee is not under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Trustee, pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustee. As used herein, “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 other record.

Section 12.10    Force Majeure. The Trustee, Registrar and Paying Agent shall not incur any liability for not performing any act or fulfilling any duty, obligation or responsibility hereunder by reason of any occurrence beyond the control of such person (including but not limited to any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, any act of God or war, earthquakes, fires, floods, sabotage, epidemics, pandemics, civil unrest, local or national disturbance or disaster, any act of terrorism, civil or military disturbances, interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communications service, accidents, riots, labor disputes or the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or other wire or communication facility); it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 12.11    Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 12.12    Submission to Jurisdiction. The Company (a) agrees that any suit, action or proceeding against it arising out of or relating to this Indenture or the Notes, as the case may be, may be instituted in any U.S. federal court with applicable subject matter jurisdiction sitting in The City of New York; (b) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding, and any claim that any suit, action or proceeding in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum; and (c) irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any suit, action or proceeding.

Section 12.13    Legal Holidays. If any payment with respect to any principal of, premium on, if any, or interest on any Note (including any payment to be made on any date fixed for redemption or purchase of any Note) is due on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment required to be made on such day shall be postponed until the immediately following Business Day, and no interest on such payment shall accrue in respect of such delay.

Section 12.14    No Security Interest Created. Except as provided in Section 7.06, nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall be construed to constitute a security interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or similar legislation, as now or hereafter enacted and in effect, in any jurisdiction.

 

108


Section 12.15    Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, expressed or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Paying Agent, any authenticating agent, any Registrar and their successors hereunder or the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 12.16    USA PATRIOT Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that, in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law on October 26, 2001)) (as amended, modified or supplanted from time to time, the “USA PATRIOT Act”), the Trustee, like all financial institutions, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that opens an account. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as the Trustee may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

109


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first before written.

 

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
INITIAL GUARANTORS:
CARRIAGE FUNERAL HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CFS FUNERAL SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE FUNERAL SERVICES OF MICHIGAN, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE FUNERAL SERVICES OF KENTUCKY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer

[Signature Page to the Indenture]


CARRIAGE FUNERAL SERVICES OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE CEMETERY SERVICES OF IDAHO, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
WILSON & KRATZER MORTUARIES
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
ROLLING HILLS MEMORIAL PARK
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE SERVICES OF CONNECTICUT, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CSI FUNERAL SERVICES OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer

[Signature Page to the Indenture]


CHC INSURANCE AGENCY OF OHIO, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE SERVICES OF NEW MEXICO, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
FORASTIERE FAMILY FUNERAL SERVICE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE CEMETERY SERVICES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE SERVICES OF OKLAHOMA, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE SERVICES OF NEVADA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
HUBBARD FUNERAL HOME, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer

[Signature Page to the Indenture]


CARRIAGE TEAM CALIFORNIA (CEMETERY), LLC
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE TEAM CALIFORNIA (FUNERAL), LLC
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE TEAM FLORIDA (CEMETERY), LLC
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE TEAM FLORIDA (FUNERAL), LLC
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE SERVICES OF OHIO, LLC
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE TEAM KANSAS, LLC
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE MUNICIPAL CEMETERY SERVICES OF NEVADA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer

[Signature Page to the Indenture]


CARRIAGE CEMETERY SERVICES OF CALIFORNIA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE INTERNET STRATEGIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
COCHRANE’S CHAPEL OF THE ROSES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
HORIZON CREMATION SOCIETY, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE LIFE EVENTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE PENNSYLVANIA HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer

[Signature Page to the Indenture]


CARRIAGE FUNERAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE FLORIDA HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CLOVERDALE PARK, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CATAUDELLA FUNERAL HOME, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE MERGER VI, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CSRE HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
PNCA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer

[Signature Page to the Indenture]


CARRIAGE OPERATIONS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE SERVICES OF TENNESSEE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CARRIAGE SERVICES OF LOUISIANA, INC.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
FAIRFAX MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer
CALVARY MEMORIAL PARK, INCORPORATED
By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Name: Carl Benjamin Brink
  Title: Treasurer

[Signature Page to the Indenture]


WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

By:  

/s/ Michael H. Wass

Name:   Michael H. Wass
Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to the Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

 

CUSIP/CINS ____________

4.25% Senior Notes due 2029

 

No. ___

   $____________

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

promises to pay to                  or registered assigns,

the principal sum of __________________________________________________________ DOLLARS [(or, in the event of adjustment in accordance with the within-mentioned Indenture, such other amount as may be stated from time to time on the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached hereto)]* on May 15, 2029.

Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15

Record Dates: May 1 and November 1

Dated: _______________

 

                                     

 

*  The bracketed language should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-1


CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-2


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory
Date:  

 

 

A-3


[Back of Note]

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

4.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1)    INTEREST. Carriage Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay or cause to be paid interest on the principal amount of this Note at 4.25% per annum from ________________, ___ until maturity. The Company will pay interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (any payment made on such date will be treated as being made on the date that the payment was first due and no interest on such payment will accrue for the period from and after such scheduled Interest Payment Date) (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that, if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be ________________, ___. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

(2)     METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest), if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on the May 1 and November 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar within the United States, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes if a Holder of at least $5.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes shall have provided wire transfer instructions to an account in the continental United States to the Company or the Paying Agent no later than 30 days preceding the date of such payment; provided, further, that the Company will pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on any Global Notes registered in the name of DTC or its nominee in immediately available funds to DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such Global Notes. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3)    PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the Notes. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

A-4


(4)    INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of May 13, 2021 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5)     OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

At any time prior to May 15, 2024, the Notes will be redeemable, at the Company’s option, in whole or in part from time to time, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

In addition, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ written notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount thereof) plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 15 of the years set forth below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2024

     102.125

2025

     101.063

2026 and thereafter

     100.000

At any time, or from time to time, prior to May 15, 2024 the Company may, at its option, use an amount of cash up to the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings to redeem, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ written notice up to 40% of the principal amount of the Notes (including any Additional Notes) outstanding under the Indenture at a redemption price of 104.250% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided that:

(a)    at least 50% of the principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) outstanding under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after any such redemption (unless all such Notes are redeemed concurrently); and

(b)    the Company makes such redemption not more than 180 days after the consummation of any such Equity Offering.

(6)    MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7)     REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.

 

  (a)

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder will have the right to require that the Company purchase all or a portion of such Holder’s Notes pursuant to the offer described in Section 4.15 of the Indenture (a “Change of Control Offer”), at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest

 

A-5


  thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date that is prior to the Change of Control Payment Date). Within 30 days following the date upon which the Change of Control occurred (or prior to the Change of Control if a definitive agreement for the Change of Control is in place), the Company shall send a written notice to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, which notice shall govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer.

 

  (b)

Subject to Section 4.10(a) of the Indenture, if any Net Cash Proceeds have not been applied as provided in clauses (3)(A), (3)(B) and (3)(C) thereof within the applicable time period or the last provision of this sentence, such Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to make an offer to purchase (the “Net Proceeds Offer”) to all Holders and, to the extent required by the terms of any Pari Passu Indebtedness, to holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, on a date (the “Net Proceeds Offer Payment Date”) not less than 30 nor more than 60 days following the date that triggered the Company’s obligation to make such Net Proceeds Offer, from all Holders (and holders of any such Pari Passu Indebtedness) on a pro rata basis based upon the respective outstanding aggregate principal amounts (or accreted value, as applicable) of the Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness on the date the Net Proceeds Offer is made, the maximum amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased with the Net Proceeds Offer Amount at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of the Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to but excluding the date of purchase; provided, however, that if at any time any non-cash consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be, in connection with any Asset Sale is converted into or sold or otherwise disposed of for cash (other than interest received with respect to any such non-cash consideration), then such conversion or disposition shall be deemed to constitute an Asset Sale hereunder and the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 of the Indenture.

(8)    NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be sent electronically or mailed by first-class mail at least 15 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Articles VIII or XI of the Indenture. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed or purchased.

Notice of any redemption of the Notes may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent. If such redemption or purchase is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived by the Company (in its sole discretion), or such redemption or purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

 

A-6


(9)    DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(10)     PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered Holders have rights under the Indenture.

(11)     AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented in accordance with Article IX of the Indenture.

(12)     DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Notes are subject to the Events of Default and remedies set forth in Article VI of the Indenture. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required, upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

(13)    TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14)    NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

(15)    AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(16)    ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17)    GUARANTEES. This Note is guaranteed as set forth in the Indenture.

(18)    CUSIP/CINS NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP/CINS numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP/CINS numbers in notices (including notices of redemption) as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

A-7


(19)    GOVERNING LAW. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Carriage Services, Inc.

3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77056

Attn: Legal Department

 

A-8


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:       
  (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint       

to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date: _______________

Your Signature:                                                                          

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*: _________________________

 

*

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

☐ Section 4.10      ☐ Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$ _______________

Date: _______________

 

Your Signature:

 

    

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Tax Identification No.:

      

Signature Guarantee*: _________________________

 

*

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-10


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

 

Amount of

decrease in Principal Amount
of
this Global Note

 

Amount of

increase in

Principal Amount
of
this Global Note

 

Principal Amount
of this Global Note

following such

decrease
(or increase)

 

Signature of

authorized officer

of Trustee or

Custodian

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-11


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Carriage Services, Inc.

3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77056

Attn: Legal Department

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19890

Attn: Carriage Services, Inc. Administrator

Re: 4.25% Senior Notes due 2029

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among Carriage Services, Inc., as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

___________________, (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to ___________________________ (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2. ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was

 

B-1


prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. ☐ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a)    ☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

OR

(b)    ☐ such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

OR

(c)    ☐ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

OR

(d)    ☐ such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) if such Transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

B-2


4. ☐ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

(a) ☐ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) ☐ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

    

        [Insert Name of Transferor]

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated: _______________________

 

B-3


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

  1.

The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (A) OR (B)]

 

  (a)

☐ a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i)

☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

  (ii)

☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

  (iii)

☐ IAI Global Note (CUSIP _________); or

 

  (b)

☐ a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

  2.

After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

  (a)

☐ a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i)

☐ 144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

  (ii)

☐ Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or

 

  (iii)

☐ IAI Global Note (CUSIP _________); or

 

  (iv)

☐ Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP _________); or

 

  (b)

☐ a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

  (c)

☐ an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Carriage Services, Inc.

3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77056

Attn: Legal Department

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19890

Attn: Carriage Services, Inc. Administrator

Re: 4.25% Senior Notes due 2029

(CUSIP [                ])

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among Carriage Services, Inc., as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

__________________________, (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $____________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1.    Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


(c) ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(d) ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2.    Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a) ☐ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b) ☐ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ☐ 144A Global Note, ☐ Regulation S Global Note, ☐ IAI Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

    

[Insert Name of Transferor]

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated: ______________________

 

C-2


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM

ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

Carriage Services, Inc.

3040 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 300

Houston, Texas 77056

Attn: Legal Department

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19890

Attn: Carriage Services, Inc. Administrator

Re: 4.25% Senior Notes due 2029

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among Carriage Services, Inc., as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

In connection with our proposed purchase of $____________ aggregate principal amount of:

(a) ☐ a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

(b) ☐ a Definitive Note,

we confirm that:

1.    We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

2.    We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and, if such transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes, at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

 

D-1


3.    We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

4.    We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

5.    We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

    

        [Insert Name of Accredited Investor]

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated: _______________________

 

D-2


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of ________________, among __________________ (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Carriage Services, Inc. (or its permitted successor), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of May 13, 2021 providing for the issuance of 4.25% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth therein (the “Note Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1.    CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2.    AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in in the Indenture including but not limited to Article X thereof.

4.    NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

5.    NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

6.    WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY

 

E-1


WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

7.    COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

8.    EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

9.    THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.

 

E-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated: _______________,

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Carriage Services, Inc.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

E-3


WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

E-4

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

Execution Version

 

 

 

Published CUSIP Numbers:

Deal: 14444MAF3

Revolver: 14444MAG1

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of May 13, 2021,

among

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.,

as the Borrower,

CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER PARTY HERETO,

as the Guarantors,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer,

BBVA USA,

as Syndication Agent,

and

The Other Lenders Party Hereto

BOFA SECURITIES, INC.

As Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section

        Page  
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS      1  
1.01    Defined Terms      1  
1.02    Other Interpretive Provisions      41  
1.03    Accounting Terms      43  
1.04    Rounding      43  
1.05    Times of Day      43  
1.06    Letter of Credit Amounts      44  
1.07    References to Agreements and Laws      44  
1.08    Rates      44  
ARTICLE II THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS      44  
2.01    The Loans      44  
2.02    Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans      45  
2.03    Letters of Credit      46  
2.04    Swing Line Loans      56  
2.05    Prepayments      59  
2.06    Termination or Reduction of Commitments      61  
2.07    Repayment of Loans      62  
2.08    Interest      62  
2.09    Fees      63  
2.10    Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate      64  
2.11    Evidence of Debt      65  
2.12    Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback      65  
2.13    Sharing of Payments by Lenders      67  
2.14    Increase in Facilities      68  
2.15    Cash Collateral      71  
2.16    Defaulting Lenders      72  
ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY      74  
3.01    Taxes      74  
3.02    Illegality      78  
3.03    Inability to Determine Rates      79  
3.04    Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans      82  
3.05    Compensation for Losses      83  
3.06    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders      84  
3.07    Survival      84  
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS      85  
4.01    Conditions of Initial Credit Extension      85  
4.02    Conditions to all Credit Extensions      88  


ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      88  
5.01    Existence, Qualification and Power      88  
5.02    Authorization; No Contravention      89  
5.03    Governmental Authorization; Other Consents      89  
5.04    Binding Effect      89  
5.05    Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect      89  
5.06    Litigation      90  
5.07    No Default      90  
5.08    Ownership of Property; Liens; Investments      90  
5.09    Environmental Compliance      91  
5.10    Insurance      92  
5.11    Taxes      92  
5.12    ERISA Compliance      92  
5.13    Subsidiaries; Equity Interests; Loan Parties      93  
5.14    Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act      94  
5.15    Disclosure      94  
5.16    Compliance with Laws      94  
5.17    Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc      94  
5.18    Solvency      95  
5.19    Casualty, Etc      95  
5.20    Labor Matters      95  
5.21    Collateral Documents      95  
5.22    Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws.      95  
5.23    Common Enterprise      96  
5.24    Collateral; Perfection of Liens and Security Interests      96  
5.25    Affected Financial Institution      96  
5.26    Covered Entities      96  
5.27    Designation as Senior Indebtedness      96  
ARTICLE VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS      97  
6.01    Financial Statements      97  
6.02    Certificates; Other Information      98  
6.03    Notices      100  
6.04    Payment of Obligations      100  
6.05    Preservation of Existence, Etc      101  
6.06    Maintenance of Properties      101  
6.07    Maintenance of Insurance      101  
6.08    Compliance with Laws      102  
6.09    Books and Records      102  
6.10    Inspection Rights      102  
6.11    Use of Proceeds      102  
6.12    New Subsidiaries; Real Property      102  
6.13    Maintenance of Trust Reserves and Trust Accounts      104  
6.14    Maintenance of Trust Balance      104  
6.15    Collateral      104  

 

ii


6.16    Further Assurances      105  
6.17    Post-Closing Requirements      105  
6.18    Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions      105  
6.19    Designation of Subsidiaries      105  
ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS      106  
7.01    Liens      106  
7.02    Investments      107  
7.03    Debt      108  
7.04    Fundamental Changes      109  
7.05    Dispositions      109  
7.06    Restricted Payments; Issuance of Preferred Stock      110  
7.07    Change in Nature of Business      111  
7.08    Transactions with Affiliates      111  
7.09    Burdensome Agreements      112  
7.10    Use of Proceeds      112  
7.11    Financial Covenants      112  
7.12    Maintenance of Ownership of Subsidiaries      112  
7.13    Trust Funds      113  
7.14    Sanctions      113  
7.15    Anti-Corruption Laws      113  
7.16    Amendments of Organization Documents; Fiscal Year; Accounting Changes.      113  
7.17    Sale and Leaseback Transactions      113  
7.18    Prepayments, Etc. of Debt      113  
7.19    Amendment, Etc. of Indebtedness.      114  
7.20    Unrestricted Subsidiaries      114  
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES      114  
8.01    Events of Default      114  
8.02    Remedies upon Event of Default      117  
8.03    Application of Funds      118  
ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT      119  
9.01    Appointment and Authority      119  
9.02    Rights as a Lender      120  
9.03    Exculpatory Provisions      120  
9.04    Reliance by Administrative Agent      121  
9.05    Delegation of Duties      121  
9.06    Resignation of Administrative Agent      122  
9.07    Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Other Lenders      123  
9.08    No Other Duties, Etc      124  
9.09    Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim      124  
9.10    Collateral and Guaranty Matters      126  
9.11    Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements      127  

 

iii


9.12    Certain ERISA Matters.      127  
9.13    Recovery of Erroneous Payments      128  
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS      129  
10.01    Amendments, Etc      129  
10.02    Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications      131  
10.03    No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement      133  
10.04    Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver      134  
10.05    Payments Set Aside      136  
10.06    Successors and Assigns      136  
10.07    Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality      141  
10.08    Right of Setoff      143  
10.09    Interest Rate Limitation      143  
10.10    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness      144  
10.11    Survival of Representations and Warranties      144  
10.12    Severability      144  
10.13    Replacement of Lenders      145  
10.14    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc      146  
10.15    Waiver of Jury Trial      147  
10.16    No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility      147  
10.17    Electronic Execution; Electronic Records      148  
10.18    USA Patriot Act Notice      148  
10.19    ENTIRE AGREEMENT      149  
10.20    Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions      149  
10.21    Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs.      149  
10.22    Subordination      150  
10.23    Amendment and Restatement; No Novation      150  
ARTICLE XI      151  
CONTINUING GUARANTY      151  
11.01    Guaranty      151  
11.02    Rights of Lenders      152  
11.03    Certain Waivers      152  
11.04    Obligations Independent      153  
11.05    Subrogation      153  
11.06    Termination; Reinstatement      153  
11.07    Stay of Acceleration      153  
11.08    Condition of Borrower      154  
11.09    Appointment of Borrower      154  
11.10    Right of Contribution      154  
11.11    Keepwell      154  
SIGNATURES      S-1  

 

iv


SCHEDULES

       

1.01(a)

     Certain Addresses for Notices                

1.01(d)

     Existing Letters of Credit   

2.01

     Commitments and Applicable Percentages   

2.03

     L/C Commitment   

5.03

     Governmental Authorizations   

5.05

     Material Indebtedness and Operating Leases   

5.06

     Litigation   

5.08(b)

     Existing Liens   

5.08(c)

     Owned Real Property   

5.08(d)(i)

     Leased Real Property (Lessee)   

5.08(d)(ii)

     Leased Real Property (Lessor)   

5.08(e)

     Existing Investments   

5.09

     Environmental Matters   

5.12(d)

     Pension Plans   

5.13

     Subsidiaries and Other Equity Investments; Loan Parties   

5.17

     Intellectual Property Matters   

5.20

     Labor Matters   

6.17

     Post-Closing Requirements   

7.03

     Existing Debt   

EXHIBITS

       

Form of

       

A

     Administrative Questionnaire   

B

     Assignment and Assumption   

C

     Authorization to Share Insurance Information   

D

     Compliance Certificate   

E

     Funding Indemnity Letter   

F

     Joinder   

G

     Loan Notice   

H

     Mortgage   

I

     Notice of Loan Prepayment   

J

     Revolving Credit Note   

K

     Secured Creditor Designation Notice   

L

     Swing Line Loan Notice   

M

     U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates   

N

     Security Agreement   

 

v


FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

This FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of May 13, 2021, among CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Guarantors (defined herein), the Lenders (defined herein), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, a Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

The Borrower, certain of the Lenders and Administrative Agent are parties to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2018 (as heretofore amended prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Credit Agreement”). The parties hereto desire to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement as hereafter set forth.

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree that the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

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

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

Acquisition Consideration” means the consideration given by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for an Acquisition, including but not limited to the sum of (without duplication) (a) the fair market value of any cash, property (excluding Equity Interests) or services given, plus (b) the amount of any Debt assumed, incurred or guaranteed (to the extent not otherwise included) in connection with such Acquisition by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. In determining Acquisition Consideration, there shall be (a) deducted the amount of Net Cash Proceeds arising from any sale of assets included in the Acquisition which are sold (other than to an Affiliate of the Borrower) within 365 days after consummation of such Acquisition and (b) not included the amount of Net Cash Proceeds arising from the sale of assets pursuant to Section 7.05(d) which are used to purchase assets as provided therein.

Additional Secured Obligations” means (a) all obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements and (b) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the foregoing, including the 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 of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws

 

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naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest, expenses and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided that Additional Secured Obligations of a Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor.

Administrative Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 1.01(a), or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in substantially the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

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.

Agent Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 10.02(c).

Aggregate Commitments” means the Commitments of all the Lenders.

Agreed Security Package” means the delivery of (a) a Mortgage, together with such certificates, affidavits, questionnaires or returns as shall be required in connection with the recording or filing thereof to create a perfected first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) in favor of the Administrative Agent over real property owned by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, it being understood and agreed that Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any if the foregoing from unaffiliated third parties, (b) associated lender policies of title insurance in an amount, in form and substance and issued by an title insurance company reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (unless the Administrative Agent determines in its sole discretion, to waive such requirement with respect to any parcel), (c) such flood certificates, consents, approvals, amendments, supplements, estoppels, tenant subordination agreements, access agreements or other instruments as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems necessary, it being understood and agreed that Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any if the foregoing from unaffiliated third parties, (d) if requested by the Administrative Agent, a survey with respect to each property subject to such mortgage in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; (e) opinions of local counsel with respect to the execution and filing of such Mortgage and the perfection of Liens created thereby and (f) immediately available funds in an amount equal to the sum of all taxes, fees and other charges payable in connection with the recording or filing of such Mortgage and other instruments; provided that, in no event shall the Borrower or any Subsidiary be required to deliver a Mortgage for any property located in a flood plain.

 

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Agreement” means this First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, including all schedules, exhibits and annexes hereto.

Amended Trusting Laws” has the meaning specified in Section 6.14.

Applicable Fee Rate” means, at any time, in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, the applicable percentage per annum set forth below determined by reference to the Total Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(a):

 

Applicable Fee Rate

Pricing Level

 

Total Leverage Ratio

 

Commitment Fee

1   < 3.00 : 1.00   0.200%
2   < 3.50: 1.00 but ³ 3.00: 1.00   0.250%
3   < 4.25: 1.00 but ³ 3.50: 1.00   0.250%
4   ³ 4.25: 1.00   0.300%

Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Fee Rate resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a); provided, however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then, upon the request of the Required Lenders, Pricing Level 4 shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until the first Business Day following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Fee Rate in effect from and after the Closing Date through and including the date the Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a) for the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2021 shall be Pricing Level 3.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Fee Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b).

Applicable Law” means (a) in respect of any Person, all provisions of Laws applicable to such Person, and all orders and decrees of all courts and determinations of arbitrators applicable to such Person and (b) in respect of contracts made or performed in the State of Texas, “Applicable Law” shall also mean the Laws of the United States of America, including, in addition to the foregoing, 12 USC Sections 85 and 86, as amended to the date hereof and as the same may be amended at any time and from time to time hereafter, and any other statute of the United States of America now or at any time hereafter prescribing the maximum rates of interest on loans and extensions of credit, and the Laws of the State of Texas, including, without limitation, Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code, as amended, and any other statute of the State of Texas now or at any time hereafter prescribing maximum rates of interest on loans and extensions of credit; provided that the parties thereto agree pursuant to Texas Finance Code Section 346.004 that the provisions of Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code, shall not apply to Loans, the Letters of Credit, this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document.

Applicable Percentage” means with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Revolving Credit Facility

 

3


represented by such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16. If the commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions has been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02, or if the Revolving Credit Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Revolving Credit Lender in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Revolving Credit Lender in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility 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. The Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

Applicable Rate” means the applicable percentage per annum set forth below determined by reference to the Total Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(a):

 

Applicable Rate

Pricing Level

 

Total
Leverage Ratio

 

Eurodollar Rate / Letter of
Credit Fees

  Base Rate
1   < 3.00 : 1.00   1.500%   0.500%
2   < 3.50 : 1.00 but ³ 3.00 : 1.00   1.625%   0.625%
3   < 4.25 : 1.00 but ³ 3.50 : 1.00   1.750%   0.750%
4   ³ 4.25 : 1.00   1.875%   0.875%

Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a); provided, however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then, upon the request of the Required Lenders, Pricing Level 4 shall apply in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and in each case shall remain in effect until the first Business Day following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Rate in effect from and after the Closing Date through and including the date the Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a) for the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2021 shall be Pricing Level 3.

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).

Appropriate Lender” means, at any time, (a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, a Lender that has a Revolving Credit Commitment or holds a Revolving Credit Loan at such time, (b) with respect to the Swing Line Sublimit, (i) the Swing Line Lender and (ii) if any Swing Line Loans are outstanding pursuant to Section 2.04(a), the Revolving Credit Lenders, and (c) with respect to the Letter of Credit Sublimit, (i) the L/C Issuer and (ii) if any Letters of Credit have been issued pursuant to Section 2.03, the Revolving Credit Lenders.

 

4


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.

Arranger” means BofA Securities, Inc., in its capacity as sole lead arranger and sole 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 10.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit B or any other form (including an electronic documentation form generated by use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

Attributable Debt” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capital Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease 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.

Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2020, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such Fiscal Year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

Authorization to Share Insurance Information” means the authorization substantially in the form of Exhibit C (or such other form as required by any Loan Party’s insurance company).

Auto-Extension Letter of Credit” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(ii).

Availability Period” means in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of all of the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (c) the date of termination of the commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit 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, (x) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period or (y) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, as applicable, pursuant to this Agreement as of such date.

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.

 

5


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).

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

Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate,” and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%, subject to the interest rate floors set forth therein; provided that if the Base Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change. If the Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, then the Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above.

Base Rate Loan” means a Revolving Credit Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

Benchmark” means, initially, LIBOR; provided that if a replacement of the Benchmark has occurred pursuant to Section 3.03(c) then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate. Any reference to “Benchmark” shall include, as applicable, the published component used in the calculation thereof.

Benchmark Replacement” means:

(1)    For purposes of Section 3.03(c)(i), the first alternative set forth below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent:

 

  (a)

the sum of: (i) Term SOFR and (ii) 0.11448% (11.448 basis points) for an Available Tenor of one-month’s duration, 0.26161% (26.161 basis points) for an Available Tenor of three-months’ duration, 0.42826% (42.826 basis points) for an Available Tenor of six-months’ duration, and 0.71513% (71.513 basis points) for an Available Tenor of twelve-months’ duration, or

 

6


  (b)

the sum of: (i) Daily Simple SOFR and (ii) 0.11448% (11.448 basis points) if the selected payment period is monthly or 0.26161% (26.161 basis points) if the selected payment period is quarterly;

provided that, if initially LIBOR is replaced with the rate contained in clause (b) above (Daily Simple SOFR plus the applicable spread adjustment) and subsequent to such replacement, the Administrative Agent determines that Term SOFR has become available and is administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, and the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and each Lender of such availability, then from and after the beginning of the Interest Period, relevant interest payment date or payment period for interest calculated, in each case, commencing no less than thirty (30) days after the date of such notice, the Benchmark Replacement shall be as set forth in clause (a) above; and

(2)    For purposes of Section 3.03(c)(ii), the sum of (a) the alternate benchmark rate and (b) an adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), in each case, that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement Benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then-prevailing market convention, including any applicable recommendations made by a Relevant Governmental Body, for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time;

provided that, if the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above would be less than 0%, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be 0% for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Any Benchmark Replacement shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such Benchmark Replacement shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate,” the definition of “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, the applicability and 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 Replacement 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 Replacement 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 Transition Event” means, with respect to any then-current Benchmark other than LIBOR, the occurrence of a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf

 

7


of the administrator of the then-current Benchmark or a Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such administrator announcing or stating that all Available Tenors are or will no longer be representative, or made available, or used for determining the interest rate of loans, or shall or will otherwise cease, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that will continue to provide any representative tenors of such Benchmark after such specific date.

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, which certification shall be substantially similar in form and substance to the form of Certification Regarding Beneficial Owners of Legal Entity Customers published jointly, in May 2018, by the Loan Syndications and Trading Association and Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.

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 Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

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.

Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

Borrowing” means a Revolving Credit Borrowing or a Swing Line Borrowing, as the context may require.

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

Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of the aggregate of any expenditures by such Person during such period for an asset which is properly classifiable in relevant financial statements of such Person as property, equipment or improvements, fixed assets, or a similar type of tangible capital asset in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of this definition, (a) the purchase price of equipment or property that is (i) purchased substantially simultaneously with the trade-in of existing equipment or property, (ii) exchanged in connection with a swap of existing equipment or property or (iii) purchased or repaired with insurance proceeds (promptly following receipt thereof on account of such property or equipment being replaced or repaired) shall be included in Capital Expenditures only to the extent of the gross amount by which such purchase price exceeds the credit granted by the seller of such equipment or property for the equipment or property being so repaired, traded in or exchanged or the amount of such insurance proceeds, and (b) any expenditure funded with warranty proceeds, proceeds from an indemnity claim, settlement payments, condemnation or

 

8


eminent domain awards or any other payments made to compensate such Person for any damage, defect, delay or loss relating to the expenditure being made shall not be included in Capital Expenditures to the extent such expenditure does not exceed the applicable proceeds or payments. Capital Expenditures specifically excludes deferred obtaining costs and, for the avoidance of doubt, Acquisitions.

Capital Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in conformity with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender (as applicable) or the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations, Obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans, or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of either thereof (as the context may require), cash or deposit account balances or, if the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender benefitting from such collateral shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender (as applicable). “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such Cash Collateral and other credit support.

Cash Management Agreement” means 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.

Cash Management Bank” means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Cash Management Agreement that, (a) 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 (b) 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 ceased 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 Creditor Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to such date of determination.

Casualty Event” means any event not constituting a Disposition that gives rise to the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards in respect of any equipment, fixed assets or real property (including any improvements thereon) to replace or repair such equipment, fixed assets or real property.

CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980.

 

9


CERCLIS” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not 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, requirements and directives thereunder, or issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and 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, with respect to any Person, 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 (i) 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 and (ii) the Borrower’s officers and directors) 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 securities that such person or group has the right to acquire (such right, an “option right”), whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the Voting Shares of such Person;

(b)    during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of such Person cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was nominated, appointed or approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was nominated, appointed or approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body; provided that the requirement in clause (ii) or (iii) that the election or nomination of an individual be by a majority of the board or other governing body shall not apply in the case of a replacement of a member whose seat becomes vacant as a result of death or disability; or

 

10


(c)    the occurrence of a “Change of Control” as defined in the Senior Notes Documents or in any Permitted Senior Notes Refinancing.

Closing Date” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01 or are otherwise agreed to be satisfied subsequent to such date as provided in Section 6.17.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Collateral” means all of the “Collateral” and “Mortgaged Property” referred to in the Collateral Documents and all of the other property that is or is intended under the terms of the Collateral Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors.

Collateral Account” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(q)(i).

Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Mortgages (if any), each of the mortgages, collateral assignments, Security Agreement Supplements, security agreements, pledge agreements, account control agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Sections 6.12 and 6.15, and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or purports to create a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors.

Commitment” means a Revolving Credit Commitment.

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

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

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.

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.

Covered Entity” means any of the following: (a) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (b) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (c) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

 

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Covered Equity Interests” means all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of a Subsidiary held by the Borrower or another Subsidiary, excluding Equity Interests described in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 7.12.

Covered Party” has the meaning specified in Section 10.21.

Credit Extension” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) a L/C Credit Extension.

Daily Simple SOFR” with respect to any applicable determination date means the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) published on such date by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator) on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s website (or any successor source).

Debt” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following whether or not included as liabilities or indebtedness in accordance with GAAP: (a) the outstanding principal amount of all obligations of such Person, whether current or long-term, for borrowed money (including Obligations hereunder) and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; (b) obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade payables in the Ordinary Course of Business), including, Deferred Purchase Price; (c) all direct obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds (provided an amount is owing by such Person in respect of any surety bond as a result of a claim made with respect thereto) and similar instruments; (d) all net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contracts; (e) all Attributable Debt of such Person in respect of Capital Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations; (f) Pre-need Obligations, except to the extent that Pre-Need Obligations are trusted or covered by insurance; (g) all Disqualified Equity Interests issued by such Person with the amount of Debt represented by such Disqualified Equity Interests being equal to the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and its maximum fixed repurchase price, but excluding accrued dividends, if any; (h) without duplication, all Guarantee Obligations of such Person with respect to outstanding Debt of the types specified in clauses (a) through (g) above of Persons other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (i) all Debt 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 the Borrower or a Subsidiary is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Debt is expressly made non-recourse to the Borrower or such Subsidiary; and (j) all indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (i) secured by any Lien on or in respect of any property of such Person, up to (but not exceeding) the value of such property. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of any Capital Lease or Synthetic Lease Obligation as of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable Debt in respect thereof as of such date. The “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Equity Interests that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Equity Interests as if such Disqualified Equity Interests were purchased on any date on which Debt shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Agreement, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Equity Interests, such fair market value shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

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

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

Default Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility other than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate applicable to Letter of Credit Fees plus 2% per annum.

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.

Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.16(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such 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 Swing Line 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 Swing Line Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line 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 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

 

13


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 2.16(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 Swing Line Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

Deferred Purchase Price” means any purchase price or other consideration, including payments under agreements not to compete, payable to the sellers in an Acquisition (whether consummated before or after the date of this Agreement) after consummation of such Acquisition, whether evidenced by notes, debentures or the contractual promise to pay on a deferred basis.

Designated Jurisdiction” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory itself is the subject of any Sanction.

Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or a Subsidiary in connection with a Disposition that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash and Liquid Investments received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration within 240 days of receipt thereof.

Designated Subsidiaries” means (a) Carriage Services Investment Advisors, Inc., (b) Carriage Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, Inc. and (c) James J. Terry Funeral Home, Inc. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary that guarantees any Debt of the Borrower under the Senior Notes Documents or any other Debt is not a “Designated Subsidiary”.

Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, but excluding the issuance of any Equity Interests of the Borrower) of any property by any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

Disqualified Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interest of such Person which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant

 

14


to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (b) is redeemable or is required to be repurchased by such Person or any of its Affiliates at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Debt or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is 91 days after the latest Maturity Date; provided that, any such Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Borrower or an Affiliate thereof to repurchase or redeem such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests so long as the terms of such Equity Interests provide that such repurchase or redemption is (i) not required unless permitted under this Agreement or (ii) subject to the prior payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments.

Dividends”, in respect of any Person, means cash dividends or any other distributions of property, or otherwise, on, or in respect of, any class of Equity Interests of such Person (other than dividends or other distributions payable solely in Equity Interests of such Person or options, warrants or other rights to purchase Equity Interests of such Person).

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

Dollar Equivalent” means for all purposes of this Agreement, the equivalent in another currency of an amount in Dollars to be determined by reference to the rate of exchange quoted by Bank of America, at 10:00 a.m. on the date of determination, for the spot purchase in the foreign exchange market of such amount of Dollars with such other currency.

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

Early Opt-in Effective Date” means, with respect to any Early Opt-in Election, the sixth (6th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-in Election from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.

Early Opt-in Election” means the occurrence of:

 

  (1)

a determination by the Administrative Agent, or a notification by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent that the Borrower has made a determination, that U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities currently being executed, or that include language similar to that contained in Section 3.03(c), are being executed or amended (as applicable) to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace LIBOR, and

 

  (2)

the joint election by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to replace LIBOR with a Benchmark Replacement and the provision by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to the Lenders.

 

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EBITDA” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to Net Income for such period plus (a) the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Net Income and without duplication: (i) Interest Expense for such period, (ii) the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes payable by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense and payments in respect of Deferred Purchase Price, (iv) other expenses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries reducing such Net Income which do not represent a cash item in such period or any future period, (v) non-recurring costs and expenses, including acquisition costs, incurred by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not to exceed $2,000,000 in aggregate amount during such period, (vi) transaction fees, cost and expenses not to exceed $5,000,000 in aggregate amount incurred in connection with this Agreement, the Senior Notes and the satisfaction and discharge of the Existing Senior Notes, (vii) EBITDA of any Acquisition permitted by this Agreement calculated on a historic basis for such Acquisition as if the same had occurred on the first day of the period for which such EBITDA is measured, with such pro-forma adjustments as the Administrative Agent shall approve, and (viii) for any period of calculation, severance costs not to exceed $2,500,000 in aggregate amount, minus (b)(i) all non-cash items increasing Net Income for such period, and (ii) EBITDA of any Subsidiary or business unit related to any Disposition permitted by this Agreement calculated on a historic basis for such Disposition as if the same had occurred on the first day of the period to which such EBITDA is measured with such pro-forma adjustments as the Administrative Agent shall approve.

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 clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

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.

Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Sections 10.06(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii)).

Environment” means ambient air, indoor air, surface water, groundwater, drinking water, soil, surface and subsurface strata, and natural resources such as wetland, flora and fauna.

Environmental Laws” means any and all applicable Federal, state, and local statutes, laws (including common law), regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, agreements with Governmental Authorities or governmental restrictions relating to pollution or the protection of the Environment or human health (to the extent related to exposure to Hazardous Materials), including those relating to the manufacture, generation, handling, transport, storage, treatment, Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

 

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Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or civil statute or common law, directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) 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 legally assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

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

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

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

ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower 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 Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or (i) a failure by the Borrower 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 the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.

 

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EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Eurodollar Rate” means:

(a)    for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for U.S. Dollars for a period equal in length to such Interest Period) (“LIBOR”), as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) (in such case, the “LIBOR Rate”) at or about 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

(b)    for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate, at or about 11:00 a.m., London time, two London Banking Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits with a term of one month commencing that day;

provided that, if the Eurodollar Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.

Eurodollar Rate Loan” means a Revolving Credit Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of the Eurodollar Rate.

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.

Excluded Equity Interests” means, with respect to the Borrower, any class of Equity Interests that is subject to mandatory dividend accrual or payment or mandatory redemption, repurchase, repayment, refunding, or similar provisions or arrangements, including preferred stock to the extent it does not constitute Qualified Preferred Stock.

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 Guaranty 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 of any 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 11.11 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 a grant by such Guarantor of a Lien, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a

 

18


Master Agreement governing more than one Swap Contract, such exclusion shall apply only to 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 10.13) or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Sections 3.01(b) or (d), 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” has the meaning specified in Preamble.

Existing Letters of Credit” means those certain letters of credit set forth on Schedule 1.01(d).

Existing Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 10.23.

Existing Senior Notes” means the Borrower’s 6.625% senior notes due 2026 issued pursuant to that certain Indenture dated May 31, 2018, between the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, which Indenture will be satisfied and discharged on the Closing Date.

Existing Trusting Laws” has the meaning specified in Section 6.14.

Exiting Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 10.23.

Facility” means the Revolving Credit Facility.

Facility Termination Date” means the date as of which all of the following shall have occurred: (a) the Aggregate Commitments have terminated, (b) all Obligations 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).

Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party. Any determination that the Fair Market Value of any assets or properties (other than cash or Liquid

 

19


Investments) is equal to or greater than $20,000,000 shall be made by the board of directors of the Borrower or a duly authorized committee thereof and shall be evidenced by a board resolution certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and, upon the Administrative Agent’s request, delivered to the Administrative Agent.

FASB ASC” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (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 Code.

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depository institutions (as determined in such manner as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as the federal funds effective rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

Fee Letter” means the letter agreement, dated April 7, 2021, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and BofA Securities, Inc.

Field Level EBITDA” has the meaning given to such term in Section 6.12(c).

Financial Covenants” means the covenants set forth in Section 7.11(a) and (b).

First Priority Lien” means, with respect to any Lien purported to be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document, that such Lien is the only Lien to which such Collateral is subject.

First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary” means each Foreign Subsidiary with respect to which any one or more of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries directly owns more than 50% of such Foreign Subsidiary’s Equity Interests.

Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

Fiscal Year” means the Fiscal Year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries ending on December 31 of each calendar year.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, for any period of determination, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) EBITDA for such period minus (ii) maintenance Capital Expenditures for such period minus (iii) the cash taxes paid during such period plus (iv) any cash tax refunds received during such period, minus (v) Dividends paid in cash during such period to (b) the sum of (i) cash Interest Expense during such period, plus (ii) scheduled and required principal payments during such period in respect of

 

20


Debt plus, (iii) to the extent not included in subclause (i) or (ii) above of this clause (b), scheduled and required payments made by the Borrower in respect of Deferred Purchase Price for such period.

Foreign Lender” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

Foreign Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary that is not organized under the Laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

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

Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (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 Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

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.

Funding Indemnity Letter” means a funding indemnity letter, substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

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, without limitation, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, 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 or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Guarantee” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Debt 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 Debt or other

 

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obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Debt or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Debt 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 Debt or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Debt 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 Debt or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Debt or other obligation is assumed or expressly undertaken by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Debt 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.

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning specified in Section 11.01.

Guarantors” means, collectively, (a) each direct or indirect wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower, other than the Designated Subsidiaries, (b) each other Subsidiary of the Borrower as are or may from time to time become parties to this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.12 or shall be required to execute and deliver a guaranty pursuant to Section 6.12 and (c) with respect to Additional Secured Obligations owing by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and any Swap Obligation of a Specified Loan Party (determined before giving effect to Sections 11.01 and 11.11) under the Guaranty, the Borrower. For avoidance of doubt, the term “Guarantor” shall not include (i) any Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is held directly or indirectly by a Foreign Subsidiary and (ii) any Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be required to execute and deliver a guaranty or guaranty supplement pursuant to Section 6.12(b).

Guaranty” means, collectively, the Guarantee made by the Guarantors under Article XI in favor of the Secured Creditors, together with each other guaranty and Joinder Agreement delivered pursuant to Section 6.12.

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 that, (a) at the time it enters into a Swap Contract required by or 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 required by or 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 ceased to be a Lender); provided, in the case of a Secured Hedge Agreement

 

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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 and 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 Creditor Designation Notice to the Administrative Agent prior to such date of determination.

Highest Lawful Rate” means, with respect to each Lender, the maximum non-usurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Notes or on other Debt under the Loan Documents pursuant to laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such Applicable Laws, which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum non-usurious interest rate than Applicable Laws allow as of the date hereof.

Increase Effective Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(e).

Increase Joinder” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(e).

Incremental Commitments” means Incremental Revolving Commitments and/or the Incremental Term Commitments.

Incremental Revolving Commitment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(a).

Incremental Term Commitments” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(a).

Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(b).

Incremental Term Loans” means any loans made pursuant to any Incremental Term Commitments.

Indemnified Taxes” means all (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 10.04(b).

Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.

Interest Expense” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and for any period of determination, the interest expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including that attributable to obligations which have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as Capital Leases), including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to debt for borrowed money, letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing and net costs under any Swap Contracts, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Interest Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan or Swing Line Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date.

Interest Period” means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one, three or six months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Borrower in its Loan Notice; provided that:

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

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

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

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, including any Acquisition, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Debt of such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit or all or a substantial part of the business of such Person. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

IP Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 5.17.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or such successor thereto.

 

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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 F executed and delivered in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.12.

Laws” means, collectively, all applicable 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; provided, that “Laws” excludes Environmental Laws.

L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Revolving Credit 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 Revolving Credit Borrowing.

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 Letter of Credit Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.03. The Letter of Credit 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 Disbursement” means a payment made by the L/C Issuer pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

L/C Issuer” means Bank of America 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.

 

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Lender” 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 Swing Line 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 any standby letter of credit issued hereunder and shall include the Existing Letters 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 days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day).

Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(l).

Letter of Credit Sublimit” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $15,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Credit Facility; provided that the L/C Issuer’s Letter of Credit Sublimit shall not exceed its L/C Commitment. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.

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

LIBOR” has the meaning specified in the definition of Eurodollar Rate.

Liquid Investments” means (a) direct or indirect obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States; (b) mutual funds investing in securities issued by the United States; (c)(i) negotiable or non-negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits, or other similar banking arrangements maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof (“bank debt securities”), issued by (a) any Lender or (b) any other bank or trust company which has either (I) obtained insurance from the Federal Depositor’s Insurance Corporation supporting such bank’s or trust company’s obligation to repay the bank debt securities or (II) a combined capital surplus and undivided profit of not

 

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less than $250,000,000 or the Dollar Equivalent thereof, if at the time of deposit or purchase, such bank debt securities are rated not less than “A” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of S&P or of Moody’s, and (ii) commercial paper issued by (a) any Lender or (b) any other Person if at the time of purchase such commercial paper is rated not less than “A-2” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of S&P or not less than “P-2” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of Moody’s, or upon the discontinuance of both of such services, such other nationally recognized rating service or services, as the case may be, as shall be selected by the Borrower with the consent of the Required Lenders; (d) repurchase agreements relating to investments described in clauses (a) and (c) above with a market value at least equal to the consideration paid in connection therewith, with any Person who regularly engages in the business of entering into repurchase agreements and has a combined capital surplus and undivided profit of not less than $250,000,000 or the Dollar Equivalent thereof, if at the time of entering into such agreement the debt securities of such Person are rated not less than “BBB” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of S&P or of Moody’s; (e) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000; (f) investments in state or municipal securities or auction rate securities that are rated A-1 by S&P or P-1 by Moody’s, provided that the Borrower has the right to put such securities back to the issuer or seller thereof at least once every 60 days; and (g) such other investments as the Borrower may request and the Administrative Agent may approve in writing, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

Liquidity” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) Unrestricted Cash of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries plus (b) the remainder of (i) the Revolving Credit Facility, minus (ii) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings.

Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Revolving Credit Loan or a Swing Line Loan.

Loan Documents” means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) the Notes, (c) the Guaranty, (d) each Joinder Agreement, (e) the Collateral Documents, (f) each Issuer Document, (g) the Fee Letter, (h) any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.15 of this Agreement and (i) all other certificates, agreements, documents and instruments executed and delivered, in each case, by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to the foregoing (but specifically excluding any Secured Hedge Agreement or any Secured Cash Management Agreement) and any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto or to any other Loan Document or waivers hereof or to any other Loan Document; provided, however, that for purposes of Section 10.01, “Loan Documents” shall mean this Agreement, the Guaranty and the Collateral Documents.

Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Revolving Credit Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit G, or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an 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.

 

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

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

Long Term Incentive Program” means the Second Amended and Restated 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan of the Borrower, as amended, amended and restated, or supplemented from time to time, and any other equity-based compensation plan of the Borrower from time to time in effect and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Master Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Swap Contract”.

Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, assets, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent) or the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment on the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, or of the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; (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; or (d) a material adverse effect upon the perfection or priority of any material Lien granted under any of the Collateral Documents.

Maturity Date” means the earliest to occur of (a) May 13, 2026 and (b) such earlier date as all of the Obligations become due and payable hereunder, whether by termination, acceleration, prepayment, reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments to zero or otherwise; provided, however, that, in each case, if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.

Measurement Period” means, on any date of determination, the most recently completed four Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

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 the existence of 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 and (b) 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.

Mortgaged Property” means any property subject to a lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors granted pursuant to a Mortgage.

Mortgages” means deeds of trust or mortgages, in substantially the form of Exhibit H (with such changes as may be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel to account for local law matters) and covering interests in real property owned or leased by the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary (together with the Assignments of Leases and Rents referred to therein).

 

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Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five (5) plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

Net Cash Proceeds” means:

(a)    with respect to any asset sale by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Casualty Event, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and cash equivalents received in connection with such transaction (including any cash or cash equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount of any Debt that is secured by the applicable asset and that is required to be repaid in connection with such transaction (other than Debt under the Loan Documents), (B) the reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary in connection with such transaction and payable to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Borrower, and (C) income taxes reasonably estimated to be actually payable within two years of the date of the relevant transaction as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith; provided that, if the amount of any estimated taxes pursuant to subclause (C) exceeds the amount of taxes actually required to be paid in cash in respect of such Disposition, the aggregate amount of such excess shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds; and

(b)    with respect to the sale or issuance of any Equity Interest by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or the incurrence or issuance of any Debt by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess of (i) the sum of the cash and cash equivalents received in connection with such transaction over (ii) the underwriting discounts and commissions, and other reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses, incurred by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary in connection therewith.

Net Income” means, at any date of determination, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period; provided that Net Income shall exclude (a) gains and extraordinary losses from discontinued operations and extraordinary items (including life insurance proceeds) for such Measurement Period, (b) the net income of any Subsidiary during such Measurement Period to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of such income is not permitted by operation of the terms of its Organization Documents or any agreement, instrument or Law applicable to such Subsidiary during such Measurement Period, (c) any income (or loss) for such Measurement Period of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that the Borrower’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such Measurement Period shall be included in Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such Measurement Period to the Borrower or a Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (and in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is not precluded from further distributing such amount to the Borrower as described in clause (b) of this proviso), and (d) any write-up of assets.

 

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Net Worth” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and for any time of determination, the sum of (a) the par value (or value stated on the books of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) of all classes of Equity Interests of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries other than Excluded Equity Interests, (b) the additional paid-in capital of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries allocable to all classes of Equity Interests of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries other than Excluded Equity Interests, and (c) the amount of the surplus and retained earnings, whether capital or earned, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all determined in accordance with GAAP.

New Lenders” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(d).

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, or all Lenders or all affected Lenders in a Facility, in accordance with the terms of Section 10.01 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-Extension Notice Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(ii).

Note” means a Revolving Credit Note.

Notice of Loan Prepayment” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit I or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer.

NPL” means the National Priorities List under CERCLA.

Obligations” means (a) 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 and (b) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the foregoing, including the 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 that, without limiting the foregoing, the Obligations of a Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor.

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

Ordinary Course of Business” means, with respect to any transaction involving any Person, the ordinary course of business of such Person consistent with past practices of such Person taken in good faith and not for the purpose of evading any term, provision or restriction of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

 

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Original Security Document” has the meaning specified in Section 10.23.

Organization Documents” means (a) with respect to any corporation, the charter or 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 Rate Early Opt-in” means the Administrative Agent and the Borrower have elected to replace LIBOR with a Benchmark Replacement other than a SOFR-based rate pursuant to (1) an Early Opt-in Election and (2) Section 3.03(c)(ii) and paragraph (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement”.

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)

Outstanding Amount” means (i) with respect to Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any Borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; and (ii) 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.

Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

 

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Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

Patriot Act” has the meaning specified in Section 10.18.

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the 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 Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which the Borrower 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 Code.

Permitted Liens” means each of the Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.01.

Permitted Senior Notes Refinancing” means any unsecured refinancing, refunding, exchange, redemption, renewal or extension of the Senior Notes so long as (a) at the time thereof, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (b) the amount of such Debt is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to the reasonable premium paid, and fees, original issue discount and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing, (c) the final maturity date of such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Debt shall be no earlier than 180 days after the latest Maturity Date and shall have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Senior Notes, (d) such Debt shall not be required to be repaid, prepaid, redeemed, repurchased or defeased, whether on one or more fixed dates, upon the occurrence of one or more events or at the option of any holder thereof (except for customary provisions relating to change of control and asset sales, or to the extent such repayment, prepayment, redemption, repurchase or defeasance would have been required pursuant to the terms of the Senior Notes), (e) the terms and conditions of any such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension (i) are on market terms on the date of issuance (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), and (ii) are not, taken as a whole, more restrictive than the covenants and events of default contained in this Agreement and in the Senior Notes Documents, provided that if such Debt contains any financial maintenance covenants, such covenants shall not be tighter than those contained in this Agreement, (f) the interest rate applicable to any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Debt does not exceed the then applicable market interest rate (as determined in good faith by the Borrower), and (g) the Borrower is the primary obligor with respect to any such refinancing, refunding, redemption, renewal or extension.

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

Plan” means any material employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained or contributed by the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate for Borrower’s employees.

Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

 

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Pledged Debt” has the meaning specified in Section 1.01 of the Security Agreement.

Pledged Equity Interests” has the meaning specified in Section 1.01 of the Security Agreement.

Pre-need Obligations” means the liabilities and obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to perform funeral or cemetery related services or provide funeral or cemetery property, merchandise or inventory pursuant to written contracts with their customers.

Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

Property” of any Person means any property or assets (whether real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible) of such Person.

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.

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).

QFC Credit Support” has the meaning specified in Section 10.21.

Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligations, 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.

Qualified Preferred Stock” means Redeemable Preferred Stock that provides (a) for its mandatory redemption on a date, if at all, that is on or after the first anniversary of the Maturity Date, as the same may be extended from time to time, and (b) that no holder of such shares will be entitled to retain or receive Restricted Payments in respect of such shares for a period of not less than 180 days after receipt by such holder of written notice from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that an Event of Default hereunder has occurred and is then continuing and that such payments should be blocked, and indefinitely, for so long as there shall exist any default in the payment of any Obligations, whether by maturity, acceleration, or otherwise, all such provisions to be in form and content reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Real Property Collateral” means all interests in real property (excluding cemeteries) owned by the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary that are required to become Collateral in accordance with Section 6.12(c) or Section 6.12(d).

Real Property Collateral Trigger Event” means at any time after the Closing Date when the most recent Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a) indicates that the Total Leverage Ratio is equal to or greater than the ratio that is 0.25 less than the maximum Total Leverage Ratio then permitted under Section 7.11(a).

 

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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.

Redeemable Preferred Stock” means shares of the Borrower’s preferred stock which by its terms requires or permits the Borrower to redeem such shares.

Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).

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.

Release” means any release, spill, emission, discharge, deposit, disposal, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping, emptying, injection or leaching into the Environment, or into, from or through any building, structure or facility.

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

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

Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Revolving Credit Loans, a Loan Notice, (b) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice and (c) with respect to a L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application.

Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, at least two (provided there are at least two) Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of the (a) Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Revolving Credit Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit being deemed “held” by such Revolving Credit Lender for purposes of this definition) and (b) aggregate unused Commitments. The unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders; provided that the amount of any participation in any Swing Line Loan and any 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 Swing Line Lender or the 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).

Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

 

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Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, partner, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party, and solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01, 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 satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Restricted Payment” means (a) any Dividend, (b) any and all funds, cash or other payments made in respect of the redemption, repurchase or acquisition of any class of Equity Interests, unless such Equity Interests shall be redeemed or acquired through the exchange of such Equity Interests with Equity Interests of the same or another class or options or warrants to purchase such Equity Interests or Equity Interests of another class, or (c) any payment or prepayment of principal, interest, premium or penalty of or in respect of any Subordinated Debt, or any defeasance, redemption, purchase, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement for value, in whole or in part, of any Subordinated Debt except for exchanges of any Subordinated Debt for Equity Interests or options or warrants to purchase any such Equity Interests.

Revolving Credit Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.

Revolving Credit Commitment” means, as to each Revolving Credit Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01, (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line 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 under the caption “Revolving Credit Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. The Revolving Credit Commitment of all the Lenders on the Closing Date shall be $150,000,000.

Revolving Credit Exposure” means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and such Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans at such time.

Revolving Credit Facility” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

 

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Revolving Credit Lender” means, at any time, (a) so long as any Revolving Credit Commitment is in effect, any Lender that has a Revolving Credit Commitment at such time or (b) if the Revolving Credit Commitments have terminated or expired, any Lender that has a Revolving Credit Loan or a participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans at such time.

Revolving Credit Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

Revolving Credit Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Revolving Credit Lender evidencing Revolving Credit Loans or Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, made by such Revolving Credit Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit J.

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 Loan Party or any Subsidiary, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby such Loan Party or such Subsidiary 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 administered or enforced by the United States Government (including without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority.

Scheduled Unavailability Date” has the meaning specified in Section 3.03(c).

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 and any Cash Management Bank.

Secured Creditor Designation Notice” means a notice from any Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender substantially in the form of Exhibit K.

Secured Creditors” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Lenders, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks, the Indemnitees (other than a service provider to the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the L/C Issuer), each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05, and the other Persons the Obligations owing to which are or are purported to be secured by the Collateral under the terms of the Collateral Documents.

Secured Hedge Agreement” means any interest rate, currency, foreign exchange, or commodity Swap Contract required by or not prohibited under Articles VI or VII between any Loan Party and any Hedge Bank.

Secured Obligations” means all Obligations and all Additional Secured Obligations.

 

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Security Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(a)(iii).

Security Agreement Supplement” has the meaning specified in Section 1.01 of the Security Agreement.

SEMS” means the Superfund Enterprise Management System maintained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Senior Notes” means the Borrower’s 4.25% senior unsecured notes due 2029 not to exceed $450,000,000 in original principal amount, issued pursuant to the Senior Notes Indenture and the other Senior Notes Documents.

Senior Notes Documents” means the Senior Notes, the Senior Notes Indenture, and all agreements, guaranty and instruments executed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party in connection with the Senior Notes or the Senior Notes Indenture.

Senior Notes Indenture” means the Indenture dated as of May 13, 2021 among the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, pursuant to which the Senior Notes are issued.

SOFR Early Opt-in means the Administrative Agent and the Borrower have elected to replace LIBOR pursuant to (1) an Early Opt-in Election and (2) Section 3.03(c)(i) and paragraph (1) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement”.

Solvent” and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) 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, (c) 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, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the Ordinary Course of Business. 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 Loan Party” means any Loan Party that is not an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 11.11).

Subordinated Debt” means Debt incurred by any Loan Party which by its terms (a) is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment of the Obligations and (b) contains standstill, interest rate, maturity and amortization, insolvency-related provisions, and other terms in all respects on terms acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole reasonable discretion.

 

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Subordinated Debt Documents” means all agreements (including without limitation intercreditor agreements, instruments and other documents) pursuant to which Subordinated Debt has been or will be issued or otherwise setting forth the terms of any Subordinated Debt.

Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) each of CSI Funeral Services of Massachusetts, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, Forastiere Family Funeral Service, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, and Cataudella Funeral Home, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary and (b) Carriage Cares, a Texas corporation, shall be deemed not to be a Subsidiary. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower; provided an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not be a Subsidiary.

Supported QFC” has the meaning specified in Section 10.21.

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

Swap Obligations” means with respect to any Guarantor any obligations owed to any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender 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).

 

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Swing Line Borrowing” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04.

Swing Line Lender” means Bank of America in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.

Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).

Swing Line Loan Notice” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit L or such other form as approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an 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.

Swing Line Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $10,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Credit Facility. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.

Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including Sale and Leaseback Transactions), in each case, creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any Debtor Relief Laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

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.

Term SOFR” means, for the applicable corresponding tenor (or if any Available Tenor of a Benchmark does not correspond to an Available Tenor for the applicable Benchmark Replacement, the closest corresponding Available Tenor and if such Available Tenor corresponds equally to two Available Tenors of the applicable Benchmark Replacement, the corresponding tenor of the shorter duration shall be applied), the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

Total Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the unused Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Lender at such time.

Total Debt” means, at any time, an amount equal to Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

Total Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Total Debt as of such date to (b) EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period.

 

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Total Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and L/C Obligations.

Total Revolving Credit Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations.

Trust Accounts” means, collectively, those certain perpetual care trust, pre-need trust, pre-construction trust or other trust arrangements established by the Borrower as required to be established and maintained in accordance with Applicable Law.

Trust Reserves” means, at the time of any determination thereof, in connection with the Trust Accounts, the aggregate of all amounts required by Applicable Law to be set aside in reserve, trust, escrow or any similar arrangement, and in respect to any jurisdiction in which the Applicable Laws do not require the trusting of any such funds, then 100% of the funds received pursuant to each Trust Account.

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

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Texas; 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 Texas, “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.

UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended form 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.

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

U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States person”, as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning specified in Section 10.21.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(f)(ii)(B)(3).

Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(f).

 

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Unrestricted Cash” means all cash located in the United States and Liquid Investments that may be converted to cash within five days, provided such cash and Liquid Investments are not subject to any Lien and the use thereof is not otherwise restricted.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Person so designated by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 6.19; provided that a majority of such Person’s outstanding Voting Shares, but less than 100% of such Voting Shares, is owned by the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries.

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

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Debt, at any date, the number of years 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 of such Debt.

Withholding Agent” means the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

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.

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

(a)    The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including the Loan Documents and any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended,

 

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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 permitted assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory rules, regulations, orders and provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law, rule or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law, rule 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 tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

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

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

(d)    This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of negotiation among, and have been reviewed by counsel to, among others, the Administrative Agent and the Loan Parties, and are the product of discussions and negotiations among all parties. Accordingly, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are not intended to be construed against the Administrative Agent, any of the Lenders or any Loan Party merely on account of the Administrative Agent’s, any Lender’s or any Loan Party’s involvement in the preparation of such documents.

(e)    For purposes of Section 8.01, a breach of a financial covenant contained in Section 7.11 shall be deemed to have occurred as of any date of determination thereof by the Administrative Agent or as of the last day of any specified measuring period, regardless of when the financial statements or the Compliance Certificate reflecting such breach are delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

(f)    Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to 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).

 

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1.03    Accounting Terms.

(a)    Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, 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, Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.

(b)    Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP or the application thereof 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 or the application thereof, as applicable (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. Without limiting the foregoing, leases shall continue to be classified and accounted for on a basis consistent with that reflected in the Audited Financial Statements for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any change in GAAP relating thereto, unless the parties hereto shall enter into a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes, as provided for above.

(c)    Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. All references herein to consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or to the determination of any amount for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or any similar reference shall, in each case, be deemed to include each variable interest entity that the Borrower is required to consolidate pursuant to FASB ASC 810 as if such variable interest entity were a Subsidiary as defined herein.

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

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

 

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1.06    Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

1.07    References to Agreements and Laws. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to Organization Documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited by any Loan Document; and (b) references to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.

1.08    Rates. The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “Eurodollar Rate” or with respect to any rate that is an alternative or replacement for or successor to any of such rates (including, without limitation, any Benchmark Replacement) or the effect of any of the foregoing, or of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.

ARTICLE II

THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

2.01    The Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “Revolving Credit 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 Credit Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Revolving Credit Borrowing, (i) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Facility, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment. Within the limits of each Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit 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 Credit Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided herein; provided, however, any Revolving Credit Borrowings advanced on the Closing Date or any of the three (3) Business Days following the Closing Date shall be made as Base Rate Loans unless the Borrower delivers a Funding Indemnity Letter not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the date of such Revolving Credit Borrowing.

 

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2.02    Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

(a)    Notice of Borrowing. Each Revolving Credit Borrowing, each conversion of Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by (i) telephone or (ii) Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Loan Notice. Each Loan Notice must be sent by the Borrower and be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(e) and 2.04(c), each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice shall specify (I) whether the Borrower is requesting a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a conversion of Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (II) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (III) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (IV) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Revolving Credit 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 Revolving Credit Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any such Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swing Line Loan may not be converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

(b)    Advance. Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of Revolving Credit 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 Base Rate Loans described in Section 2.02(a). In the case of a Revolving Credit Borrowing, each Revolving Credit 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 Bank of America 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 such Borrowing is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, 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.

 

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(c)    Eurodollar Rate Loans. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.

(d)    Interest Rates. 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. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in Bank of America’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

(e)    Interest Periods. After giving effect to all Revolving Credit Borrowings, all conversions of Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Revolving Credit Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than eight (8) Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility.

(f)    Cashless Settlement Mechanism. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue or rollover all or the portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Lender.

2.03    Letters of Credit.

(a)    The Letter of Credit Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, in addition to the Loans provided for in Section 2.01, the Borrower may request that the L/C Issuer, in reliance on the agreements of the Revolving Credit Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, issue, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period, Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars for its own account or the account of any of its Subsidiaries in such form as is acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer in its reasonable determination. Letters of Credit issued hereunder shall constitute utilization of the Revolving Credit Commitments. All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto and deemed L/C Obligations, and from and after the Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.

(b)    Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Extension, Reinstatement or Renewal.

(i)    To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment of the terms and conditions, extension of the terms and conditions, extension of the expiration date, or reinstatement of amounts paid, or renewal of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall deliver (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the L/C Issuer) to the L/C Issuer selected by it and to the

 

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Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two (2) 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 a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, extended, reinstated or renewed, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, extension, reinstatement or renewal (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with clause (d) of this Section 2.03), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof, the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, extend, reinstate or renew such Letter of Credit. If requested by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application and reimbursement agreement on the L/C Issuer’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application and reimbursement agreement or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the L/C Issuer relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

(ii)    If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application (or the amendment of an outstanding Letter of Credit), 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 shall 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 by the Borrower and the L/C Issuer 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 Revolving Credit 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 expiration date not later than the date permitted pursuant to Section 2.03(d); provided, that the L/C Issuer shall not (A) permit any such extension if (1) 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 extended form under the terms hereof (except that the expiration date may be extended to a date that is no more than one (1) year from the then-current expiration date) or (2) it has received notice (which may be in writing or by telephone (if promptly confirmed in writing)) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (B) be obligated to permit such extension if it has received notice (which may be in writing or by telephone (if promptly confirmed in writing)) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date from the Administrative Agent, any Revolving Credit Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.

 

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(c)    Limitations on Amounts, Issuance and Amendment. A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, extended, reinstated or renewed only if (and upon issuance, amendment, extension, reinstatement or renewal of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, extension, reinstatement or renewal (w) the aggregate amount of the outstanding Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer shall not exceed its L/C Commitment, (x) the aggregate L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, (y) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Lender shall not exceed its Revolving Credit Commitment and (z) the Total Credit Exposure shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Facility.

(i)    The L/C Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue 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 the 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 of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to the 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 of the 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, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $50,000; or

(D)    any Revolving Credit 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 Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)) 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.

(ii)    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.

 

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(d)    Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall have a stated expiration date no later than the earlier of (ix) the date twelve (12) months after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any extension of the expiration date thereof, whether automatic or by amendment, twelve months after the then current expiration date of such Letter of Credit) and (x) the Letter of Credit Expiration Date.

(e)    Participations.

(i)    By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount or extending the expiration date thereof), and without any further action on the part of the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, the L/C Issuer hereby grants to each Revolving Credit Lender, and each Revolving Credit Lender hereby acquires from the L/C Issuer, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this clause (e) in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, extension, reinstatement or renewal of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments.

(ii)    In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Credit Lender hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for account of the L/C Issuer, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each L/C Disbursement made by the L/C Issuer not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the notice provided by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to Section 2.03(f) until such L/C Disbursement is reimbursed by the Borrower or at any time after any reimbursement payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason, including after the Maturity Date. Such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each such payment shall be made in the same manner as provided in Section 2.02 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.02 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.03), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the L/C Issuer the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03(f), the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the L/C Issuer or, to the extent that the Revolving Credit Lenders have made payments pursuant to this clause (e) to reimburse the L/C Issuer, then to such Lenders and the L/C Issuer as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this clause (e) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any L/C Disbursement shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such L/C Disbursement.

 

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(iii)    Each Revolving Credit Lender further acknowledges and agrees that its participation in each Letter of Credit will be automatically adjusted to reflect such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit at each time such Lender’s Commitment is amended pursuant to the operation of Sections 2.14, as a result of an assignment in accordance with Section 10.06 or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement.

(iv)    If any Revolving Credit 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(e), 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 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 Credit Loan included in the relevant Revolving Credit 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 Revolving Credit Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (e)(iv) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(f)    Reimbursement.    If the L/C Issuer shall make any L/C Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer in respect of such L/C Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such L/C Disbursement not later than 12:00 noon on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice of such L/C Disbursement, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m. or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time, provided that, if such L/C Disbursement is not less than $1,000,000, the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.02 or Section 2.04 that such payment be financed with a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or Swing Line Loan in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or Swing Line Loan. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the applicable L/C Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof (the “Unreimbursed Amount”) and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, each Revolving Credit Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount pursuant to Section 2.03(e)(ii), subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments. Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(f) 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.

 

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(g)    Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse L/C Disbursements as provided in clause (f) of this Section 2.03 shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of:

(i)    any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Letter of Credit, or any term or provision herein or therein;

(ii)    the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

(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 in such draft or other document 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 required 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 or the ISP, as applicable;

(vii)    payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply strictly 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 event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.03, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s obligations hereunder.

(h)    Examination. 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.

 

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(i)    Liability. None of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, or any of their Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit by the L/C Issuer or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in Section 2.03(g)), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms, any error in translation or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the L/C Issuer; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the L/C Issuer from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by Applicable Law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the L/C Issuer’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the L/C Issuer (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the L/C Issuer shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination, and that:

(i)                the L/C Issuer may replace a purportedly lost, stolen, or destroyed original Letter of Credit or missing amendment thereto with a certified true copy marked as such or waive a requirement for its presentation;

(ii)    the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and may make payment upon presentation of documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit and without regard to any non-documentary condition in such Letter of Credit;

(iii)    the L/C Issuer shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to decline to accept such documents and to make such payment if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit; and

(iv)    this sentence shall establish the standard of care to be exercised by the L/C Issuer when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof (and the parties hereto hereby waive, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, any standard of care inconsistent with the foregoing).

Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, or any of their Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of (A) any presentation that includes forged or fraudulent documents or that is otherwise affected by the fraudulent, bad faith, or illegal conduct of the beneficiary or other Person, (B) the L/C Issuer

 

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declining to take-up documents and make payment, (C) against documents that are fraudulent, forged, or for other reasons by which that it is entitled not to honor, (D) following a Borrower’s waiver of discrepancies with respect to such documents or request for honor of such documents or (E) the L/C Issuer retaining proceeds of a Letter of Credit based on an apparently applicable attachment order, blocking regulation, or third-party claim notified to the L/C Issuer.

(j)    Applicability of ISP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued by it (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), 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 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.

(k)    Benefits. 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 (i) 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 (ii) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.

(l)    Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance 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 first Business Day following 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 and (ii) accrued through and including the last day of each calendar quarter in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any 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 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.

(m)    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

 

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amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable no later than the tenth 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 Maturity 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.

(n)    Disbursement Procedures. The L/C Issuer for any Letter of Credit shall, within the time allowed by Applicable Laws or the specific terms of the Letter of Credit following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under such Letter of Credit. The L/C Issuer shall promptly after such examination notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing of such demand for payment if the L/C Issuer has made or will make an L/C Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the L/C Issuer and the Lenders with respect to any such L/C Disbursement.

(o)    Interim Interest. If the L/C Issuer for any standby Letter of Credit shall make any L/C Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Disbursement in full on the date such L/C Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such L/C Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such L/C Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to Base Rate Loans; provided that if the Borrower fails to reimburse such L/C Disbursement when due pursuant to clause (f) of this Section 2.03, then Section 2.08(b) shall apply. Interest accrued pursuant to this clause (o) shall be for account of the L/C Issuer, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to clause (f) of this Section 2.03 to reimburse the L/C Issuer shall be for account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

(p)    Replacement of the L/C Issuer. the L/C Issuer may be replaced at any time by written agreement between the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced L/C Issuer and the successor L/C Issuer. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the L/C Issuer. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(m). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor L/C Issuer shall have all the rights and obligations of an L/C Issuer under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued by it thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “L/C Issuer” shall be deemed to include such successor or any previous L/C Issuer, or such successor and all previous L/C Issuer, as the context shall require. After the replacement of the L/C Issuer hereunder, the replaced L/C Issuer shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an L/C Issuer under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

 

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(q)    Cash Collateralization.

(i)    If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Credit Lenders with L/C Obligations representing at least 66-2/3% of the total L/C Obligations) demanding the deposit of Cash Collateral pursuant to this clause (q), the Borrower shall immediately deposit into an account established and maintained on the books and records of the Administrative Agent (the “Collateral Account”) an amount in cash equal to 105% of the total L/C Obligations as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, provided that the obligation to deposit such Cash Collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (f) of Section 8.01. Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. In addition, and without limiting the foregoing or clause (d) of this Section 2.03, if any L/C Obligations remain outstanding after the expiration date specified in said clause (d), the Borrower shall immediately deposit into the Collateral Account an amount in cash equal to 105% of such L/C Obligations as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

(ii)    The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over the Collateral Account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in the Collateral Account. Moneys in the Collateral Account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the L/C Issuer for L/C Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed, together with related fees, costs, and customary processing charges, and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the L/C Obligations at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with L/C Obligations representing 66-2/3% of the total L/C Obligations), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of Cash Collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

(r)    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, indemnify and compensate the L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit as if such Letter of Credit had been issued solely for the account of the Borrower. The Borrower irrevocably waives any and all defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of any or all of the obligations of such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

 

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(s)    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.

2.04    Swing Line Loans.

(a)    The Swing Line. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, may in its sole discretion make loans (each such loan, a “Swing Line Loan”) to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans of the Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment; provided, however, that (x) after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Facility at such time, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, (y) the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan and (z) the Swing Line Lender shall not be under any obligation to make any Swing Line Loan if it shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that it has, or by such Credit Extension may have, Fronting Exposure. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.04, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.04. Each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest only at a rate based on the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.

(b)    Borrowing Procedures. Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by (i) telephone or (ii) Swing Line Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a Swing Line Loan Notice. Each Swing Line Loan Notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (A) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $100,000, and (B) the requested date of the Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day). Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Revolving Credit Lender) prior to 1:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (1) directing the Swing Line

 

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Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a), or (2) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender may, not later than 2:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower at its office by crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Swing Line Lender in immediately available funds.

(c)    Refinancing of Swing Line Loans.

(i)    The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Revolving Credit Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Revolving Credit Facility and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral available with respect to the applicable Swing Line Loan) for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 12:00 noon on the day specified in such Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Revolving Credit Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.

(ii)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, if for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Revolving Credit Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i) (including, without limitation, the failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 4.02), the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Revolving Credit Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Revolving Credit Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.

(iii)    If any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender 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

 

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which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender 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 Credit Loan included in the relevant Revolving Credit Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (c)(iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(iv)    Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(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 Swing Line Lender, 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 Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Loan Notice). No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.

(d)    Repayment of Participations.

(i)    At any time after any Revolving Credit Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.

(ii)    If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Revolving Credit Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender 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, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause (d)(ii) shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(e)    Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Revolving Credit Lender funds its Base Rate Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.

 

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(f)    Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.

2.05    Prepayments.

(a)    Optional.

(i)    Subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section 2.05(a)(i), the Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Loan Prepayment, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Revolving Credit Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that, unless otherwise agreed to 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 Eurodollar Rate Loans and (2) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (B) any prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof; and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurodollar Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s ratable portion of such prepayment (based on such Lender’s Applicable Percentage in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility). 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 Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Subject to Section 2.16, each such prepayment shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility.

(ii)    The Borrower may, upon notice to the Swing Line Lender pursuant to delivery to the Swing Line Lender of a Notice of Loan Prepayment (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that, unless otherwise agreed by the Swing Line Lender, (A) such notice must be received by the Swing Line 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 hereof (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.

 

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(b)    Mandatory.

(i)    Dispositions and Involuntary Dispositions. If any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries Disposes of any Property in an asset sale permitted pursuant to Section 7.05(d) or a Casualty Event occurs, the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds immediately upon receipt thereof by such Person (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in clauses (iv) and (vi) below); provided, however, that, with respect to any Net Cash Proceeds realized under a Disposition described in this Section 2.05(b)(i) or as a result of a Casualty Event, at the election of the Borrower (as notified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date of such Disposition), and so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such Loan Party or such Subsidiary may reinvest all or any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds in operating assets so long as within 180 days after the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds, a definitive agreement relating to such purchase shall have been executed (as certified by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent) and such acquisition agreement shall have closed within 90 days thereafter; and provided further, however, that any Net Cash Proceeds not so reinvested shall be immediately applied to the prepayment of the Loans as set forth in this Section 2.05(b)(i).

(ii)    Equity Issuance. Upon the sale or issuance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any of its Equity Interests (other than any sales or issuances of Equity Interests to a Loan Party) and provided that after giving effect to such sale or issuance on a pro-forma basis the Total Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 4.25 to 1.00, the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 50% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom immediately upon receipt thereof by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in clauses (iv) and (vi) below).    For the avoidance of doubt, the sale or issuance by the Borrower of its Equity Interests in exchange for the retirement, purchase, prepayment or redemption of any Debt, is not considered to constitute the receipt of cash or Net Cash Proceeds by the Borrower.

(iii)    Debt Issuance. Upon the incurrence or issuance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Debt permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 7.03(i) and provided that after giving effect to such incurrence or issuance on a pro-forma basis the Total Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 4.25 to 1.00, the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 50% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom immediately upon receipt thereof by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in clauses (iv) and (vi) below).

(iv)    Application of Payments. Each prepayment of Loans pursuant to the foregoing provisions of Sections 2.05(b)(i), (ii) and (iii) shall be applied, to the Revolving Credit Facility in the manner set forth in clause (vi) of this Section 2.05(b), first, to the applicable portion thereof consisting of Base Rate Loans, and, second, to the portion thereof consisting of Eurodollar Rate Loans. Subject to Section 2.16, such prepayments shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.

 

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(v)    Revolving Credit Outstandings. If for any reason the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings at any time exceed the Revolving Credit Facility at such time, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line 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)(v) unless, after prepayment in full of the Revolving Credit Loans, the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed the Revolving Credit Facility at such time.

(vi)    Application of other Payments. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.16, prepayments of the Revolving Credit Facility made pursuant to this Section 2.05(b), first, shall be applied ratably to the Swing Line Loans, second, shall be applied ratably to the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, and third, shall be applied ratably to any outstanding L/C Borrowings.

(vii)    Any mandatory prepayment of Loans required pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.05 shall (A) be subject to Section 3.05, but otherwise without premium or penalty, (B) be accompanied by interest on the principal amount prepaid through the date of prepayment and (C) not be subject to any notice and minimum payment provisions.

(c)    Senior Note Prepayments. Anything contained in Section 2.05(b) to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) if, following the occurrence of any asset sale or other disposition by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, the Borrower is required under any Senior Notes Documents or any Permitted Senior Notes Refinancing to commit by a particular date (a “Commitment Date”) to apply or cause its Subsidiaries to apply an amount equal to the net proceeds thereof in a particular manner, or to apply by a particular date (an “Application Date”) an amount equal to any such net proceeds in a particular manner, in either case in order to excuse the Borrower from being required to make an offer to repurchase (or otherwise redeem or prepay) any Senior Notes pursuant to any such Senior Note Documents or any Permitted Senior Notes Refinancing, and the Borrower shall have failed to so commit or to so apply an amount equal to such net proceeds at least thirty (30) days before the applicable Commitment Date or Application Date, as the case may be, or (ii) if the Borrower at any other time shall have failed to apply or commit or cause to be applied an amount equal to any such net proceeds, and, within thirty (30) days thereafter assuming no further application or commitment of an amount equal to such net proceeds the Borrower would otherwise be required to make an offer to repurchase (or otherwise redeem or prepay) in respect thereof, then in either such case the Borrower shall immediately pay or cause to be paid to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such net proceeds to be applied to the payment of the Loans and L/C Borrowings and to Cash Collateralize the remaining L/C Obligations in the manner set forth in Section 2.05(b) in such amounts as shall excuse the Borrower from making any such repurchase offer (or other applicable redemption or prepayment).

2.06    Termination or Reduction of Commitments.

(a)    Optional. The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate, or from time to time permanently reduce, the Revolving Credit Facility, the Letter of

 

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Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. five 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 Revolving Credit Facility if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings would exceed the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iv) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the Revolving Credit Facility, such Sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.

(b)    Mandatory. If after giving effect to any reduction or termination of Revolving Credit Commitments under this Section 2.06, the Swing Line Sublimit or the Letter of Credit Sublimit, as the case may be, exceeds the Revolving Credit Facility at such time, the Swing Line Sublimit or the Letter of Credit Sublimit, as the case may be, shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.

(c)    Application of Commitment Reductions; Payment of Fees. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any termination or reduction of the Revolving Credit Facility under this Section 2.06. Upon any reduction of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender shall be reduced by such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such reduction amount. All fees in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Revolving Credit Facility shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.

2.07    Repayment of Loans.

(a)    Revolving Credit Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Revolving Credit Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such date.

(b)    Swing Line Loans. The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) unless otherwise refinanced as a Revolving Credit Loan pursuant to Section 2.04(c), the date ten Business Days after such Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.

2.08    Interest and Default Rate.

(a)    Interest. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.08(b), (i) each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (y) the Highest Lawful Rate and (z) the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (y) the Highest Lawful Rate and (z) the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate; and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (y) the Highest Lawful Rate and (z) the Base Rate plus the Applicable 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.

 

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(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 lesser of (y) the Default Rate and (z) the Highest Lawful Rate to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

(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 lesser of (y) the Default Rate and (z) the Highest Lawful Rate to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

(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 lesser of (y) the Default Rate and (z) the Highest Lawful Rate to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

(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.

2.09    Fees. In addition to certain fees described in clauses (l) and (m) of Section 2.03:

(a)    Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee equal to the Applicable Fee Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Revolving Credit Facility exceeds the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16. For avoidance of doubt, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans shall not count towards or be considered usage of the Revolving Credit Facility 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 last Business Day 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 for the Revolving Credit Facility. The commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change

 

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in the Applicable Fee Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Fee Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Fee Rate was in effect.

(b)    Other Fees.

(i)    The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent and the Arranger for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

(ii)    The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

2.10    Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate.

(a)    Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall, subject to Section 10.09, be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365 day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(b)    Financial Statement Adjustments or Restatements. If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Borrower or for any other reason, the Borrower or the Lenders determine that (i) the Total Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Total 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 the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This 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 Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

 

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2.11    Evidence 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 and by the Administrative Agent in the Ordinary Course of Business. The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register in accordance with Section 10.06(c). The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations hereunder. 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 Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

(b)    Maintenance of Records. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.11(a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line 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.

2.12    Payments Generally; Administrative Agents 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 in respect of the relevant Facility (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. 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 Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the

 

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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 Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such 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.

(ii)    Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due.

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 Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

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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 Revolving Credit Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c).

(e)    Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

(f)    Pro Rata Treatment. Except to the extent otherwise provided herein: (i) each Borrowing (other than Swing Line Borrowings) shall be made from the Lenders, each payment of fees under Section 2.09 and clauses (l) and (m) of Section 2.03 shall be made for account of the Appropriate Lenders, and each termination or reduction of the amount of the Commitments shall be applied to the respective Commitments of the Lenders, pro rata according to the amounts of their respective Commitments; (ii) each Borrowing shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders according to the amounts of their respective Commitments or their respective Loans that are to be included in such Borrowing (in the case of conversions and continuations of Loans); (iii) each payment or prepayment of principal of Loans by the Borrower shall be made for account of the Appropriate Lenders pro rata in accordance with the respective unpaid principal amounts of the Loans held by them; and (iv) each payment of interest on Loans by the Borrower shall be made for account of the Appropriate Lenders pro rata in accordance with the amounts of interest on such Loans then due and payable to the respective Appropriate Lenders.

2.13    Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of (a) Obligations in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility due and payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations due and payable to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all the Lenders at such

 

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time or (b) Obligations in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all of the Lenders at such time, then, in each case under clauses (a) and (b) above, 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 sub-participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line 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 Obligations in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility then due and payable to the Lenders or owing (but not due and payable) to the Lenders, as the case may be, provided that:

(i)    if any such participations or sub-participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or sub-participations 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 (x) 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), (y) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.15, or (z) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or sub-participations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof (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.

2.14    Increase in Facilities.

(a)    Request for Increase. Provided there exists no Default, upon notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders), the Borrower may from time to time, request (x) an increase in the Revolving Credit Facility (each, an “Incremental Revolving Commitment”) and/or (y) the establishment of one or more new term loan commitments (an “Incremental Term Commitment”), by an aggregate amount (for all such requests) not exceeding $75,000,000; provided that (i) any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000; and (ii) the Borrower may make a maximum of four (4) such requests during the

 

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term of this Agreement. At the time of sending such notice, the Borrower (in consultation with the Administrative Agent) shall specify the time period within which each Lender is requested to respond (which shall in no event be less than ten (10) Business Days from the date of delivery of such notice to the Lenders).

(b)    Terms of New Loans and Commitments. The terms and provisions of Loans made pursuant to Incremental Commitments shall be as follows:

(i)    the terms and provisions of Incremental Term Loans shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that in any event the Incremental Term Loans must comply with clause (iii) below;

(ii)    the terms and provisions of Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to Incremental Revolving Commitments shall be identical to the Revolving Credit Loans; and

(iii)    the maturity date of Incremental Term Loans (the “Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date”) shall not be earlier than the Maturity Date.

(c)    Lender Elections to Increase. Each Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent within such time period (i) whether or not it agrees to provide an Incremental Term Commitment, and (ii) whether or not it agrees to increase its Revolving Credit Commitment and, if so, whether by an amount equal to, greater than, or less than its Applicable Percentage of such requested increase, as applicable. Any Lender not responding within such time period shall be deemed to have declined to provide an Incremental Term Commitment or increase its Revolving Credit Commitment, as applicable.

(d)    Notification by Administrative Agent; Additional Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and each Lender of the Lenders’ responses to each request made hereunder. To achieve the full amount of a requested increase, and subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender (which approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Borrower may also invite additional Eligible Assignees to become Lenders (the “New Lenders”).

(e)    Increase Joinder; Effective Date; Allocations. The Incremental Commitments shall be effected by a joinder agreement (the “Increase Joinder”) executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Lender making such Incremental Commitment, including each New Lender, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each of them. The Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall determine the effective date (the “Increase Effective Date”) and the final allocation of such increase. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the final allocation of such increase and the Increase Effective Date. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.01, the Increase Joinder may, without the consent of any other Lenders, 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, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.14. In addition, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, all references in Loan Documents to Revolving Credit Loans shall be deemed, unless the context otherwise requires, to include references to Revolving Credit Loans made pursuant to Incremental Revolving Commitments made pursuant to this Agreement.

 

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(f)    Conditions to Effectiveness of Increase. As a condition precedent to such increase, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of the Borrower dated as of the Increase Effective Date (in sufficient copies for each Lender) signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by the Borrower approving or consenting to such increase, and (ii) certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, (A) each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 shall have been satisfied; (B) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents that are subject to materiality and Material Adverse Effect qualifications are true and correct in all respects and the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents that are not subject to materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications are true and correct in all material respects, on and as of the Increase Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 2.14, the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.05(a) and (c) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b), respectively, and (C) no Default exists. The Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered any other customary documents, including, without limitation, legal opinions, as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with any increase in the Revolving Credit Facility.

(g)    Adjustment of Revolving Credit Loans. To the extent the Commitments being increased on the relevant Increase Effective Date are Incremental Revolving Commitments, the Borrower shall prepay any Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on the Increase Effective Date (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans ratable with any revised Applicable Percentages arising from any non-ratable increase in the Revolving Credit Commitments under this Section 2.14.

(h)    Making of Incremental Term Loans. On any Increase Effective Date on which new commitments for Incremental Term Loans are effective, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, each Lender of such new commitment shall make an Incremental Term Loan to the Borrower in an amount equal to its new Incremental Term Commitment.

(i)    Equal and Ratable Benefit. The Loans and Incremental Commitments established pursuant to this paragraph shall constitute Loans and commitments under, and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and shall, without limiting the foregoing, benefit equally and ratably from the Guarantees and the Collateral.

(j)    Conflicting Provisions. This Section 2.14 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.13 or 10.01 to the contrary.

 

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2.15    Cash Collateral.

(a)    Obligation to Cash Collateralize. At any time there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the Minimum Collateral Amount.

(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 Cash Collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.15(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer as herein provided, 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 (determined in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to Section 2.16(a)(v), after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(v) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. 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 2.15 or Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.16 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise 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 10.06(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.

 

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2.16    Defaulting Lenders.

(a)    Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law:

(i)    Waivers and Amendments. 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 10.01.

(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 10.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by 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 Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.15; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which 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 2.15; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line 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

 

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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 Swing Line Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.16(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 2.16(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 commitment 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 2.15.

(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 or Swing Line Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to the L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s or Swing Line Lender’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 Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit 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 Revolving Credit Commitment. Subject to Section 10.21, 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 Swing Line Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower

 

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shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under Applicable Law, (x) first, prepay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Swing Line 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 2.15.

(b)    Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Swing Line 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 Revolving Credit Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)), whereupon 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.

(c)    New Swing Line Loans/Letters of Credit. So long as any Revolving Credit Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) the Swing Line Lender shall not be required to fund any Swing Line Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swing Line Loan and (ii) the L/C Issuer shall not be required to issue, extend, increase, reinstate or renew any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.

ARTICLE III

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

3.01    Taxes.

(a)    Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 3.01, the term “Applicable Law” includes FATCA and the term “Lender” includes any L/C Issuer.

(b)    Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes. 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 an applicable Withholding Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then 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.

 

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(c)    Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

(d)    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 10 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 (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each of the Loan Parties shall also, and does hereby, jointly and severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required pursuant to Section 3.01(d)(ii) below.

(ii)    Each Lender shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, (x) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (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 10.06(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, 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 hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (d)(ii).

(e)    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, the Borrower 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.

 

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(f)    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(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (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;

 

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(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 Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit M-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the 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 M-2 or Exhibit M-3, 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 M-4 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 Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with

 

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such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (f)(ii)(D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(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.

(g)    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 have any obligation to pay to any Lender, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender. 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 such Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such 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, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that each Loan Party, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such 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 clause (g), in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to such Loan Party pursuant to this clause (g) 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 (g) 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.

(h)    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, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

3.02    Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Lending Office to make, maintain or fund or charge interest with respect to any Credit Extension, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, upon notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower (through the Administrative Agent), (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be

 

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suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.

3.03    Inability to Determine Rates.

(a)    If in connection with any request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, (i) the Administrative Agent determines that (A) deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Loan, or (B)(1) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan and (2) the circumstances described in Section 3.03(c)(i) do not apply (in each case with respect to this clause (i), “Impacted Loans”), or (ii) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders determine that for any reason Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods), and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurodollar Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a determination by the Required Lenders described in clause (ii) of this Section 3.03(a), until the Administrative Agent upon instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

 

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(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in clause (a)(i) of this Section 3.03, the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower, may establish an alternative interest rate for the Impacted Loans, in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the Impacted Loans until (i) the Administrative Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the Impacted Loans under clause (a)(i) of this Section 3.03, (ii) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding the Impacted Loans, or (iii) any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to such alternative rate of interest or to determine or charge interest rates based upon such rate or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to do any of the foregoing and provides the Administrative Agent and the Borrower written notice thereof.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents:

(i)    On March 5, 2021 the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), the regulatory supervisor of LIBOR’s administrator (“IBA”), announced in a public statement the future cessation or loss of representativeness of overnight/Spot Next, 1-week, 1-month, 2-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12- month U.S. dollar LIBOR tenor settings. On the earliest of (A) the date that all Available Tenors of U.S dollar LIBOR have permanently or indefinitely ceased to be provided by IBA or have been announced by the FCA pursuant to public statement or publication of information to be no longer representative, (B) June 30, 2023 and (C) the Early Opt-in Effective Date in respect of a SOFR Early Opt-in, if the then-current Benchmark is LIBOR, the Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any setting of such Benchmark on such day and all subsequent settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. If the Benchmark Replacement is Daily Simple SOFR, all interest payments will be payable on a monthly or quarterly basis, as applicable.

(ii)     (x) Upon (A) the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or (B) a determination by the Administrative Agent that neither of the alternatives under clause (1) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement are available, the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. 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 (and any such objection shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error); provided that solely in the event that the then-current Benchmark at the time of such Benchmark Transition Event is not a SOFR-based rate, the Benchmark Replacement therefor shall be determined in

 

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accordance with clause (1) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement unless the Administrative Agent determines that neither of such alternative rates is available.

(y) On the Early Opt-in Effective Date in respect of an Other Rate Early Opt-in, the Benchmark Replacement will replace LIBOR for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any setting of such Benchmark on such day and all subsequent settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.    

(iii)     At any time that the administrator of the then-current Benchmark has permanently or indefinitely ceased to provide such Benchmark or such Benchmark has been announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark pursuant to public statement or publication of information to be no longer representative of the underlying market and economic reality that such Benchmark is intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored, the Borrower may revoke any request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Loans to be made, converted or continued that would bear interest by reference to such Benchmark until the Borrower’s receipt of notice from the Administrative Agent that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such Benchmark, and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans. During the period referenced in the foregoing sentence, the component of Base Rate based upon the Benchmark will not be used in any determination of Base Rate.

(iv)     In connection with the implementation and administration of a Benchmark Replacement, 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.

(v)     The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (A) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and (B) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 3.03(c), 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, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its sole discretion and without consent from any other party hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 3.03(c).

(vi)     At any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (A) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including Term SOFR or LIBOR), then the Administrative Agent may remove any tenor of such Benchmark that is unavailable or non-representative for Benchmark (including Benchmark Replacement) settings and (B) the Administrative Agent may reinstate any such previously removed tenor for Benchmark (including Benchmark Replacement) settings.

 

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3.04    Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans.

(a)    Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(i)    impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e)) 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 London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b)    Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, 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, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans 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 3.04 and

 

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delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d)    Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 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 the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine 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 (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

(e)    Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans. The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrower shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or cost from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.

3.05    Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

(a)    any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

(b)    any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or

 

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(c)    any assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13;

including any loss of anticipated profits and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

3.06    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a)    Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or 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 shall, as applicable, 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, 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 10.13.

3.07    Survival. All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, resignation of the Administrative Agent and the Facility Termination Date.

 

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ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

4.01    Conditions of Initial Credit Extension. The obligation of each Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(a)    The Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following (except to the extent set forth on Schedule 6.17), each of which shall be originals or telecopies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date) and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

(i)    executed counterparts of this Agreement sufficient in number for distribution to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Borrower, from the Borrower and each of the Lenders;

(ii)    a Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;

(iii)    a first amended and restated security agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit N (together with each other security agreement and security agreement supplement delivered pursuant to Section 6.12, in each case as amended, the “Security Agreement”), duly executed by each Loan Party, together with:

(A)    if the Pledged Equity Interests referred to therein are certificated, certificates representing such Pledged Equity Interests accompanied by undated stock powers executed in blank and instruments evidencing the Pledged Debt indorsed in blank,

(B)    proper financing statements in form appropriate for filing under the Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created under the Security Agreement, covering the Collateral described in the Security Agreement, and

(C)    completed requests for information or UCC searches, dated on or before the date of the initial Credit Extension, listing the effective financing statements filed in the jurisdictions referred to in clause (B) above that name any Loan Party as debtor, together with copies of such other financing statements;

(iv)    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 or is to be a party;

 

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(v)    such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that each of the Borrower and each other Loan Party is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(vi)    a favorable opinion of (A) Porter Hedges LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, and (B) in-house counsel to the Loan Parties, in each case addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent and its counsel may reasonably request;

(vii)    a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party either (A) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party and the validity against such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect, or (B) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so required;

(viii)    a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying (A) that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied, and (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the Audited Financial Statements that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

(ix)    the Audited Financial Statements and the internally prepared quarterly consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2021;

(x)    certificates attesting to the Solvency of each Loan Party, from its principal financial officer;

(xi)    (a) evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect, together with the certificates of insurance, naming the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, as an additional insured or loss payee, as the case may be, under all insurance policies maintained with respect to the assets and properties of the Loan Parties that constitutes Collateral; (b) to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, copies of insurance policies, declaration pages, or insurance binders evidencing insurance that meets the requirements set forth herein or in the Collateral Documents and (c) an Authorization to Share Insurance Information;

(xii)    a duly completed pro forma Compliance Certificate (after taking into account the initial Credit Extensions hereunder) as of March 31, 2021, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower;

 

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(xiii)    a Loan Notice with respect to the Loans to be made on the Closing Date; and

(xiv)    such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any Lender reasonably may require;

(b)    The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of the substantially concurrent issuance of the Senior Notes in the face amount of not less than $400,000,000, and the Senior Notes Indenture and the other Senior Notes Documents shall have been entered into, and on such other terms and conditions, and pursuant to documentation, in each case acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and substantially simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, the proceeds of which shall be used to repay or deposit the amount required to satisfy and discharge in full the Existing Senior Notes.

(c)    (i) Upon the reasonable request of any Lender made at least ten days prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower shall have provided to such Lender 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, in each case at least five days prior to the Closing Date and (ii) any Loan Party that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall have delivered to each Lender that so requests, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Loan Party at least five days prior to the Closing Date.

(d)    The indenture pursuant to which the Existing Senior Notes were issued shall be satisfied and discharged on the Closing Date.

(e)    (i) All fees required to be paid to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid and (ii) all fees required to be paid to the Lenders on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid.

(f)    Unless waived by the Administrative Agent, 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).

(g)    The Closing Date shall have occurred on or before May 14, 2021.

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.03(c), 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.

 

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4.02    Conditions to all Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender 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 Eurodollar Rate Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a)    The representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith that are subject to materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications shall be true and correct in all respects and the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith that are not subject to materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications, shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case 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 as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.05(a) and (c) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b), respectively.

(b)    No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

(c)    The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line 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 Eurodollar Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as of the date made or deemed made that:

5.01    Existence, Qualification and Power. Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite corporate, limited liability company or similar 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.

 

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5.02    Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is or is to be a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (i) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (ii) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (A) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (iii) violate any Law.

5.03    Governmental Authorization; Other Consents. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any Loan Party of any other Loan Document, (b) the grant by any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Collateral Documents, (c) the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Collateral Documents (including the nature thereof) or (d) the exercise by the Lender of its rights under the Loan Documents or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents, except for (i) the authorizations, approvals, actions, notices and filings listed on Schedule 5.03, all of which have been duly obtained, taken, given or made and are in full force and effect, and (ii) those authorizations, approvals, actions, notices and filings in connection with the grant, perfection, maintenance or enforcement of Liens in respect of the Collateral that are customary for transactions of this type or for which the failure to obtain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.04    Binding Effect. This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws affecting creditor’s rights generally and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

5.05    Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

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

 

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(b)    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.

(c)    The consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at March 31, 2021, and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the three months then ended, certified by the principal accounting officer or treasurer of the Borrower, copies of which have been furnished to the Lenders, fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at such date and the consolidated results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period ended on such date, all in accordance with GAAP (subject to the absence of footnotes and normal year-end audit adjustments). Schedule 5.05 sets forth all material indebtedness and operating leases of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date set forth thereon.

(d)    The consolidated forecasted balance sheets, statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were fair in the opinion of the Borrower in light of the conditions existing at the time of delivery of such forecasts, and represented, at the time of delivery, the Borrower’s best estimate of their future financial condition and performance.

5.06    Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (b) either individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, all material litigation is listed on Schedule 5.06, and as of Closing Date, there has been no adverse change in the status, or financial effect on any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, of the matters described in Schedule 5.06.

5.07    No Default. Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is in default under or with respect to, or a party to, any Contractual Obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

5.08    Ownership of Property; Liens; Investments.

(a)    Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries has good record and saleable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    As of the Closing Date, Schedule 5.08(b) sets forth a complete and accurate list of all Liens on the property or assets of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, showing as of the date hereof the lienholder thereof, the principal amount of the obligations secured thereby and a

 

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general description of the property or assets of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary subject thereto, except for Liens arising by operation of Law and Liens of the type listed in Section 7.01(f). The property of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Liens set forth on Schedule 5.08(b), and as otherwise permitted by Section 7.01.

(c)    As of the Closing Date, Schedule 5.08(c) sets forth a complete and accurate list of all real property owned by the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, showing as of the date hereof the street address, county or other relevant jurisdiction, state, record owner and book value thereof. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has good, saleable and insurable fee simple title to the real property owned by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens created or permitted by the Loan Documents.

(d)    (i) As of the Closing Date, Schedule 5.08(d)(i) sets forth a complete and accurate list of all leases of real property under which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is the lessee, showing as of the date hereof the street address, county or other relevant jurisdiction, state, lessor, lessee, expiration date and annual rental cost thereof. Each such material lease is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the lessor thereof, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

(ii)    As of the Closing Date, Schedule 5.08(d)(ii) sets forth a complete and accurate list of all leases of real property under which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is the lessor, showing as of the date hereof the street address, county or other relevant jurisdiction, state, lessor, lessee, expiration date and annual rental cost thereof. Each such material lease is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the lessee thereof, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

(e)    As of the Closing Date, Schedule 5.08(e) sets forth a complete and accurate list of all Investments held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (except those Investments in the Borrower or Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 5.13), showing as of the date hereof the amount, obligor or issuer and maturity, if any, thereof.

5.09    Environmental Compliance.

(a)    The Borrower and its Subsidiaries periodically conduct in the Ordinary Course of Business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and, to the extent applicable, claims received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties, and as a result thereof the Borrower has reasonably concluded that such Environmental Laws and any such claims would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.09, none of the properties currently owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is listed or proposed for listing on the NPL or on the CERCLIS or SEMS or any analogous state list; to the knowledge of the Borrower after due and diligent investigation, there are no underground storage tanks and no above-ground storage tanks, surface impoundments, pits, or lagoons in which Hazardous Materials are being or, to the knowledge of the Borrower after due and diligent investigation, have been treated,

 

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stored or disposed on any property currently owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; in each case above that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; there is no asbestos or asbestos-containing material in a damaged condition on any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries; and Hazardous Materials have not been Released on any property currently owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in any manner that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c)    Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.09, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is undertaking, and has not 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 of Hazardous Materials at any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or as required pursuant to the legally enforceable order of any Governmental Authority or any Environmental Law; and all Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at, or transported from, any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries have been disposed of in a manner not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

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

5.11    Taxes. The Borrower 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 the Borrower or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is party to any tax sharing agreement.

5.12    ERISA Compliance.

(a)    Each Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state laws, except for failures to be in compliance that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter or is subject to a favorable opinion letter from the IRS to the effect that the form of such Plan subject to the letter is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the IRS to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS. 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.

 

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

(c)    Except as would not reasonably be expected to constitute or result in a Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate (i) no ERISA Event has occurred, and neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan 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 Code) is 60% or higher and neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below 60% as of the most recent valuation date; (iii) neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA. No Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists with respect to a Pension Plan that could reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(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 (i) on the Closing Date, those listed on Schedule 5.12(d) hereto and (ii) thereafter, 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) 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.

5.13     Subsidiaries; Equity Interests; Loan Parties. As of the Closing Date, the Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Part (a) of Schedule 5.13, and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in such Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are, with respect to Subsidiaries that are corporations, fully paid and non-assessable, and no liability will attach to the holders of such Equity Interests solely by reason of ownership of such Equity Interests, and all such Equity Interests are owned by a Loan Party in the amounts specified on Part (b) of Schedule 5.13 free and clear of all Liens except those created under the Collateral Documents and Liens of the type described by Section 7.01(b). As of the Closing Date, the Borrower has no equity investments in any other corporation or entity other than those specifically disclosed in Part (b) of Schedule 5.13. All of the outstanding Equity Interests in the Borrower have been validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable. Set forth on Part (c) of Schedule 5.13 is a complete and accurate list of all Loan Parties, showing as of the Closing Date (as to each Loan Party) the jurisdiction of its organization, the address of its principal place of business and its U.S. taxpayer identification number. As of the Closing Date, the copy of the charter of each

 

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Loan Party and each amendment thereto provided pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(v) is a true and correct copy of each such document, each of which is valid and in full force and effect. As of the Closing Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct in all respects.

5.14    Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.

(a)    The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of the Borrower only or of the Borrower 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 the Lender or any Affiliate of the Lender relating to Debt 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.

5.15    Disclosure. The Borrower has disclosed to the Lender 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. No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders 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) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable at the time.

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

5.17    Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries own, or possess the right to use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “IP Rights”) that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict

 

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with the rights of any other Person, and Schedule 5.17 sets forth a complete and accurate list of all such material intellectual property rights owned or used by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. To the best knowledge of the Borrower, no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries infringes in any material respect upon any rights held by any other Person. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.18    Solvency. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.

5.19    Casualty, Etc. Neither the businesses nor the properties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance) that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.20    Labor Matters. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.20, as of the Closing Date, there are no collective bargaining agreements or Multiemployer Plans covering the employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and none of the Borrower or any Subsidiary has suffered any strikes, walkouts, work stoppages or other material labor difficulty within the last five years, in either case that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.21    Collateral Documents. The provisions of the Collateral Documents are effective to create in favor of the Lender a legal, valid and enforceable First Priority Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 7.01) on all right, title and interest of the respective parties thereto in the Collateral described therein. Except for filings completed on or prior to the Closing Date and as contemplated hereby and by the Collateral Documents, no filing or other action will be necessary to perfect or protect such Liens.

5.22    Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws.

(a)    Sanctions Concerns. Neither the Borrower, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, Affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by one or more individuals or entities that are (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals or HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance with all applicable Sanctions and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such Sanctions.

(b)    Anti-Corruption Laws. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have conducted their business 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 have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

 

 

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5.23    Common Enterprise. The operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries require financing on a basis such that the credit supplied can be made available from time to time to the Borrower and various of its Subsidiaries, as required for the continued successful operation of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as a whole. The Borrower has requested the Lender to make credit available hereunder primarily for the purposes set forth in Section 6.11 and generally for the purposes of financing the operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries expects to derive benefit (and the Board of Directors of the Borrower and the Board of Directors or similar governing body of each of its Subsidiaries has determined that such Subsidiary may reasonably be expected to derive benefit), directly or indirectly, from a portion of the credit extended by the Lenders hereunder, both in its separate capacity and as a member of the group of companies, since the successful operation and condition of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is dependent on the continued successful performance of the functions of the group as a whole. The Borrower acknowledges that, but for the agreement by each of the Guarantors to execute and deliver its respective Guaranty, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders would not have made available the credit facilities established on the terms set forth herein.

5.24    Collateral; Perfection of Liens and Security Interests. Payment of the Secured Obligations is or by the Closing Date will be (a) guaranteed by each Guarantor and (b) secured by properties and assets of the Borrower and the Guarantors, including (i) a perfected security interest in 100% of the Covered Equity Interests of each Domestic Subsidiary, (ii) a perfected security interest in certain existing and future personal property of the Borrower and each Guarantor, including, but not limited to, machinery and equipment, inventory and other goods, accounts receivable, fixtures, bank accounts, general intangibles, financial assets, investment property, license rights, patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, chattel paper, insurance proceeds, contract rights, hedge agreements, documents, instruments, indemnification rights, tax refunds and cash; provided, however, that a security interest in bank accounts, cash and Liquid Investments shall not be required to be perfected unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (iii) to the extent required by Sections 6.12(c) or 6.12(d), a perfected Lien pursuant to Mortgages on real property owned by the Borrower and the Guarantors, and (iv) a first priority perfected security interest in 66% of the Equity Interests of any First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower. Other than as set forth in Section 5.24(b)(ii), each of the foregoing, and each other piece of Collateral, is subject to a perfected First Priority Lien securing the Secured Obligations, subject to Liens permitted to exist in accordance with the terms of Section 7.01.

5.25    Affected Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution.

5.26    Covered Entities. No Loan Party is a Covered Entity.

5.27    Designation as Senior Indebtedness. The Obligations constitute “Designated Senior Indebtedness” or any similar designation (with respect to indebtedness that having the maximum rights as “senior debt”) under and as defined in any agreement governing any Subordinated Debt and the subordination provisions set forth in each such agreement are legally valid and enforceable against the parties thereto.

 

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ARTICLE VI

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

From and after the Closing Date and thereafter until the Facility Termination Date, the Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01, 6.02 and 6.03) cause each Subsidiary to:

6.01    Financial Statements. The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders:

(a)    as soon as available, but in any event within 95 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (commencing with the Fiscal Year ended 2021), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, stockholders’ 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 a nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders, 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 50 days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower (commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ended June 30, 2021), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the Borrower’s Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(c), the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under clause (a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in clauses (a) and (b) above at the times specified therein. At any time that the assets or operations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Designated Subsidiaries taken as a whole are material to the assets or operations of the Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, then the annual and quarterly financial information required by Section 6.01(a) and (b) shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, or in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Designated Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

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6.02    Certificates; Other Information. The Borrower shall 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 Sections 6.01(a) and (b), (commencing with the delivery of the financial statements for the Fiscal Quarter ended June 30, 2021), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, together with, to the extent that any Acquisitions were consummated during the Fiscal Quarter covered by such Compliance Certificate, an acquisition valuation model prepared by the Borrower with respect to all Acquisitions consummated during such Fiscal Quarter;

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

(c)    promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of the Borrower, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the Borrower may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or with any national securities exchange, and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;

(d)    promptly, following each issuance of Qualified Preferred Stock, a listing of the names, addresses, fax numbers (if available) and number of shares of Qualified Preferred Stock acquired by each Person in such issuance;

(e)    promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each written 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 a possible violation of securities Laws arising from the public reporting of financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;

(f)    promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of the Borrower 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;

(g)    promptly following any request therefor, 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 without limitation, the Patriot Act; and

 

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(h)    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.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(c) (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 the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 1.01(a); or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’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) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender that requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the Borrower shall be required to provide paper copies of the Compliance Certificates required by Section 6.02(a) to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders. Except for such Compliance Certificates, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (i) the Administrative Agent and/or an Affiliate thereof may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials to IntraLinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the “Platform”) and (ii) 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 (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders 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 Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, any Affiliate thereof, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials 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 Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side

 

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Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent, any Affiliate thereof and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.

6.03    Notices. The Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a)    of the occurrence of any Default;

(b)    of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including any of the following to the extent the same could reasonably be expected to result in an Material Adverse Effect: (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) any action, suit, dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;

(c)    of the occurrence of any ERISA Event to which the aggregate amount has or could be reasonably expected to result in liability to the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA in excess of $5,000,000;

(d)    of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and

(e)    of any notice received by the Borrower of its default under the Senior Notes or under any Subordinated Debt.

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 stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.

6.04    Payment of Obligations. The Borrower shall and shall cause each Subsidiary to pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities, including (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, 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 the Borrower or such Subsidiary; (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its property, other than a Lien permitted under Section 7.01; and (c) all Debt, as and when due and payable on or before any applicable cure or grace periods, but subject to any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing such Debt, except in each case where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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6.05    Preservation of Existence, Etc. The Borrower shall and shall cause each Subsidiary to (a) preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence (and in the case of the Borrower in a jurisdiction in the United States) and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05; (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.06    Maintenance of Properties. The Borrower shall and shall cause each Subsidiary to (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 and damage by casualty and condemnation excepted; (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities. The foregoing shall not be deemed to restrict a Disposition permitted under Section 7.05.

6.07    Maintenance of Insurance.

(a)    The Borrower shall and shall cause each Subsidiary to maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts (including retention and self-insurance levels) as are customarily carried or maintained under similar circumstances by such other Persons.

(c)    The Borrower shall cause the Administrative Agent to be named as lenders’ loss payable, loss payee or mortgagee, as its interest may appear, and/or additional insured with respect of any such insurance providing liability coverage or coverage in respect of any Collateral, and cause, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent, 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 prior written notice before any such policy or policies shall be altered or cancelled (or ten (10) days prior notice in the case of cancellation due to the nonpayment of premiums). Annually, upon expiration of current insurance coverage, the Loan Parties shall provide, or cause to be provided, to the Administrative Agent, such evidence of insurance as required by the Administrative Agent, including, but not limited to: (i) certified copies of such insurance policies, (ii) evidence of such insurance policies (including, without limitation and as applicable, ACORD Form 28 certificates (or similar form of insurance certificate), and ACORD Form 25 certificates (or similar form of insurance certificate)), (iii) declaration pages for each insurance policy and (iv) lender’s loss payable endorsement if the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors is not on the declarations page for such policy. As requested by the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties agree to deliver to the Administrative Agent an Authorization to Share Insurance Information.

 

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

6.09    Books and Records. The Borrower shall and shall cause each Subsidiary to 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 the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

6.10    Inspection Rights. The Borrower shall and shall cause each Subsidiary to 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 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 (a) other than inspections conducted during the existence and continuance of an Event of Default, no more than two such inspections may be conducted during any Fiscal Year, one of which may be by the Administrative Agent, and the Borrower shall only be liable for the expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with any such inspection (but excluding expenses of the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to discussions with the Borrower’s independent accountants, and provided the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall pay any fees of such independent accountants incurred with respect to such discussions) and (b) 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.

6.11    Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions (a) to repay, prepay, repurchase, or redeem certain indebtedness (including the Existing Senior Notes), (b) for working capital and Acquisitions, (c) to make certain Capital Expenditures, and (d) for general corporate purposes not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.

6.12    New Subsidiaries; Real Property.

(a)    Upon the Borrower’s formation or acquisition of any new Subsidiary, except as described in (y) below, a Foreign Subsidiary (and specifically excluding Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Designated Subsidiaries), the Borrower shall (x) cause such Subsidiary to promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a Joinder Agreement or a Guaranty and (ii) a Security Agreement (or supplement) and any related Collateral Documents required by the Administrative Agent to secure the Secured Obligations, (y) pledge 100% of the Covered Equity Interests of such Subsidiary (excluding any Foreign Subsidiary) so acquired or 66% of such Subsidiary’s Equity Interests if such Subsidiary is a First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary (and for the avoidance of doubt, none of the Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary that is not a First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary will be pledged) to secure the Secured Obligations. In connection therewith, the Borrower shall provide, contemporaneously with the delivery of its financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(b), resolutions, corporate documentation, officer’s

 

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certificates and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, opinion letters reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent reflecting the corporate status of each such Subsidiary and the enforceability of documents executed in connection with the actions described in clauses (x) and (y) above; provided, that upon the Administrative Agent’s written request, the Borrower shall promptly provide such corporate documentation with respect to any previously formed or acquired Subsidiary for which such items have not previously been provided, and shall thereafter provide such corporate documentation contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of each Joinder Agreement or Guaranty and Security Agreement (or supplement) and other related Collateral Documents in connection with any subsequent formation or acquisition of any new Subsidiary.

(b)    Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and the written request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall cause all Unrestricted Subsidiaries to promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Joinder Agreement or Guaranty, unless such Unrestricted Subsidiary is bound by a Contractual Obligation preventing such execution. In connection therewith, the Borrower shall provide, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of each such Joinder Agreement or Guaranty, Organization Documents (to the extent not previously provided to the Administrative Agent) and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, opinion letters reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent reflecting the legal status of each such Unrestricted Subsidiary and the enforceability of such Joinder Agreement or Guaranty.

(c)    Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and the written request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall, or shall cause its Subsidiaries to (i) provide to the Administrative Agent within sixty (60) days (or such extended period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion so long as the Borrower is pursuing delivery of the relevant items in good faith) the Agreed Security Package and (ii) cause real property owned in fee by the Borrower or its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Guarantors, which will result in Mortgaged Property and related operations subject to a First Priority Lien accounting for no less than 50% of the funeral operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (“Field Level EBITDA”) determined as of the date of the most recent financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b) immediately prior to the date of such Event of Default, to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien (subject in each case to Permitted Liens) in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors to secure the Secured Obligations pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything set forth in clause (c) of this Section 6.12, from and after the occurrence of a Real Property Collateral Trigger Event and upon the written request of the Administrative Agent given during the continuance thereof, the Borrower shall, or shall cause its Subsidiaries to (i) provide to the Administrative Agent within sixty (60) days (or such extended period of time as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion so long as the Borrower is pursuing delivery of the relevant items in good faith) the Agreed Security Package and (ii) cause real property owned in fee by the Borrower or its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Guarantors, which will result in Mortgaged Property and related operations subject to a First Priority Lien accounting for no less than 50% of the Field Level EBITDA determined as of the date of the most recent financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered

 

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pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b) immediately prior to the occurrence of such Real Property Collateral Trigger Event, to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien (subject in each case to Permitted Liens) in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors to secure the Secured Obligations pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents.

6.13    Maintenance of Trust Reserves and Trust Accounts. The Borrower shall set aside, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to set aside, where appropriate, in the appropriate Trust Accounts, all applicable Trust Reserves at the time such funds are received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and the Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, establish and maintain all of the funding obligations of each of the Trust Accounts in accordance with Applicable Law and the provisions set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents.

6.14    Maintenance of Trust Balance. The Borrower shall comply, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to comply, with all merchandise, perpetual care and other trusting requirements imposed on the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by any and all applicable states having jurisdiction thereof, as in effect on the date hereof (“Existing Trusting Laws”). If, however the monetary trusting provisions of the laws of the applicable state are amended during the term of this Agreement (“Amended Trusting Laws”), the Borrower agrees that it will trust or cause to be trusted, and will cause its Subsidiaries to trust or cause to be trusted, in accordance with the provisions of the Amended Trusting Laws.

6.15    Collateral. To secure the Secured Obligations, the Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, grant (a) a First Priority Lien in all Covered Equity Interests of each of its Domestic Subsidiaries (excluding Designated Subsidiaries) owned by the Borrower or another Subsidiary and 66% of the Equity Interests of any First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower, (b) to the extent required by Sections 6.12(c) or 6.12(d), a Lien in all Real Property Collateral and (c) a Lien in certain existing and future personal property of the Borrower and each Domestic Subsidiary that is a Guarantor, including, but not limited to, machinery and equipment, inventory and other goods, accounts receivable, fixtures, bank accounts, general intangibles, financial assets, investment property, license rights, patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, chattel paper, insurance proceeds, contract rights, hedge agreements, documents, instruments, indemnification rights, tax refunds and cash. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of the Guarantors to provide for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, all items to fully effect the foregoing, including, to provide the Administrative Agent with UCC-1s together with security agreements, pledge agreements, Mortgages, hazard insurance, loan or mortgagee title commitments, UCC searches, tax and Lien searches, intellectual property documentation and registration and other similar types of documents, consents, authorizations, licenses, instruments and agreements relating to all property and other assets of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries as requested by the Administrative Agent, and opinions of local legal counsel with respect to the execution and filing thereof, and perfection of Liens created thereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any provision of this Section 6.15 require (i) any assets owned by any Foreign Subsidiary to be pledged or hypothecated to secure the Secured Obligations or (ii) more than 66% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of any First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower to be pledged to secure the Secured Obligations.

 

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6.16    Further Assurances. Within five Business Days of a request by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall or shall cause any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries to execute and deliver such further documents and do such other acts and things as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in order to effect fully the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to provide for payment of the Obligations and for the granting and perfection of Liens in the Collateral in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

6.17    Post-Closing Requirements. Execute and deliver the documents and complete the tasks set forth on Schedule 6.17, in each case within the time limits specified on such Schedule.

6.18    Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions. Conduct its business 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 designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and Sanctions.

6.19    Designation of Subsidiaries.

(a)    The Borrower may at any time designate any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Subsidiary; provided that (i) immediately before and after such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a pro forma basis, with the Financial Covenants as of the end of the most recently ended Measurement Period, (iii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if after giving effect to such designation, it would be a “Restricted Subsidiary” under any Subordinated Debt or any Debt incurred pursuant to Sections 7.03(h) or (i), (d) no Unrestricted Subsidiary shall own any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except for Equity Interests in other Unrestricted Subsidiaries, (iv) in no event shall any Unrestricted Subsidiary own any intellectual property that is material to the business of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and (v) as a condition precedent to the effectiveness of any such designation, the Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer setting forth and certifying as to compliance with the foregoing.

(b)    The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary (as applicable) therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of such Person’s (as applicable) Investment therein and the Investment resulting from such designation must otherwise be in compliance with and permitted under Section 7.02(i).

(c)    The designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Investment, Debt or Liens of such Person existing at such time (and, if such Investment, Debt, or Liens are not permitted to be incurred as of such date under this Section 6.19, the Borrower shall be in Default of this covenant); provided that upon a re-designation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be deemed to have an Investment in a Subsidiary in an amount equal to the book value of

 

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Borrower’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such re-designation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Unrestricted Subsidiary that has been re-designated a Subsidiary may not be subsequently re-designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

ARTICLE VII

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

From and after the Closing Date, until the Facility Termination Date, the Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

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

(a)    Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;

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

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

(d)    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;

(e)    deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Debt), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation), performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(f)    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;

(g)    Liens existing on Property acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries prior to its acquisition of such Property or existing on Property of a newly acquired Subsidiary prior to the Borrower’s or any other Subsidiary’s acquisition of stock of such newly acquired Subsidiary; provided, however, that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Debt secured by the Liens permitted by this paragraph (g) shall not, when combined with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Debt secured by Liens permitted by paragraph (h) of this Section 7.01, exceed 10% of the Borrower’s Net Worth at any time on or after the date on which such Lien is created, assumed or incurred;

 

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(h)    purchase money Liens upon or in any Property acquired or held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to secure the purchase price of such Property or to secure Debt incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition of such Property, and deposits to secure surety bonds related to judgments and litigation not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h); provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Debt secured by the Liens permitted by this paragraph (h) shall not, when combined with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Debt secured by Liens permitted by paragraph (g) of this Section 7.01, exceed 10% of the Borrower’s Net Worth at any time on or after the date on which such Lien is created, assumed or incurred;

(i)    judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;

(j)    Liens reserved in or exercisable under any lease or sublease to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a lessee which secure the payment of rent or compliance with the terms of such lease or sublease; provided, that the rent under such lease or sublease is not then overdue and the Borrower or its Subsidiary is in material compliance with the terms and conditions thereof;

(k)    any interest or title of a lessor under any lease entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of its business and covering only the assets so leased;

(l)    Liens against equipment arising from precautionary UCC financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business; and

(m)    Nonconsensual Liens in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law and encumbering the deposits (including the right of set-off) held by such banking institutions in the Ordinary Course of Business; and

(n)    Liens existing on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 5.08(b).

7.02    Investments. Make any Investments, except:

(a)    Investments existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedules 5.08(e) and Part (b) of Schedule 5.13;

(b)    Investments held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of Liquid Investments;

(c)    Guarantee Obligations permitted by Section 7.03;

(d)    Investments as a result of Acquisitions, if each of the following conditions has been satisfied: (i) if the Acquisition Consideration for such Acquisition is in excess of $20,000,000, the Borrower shall have given the Administrative Agent notice thereof no less than ten Business Days prior to the closing of such Acquisition, (ii) immediately before and after giving pro-forma effect to such Acquisition, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (iii) immediately after giving pro-forma effect to the proposed Acquisition, Liquidity is at least $15,000,000, and (iv) immediately after giving pro-forma effect to the proposed Acquisition, the Total Leverage Ratio is less than 4.75 to 1.00;

 

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(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)    Ordinary Course of Business contributions, loans or advances to, or Investments in, (a) a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (b) the Borrower;

(g)    so long as there exists no Default both before and after giving effect to any such transaction, Investments not covered by clauses (a) through (f) above in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $10,000,000;

(h)    Investments in or by any perpetual care trust, merchandise trust, pre-need trust, preconstruction trust or other trust arrangements established by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with Applicable Laws, regulations and interpretations;

(i)    Investments in less than 50% of the outstanding Voting Shares of corporations or other business entities that own or operate funeral homes or cemeteries in jurisdictions which prohibit ownership of 50% or more of such Voting Shares by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower and in which the cost of each such Investment does not exceed $10,000; and

(j)    Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries, provided that (a) the business and activities thereof are directly or indirectly reasonably related in whole or in material part to the death care industry, and (b) the aggregate amount of Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall not exceed $10,000,000.

7.03    Debt. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except:

(a)    Debt under the Loan Documents;

(b)    Debt outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.03 and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that the amount of such Debt is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder;

(c)    intercompany Debt owed between any Subsidiary of the Borrower and the Borrower, provided that the payment of such Debt is subordinated to the payment of the Obligations pursuant to Section 10.22 or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(d)    Subordinated Debt in an aggregate principal amount not at any time to exceed $20,000,000;

(e)    so long as there exists no Default both before and after giving effect to any such transaction, obligations (contingent or otherwise) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by

 

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such Person in the Ordinary Course of Business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or property held or reasonably anticipated by such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a “market view;” and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;

(f)    Guarantee Obligations of the Borrower or any Guarantor in respect of Debt otherwise permitted hereunder of the Borrower or any other Guarantor, including the Senior Notes;

(g)    Debt consisting of the Deferred Purchase Price of any Acquisition permitted by this Agreement;

(h)    Debt incurred by the Borrower under the Senior Notes and the Senior Notes Documents and any Permitted Senior Notes Refinancing in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $450,000,000; and

(i)    so long as there exists no Default before or after giving effect thereto, Debt of the Borrower and the Guarantors not otherwise permitted pursuant to clauses (a) through (h) above in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $50,000,000, provided that the Net Cash Proceeds of any such Debt shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.05(b)(iii) (if applicable).

7.04    Fundamental Changes. Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, except that, so long as there exists no Default both before and after giving effect to any such transaction any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with or into, or may dissolve or liquidate and thereupon transfer its assets to, (i) the Borrower, provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or transferee, (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries, provided that when any Guarantor is merging with another Subsidiary, the Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (iii) any Person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary in order to effect an Investment or consummate an Acquisition permitted pursuant to Sections 7.02(d) or (g), provided that the continuing or surviving Person (a) shall become a Subsidiary on the date of such merger or consolidation and (b) shall have complied with the requirements of Sections 6.12(a) and 6.15 on the date of such merger or consolidation (or such later date as agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion).

7.05    Dispositions. Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:

(a)    Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(b)    Dispositions of funeral merchandise, cemetery property, mausoleum spaces and related merchandise and other inventory in the Ordinary Course of Business;

(c)    so long as there exists no Default both before and after giving effect to any such transaction, Dispositions of property by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or to a wholly-owned Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property is a Guarantor, the transferee thereof must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor;

 

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(d)    Dispositions of assets (other than real property) in which a definitive agreement to utilize the Net Cash Proceeds thereof (if any) has been executed within 180 days of such Disposition to purchase assets useful in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, provided that if a definitive agreement to utilize such Net Cash Proceeds is not executed within such 180 days to purchase assets useful in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and such acquisition agreement is not closed within 90 days thereafter, then such Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.05(b)(i) (if applicable);

(e)    Dispositions of real property, provided that the EBITDA generated by the remaining real property and related operations in respect thereof as of the most recent Measurement Period preceding such Disposition is greater than or equal to 50% of the Field Level EBITDA for such Measurement Period; and

(f)    Dispositions in the Ordinary Course of Business of Investments of the type described in clauses (a), (b), (f), (h), (i) and (j) of Section 7.02, so long as there exists no Default before and after giving effect to any such transaction.

provided, however, that (i) any Disposition pursuant to clauses (b), (d), (e) and (f) shall be for Fair Market Value and (ii) and at least 75% of the total consideration therefor shall be in the form of cash or Liquid Investments and shall be received at or prior to the time of such Disposition, provided, further, that for purposes of clause (ii) above, the following shall be deemed to be cash: (A) (1) any liabilities (as shown on the most recent balance sheet provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Borrower (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Obligations) or (2) any Guarantees of Debt of Persons other than the Borrower, in each case that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition and for which the Borrower or a Subsidiary shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, (B) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Borrower or a Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Borrower or such Subsidiary into cash or Liquid Investments within 240 days following the receipt thereof and (C) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Borrower or a Subsidiary in such Disposition having an aggregate Fair Market Value as of the date of receipt thereof, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this Section 7.05 that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed $10,000,000.

7.06    Restricted Payments; Issuance of Preferred Stock.

(a)    Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that:

(i)    each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower and to wholly-owned Subsidiaries (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly-owned Subsidiary, to the Borrower and any Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis based on their relative ownership interests);

 

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(ii)    so long as immediately before and after giving pro-forma effect to any acquisition or purchase by the Borrower of Equity Interests of the Borrower, (A) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (B) Liquidity is at least $15,000,000 and (C) the Total Leverage Ratio is (x) less than 4.50 to 1.00, in which case the Borrower may acquire or purchase such Equity Interests in an unlimited amount, or (y) equal to or greater than 4.50 to 1.00 but less than or equal to 4.75 to 1.00, in which case the Borrower may acquire or purchase such Equity Interests in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 under this clause (y) during the term of this Agreement;

(iii)    so long as there exists no Default both before and after giving effect to any such transaction (which shall include calculation of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 on a pro forma basis as of the fiscal quarter-end immediately preceding any proposed Restricted Payment), (x) the Borrower may make (A) payments of Dividends on Qualified Preferred Stock and (B) payments of Dividends on its common stock, and (y) any Loan Party may make Restricted Payments pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Program;

(iv)    so long as there exists no Default both before and after giving effect to any such transaction (which shall include calculation of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 on a pro forma basis as of the fiscal quarter-end immediately preceding any proposed Restricted Payment), the Borrower may make regularly scheduled payments of principal and interest on Subordinated Debt within the terms specified in the definition of Subordinated Debt as set forth in this Agreement;

(v)    the Borrower or any Subsidiary may pay cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon the exercise of options or warrants or upon the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such Person;

(vi)    the Borrower may make repurchases of common Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such stock options or warrants; and

(vii)    the Borrower or any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments payable solely in the common Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of such Person.

(b)    The Borrower shall not issue or have outstanding any Redeemable Preferred Stock, other than Qualified Preferred Stock.

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

7.08    Transactions with Affiliates. Other than as permitted pursuant to Sections 7.04, 7.05 and 7.06 of the Credit Agreement, enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Borrower (other than transactions between or among the Loan Parties), whether or not in the Ordinary Course of Business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Borrower or such

 

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Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate; provided that, if any transaction with any Affiliate of the Borrower (other than transactions between or among the Loan Parties) (a) involves aggregate payments or other property with a Fair Market Value in excess of $10,000,000 but less than $25,000,000, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying that such transaction complies with this covenant and (b) involves aggregate payments or other property with a Fair Market Value in excess of $25,000,000, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent certified resolutions of the board of directors of the Borrower certifying that such transaction complies with this covenant and has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the board of directors of the Borrower.

7.09    Burdensome Agreements. Enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that (a) limits the ability (i) of any Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any Guarantor or to otherwise transfer property to the Borrower or any Guarantor, (ii) of any Subsidiary to make loans or advances to any Loan Party or pay any Debt or other obligation owed to any Loan Party, or (iii) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person to secure the Secured Obligations; provided, however, that this clause (iii) shall not prohibit any negative pledge incurred or provided with respect to specific Property encumbered to secure payment of Debt related to such Property; or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure an obligation of such Person if a Lien is granted to secure another obligation of such Person, except in respect of any of the matters set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above, restrictions and conditions imposed by the Senior Notes Documents or pursuant to any Permitted Senior Notes Refinancing.

7.10    Use 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 of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.

7.11    Financial Covenants.

(a)    Maximum Total Leverage Ratio. Permit the Total Leverage Ratio as of the end of any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower to be greater than 5.00 to 1.00.

(b)    Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower to be less than 1.20 to 1.00.

7.12    Maintenance of Ownership of Subsidiaries. Except as permitted by Sections 7.04 and 7.06(a)(iii)(x)(B), the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell or otherwise dispose of any Equity Interests of any of its Subsidiaries or permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any Equity Interests, or the Equity Interests of any of its Subsidiaries, except (a) up to 20% of the outstanding Equity Interests of any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries may be issued to and held by the employees or consultants of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary (where the voting rights in respect of such Equity Interests have been irrevocably conveyed to the Borrower or a Guarantor), and (b) where required by

 

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Applicable Law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts regarding the advertising of registered licensed funeral directors and ownership of funeral establishments, Equity Interests of any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries may be issued to and held by the employees of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary in excess of the limitation set out in (a), as may be necessary from time to time, provided the voting rights in respect of such Equity Interests has been irrevocably conveyed to the Borrower or a Guarantor. The Borrower will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue Disqualified Equity Interests.

7.13    Trust Funds. Without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, the Borrower will not withdraw or otherwise remove, and will cause all of its Subsidiaries not to withdraw or otherwise remove, any monies or other assets (whether principal, interest or other earnings) from any merchandise, service or other trust fund or trust account except (a) for the purpose of providing the merchandise or services which are intended to be provided out of such trust fund or trust account and (b) withdrawals permitted by Law where, after giving effect to any such withdrawal, the Borrower or any Subsidiary is in compliance with Section 6.14.

7.14    Sanctions. Directly or, to the knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, 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 Loan Party, any Subsidiary thereof or any other party hereto (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer, Swing Line Lender, or otherwise) of any applicable Sanctions.

7.15    Anti-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, and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions.

7.16    Amendments of Organization Documents; Fiscal Year; Accounting Changes.

(a)    Amend any of its Organization Documents in any manner that is materially adverse of the interests of the Lenders;

(b)    change its fiscal year; or

(c)    make any change in accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP or applicable securities Laws.

7.17    Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

7.18    Prepayments, Etc. of Debt. Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy or obligate itself to do so prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner (including by the exercise of any right of setoff), or make any payment in violation of any subordination, standstill or collateral sharing terms of or governing any Debt, except (a) the prepayment of the

 

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Credit Extensions in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (b) exchanges and conversions of Senior Notes, Subordinated Debt and other Debt for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Borrower, (c) Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 7.06 and (d) in connection with any Permitted Senior Notes Refinancing.

7.19    Amendment, Etc. of Indebtedness.

(a)    Amend, modify or change in any manner any term or condition of any Senior Notes Document or give any consent, waiver or approval thereunder; provided that the Senior Notes may be amended or modified to extend the amortization or maturity of the indebtedness evidenced thereby, reduce the interest rate thereon, or otherwise amend or modify the terms thereof so long as the terms of any such amendment or modification are no more restrictive on the Loan Parties than the terms of such documents as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, the Senior Notes Documents may be amended and supplemented to provide for additional guarantees thereunder by entities that are Guarantors under this Agreement and the Borrower and such Guarantors may enter into supplemental indentures and related documents in connection therewith;

(b)    take any other action in connection with any Senior Note Document that would impair the value of the interest or rights of any Loan Party thereunder or that would impair the rights or interests of the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or

(c)    amend, modify or change in any manner any term or condition of any Subordinated Debt if such amendment or modification would add or change any terms in a manner adverse to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, 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.

7.20    Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall (a) not conduct any business or enter into any transaction with any Unrestricted Subsidiary other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Borrower or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transactions with an unrelated third Person, (b) keep all deposit accounts, investment accounts and other accounts of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries segregated and apart from the accounts of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, and (c) use reasonable methods to not commingle the business, employees and assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries with the business, employees and assets of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

8.01    Events of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an event of default (each, an “Event of Default”):

(a)    Non-Payment. The Borrower or any other 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 when and as required to be deposited herein, any funds as Cash Collateral in respect of L/C Obligations, or (ii) within three 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 days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

 

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(b)    Specific Covenants. The Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.03, 6.05, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12 or 6.19 or Article VII; or

(c)    Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in clause (a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days; or

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

(e)    Cross-Default. (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary or Unrestricted Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Debt or Guarantee (other than Debt hereunder and Debt 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 $10,000,000, after the giving of any required notice and the expiration of any applicable grace period or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Debt 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 Debt 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, after the giving any required notice and the expiration of any applicable grace period, such Debt 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 Debt to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral of more than $10,000,000 in respect thereof to be (and is entitled to be) demanded; or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower 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 the Borrower or any Subsidiary is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by the Borrower or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than $10,000,000; or

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

 

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or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

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

(h)    Judgments. There is entered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgements and orders) exceeding $10,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer is rated at least “A” by A.M. Best Company, has been notified of the potential claim and does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of 60 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 the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000, 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 $10,000,000; or

(j)    Invalidity of Loan Documents. 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 Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document; or it is or becomes unlawful for a Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under the Loan Documents; or

(k)    Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control with respect to the Borrower; or

(l)    Other Obligations. (i) any default shall occur under Subordinated Debt, after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such Subordinated Debt, if the effect of such default is to accelerate the maturity of such Subordinated Debt; (ii) without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, any modification shall be made to the Subordinated Debt Documents which (a) renders the subordination provisions thereof more favorable to the holders of Subordinated Debt, or less favorable to the Lenders, or (b) renders the economic terms of Subordinated Debt materially more favorable to the holders of Subordinated Debt or materially less favorable to the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary; or

 

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(m)    Collateral Documents. Any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to Section 4.02 or 6.12 shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof) cease to create a valid and perfected First Priority Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 7.01) on a material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby.

Without limiting the provisions of Article IX, if a Default shall have occurred under the Loan Documents, then such Default will continue to exist until it either is cured (to the extent specifically permitted) in accordance with the Loan Documents or is otherwise expressly waived by Administrative Agent (with the approval of requisite Appropriate Lenders (in their sole discretion)) as determined in accordance with Section 10.01; and once an Event of Default occurs under the Loan Documents, then such Event of Default will continue to exist until it is expressly waived by the requisite Appropriate Lenders or by the Administrative Agent with the approval of the requisite Appropriate Lenders, as required hereunder in Section 10.01.

8.02    Remedies upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:

(a)    declare the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

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

(c)    require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the 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, and the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents or Applicable Laws or equity;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an event described in Section 8.01(f) with respect to the Borrower, the Commitment 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.

 

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8.03    Application 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) or if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all Secured Obligations then due hereunder, any amounts received on account of the Secured Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.15 and 2.16, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

First, to payment of that portion of the Secured 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 but excluding principal and interest) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

Second, to payment of that portion of the Secured 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 arising under the Loan Documents 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 Secured Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, 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 payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and L/C Borrowings and Secured Obligations then owing under Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements ratably among 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;

Fifth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of the L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of the Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.15; and

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

(b)    Subject to Sections 2.03(e) and 2.15, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Secured 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 its assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation to Secured Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section 8.03.

 

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(c)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, Secured 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 Creditor 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. 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 hereof for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

ARTICLE IX

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

9.01    Appointment and Authority.

(a)    Appointment. Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and authorizes Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article IX are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any Applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

(b)    Collateral Agent. The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Hedge Bank and a potential Cash Management Bank) and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and the L/C Issuer for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Secured Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IX and Article X (including Section 10.04(c), as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

 

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9.02    Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial, advisory, underwriting or other business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or to provide notice to or consent of the Lenders with respect thereto.

9.03    Exculpatory Provisions.

(a)    The Administrative Agent or the Arranger, as applicable, shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent or the Arranger, as applicable, and its Related Parties:

(i)    shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

(ii)    shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or Applicable Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and

(iii)    shall not have any duty or responsibility to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, to any Lender or the L/C Issuer any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to, or in the possession of, the Administrative Agent, Arranger or any of their Related Parties in any capacity, except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent herein.

(b)    Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in

 

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good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.

(c)    Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall have any duty or obligation to any Lender or participant or any other Person to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

9.04    Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, communication, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in 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 objections.

9.05    Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article IX

 

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shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

9.06    Resignation of Administrative Agent.

(a)    Notice. The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that in no event shall any successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

(b)    Defaulting Lender. If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

(c)    Effect of Resignation or Removal. With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (i) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (ii) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(h) and

 

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other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section 9.06). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article IX and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed 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 (i) while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and (ii) after such resignation or removal for so long as any of them continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including (a) acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Secured Creditors and (b) in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.

(d)    L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. Any resignation or removal by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 9.06 shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. If Bank of America resigns as an 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 Revolving Credit Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(e). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Revolving Credit Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment by the Borrower of a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, (b) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) 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 Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

9.07    Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Other Lenders. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer expressly acknowledges that none of the Administrative Agent nor the Arranger has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the Administrative Agent or the Arranger hereafter taken, including any consent to, and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent or the Arranger to any Lender or the L/C Issuer as to any matter, including whether the Administrative Agent or the Arranger have disclosed material information in their (or their

 

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Related Parties’) possession. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer represents to the Administrative Agent and the Arranger that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of, appraisal of, and investigation into, the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank or other regulatory Laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower hereunder. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and 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, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility and (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement as a Lender or L/C Issuer for the purpose of making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender or L/C Issuer, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument, and each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer represents and warrants that 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 such 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.

9.08    No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the titles listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, a Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder.

9.09    Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding.

(a)    In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(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 Obligations and all other Secured 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

 

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Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(l) and (m), 2.09, 2.10(b) and 10.04) 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 judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the L/C Issuer 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 and the L/C Issuer, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04.

(b)    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 Secured Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the L/C Issuer or in any such proceeding.

(c)    The Secured Creditors hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Secured Obligations (including accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Secured 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 (i) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, or any similar Laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, (ii) at any other sale or 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 Secured Obligations owed to the Secured Creditors shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Secured Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that would 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) in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the Equity Interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are used to consummate such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles to make a bid, (ii) 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 the vote of the Required Lenders, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in clauses (i)

 

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through (ix) of Section 10.01(a)), (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to assign the relevant Secured Obligations to any such acquisition vehicle pro rata by the Lenders, as a result of which each of the Lenders shall be deemed to have received a pro rata portion of any Equity Interests and/or debt instruments issued by such an acquisition vehicle on account of the assignment of the Secured Obligations to be credit bid, all without the need for any Secured Creditor or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (iv) to the extent that Secured 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 Secured Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of debt credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Secured Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Lenders pro rata and the Equity Interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of the Secured Obligations that had been assigned to the acquisition vehicle shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Creditor or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.

9.10    Collateral and Guaranty Matters.

(a)    Each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) and the L/C Issuer irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion,

(i)    to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon the Facility Termination Date, (ii) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 10.01;

(ii)    to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary (or becomes an Unrestricted Subsidiary) as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents; and

(iii)    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 Section 7.01(g) or (h).

(b)    Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.10. In each case as specified in this Section 9.10, the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents or to subordinate its interest in such item, or to release such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10.

 

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(c)    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 for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

9.11    Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein or in any Guaranty or any Collateral Document, no Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefit of provisions of Section 8.03, any Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Guaranty or any Collateral Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) (or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of any Guaranty or any Collateral Document) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IX to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements except to the extent expressly provided herein and unless the Administrative Agent has received a Secured Creditor Designation Notice of such Secured Obligations, 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. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements in the case of a Facility Termination Date.

9.12    Certain ERISA Matters.

(a)    Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent 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 with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments, or this Agreement,

(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

 

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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 either (1) clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

9.13    Recovery of Erroneous Payments. Without limitation of any other provision in this Agreement, if at any time the Administrative Agent makes a payment hereunder in error to any Lender or the L/C Issuer (the “Credit Party”), whether or not in respect of an Obligation due and owing by the Borrower at such time, where such payment is a Rescindable Amount, then in any such event, each Credit Party receiving a Rescindable Amount severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount received by such Credit Party in immediately available funds in the currency so received, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such Rescindable Amount is received by it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. Each Credit Party irrevocably waives any and all defenses, including any “discharge for value” (under which a creditor might otherwise claim a right to retain funds mistakenly paid by a third party in respect of a debt owed by another) or similar defense to its obligation to return any Rescindable Amount. The Administrative Agent shall inform each Credit Party promptly upon determining that any payment made to such Credit Party comprised, in whole or in part, a Rescindable Amount.

 

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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

10.01    Amendments, Etc.

(a)    Subject to Section 3.03(c), no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or 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)    waive any condition set forth in Section 4.01 (other than Sections 4.01(e)(i) or (f), or, in the case of the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.02), without the written consent of each Lender;

(ii)    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 in Section 4.02 or of any Default or a mandatory reduction in Commitment is not considered to be an extension or increase in Commitment of any Lender);

(iii)    postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for (A) any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under such other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such payment or (B) any scheduled reduction of any Facility hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each adversely affected Lender;

(iv)    reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (D) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such amount; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;

(v)    change (i) Section 8.03 or Section 2.13 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender or (ii) Section 2.12(f) in a manner that would alter the pro rata application required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

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(vi)    change any provision of this Section 10.01 or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision of any Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;

(vii)    release all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions, without the written consent of each Lender; or

(viii)    release all or substantially all of the Guarantors without the written consent of each Lender, except to the extent the release of any Subsidiary from the Guaranty is permitted pursuant to Section 9.10 (in which case such release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone);

and provided, further, that (A) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (B) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (C) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (D) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto.

(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) 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, or all Lenders may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (A) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (B) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender; (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 of the United States supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein; and (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.

(c)    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.

 

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(d)    If any Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender and that has been approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrower may replace such Non-Consenting Lender in accordance with Section 10.13; provided that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such assignments required by the Borrower to be made pursuant to this paragraph).

(e)    Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower acting together identify any ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect in any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (including the schedules and exhibits thereto), then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend, modify or supplement such provision to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect, and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

10.02    Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications.

(a)    Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in 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 or e-mail 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 the Borrower or any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, fax number, e-mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 1.01(a); 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 the Borrower).

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 electronic communications to the extent provided in clause (b) below shall be effective as provided in such clause (b).

 

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(b)    Electronic Communications.

(i)    Notices and other communications to the Administrative Agent, Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail, FpML messaging, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender, the Swing Line Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender, the Swing Line Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article II by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender 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 acknowledgement 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, e-mail or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, e-mail or other communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.

(c)    The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s, any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials or notices through the Platform, any other electronic platform or electronic messaging service, or through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of, or breach of any Loan Document by, such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

 

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(d)    Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, fax number or telephone number or e-mail 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 e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line 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 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 Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the 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.

(e)    Reliance by Administrative Agent, the 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, without limitation telephonic or electronic notices, Loan Notices, Letter of Credit Applications, Notice of Loan Prepayment and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The 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.

10.03    No 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 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.

 

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(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 (i) 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, (ii) the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (iii) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13), or (iv) 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 (x) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (y) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) 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.

10.04    Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a)    Costs and Expenses. The Loan Parties shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), 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 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 out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (x) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 10.04, or (y) in connection with Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

(b)    Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), 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 fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including the Borrower or any other Loan Party) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result

 

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of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (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 thereof (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, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower 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 the Borrower or any other Loan Party or the Borrower’s or such Loan Party’s directors, shareholders or creditors, 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 non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and non-appealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(d), this Section 10.04(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 10.04 to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line 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 Swing Line 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 Exposure 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 Lender’s 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 Swing Line 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 Swing Line 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).

 

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(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 referred to in clause (b) above 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 in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(e)    Payments. All amounts due under this Section 10.04 shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after demand therefor.

(f)    Survival. The agreements in this Section 10.04 and the indemnity provisions of Section 10.02(e) shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

10.05    Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

10.06    Successors and Assigns.

(a)    Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement 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 neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each

 

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Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(d), or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 10.06(f) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in Section 10.06(d) 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(s) and the Loans (including for purposes of this clause (b), participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that (in each case with respect to any Facility) 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 Revolving Credit Commitment and/or the 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 10.06 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 10.06, the aggregate amount of the applicable Revolving Credit Commitment (which for this purpose includes Revolving Credit Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Revolving Credit Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit 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 $2,000,000, 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 rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans or the Revolving Credit Commitment assigned, except that this clause (b)(ii) shall not apply to the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans.

 

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(iii)    Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by clause (b)(i)(B) of this Section 10.06 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 fifteen (15) Business Days after having received notice thereof;

(B)    the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any Revolving Credit Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and

(C)    the consent of the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility.

(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 (A) to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (B) to 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), or (C) to a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated by or for the primary benefit of one or more natural Persons).

(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 sub-participations, 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 (A) 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 (B) acquire (and

 

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fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line 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 (b)(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.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.06(c), 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 10.04 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 Section 10.06(d).

(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 interest amounts) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender (with respect to such Lender’s interest only), 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 one or more natural Persons, 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

 

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(including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line 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 10.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participations.

(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 the first proviso to Section 10.01 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 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 3.01(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.01(f) 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 10.06; provided that such Participant (A) shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.06 and 10.13 as if it were an assignee under clause (b) of this Section 10.06 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 10.08 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 interest amounts) 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.

 

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(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 Swing Line Lender after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Revolving Credit Commitment and Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to clause (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon 30 days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(e)). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender, (A) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (B) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

10.07    Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.

(a)    Treatment of Certain Information. Each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates, its auditors and 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

 

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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 10.07, 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 be a Lender pursuant to Section 2.14(c) or Section 10.01 or (B) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative 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 the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (B) the provider of any Platform or other electronic delivery service used by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and/or the Swing Line Lender to deliver Borrower Materials or notices to the Lenders, (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 10.07, (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 10.07. For purposes of this Section 10.07, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower 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 the Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, 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 10.07 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 the Borrower or any 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 Borrower and its Subsidiaries agree that they will not in the future issue any press releases or other public announcement regarding this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents and using the name of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or their respective Affiliates, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be

 

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unreasonably withheld or delayed) and unless (and only to the extent that) the Borrower or such Affiliate is required to do so under Applicable Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not be restricted from making any filings and disclosures required under Applicable Law (including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or any communication required to be made with any stock exchange upon which the Borrower’s securities may be listed from time to time).

(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 Borrower.

10.08    Right 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, 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 the Borrower or any other Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, the L/C Issuer or such Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the L/C Issuer or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured, secured or unsecured, or are owed to a branch, 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, (a) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.16 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and (b) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured 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 10.08 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.

10.09    Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate. If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Highest Lawful 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 Highest Lawful Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or

 

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premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

10.10    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. 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. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any certificate delivered thereunder, by fax transmission or e-mail transmission (e.g., “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement or such other Loan Document or certificate. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent a manually executed counterpart is not specifically required to be delivered under the terms of any Loan Document, upon the request of any party, such fax transmission or e-mail transmission shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

10.11    Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

10.12    Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.12, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

 

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10.13    Replacement 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 or a Non-Consenting 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 10.06), 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 shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 10.06(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 10.13 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 an 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 further that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.

 

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(d)    Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10.13 to the contrary, (A) 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 (B) the Lender that acts as the Administrative Agent may not be replaced hereunder except in accordance with the terms of Section 9.06.

10.14    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a)    GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

(b)    SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS SITTING IN HARRIS COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH TEXAS 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 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 THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

(c)    WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER 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 PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

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(d)    SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW

10.15    Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

10.16    No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower and each other Loan Party acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (a)(i) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, each other Loan Party and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates, on the other hand, (ii) each of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (iii) the Borrower and each other Loan Party 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, the Arranger and each Lender, and each of their respective Affiliates, is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (ii) none of the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, or any Lender, and none of their respective Affiliates, has any obligation to the Borrower, any other Loan Party 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, the Arranger and the Lenders, and their respective Affiliates, may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and none of the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, or any Lender, and none of their respective Affiliates, has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Borrower and each other Loan

 

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Party hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transactions contemplated hereby.

10.17    Electronic Execution; Electronic Records.

(a)    The words “delivery,” “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Loan Document or any other document executed in connection herewith shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any Applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided further without limiting the foregoing, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, any electronic signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance by the Administrative Agent and each of the Secured Creditors of a manually signed paper document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice, certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement (each a “Communication”) which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed Communication converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention.

(b)    The Borrower hereby acknowledges the receipt of a copy of this Agreement and all other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent and each Lender may, on behalf of the Borrower, create a microfilm or optical disk or other electronic image of this Agreement and any or all of the other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent and each Lender may store the electronic image of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in its electronic form and then destroy the paper original as part of the Administrative Agent’s and each Lender’s normal business practices, with the electronic image deemed to be an original and of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as the paper originals.

10.18    USA 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 Borrower and the other 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 each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act. The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all such other documentation and

 

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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.

10.19    ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

10.20    Acknowledgement 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 undertaking, 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.

10.21    Acknowledgement 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): 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

 

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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.

10.22    Subordination. Each Loan Party (a “Subordinating Loan Party”) hereby subordinates the payment of all obligations and indebtedness of any other Loan Party owing to it, whether now existing or hereafter arising, including but not limited to any obligation of any such other Loan Party to the Subordinating Loan Party as subrogee of the Secured Creditors or resulting from such Subordinating Loan Party’s performance under this Guaranty, to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all Obligations. At any time a Default exists and if the Administrative Agent so requests, any such obligation or indebtedness of any such other Loan Party to the Subordinating Loan Party shall be enforced and performance received by the Subordinating Loan Party as trustee for the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Creditors and the proceeds thereof shall be paid over to the Administrative Agent for Secured Creditors on account of the Secured Obligations, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of the Subordinating Loan Party under this Agreement. 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 intercompany Debt permitted by Section 7.03; provided, that in the event that any Loan Party receives any payment of any such Debt at a time when such payment is prohibited by this Section 10.22, 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.

10.23    Amendment and Restatement; No Novation.

(a)    This Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended, effective from and after the Closing Date. The execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not constitute a novation of any debt or other obligations owing to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent under the Existing Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document based on facts or events occurring or existing prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement. On the Closing Date, the credit facilities described in the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended, shall be amended, supplemented, modified, renewed, extended and restated in their entirety by the credit facilities described herein, and all loans and other obligations of the Borrower outstanding as of such date under the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended, to the extent not repaid in accordance with the terms herein, shall be deemed to be

 

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Loans and Obligations outstanding under the corresponding facilities described herein, without any further action by any Person, except that the Administrative Agent shall make such transfers of funds as are necessary in order that the outstanding balance of such Loans, together with any Loans funded on the Closing Date, reflect the respective Commitments of the Lenders hereunder.

(b)    On the Closing Date, (i) all outstanding loans under the Existing Credit Agreement (“Existing Loans”) made by any Person that is a “Lender” under the Existing Credit Agreement which is not a Lender hereunder (each, an “Exiting Lender”) shall be repaid in full and the commitments and other obligations and rights (except as expressly set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement) of such Exiting Lender shall be terminated, (ii) all outstanding Existing Loans constituting Revolving Credit Loans under the Existing Credit Agreement that are not being repaid under clause (i) above shall be Revolving Credit Loans hereunder in accordance with Section 2.01 and the Administrative Agent shall make such transfers of funds as are necessary in order that the outstanding balance of such Revolving Credit Loans, together with any Revolving Credit Loans funded on the Closing Date, are in accordance with the relevant Applicable Percentages of the Lenders hereunder, (iii) there shall have been paid in cash in full all accrued but unpaid interest on the Existing Loans to the Closing Date, (iv) there shall have been paid in cash in full all accrued but unpaid fees under the Existing Credit Agreement due to the Closing Date and all other amounts, costs and expenses then owing to any of the Exiting Lenders, Lenders and/or Bank of America, as administrative agent under the Existing Credit Agreement (including any compensation for losses pursuant to Section 3.05 of the Existing Credit) and (v) all outstanding Existing Letters of Credit under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be Letters of Credit hereunder and all participation obligations of the Exiting Lenders with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit shall be released.

(c)    All security agreements and other documents and instruments granting a security interest or Lien in the assets of the Loan Parties that restate any previously granted security interest or Liens shall supersede any security agreements and other documents and instruments granting any such security interest that were executed and delivered in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement (the “Original Security Documents”), except for the security interests and Liens created under the Original Security Documents which shall remain valid, binding and enforceable security interests and Liens against the Loan Parties. All Original Security Documents shall continue to secure the Secured Obligations as herein defined, and shall be in full force and effect. The Lenders acknowledge that the intent of this paragraph is to maintain the priority of the security interests and Liens on the assets of Loan Parties to secure the Secured Obligations.

(d)    On the Closing Date, the Guaranty under Article XI of this Agreement is intended to, and does hereby, restate, renew, extend, modify, supersede, and replace any and all guaranties executed and delivered by any of the Loan Parties pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement.

ARTICLE XI

CONTINUING GUARANTY

11.01    Guaranty. Each Guarantor hereby absolutely and unconditionally, jointly and severally guarantees, as primary obligor and as a guaranty of payment and performance and not

 

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merely as a guaranty of collection, prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, upon acceleration, demand or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of any and all Secured Obligations (for each Guarantor, subject to the proviso in this sentence, its “Guaranteed Obligations”); provided that (a) the Guaranteed Obligations of a Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor and (b) the liability of each Guarantor individually with respect to this Guaranty shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Guaranteed Obligations shall include any such indebtedness, obligations, and liabilities, or portion thereof, which may be or hereafter become unenforceable or compromised or shall be an allowed or disallowed claim under any proceeding or case commenced by or against any debtor under any Debtor Relief Laws. The Administrative Agent’s books and records showing the amount of the Obligations shall be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding, and shall be binding upon each Guarantor, and conclusive for the purpose of establishing the amount of the Secured Obligations. This Guaranty shall not be affected by the genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Secured Obligations or any instrument or agreement evidencing any Secured Obligations, or by the existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, non-perfection or extent of any collateral therefor, or by any fact or circumstance relating to the Secured Obligations which might otherwise constitute a defense to the obligations of the Guarantors, or any of them, under this Guaranty, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to any or all of the foregoing.

11.02    Rights of Lenders. Each Guarantor consents and agrees that the Secured Creditors may in accordance with this Agreement, at any time and from time to time, without notice or demand, and without affecting the enforceability or continuing effectiveness hereof: (a) amend, extend, renew, compromise, discharge, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment or the terms of the Secured Obligations or any part thereof; (b) take, hold, exchange, enforce, waive, release, fail to perfect, sell, or otherwise dispose of any security for the payment of this Guaranty or any Secured Obligations; (c) apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders in their sole discretion may determine in accordance with this Agreement; and (d) release or substitute one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of the Secured Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor consents to the taking of, or failure to take, any action which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of such Guarantor under this Guaranty or which, but for this provision, might operate as a discharge of such Guarantor.

11.03    Certain Waivers. Each Guarantor waives (a) any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of the Borrower or any other guarantor, or the cessation from any cause whatsoever (including any act or omission of any Secured Creditor) of the liability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party; (b) any defense based on any claim that such Guarantor’s obligations exceed or are more burdensome than those of the Borrower or any other Loan Party; (c) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting any Guarantor’s liability hereunder; (d) any right to proceed against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, proceed against or exhaust any security for the Secured Obligations, or pursue any other remedy in the power of any Secured Creditor whatsoever; (e) any benefit of and any right to participate in any security now or

 

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hereafter held by any Secured Creditor; and (f) to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all other defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by Applicable Law limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors or sureties. Each Guarantor expressly waives all setoffs and counterclaims and all presentments, demands for payment or performance, notices of nonpayment or nonperformance, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and all other notices or demands of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the Secured Obligations, and all notices of acceptance of this Guaranty or of the existence, creation or incurrence of new or additional Secured Obligations, including but not limited to the benefits of Chapter 34 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, §17.01 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, and Rule 31 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, or any similar statute.

11.04    Obligations Independent. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are those of primary obligor, and not merely as surety, and are independent of the Secured Obligations and the obligations of any other guarantor, and a separate action may be brought against each Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty whether or not the Borrower or any other Person or entity is joined as a party.

11.05    Subrogation. No Guarantor shall exercise any right of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or similar rights with respect to any payments it makes under this Guaranty until all of the Secured Obligations and any amounts payable under this Guaranty have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full and the Commitments and the Revolving Credit Facility are terminated. If any amounts are paid to a Guarantor in violation of the foregoing limitation, then such amounts shall be held in trust for the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors and shall forthwith be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Secured Creditors to reduce the amount of the Secured Obligations, whether matured or unmatured.

11.06    Termination; Reinstatement. This Guaranty is a continuing and irrevocable guaranty of all Secured Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall remain in full force and effect until the Facility Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect or be revived, as the case may be, if any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower or a Guarantor is made, or any of the Secured Creditors exercises its right of setoff in accordance with this Agreement, in respect of the Secured Obligations 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 any of the Secured Creditors in their discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws or otherwise, all as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred and whether or not the Secured Creditors are in possession of or have released this Guaranty and regardless of any prior revocation, rescission, termination or reduction. The obligations of each Guarantor under this Section 11.06 shall survive termination of this Guaranty.

11.07    Stay of Acceleration. If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Secured Obligations is stayed, in connection with any case commenced by or against a Guarantor or the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Laws, or otherwise, all such amounts shall nonetheless be payable by each Guarantor, jointly and severally, immediately upon demand by the Administrative Agent.

 

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11.08    Condition of Borrower. Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that it has the sole responsibility for, and has adequate means of, obtaining from the Borrower and any other guarantor such information concerning the financial condition, business and operations of the Borrower and any such other guarantor as such Guarantor requires, and that none of the Secured Creditors has any duty, and such Guarantor is not relying on the Secured Creditors at any time, to disclose to it any information relating to the business, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or any other guarantor (each Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of the Secured Creditors to disclose such information and any defense relating to the failure to provide the same).

11.09    Appointment of Borrower. Each of the Loan Parties hereby appoints the Borrower to act as its agent for all purposes of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and all other documents and electronic platforms entered into in connection herewith and agrees that (a) the Borrower may execute such documents and provide such authorizations on behalf of such Loan Parties as the Borrower deems appropriate in its sole discretion and each Loan Party shall be obligated by all of the terms of any such document and/or authorization executed on its behalf, (b) any notice or communication delivered by the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or a Lender to the Borrower shall be deemed delivered to each Loan Party and (c) the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or the Lenders may accept, and be permitted to rely on, any document, authorization, instrument or agreement executed by the Borrower on behalf of each of the Loan Parties.

11.10    Right of Contribution. The Guarantors agree among themselves that, in connection with payments made hereunder, each Guarantor shall have contribution rights against the other Guarantors as permitted under Applicable Law.

11.11    Keepwell. Each Loan Party that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time the Guaranty or the grant of a Lien under the Loan Documents, in each case, by any Specified Loan Party 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 XI voidable under Applicable Law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 11.11 shall remain in full force and effect until the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. Each Loan Party intends this Section 11.11 to constitute, and this Section 11.11 shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of, each Specified Loan Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWER:

CARRIAGE SERVICES, INC.

 

By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Carl Benjamin Brink
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

GUARANTORS:

CARRIAGE CEMETERY SERVICES, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE CEMETERY SERVICES OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE CEMETERY SERVICES OF IDAHO, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE FLORIDA HOLDINGS, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE FUNERAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CARRIAGE FUNERAL MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE FUNERAL SERVICES OF CALIFORNIA, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE FUNERAL SERVICES OF KENTUCKY, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE FUNERAL SERVICES OF MICHIGAN, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE HOLDING COMPANY, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE INTERNET STRATEGIES, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE LIFE EVENTS, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE MERGER VI, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE MUNICIPAL CEMETERY SERVICES OF NEVADA, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE OPERATIONS, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE PENNSYLVANIA HOLDINGS, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE SERVICES OF CONNECTICUT, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE SERVICES OF LOUISIANA, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE SERVICES OF NEVADA, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE SERVICES OF NEW MEXICO, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE SERVICES OF OHIO, LLC

 

  CARRIAGE SERVICES OF OKLAHOMA, L.L.C.

 

  CARRIAGE SERVICES OF TENNESSEE, INC.

 

  CARRIAGE TEAM CALIFORNIA (CEMETERY), LLC

 

  CARRIAGE TEAM CALIFORNIA (FUNERAL), LLC

 

  CARRIAGE TEAM FLORIDA (CEMETERY), LLC

 

Signature Page – First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


  CARRIAGE TEAM FLORIDA (FUNERAL), LLC

 

  CARRIAGE TEAM KANSAS, LLC

 

  CATAUDELLA FUNERAL HOME, INC.

 

  CFS FUNERAL SERVICES, INC.

 

  CHC INSURANCE AGENCY OF OHIO, INC.

 

  CLOVERDALE PARK, INC.

 

  COCHRANE’S CHAPEL OF THE ROSES, INC.

 

  CSI FUNERAL SERVICES OF MASSACHUSETTS, INC.

 

  CSRE HOLDINGS, INC.

 

  FORASTIERE FAMILY FUNERAL SERVICE, INC.

 

  HORIZON CREMATION SOCIETY, INC.

 

  HUBBARD FUNERAL HOME, INC.

 

  PNCA, INC.

 

  ROLLING HILLS MEMORIAL PARK

 

  WILSON & KRATZER MORTUARIES

FAIRFAX MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, L.L.C.

 

  CALVARY MEMORIAL PARK, INCORPORATED

 

By:  

/s/ Carl Benjamin Brink

  Carl Benjamin Brink
  Treasurer for all

 

Signature Page – First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

/s/ Joan Mok

Name:   Joan Mok
Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page – First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as a Lender, L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender

By:  

/s/ Jennifer Textus

Name:   Jennifer Textus
Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page – First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


REGIONS BANK,

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Matthew N. Walt

Name:   Matthew N. Walt
Title:   Director

 

Signature Page – First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


BBVA USA,

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Tom Brosig

Name:   Tom Brosig
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page – First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


CITIZENS BANK, N.A.,

as a Lender

By:  

/s/ Dough Kennedy

Name:   Dough Kennedy
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page – First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

LOGO

May 13, 2021

Carriage Services Announces Closing of Senior Notes Offering and Entry into Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

HOUSTON, Texas – (PRNewswire) – Carriage Services, Inc. (NYSE: CSV) (“Carriage Services” or the “Company”) today announced that it closed its private offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% senior notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes”).

The Company used the net proceeds from the sale of the 2029 Notes, together with cash on hand and borrowings under the amended and restated credit facility, to satisfy and discharge the indenture with respect to its 6.625% senior notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”). The 2026 Notes are scheduled to be redeemed on June 1, 2021. This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the 2026 Notes.

The 2029 Notes are unsecured, senior obligations of the Company, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears. The 2029 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a senior unsecured basis, jointly and severally by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that is a borrower, or guarantees indebtedness, under the Company’s amended and restated credit facility.

In connection with the closing of the 2029 Notes offering, the Company also entered into an amended and restated senior secured revolving credit facility with commitments of $150 million in order to provide ongoing working capital and for general corporate purposes. At closing, approximately $58.8 million of borrowings were outstanding under the amended and restated facility with approximately $89.1 million available for additional borrowings after giving effect to $2.1 million of outstanding letters of credit.

The 2029 Notes were offered in a private offering only to persons who are reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A and to certain persons outside of the United States pursuant to Regulation S, each under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). Neither the 2029 Notes nor the related guarantees have been, nor will be, registered under the Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.


About Carriage Services

Carriage Services is a leading provider of funeral and cemetery services and merchandise in the United States. Carriage operates 173 funeral homes in 26 states and 32 cemeteries in 12 states.

Certain statements made herein or elsewhere by, or on behalf of, the Company that are not historical facts are intended to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable; however, many important factors, as discussed under “Cautionary Note” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and under “Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, could cause the Company’s results in the future to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein and in any other documents or oral presentations made by, or on behalf of, the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update or publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company.

Source: Carriage Services, Inc.

 

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