Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), dated as of June 6, 2013 is entered into by and among HAWAIIAN TELCOM COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), HAWAIIAN TELCOM HOLDCO, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), each of the Lenders listed on the signature pages hereto, CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, as administrative agent and collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Amended Credit Agreement (defined below).

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower, Holdings, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the other parties listed on the signature pages thereto are parties to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 29, 2012 (the “Credit Agreement”; the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“CS Securities”) has agreed to act as the sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner (in such capacities, the “Arranger”) with respect to this Amendment, pursuant to that certain Engagement Letter, dated as of May 13, 2013 (the “Engagement Letter”), between the Borrower, Holdings and CS Securities;

 

WHEREAS, with respect to the Lenders holding any Loans existing immediately prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date under the Credit Agreement (such Loans, the “Existing Loans”) whose executed counterpart of this Amendment has not been received by the Administrative Agent on or prior to a deadline (the “Non-Consenting Lenders”; the Lenders that are not the Non-Consenting Lenders are hereinafter referred to as the “Consenting Lenders”) as announced by the Arranger to the Lenders (which may, in the discretion of the Arranger, be extended), which shall be at a time on or about May 20, 2013, 5 P.M., Eastern time (the “Consent Deadline”), the Borrower hereby requires, pursuant to, and subject to the limitations in, Section 2.21(a)(iv) of the Credit Agreement, that each such Non-Consenting Lender assign and delegate all of its interests, rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, such Non-Consenting Lender’s Existing Loans, to Eligible Assignees party hereto (the “New Lenders”) that have agreed to assume such interests, rights and obligations in principal amounts set forth on their respective signature page hereto (or such lesser amount as shall be allocated by the Arranger);

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that additional Term Loans (the “Amendment No. 1 Loans”) in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $2.888 million which, together with the principal amount of the other Term Loans would amount to $300 million, be made on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date for the purpose of financing the call premium payable in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby (the “Call Premium”), and one or more Consenting Lenders or New Lenders (the “Amendment No. 1 Lenders”) are willing to provide such additional Term Loans in principal amounts equal to their respective commitments allocated by the Arranger (the “Amendment No. 1 Commitments”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has further requested, and the Lenders party hereto have agreed, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, to enter into this Amendment to effect other amendments to the Credit Agreement and the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, in each case, as hereinafter set forth;

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.                         AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4 and effective as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to delete the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: ) and to add the double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text) as set forth in the pages of the Credit Agreement attached as Exhibit A hereto.  Effective as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the Consenting Lenders hereby waive any breakage cost or expense payable to them under Section 2.16 of the Credit Agreement that arises from the repricing of the Loans contemplated by this Amendment.

 

SECTION 2.                         AMENDMENTS TO GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4 and effective as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is hereby amended:

 

(a)                                 The definition of “Obligations” in Section 1.02 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the text “(excluding any Excluded Swap Obligations)” immediately prior to semi-colon appearing therein.

 

(b)                                 The following text shall be inserted as a new Section 2.09 to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement:

 

“Section 2.09 Keepwell. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under this Agreement in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 2.09 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 2.09 , or otherwise under this Agreement, as it relates to such other Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 2.09 shall remain in full force and effect with respect to such Qualified ECP Guarantor until the termination of this Agreement or the release of such Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 2.09 constitute, and this Section 2.09 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.”

 

(c)                                  The following text shall be inserted as a new Section 2.10 to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement:

 

“Section 2.10 Excluded Swap Transactions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document, the Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Guarantor shall not include obligations in respect of any Excluded Swap Transaction (as defined below) with respect to that Guarantor. For purposes hereof, “Excluded Swap Transaction” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act (“Swap”), if, and to the extent that, (i) such Guarantor is not an “eligible contract participant” under and as defined in Section 1a(18)(A)(v) of the Commodity Exchange Act (or CFTC rules, regulations or orders promulgated thereunder (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof)) on the date such

 

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Swap is entered into, or (ii) the guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap 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). The liability of a Guarantor for any amount payable under the netting provisions of Section 6(e) of an ISDA Master Agreement with respect to any “Terminated Transactions” under and as defined therein shall exclude amounts attributable to Excluded Swap Transactions with respect to such Guarantor.”

 

SECTION 3.                         REPLACEMENT OF NON-CONSENTING LENDERS; ASSIGNMENTS OF CERTAIN LENDERS

 

Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4 and effective as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date:

 

(a)                                 each Non-Consenting Lender shall, pursuant to Section 2.21(a)(iv) of the Credit Agreement, be replaced and all of its Existing Loans and other interests, rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement shall be transferred and assigned to a New Lender (as allocated by the Arranger), in each case upon the execution and delivery by such New Lender of this Amendment, such that immediately after giving effect to this Amendment on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the amounts of Loans held by each New Lender with respect to such Non-Consenting Lender’s Loans and other interests, rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement are the amounts allocated thereto by the Arranger;

 

(b)                                 the execution and delivery hereof by each New Lender shall also be deemed to be its execution and delivery of an Assignment and Acceptance in the form of Exhibit B to the Credit Agreement as an “Assignee” as defined therein and thereunder, agreeing in such capacity to all the terms therein applicable to it to the extent necessary to reflect the transfer and assignments described in immediately preceding Section 3(a) and the execution and delivery hereof by the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to be an exercise of the irrevocable power of attorney (as set forth in the final sentence of Section 2.21(a) of the Credit Agreement), on behalf of each Non-Consenting Lender as assignor, to effectuate all such transfers and assignments and the Borrower hereby consents to all such transfers and assignments;

 

(c)                                  upon its receipt of the principal amount of its Existing Loans (and other amounts owing in respect thereof) on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, each Consenting Lender electing “Consent and Assignments (to be settled after closing)” on its signature hereto shall be deemed to have transferred and assigned all of its Existing Loans and other interests, rights and obligations in respect thereof to the Arranger (or an Affiliate thereof or one or more Eligible Assignees designated by the Arranger) on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date (the execution and delivery hereof by each such Lender shall also be deemed to be its execution and delivery of an Assignment and Acceptance in the form of Exhibit B to the Credit Agreement as an “Assignor” as defined therein and thereunder, agreeing in such capacity to all the terms therein applicable to it to the extent necessary to reflect the transfer and assignments described herein); and

 

(d)                                 if any transaction contemplated by this Section 3 shall contradict, or is inconsistent with, Sections 2.21 or 9.04 of the Credit Agreement, the Lenders constituting the Required Lenders hereby consent to any such contradiction or inconsistency.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Section 3 shall be deemed to be effective immediately prior to the effectiveness of Sections 1 and 2 of this Amendment.

 

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SECTION 4.                         CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS

 

The provisions set forth in Sections 1, 2  and 3 hereof shall be effective as of the date first above written (the “Amendment No. 1 Effective Date”) when each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:

 

(a)                                 Consents.  The Administrative Agent shall have received executed signature pages hereto from (x) Consenting Lenders constituting at least the Required Lenders, (y) New Lenders (which, in the aggregate, shall have set forth principal amounts of their respective signature pages hereto at least equal to the aggregate principal amount of Existing Loans of Non-Consenting Lenders) and (z) each Loan Party.

 

(b)                                 Governmental Approval. All requisite Governmental Authorities and third parties (including, without limitation, the administrative agent for the lenders under the Revolving Facility Agreement pursuant to Section 2(f) of the Intercreditor Agreement) shall have approved or consented to this Amendment and the other transactions contemplated hereby to the extent required, all applicable appeal periods shall have expired and there shall not be any pending or threatened litigation, governmental, administrative or judicial action that could reasonably be expected to restrain, prevent or impose burdensome conditions on this Amendment or the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(c)                                  Commitments. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall have received commitments from New Lenders that are Eligible Assignees in an amount that, when added to the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Existing Loans of Consenting Lenders, equals at least the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Existing Loans on the Closing Date (as determined immediately before giving effect to this Amendment).

 

(d)                                 Expenses and Fees.  All fees and out-of-pocket costs and expenses owing to the Arranger incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated under this Amendment, as agreed between the Arranger, Holdings and the Borrower in the Engagement Letter, shall have been paid.  All out-of-pocket costs and expenses owing to the Administrative Agent and their Affiliates (including the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket costs and expenses of legal counsel to the Administrative Agent) incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated under this Amendment that are required to be paid pursuant to Section 9.05(a) of the Credit Agreement shall have been paid.  With respect to each Consenting Lender and New Lender whose executed counterpart of this Amendment has been received by the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Consent Deadline, a fee equal to 0.50% of the Existing Loans and the Amendment No. 1 Loans of each such Consenting Lender and New Lender as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date shall have been paid by the Borrower.

 

(e)                                  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties set forth in Section 5 shall be true and correct on and as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date.

 

(f)                                   No Default or Event of Default.  On and as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and after giving effect to the amendments contemplated herein, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(g)                                  Payoff — Non-Consenting Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that (i) with respect to each Lender, all accrued interest on its Existing Loans under the Credit Agreement, and the Call Premium equal to 1% of the principal amount of each Lender’s Existing Loans,  shall have been paid and (ii) with respect to each Non-Consenting Lender, evidence that all principal and any other amount due and payable to such Non-Consenting Lender under the Credit Agreement in respect of its Existing Loans shall have been paid in full.

 

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(h)                                 Promissory Notes. The Administrative Agent shall have received, if requested by any Consenting Lender or New Lender, in each case, at least two Business Days in advance of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender duly executed by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(i)                                     Opinions and Resolutions. The Administrative Agent shall have received legal opinions  from counsels to the Loan Parties and copies of resolutions of the Loan Parties approving the transactions contemplated herein certified by the Responsible Officers thereof, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 5.                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

(a)                                 Corporate Power and Authority.  Each of Loan Parties has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Amendment.

 

(b)                                 Authorization.  The execution and delivery of this Amendment and the performance of each Loan Party’s obligations under this Amendment (a) have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate and, if required, stockholder action of each of the Loan Parties and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents or by-laws of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (B) any order of any Governmental Authority, (C) any provision of any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any of them or any of their property is or may be bound, except, in each case, the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (D) the HPUC Decision and Order, or (E) the DCCA Decision and Order, (ii) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, or give rise to any right to accelerate or to require the prepayment, repurchase or redemption of any obligation under any such indenture, agreement or other instrument except, in each case, the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than any Lien created hereunder or under the Security Documents) other than such Liens as may be permitted hereunder.

 

(c)                                  Enforceability.  This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Loan Parties and is the legally valid and binding obligation of each of the Loan Parties enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or equitable principles relating to enforceability.

 

(d)                                 Governmental Approvals. No action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, the FCC, the HPUC and the DCCA) is or will be required in connection with this Amendment or the performance of each Loan Party’s obligations under this Agreement, except for such as have been made or obtained and are in full force and effect

 

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(e)                                  Credit Agreement Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents are true and correct (or true and correct in all material respects, in the case of any such representation or warranty that is not qualified as to materiality) on and as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date (except to the extent that such representation or warranty expressly relates to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct (or true and correct in all material respects, in the case of any representation or warranty that is not qualified by materiality) as of such earlier date).

 

SECTION 6.                         MISCELLANEOUS

 

(a)                                 Binding Effect.  This Amendment shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors and assigns of the Administrative Agent, each of the Lenders and each of the Loan Parties.  None of the Loan Parties’ rights or obligations hereunder or any interest therein may be assigned or delegated by any of the Loan Parties without the prior written consent of all Lenders.

 

(b)                                 Severability.  In case any provision in or obligation hereunder shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

(c)                                  References to Credit Agreement and Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.  On and after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, each reference in the Credit Agreement and in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, respectively, to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof”, “herein” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement or to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, as the case may be, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to the “Credit Agreement”, the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement or to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, as the case may be,  shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement and Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

 

(d)                                 Effect on Credit Agreement and Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.  Except as specifically amended in Sections 1 and 2 of this Amendment, the Credit Agreement, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.  This Amendment shall constitute a “Loan Document” under and as defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

(e)                                  Execution.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, constitute a waiver of any provision of, or operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Agent or Lender under, the Credit Agreement, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, nor constitute a modification, acceptance or waiver of any other provision of any of the Loan Documents.

 

(f)                                   Headings.  Section headings herein are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

 

(g)                                  APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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(h)                                 Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by telecopier or email (whether as a PDF file or otherwise) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

 

(i)                                     Affirmation and Consent of Guarantors.  Each Guarantor hereby consents to the amendments to the Credit Agreement and the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement effected hereby, and hereby confirms, acknowledges and agrees that, (i) notwithstanding the effectiveness of this Amendment, the obligations of such Guarantor contained in any of the Loan Documents to which it is a party are, and shall remain, in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, except that, on and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, each reference in the Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, (ii) the pledge and security interest in the Collateral granted by it pursuant to the Security Documents to which it is a party shall continue in full force and effect and (iii) such pledge and security interest in the Collateral granted by it pursuant to such Security Documents shall continue to secure the Obligations purported to be secured thereby, as amended or otherwise affected hereby.

 

 [The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

	
 
    	
HAWAIIAN TELCOM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
   as Borrower
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Robert Reich
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Robert Reich
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   SVP & Chief Financial Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
HAWAIIAN   TELCOM HOLDCO, INC., as a Guarantor
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:   
    	
/s/   Robert Reich
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Robert Reich 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   SVP & Chief Financial Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
HAWAIIAN   TELCOM, INC., as a Guarantor
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:   
    	
/s/   Robert Reich
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Robert Reich 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   SVP & Chief Financial Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
HAWAIIAN   TELCOM SERVICES COMPANY, INC.,
   as a Guarantor
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 /s/ Robert Reich
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Robert Reich 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   SVP & Chief Financial Officer
    

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

 

	
 
    	
CREDIT   SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,
    
	
 
    	
as   Administrative Agent
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By   
    	
/s/   Judith E. Smith
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Judith E. Smith
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Authorized Signatory
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:   
    	
/s/   Patrick Freytag
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Patrick Freytag
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Authorized Signatory
    

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

 

CONSENTING LENDER’S

 Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement

 

Each undersigned Consenting Lender hereby approves the foregoing Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement and, with respect thereto, as indicated below, has (or has not) elected to consummate assignments (it being understood and agreed that an election to consummate assignments shall only be permitted if such election shall have been previously approved by the Arranger and the Administrative Agent and, in all events, any such assignments shall be consummated in accordance with the Credit Agreement and in a manner otherwise previously agreed with the Administrative Agent and the Arranger) with respect to all of its Existing Loans:

 

	
Name of Consenting Lender
    (if the same natural person is signing on behalf of
   multiple entities, this same signature page may be
   used for such entities, with a different line in this
   table for each such entity)
    	
 
    	
MUST check one of the following for each entity (if
   neither checked, then Consent and NO Assignments
   shall be deemed to have been elected)
    
	
Consent   and NO
   Assignments
    	
 
    	
Consent   and Assignments (to be
   settled after closing)
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
o
    	
 
    	
o
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
o
    	
 
    	
o
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
o
    	
 
    	
o
    

 

	
 
    	
On   behalf of each entity listed above, each as a Lender:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[If   a second signature is required]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

 

NEW LENDER’S

 Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement

 

Each undersigned New Lender hereby approves the foregoing Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement  and hereby agrees, pursuant to the provisions of Amendment No.1, to the transfer and assignment to it of Existing Loans from one or more Non-Consenting Lenders, in an aggregate principal amount set forth below (or such lesser amount as shall be allocated to it by the Arranger):

 

 

	
 
    	
[INSERT   NAME OF LENDER], as a New Lender:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Aggregate   Principal Amount: $
    	
 
    
				

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[REDLINE VERSION OF

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT AS AMENDED BY AMENDMENT NO. 1]

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

February 29, 2012

 

among

 

HAWAIIAN TELCOM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,

as Borrower,

 

HAWAIIAN TELCOM HOLDCO, INC.,

 

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 

and

 

CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger

 

 

Table of Contents

 

	
 
    	
Page
    
	
ARTICLE I   Definitions
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms
    	
1
    
	
SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally
    	
26
    
	
SECTION 1.03. Pro Forma Calculations
    	
26
    
	
SECTION 1.04. Classification of Loans and Borrowings
    	
27
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE II   The Credits
    	
27
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 2.01. Commitments
    	
27
    
	
SECTION 2.02. Loans
    	
27
    
	
SECTION 2.03. Borrowing Procedure
    	
28
    
	
SECTION 2.04. Evidence of Debt; Repayment of Loans
    	
29
    
	
SECTION 2.05. Administrative Agent Fees
    	
29
    
	
SECTION 2.06. Interest on Loans
    	
30
    
	
SECTION 2.07. Default Interest
    	
30
    
	
SECTION 2.08. Alternate Rate of Interest
    	
30
    
	
SECTION 2.09. Termination of Commitments
    	
31
    
	
SECTION 2.10. Conversion and Continuation of Borrowings
    	
31
    
	
SECTION 2.11. Repayment of Term Borrowings
    	
32
    
	
SECTION 2.12. Voluntary Prepayment
    	
33
    
	
SECTION 2.13. Mandatory Prepayments
    	
34
    
	
SECTION 2.14. Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances
    	
35
    
	
SECTION 2.15. Change in Legality
    	
36
    
	
SECTION 2.16. Breakage
    	
36
    
	
SECTION 2.17. Pro Rata Treatment
    	
37
    
	
SECTION 2.18. Sharing of Setoffs
    	
37
    
	
SECTION 2.19. Payments
    	
38
    
	
SECTION 2.20. Taxes
    	
38
    
	
SECTION 2.21. Assignment of Commitments Under Certain   Circumstances; Duty to Mitigate
    	
40
    
	
SECTION 2.22. Incremental Term   Loans
    	
42
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE III   Representations and Warranties
    	
44
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers
    	
44
    
	
SECTION 3.02. Authorization
    	
44
    
	
SECTION 3.03. Enforceability
    	
45
    
	
SECTION 3.04. Governmental Approvals
    	
45
    
	
SECTION 3.05. Financial Statements
    	
45
    
	
SECTION 3.06. No Material Adverse Change
    	
46
    
	
SECTION 3.07. Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases
    	
46
    
	
SECTION 3.08. Subsidiaries
    	
46
    

 

 

	
SECTION 3.09. Litigation; Compliance with Laws
    	
47
    
	
SECTION 3.10. Agreements
    	
47
    
	
SECTION 3.11. Federal Reserve Regulations
    	
47
    
	
SECTION 3.12. Investment Company Act
    	
48
    
	
SECTION 3.13. Use of Proceeds
    	
48
    
	
SECTION 3.14. Tax Returns
    	
48
    
	
SECTION 3.15. No Material Misstatements
    	
48
    
	
SECTION 3.16. Employee Benefit Plans
    	
48
    
	
SECTION 3.17. Environmental Matters
    	
48
    
	
SECTION 3.18. Insurance
    	
49
    
	
SECTION 3.19. Security Documents
    	
49
    
	
SECTION 3.20. Location of Real Property and Leased Premises
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 3.21. Labor Matters
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 3.22. Solvency
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 3.23. Senior Indebtedness
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 3.24. Sanctioned Persons
    	
51
    
	
SECTION 3.25. USA PATRIOT Act; FCPA
    	
51
    
	
SECTION 3.26. Licenses; Tariffs.
    	
51
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IV   Conditions of Lending
    	
52
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 4.01. Credit Event
    	
52
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE V   Affirmative Covenants
    	
55
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 5.01. Existence; Compliance with Laws; Businesses and   Properties
    	
56
    
	
SECTION 5.02. Insurance
    	
56
    
	
SECTION 5.03. Obligations and Taxes
    	
58
    
	
SECTION 5.04. Financial Statements, Reports, etc
    	
58
    
	
SECTION 5.05. Litigation and Other Notices
    	
60
    
	
SECTION 5.06. Information Regarding Collateral
    	
60
    
	
SECTION 5.07. Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and   Inspections; Maintenance of Ratings
    	
61
    
	
SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds
    	
61
    
	
SECTION 5.09. Employee Benefits
    	
61
    
	
SECTION 5.10. Compliance with Environmental Laws
    	
61
    
	
SECTION 5.11. Preparation of Environmental Reports
    	
62
    
	
SECTION 5.12. Further Assurances
    	
62
    
	
SECTION 5.13. Post-Closing Covenants.
    	
63
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VI   Negative Covenants
    	
63
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 6.01. Indebtedness
    	
63
    
	
SECTION 6.02. Liens
    	
65
    
	
SECTION 6.03. Sale and Lease-Back Transactions
    	
67
    
	
SECTION 6.04. Investments, Loans and Advances
    	
68
    
	
SECTION 6.05. Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and   Acquisitions
    	
70
    

 

ii

 

	
SECTION 6.06. Restricted Payments; Restrictive Agreements
    	
70
    
	
SECTION 6.07. Transactions with Affiliates
    	
72
    
	
SECTION 6.08. Business of Holdings, Borrower and Subsidiaries
    	
72
    
	
SECTION 6.09. Other Indebtedness and Agreements
    	
73
    
	
SECTION 6.10. Capital Expenditures
    	
73
    
	
SECTION 6.11. Interest Coverage Ratio
    	
73
    
	
SECTION 6.12. Maximum Leverage Ratio
    	
74
    
	
SECTION 6.13. Fiscal Year
    	
74
    
	
SECTION 6.14. Certain Equity Securities
    	
74
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VII   Events of Default
    	
75
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VIII   The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent; Etc.
    	
77
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IX   Miscellaneous
    	
80
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 9.01. Notices; Electronic Communications
    	
80
    
	
SECTION 9.02. Survival of Agreement
    	
82
    
	
SECTION 9.03. Binding Effect
    	
82
    
	
SECTION 9.04. Successors and Assigns
    	
83
    
	
SECTION 9.05. Expenses; Indemnity
    	
86
    
	
SECTION 9.06. Right of Setoff
    	
88
    
	
SECTION 9.07. Applicable Law
    	
88
    
	
SECTION 9.08. Waivers; Amendment
    	
88
    
	
SECTION 9.09. Interest Rate Limitation
    	
89
    
	
SECTION 9.10. Entire Agreement
    	
89
    
	
SECTION 9.11. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
    	
90
    
	
SECTION 9.12. Severability
    	
90
    
	
SECTION 9.13. Counterparts
    	
90
    
	
SECTION 9.14. Headings
    	
90
    
	
SECTION 9.15. Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process
    	
90
    
	
SECTION 9.16. Confidentiality
    	
91
    
	
SECTION 9.17. Lender Action
    	
91
    
	
SECTION 9.18. USA PATRIOT Act Notice
    	
92
    

 

iii

 

SCHEDULES

 

	
Schedule 1.01(a)
    	
-
    	
Refinanced   Indebtedness
    
	
Schedule 1.01(b)
    	
-
    	
Subsidiary   Guarantors
    
	
Schedule 1.01(c)
    	
-
    	
Mortgaged Property
    
	
Schedule 1.01(d)
    	
-
    	
Anticipated Tower   Lease-Back
    
	
Schedule 1.01(e)
    	
-
    	
Designated   Entities
    
	
Schedule 1.01(f)
    	
-
    	
Specified   Facilities
    
	
Schedule 2.01
    	
-
    	
Lenders and   Commitments
    
	
Schedule 3.08
    	
-
    	
Subsidiaries
    
	
Schedule 3.09
    	
-
    	
Litigation
    
	
Schedule 3.17
    	
-
    	
Environmental   Matters
    
	
Schedule 3.18
    	
-
    	
Insurance
    
	
Schedule 3.19(a)
    	
-
    	
UCC Filing Offices
    
	
Schedule 3.19(c)
    	
-
    	
Mortgage Filing   Offices
    
	
Schedule 3.20(a)
    	
-
    	
Owned Real   Property
    
	
Schedule 3.20(b)
    	
-
    	
Leased Real   Property
    
	
Schedule 4.02(a)
    	
-
    	
Local Counsel
    
	
Schedule 5.13
    	
-
    	
Post-Closing   Covenants
    
	
Schedule 6.01
    	
-
    	
Existing   Indebtedness
    
	
Schedule 6.02
    	
-
    	
Existing Liens
    
	
Schedule 6.04(j)
    	
-
    	
Investments
    

 

EXHIBITS

 

	
Exhibit A
    	
-
    	
Form of   Administrative Questionnaire
    
	
Exhibit B
    	
-
    	
Form of   Assignment and Acceptance
    
	
Exhibit C
    	
-
    	
Form of   Borrowing Request
    
	
Exhibit D
    	
-
    	
Form of   Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
    
	
Exhibit E
    	
-
    	
Form of   Mortgage
    
	
Exhibit F
    	
-
    	
Form of   Compliance Certificate
    
	
Exhibit G-1
    	
-
    	
Form of   Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP
    
	
Exhibit G-2
    	
-
    	
Form of Local   and Regulatory Counsel Opinion
    
	
Exhibit G-3
    	
-
    	
Form of Local   and Regulatory Counsel Opinion
    
	
Exhibit G-4
    	
-
    	
Form of Local   and Regulatory Counsel Opinion
    
	
Exhibit H
    	
-
    	
Form of   Affiliate Subordination Agreement
    

 

iv

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of February 29, 2012 among HAWAIIAN TELCOM COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), HAWAIIAN TELCOM HOLDCO, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), the Lenders (such term and each other capitalized term used but not defined in this introductory statement having the meaning given it in Article I), and CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH (“Credit Suisse”), as administrative agent (in such capacity, including any successor thereto, the “Administrative Agent”) and as collateral agent (in such capacity, including any successor thereto, the “Collateral Agent”) for the Lenders.

 

The Borrower has requested the Lenders to extend credit in the form of Term Loans on the Closing Date, in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of $300,000,000.  The proceeds of the Term Loans will be used solely to refinance the Refinanced Indebtedness and to pay fees and expenses incurred connection herewith and therewith and, to the extent of any excess, for working capital and general corporate purposes.

 

The Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrower on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.  Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.  Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

 

“ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

 

“Acquired Entity” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04(g).

 

“Adjusted LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) (x) for the period prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, 1.25% per annum and (y) thereafter, 1.00% per annum and (b) the product of (i) the LIBO Rate in effect for such Interest Period and (ii) Statutory Reserves.

 

“Administrative Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory statement to this Credit Agreement.

 

“Administrative Agent Fees” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05.

 

“Administrative Questionnaire” shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in the form of Exhibit A, or such other form as may be supplied from time to time by the Administrative Agent.

 

 

“Affiliate” shall mean, when used 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.

 

“Affiliate Subordination Agreement” shall mean an Affiliate Subordination Agreement in the form of Exhibit H pursuant to which intercompany obligations and advances owed by any Loan Party are subordinated to the Obligations.

 

“Agents” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article VIII.

 

“Agreement Value” shall mean, for each Hedging Agreement, on any date of determination, the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Hedging Agreement were terminated on such date.

 

“All-in Yield” shall mean, as to any Indebtedness, the yield thereon as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, which equals the sum of (x) the margin then in effect for such Indebtedness (which shall be the sum of the applicable margin then in effect for such Indebtedness, increased by the amount that any “LIBOR floor” applicable to such Indebtedness on the date such Indebtedness is incurred would exceed the Adjusted LIBO Rate (without giving effect to clause (a) of the definition thereof) that would be in effect for a three-month Interest Period commencing on such date) plus (y) the higher of (i) one-fourth or (ii) the number obtained by dividing one by the average life to maturity of such Indebtedness, in each case multiplied by the amount of the OID paid in respect of such Indebtedness.

 

“Alternate Base Rate” shall mean, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate based on an Interest Period of one month plus 1.00%; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the rate determined on such day at approximately 11 a.m. (London time) by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as an authorized vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates).  If the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain the Federal Funds Effective Rate for any reason, including the inability or failure of the Administrative Agent to obtain sufficient quotations in accordance with the terms of the definition thereof, the Alternate Base Rate shall be determined without regard to clause (b) of the preceding sentence until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist.  Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, as the case may be.

 

“Amendment No. 1” shall mean Amendment No. 1 to this Agreement, dated as of June 6, 2013, by and among the Borrower, the other Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto.

 

 

“Amendment No. 1 Commitments” shall have the meaning specified in Amendment No. 1.  Unless the context shall otherwise require, each Amendment No. 1 Commitment shall mean and be a reference to a Term Loan Commitment.

 

“Amendment No. 1 Effective Date” shall have the meaning specified in Amendment No. 1.

 

“Amendment No. 1 Lenders” shall have the meaning specified in Amendment No. 1.  Unless the context shall otherwise require, each Amendment No. 1 Lender shall mean and be a reference to a Term Lender.

 

“Amendment No. 1 Loans” shall have the meaning specified in Amendment No. 1.  Unless the context shall otherwise require, each Amendment No. 1 Loan shall mean and be a reference to a Term Loan.

 

“Anticipated Tower Lease-Back” shall mean the sale and lease-back by any Loan Party of the cell towers described on Schedule 1.01(d).

 

“Applicable Margin” shall mean, (a) from the Closing Date to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, for any day (i) with respect to any Eurodollar Term Loan, 5.75% per annum and (ii) with respect to any ABR Term Loan, 4.75% per annum and (b) from the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, for any day (i) with respect to any Eurodollar Term Loan, 4.00% per annum and (ii) with respect to any ABR Term Loan, 3.00% per annum.

 

“Asset Sale” shall mean the sale, transfer or other disposition (by way of merger, casualty, condemnation or otherwise) by Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries to any Person other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor of (a) any Equity Interests of any of the Subsidiaries (other than (x) directors’ qualifying shares and Equity Interests sold, transferred or disposed of, in each case, under Section 6.06(a)(v) and (y) the issuance of Equity Interests by Holdings to its shareholders, by the Borrower to Holdings or by any other Subsidiary to a Loan Party) or (b) any other assets of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (other than (i) inventory, damaged, obsolete, surplus, excess, non-useful or worn out assets, scrap and Permitted Investments, in each case disposed of in the ordinary course of business, (ii) (x) dispositions between or among Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors and (y) dispositions between or among Subsidiaries that are Subsidiary Guarantors (or between or among the Borrower and Subsidiaries that are Subsidiary Guarantors), (iii) defaulted receivables sold in the ordinary course of business and not as part of an accounts receivables financing transaction, (iv) licensing and cross-licensing arrangements involving any technology or other Intellectual Property Collateral of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, (v) to the extent constituting dispositions, transactions entered into by any Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors and which are expressly permitted by Section 6.04 and (vi) any other sales, transfers or other dispositions or series of related sales, transfers or other dispositions having an aggregate value per transfer or series of related transfers not in excess of $750,000); provided that, in the case of any casualty or other insured damage to, or any 

 

 

taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, property of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, such event shall only constitute an “Asset Sale” to the extent that (x) the Net Cash Proceeds therefrom, on an aggregate basis, exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year and (y) the application of the Net Cash Proceeds of such event to the prepayment of Term Loans hereunder would not violate any applicable laws or applicable regulations.

 

“Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit B or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Board” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

“Borrower” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory statement to this Credit Agreement.

 

“Borrower Materials” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01.

 

“Borrowing” shall mean Loans of the same Class and Type made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

 

“Borrowing Request” shall mean a request by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit C, or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Breakage Event” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16.

 

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or day on which banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close; provided, however, that when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

 

“Capital Expenditures” shall mean, for any period, (a) the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Holdings, Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries that are (or should be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Holdings for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP and (b) Capital Lease Obligations or Synthetic Lease Obligations incurred by Holdings, the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries during such period, but excluding in each case (i) any such expenditure made to restore, replace or rebuild property to the condition of such property immediately prior to any damage, loss, destruction or condemnation of such property, to the extent such expenditure is made with insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or damage recovery proceeds relating to any such damage, loss, destruction or condemnation, (ii) expenditures for leasehold improvements from which reimbursement or credit is received and (iii) expenditures of funds received as grants (and not as loans) 

 

 

pursuant to any federal stimulus funding on projects approved by the board of directors of the Borrower.

 

“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person shall mean the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Central Office Consolidation” shall mean the Borrower’s consolidation of its central office operations.

 

A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if after the Closing Date (a) any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the date hereof) shall own, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, shares representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of Holdings, (b) a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of Holdings shall at any time be occupied by persons who were neither (i) nominated by the board of directors of Holdings on the Closing Date nor (ii) appointed by directors so nominated, (c) any change in control (or similar event, however denominated) with respect to Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall occur under and as defined in the Revolving Facility Agreement, or (d) Holdings shall cease to directly own, beneficially and of record, 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower.

 

“Change in Law” shall mean (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.14, by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) for the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

“Chapter 11 Cases” shall mean the voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of the United States Code (as amended) filed by Holdings, the Borrower and certain of their Subsidiaries on December 1, 2008 with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, which were transferred on December 22, 2008 to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii.

 

 

“Charges” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

 

“Class”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Term Loans or Other Term Loans and, when used in reference to any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Term Loan Commitment or an Incremental Term Loan Commitment.

 

“Closing Date” shall mean February 29, 2012.

 

“CoBank” shall mean CoBank, ACB.

 

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

“Collateral” shall mean all the “Collateral” as defined in any Security Document and shall also include the Mortgaged Properties.

 

“Collateral Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory statement to this Credit Agreement.

 

“Commitment” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment and Incremental Term Loan Commitment.

 

“Commodity Exchange Act” shall mean the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

“Communications” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01.

 

“Communications Act” shall mean the Communications Act of 1934 and any successor federal statute, and the rules, regulations and published policies of the FCC thereunder, all as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

“Confidential Information Memorandum” shall mean the Confidential Information Memorandum of the Borrower dated February 2012.

 

“Consolidated EBITDA” shall mean, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (i) consolidated interest expense and costs incurred in connection with any Hedging Agreement permitted hereunder for such period (net of interest income received in connection with a Hedging Agreement for such period), (ii) consolidated income tax expense for such period, including state franchise and similar taxes, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization for such period, (iv) any extraordinary or non-cash charges for such period (provided, however, that any cash payment or expenditure made with respect to any such non-cash charge shall be subtracted in computing Consolidated EBITDA during the period in which such cash payment or expenditure is made), including, without limitation, any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity-based awards and non-cash pension and post-employment benefit expenses, (v) non-recurring or unusual charges,

 

 

expenses or losses, if applicable, related to (A) severance, including associated retirement benefits, (B) facility and office closure costs, (C) contract cancellation costs, (D) network reconfiguration costs or (E) costs with respect to acts of god or force majeure (in each case, to the extent that any such charges, expenses or losses are not reimbursed from the proceeds of insurance that increased Consolidated Net Income for such period), (vi) other non-recurring or unusual charges, expenses or losses in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate for any four consecutive fiscal quarters, (vii) costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases and related regulatory approvals, including fees and expenses of professionals, (viii) compensation expense arising from deemed dividends, the payment of dividends or the equivalent issued under any incentive stock plans related to restricted and/or unvested stock and (ix) customary non-recurring fees and expenses of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries payable in connection with the Revolving Facility Agreement and any amendments, modifications or waivers thereto, any Permitted Acquisition or attempted acquisitions, any permitted dispositions, the incurrence of Long-Term Indebtedness permitted hereunder or the Refinancing of the Refinanced Indebtedness and (x) fees, costs and expenses payable or reimbursable to any Lender or the Administrative Agent pursuant to any Loan Document and minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of any non-cash gains or other non-cash items of income for such period (provided that any cash received in a subsequent period in respect of any such non-cash gain shall be included in Consolidated EBITDA for the period in which received), all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that for purposes of calculating the Leverage Ratio (for any period) and the Interest Coverage Ratio (for the first three quarters ended after the Closing Date), (A) the Consolidated EBITDA of any Acquired Entity acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition during such period shall be included on a pro forma basis for such period (assuming the consummation of such acquisition and the incurrence or assumption of any Indebtedness in connection therewith occurred as of the first day of such period) and (B) the Consolidated EBITDA attributable to any Asset Sale by the Borrower or any Subsidiary during such period for shall be excluded for such period (assuming the consummation of such sale or other disposition and the repayment of any Indebtedness in connection therewith occurred as of the first day of such period).  For purposes of determining the Interest Coverage Ratio and the Leverage Ratio as of or for the periods ended on June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012, Consolidated EBITDA will be deemed to be equal to, for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011, $31,472,000.  It is agreed that the calculations of pension impact on Consolidated EBITDA shall be made on a GAAP (not cash) basis.

 

“Consolidated Interest Expense” shall mean, for any period, the sum of (a) the interest expense (including imputed interest expense in respect of Capital Lease Obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations) of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus (b) any interest accrued during such period in respect of Indebtedness of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is required to be capitalized rather than included in consolidated interest expense for such period in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of the foregoing, interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received by Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect to interest rate 

 

 

Hedging Agreements.  For purposes of determining the Interest Coverage Ratio (i) for the period of four consecutive quarters ended June 30, 2012, Consolidated Interest Expense shall be deemed to be equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012, multiplied by 4, (ii) for the period of four consecutive quarters ended September 30, 2012, Consolidated Interest Expense shall be deemed to be equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense for the two consecutive fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2012, multiplied by 2, (iii) for the period of four consecutive quarters ended December 31, 2012, Consolidated Interest Expense shall be deemed to be equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense for the three consecutive fiscal quarters ended December 31, 2012, multiplied by 4/3.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” shall mean, for any period, the net income or loss of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that:

 

(a)   (A)  net income for such period of any Person that is not a subsidiary of such Person, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a subsidiary thereof in respect of such period and (B) the net income for such period shall include any ordinary course dividend distribution or other payment in cash received from any Person in excess of the amounts included in clause (A); and

 

(b)   there shall be excluded: (i) accruals and reserves that are established within twelve months after the Closing Date and that are so required to be established in accordance with GAAP; provided that any such accruals or reserves paid in cash shall be deducted from Consolidated Net Income for the period in which paid unless excluded pursuant to another clause of this definition;

 

(ii) the income or loss of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the date that such Person’s assets are acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

(iii) the cumulative effect of any change in accounting principles during such period;

 

(iv) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any assets of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries that are not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Equity Interests of any Person;

 

(v) any non-cash SFAS 133 income (or loss) related to hedging activities;

 

(vi) all deferred financing costs written off, premiums paid and other net gains or losses in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness;

 

 

(vii) any non-cash impairment charges resulting from the application of SFAS Nos. 142 and 144 and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to SFAS No. 141;

 

(viii) any non-cash expense or gain related to recording of the fair market value of Hedging Agreements, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes; and

 

(ix) unrealized gains and losses relating to hedging transactions and mark-to-market of Indebtedness denominated in foreign currencies resulting from the applications of FAS 52.

 

“Control” shall mean 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 ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Credit Facilities” shall mean the term loan facilities provided for by this Agreement.

 

“Current Assets” shall mean, at any time, the consolidated current assets (other than cash and Permitted Investments) of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries.

 

“Current Liabilities” shall mean, at any time, the consolidated current liabilities of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries at such time, but excluding, without duplication, the current portion of any long-term Indebtedness.

 

“DCCA” shall mean the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs of the State of Hawaii and any successor agency thereto.

 

“DCCA Decision and Order” shall mean that certain Decision and Order No. 352 issued by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs of the State of Hawaii, dated June 24, 2011, relating to the granting of a non-exclusive cable franchise to Hawaiian Telecom Services Company, Inc.

 

“Default” shall mean any event or condition which upon notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Designated Entity” shall mean any Person set forth on Schedule 1.01(e).

 

“Disqualified Stock” shall mean any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures (excluding any maturity as the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or requires the payment of any cash dividend or any other scheduled payment constituting a return of capital, in each case at any time on or prior to the first anniversary of the Term Loan Maturity Date, or (b) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the

 

 

sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interest referred to in clause (a) above, in each case at any time prior to the first anniversary of the Term Loan Maturity Date.

 

“Dollars” or “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

 

“Domestic Subsidiaries” shall mean all Subsidiaries incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

“Eligible Assignee” shall mean any Person (other than a natural person) approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, “Eligible Assignee” shall not include the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates; provided, that no Designated Entity shall be an Eligible Assignee.

 

“Engagement Letter” shall mean the Engagement Letter dated February 7, 2012, between the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

 

“Environmental Laws” shall mean all applicable Federal, state, local and foreign laws (including common law), treaties, regulations, rules, ordinances, codes, decrees, judgments, directives, orders (including consent orders), and binding agreements with any Governmental Authority, in each case, relating to protection of the environment, natural resources or human health and safety from exposure to Hazardous Materials or the presence, Release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, or the generation, manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, transport, recycling or handling of, or the arrangement for such activities with respect to, Hazardous Materials.

 

“Environmental Liability” shall mean all liabilities, obligations, damages, losses, claims, actions, suits, judgments, orders, fines, penalties, fees, expenses and costs (including administrative oversight costs, natural resource damages and remediation costs), whether contingent or otherwise, arising out of or relating to (a) compliance or non-compliance with 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 of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

“Equity Interests” shall mean shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity interests in any Person, and any option, warrant or other right entitling the holder thereof to purchase or otherwise acquire any such equity interest.

 

“Equity Issuance” shall mean any issuance or sale by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective subsidiaries of any Equity Interests of Holdings, the Borrower or any such subsidiary, as applicable, except in each case for (a) any issuance or sale to Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (b) any issuance of directors’ qualifying shares and (c) sales or issuances of common stock of Holdings to management or employees of

 

 

Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary under any employee stock option or stock purchase plan or employee benefit plan in existence from time to time.

 

“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

“ERISA Event” shall mean (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived), (b) a determination that any Plan is in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 303 of ERISA), (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan, (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to the intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, (f) the adoption of any amendment to a Plan that would require the provision of security pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code or Section 307 of ERISA, (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, or (h) the occurrence of a “prohibited transaction” with respect to which the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is a “disqualified person” (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) or with respect to which the Borrower or any such Subsidiary could otherwise be liable.

 

“Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

 

“Events of Default” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

“Excess Cash Flow” shall mean, for any fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, an amount determined as of the last day of such fiscal year, equal to the sum (without duplication) of: (a) Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year, adjusted to exclude any gains or losses attributable to events requiring the prepayment of Loans pursuant to Section 2.13(a) or (d); plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year, (i) depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges, losses or other items that reduce Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year and (ii) non-cash and/or stock-based compensation expense for such fiscal year;

 

 

plus (c) the sum of (i) the amount, if any, by which Net Working Capital decreased during such fiscal year, (ii) the net amount, if any, by which the deferred income taxes of Holdings, the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries increased during such fiscal year and (iii) cash received upon the redemption, sale or other disposition during such fiscal year of (A) any equity interests or patronage certificates of the Rural Utilities Service, CoBank, or RTFC, or (B) any subordinated capital certificates of RTFC or any Equity Interests in CoBank; minus (d) the sum of (i) any non-cash gains included in determining such Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year, (ii) the amount, if any, by which Net Working Capital increased during such fiscal year and (iii) the net amount, if any, by which the deferred income taxes of Holdings, the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries decreased during such fiscal year; minus (e) Capital Expenditures; minus (f) Taxes for which reserves have been established and funded, to the extent not reflected in the computation of Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year, provided that any amount so deducted shall be added to Excess Cash Flow in respect of any subsequent fiscal year in which such Taxes reduced Consolidated Net Income; minus (g) cash expenditures made in respect of Hedging Agreements during such fiscal year, to the extent not reflected in the computation of Consolidated Net Income; plus (h) cash payments received in respect of Hedging Agreements during such fiscal year to the extent not included in the computation of Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year; minus (i) the aggregate principal amount of Long-Term Indebtedness and Indebtedness under the Revolving Facility Agreement (but only to the extent there is a corresponding reduction in the commitment thereunder) repaid or prepaid (but excluding any prepayment of Loans pursuant to Section 2.13) by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year (except to the extent deducted in a prior fiscal year) or in the first fiscal quarter of the immediately succeeding fiscal year, and the aggregate amount of fees, costs and expenses paid in cash during such period with respect to any such Indebtedness; minus (j) amounts paid in cash during such fiscal year on account of items that were accounted for as non-cash reductions in determining Consolidated Net Income in a prior fiscal year and were added back in determining Excess Cash Flow in respect of such prior fiscal year; minus (k) cash paid for pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year; minus (l) all other non-cash income (including the accrual of the non-cash portion of any Rural Utilities Service, CoBank or RTFC patronage capital allocation); minus (m) fees and expenses to the extent added to the determination of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clauses (a)(ix) or (a)(x) of the definition thereof; minus (n) Net Cash Proceeds of Asset Sales with respect to which the Borrower is exercising its reinvestment rights to the extent such amounts where included in the computation of Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year; minus (o) cash paid by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries in connection with partial exercises of warrants issued by Holdings; and minus (p) fees, costs and expenses paid to any Lender or the Administrative Agent pursuant to any Loan Document to the extent such amounts were not included in the computation of Consolidated Net Income for such fiscal year.

 

“Excluded Domestic Subsidiary” shall mean any Domestic Subsidiary which is classified as a “disregarded entity” for United States Federal Income tax purposes and substantially all the assets of which are the capital stock of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries.

 

 

“Excluded Swap Obligation” shall mean, 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 security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under or otherwise violates 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 and the regulations thereunder at the time the Guaranty of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

“Excluded Taxes” shall mean, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction described in clause (a) above, (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.21(a)), any United States withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender by the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is organized (in the case of a Borrower organized in the United States shall include United States Federal withholding taxes) at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.20(e) or (f), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.20(a), (d) any U.S. withholding tax  that is imposed on amounts payable resulting from the failure of the Administrative Agent to comply with the provisions of Section 2.20(f), and (e) any U.S. withholding taxes imposed on a recipient as a result of such recipient’s failure to comply with the applicable requirements of FATCA.

 

“FATCA” shall mean sections 1471, 1472, 1473 and 1474 of the Code and any amended or successor provisions that are substantially similar, the United States Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and published guidance with respect thereto.

 

“FCC” shall mean the Federal Communications Commission and any successor agency of the Federal government administering the Communications Act.

 

“FCC Licenses” shall mean all licenses, certificates, permits or other authorizations granted by the FCC pursuant to the Communications Act which are required for the conduct of any business or activity thereunder.

 

 

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” shall mean, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

“Financial Officer” of any Person shall mean the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such Person.

 

“Foreign Lender” shall mean any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States.  For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

“Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

“GAAP” shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect as of any date of determination hereunder and applied on a basis consistent with the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.02(l) provided, however, that the Borrower may, pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b), elect to apply IFRS accounting principles in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS (except as the context otherwise requires); provided, further, that, notwithstanding the Borrower’s election to apply IFRS in lieu of GAAP, (i) any financial statements delivered under Section 5.04(a) or (b) prior to such election shall not be required to be restated in IFRS and (ii) the calculation of the covenants set forth in Section 6.10, 6.11 and 6.12 and all terms of a financial or accounting nature relating to compliance with any other covenant shall continue to be computed and construed, respectively, in accordance with GAAP, subject to Section 1.02.

 

“Governmental Authority” shall mean any Federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory body.

 

“Granting Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

 

“Guarantee” of or by any Person shall mean any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment of such Indebtedness or other obligation or (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement

 

 

condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation; provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing Date or provided in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement.

 

“Guarantee and Collateral Agreement” shall mean the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit D, made by the Guarantors party thereto for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

“Guarantors” shall mean Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

“Hazardous Materials” shall mean (a) any petroleum products or byproducts and all other hydrocarbons, coal ash, radon gas, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorofluorocarbons and all other ozone-depleting substances and (b) any chemical, material, substance or waste that is prohibited, limited or regulated by or pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law.

 

“Hedging Agreement” shall mean any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.

 

“Holdings” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory statement to this Credit Agreement.

 

“HPUC” shall mean the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and any successor agency thereto.

 

“HPUC Decision and Order” shall mean that certain Decision and Order issued by the Public Utilities Commission of the State of Hawaii, filed in Docket No. 2010-0001, on September 22, 2010, relating to the Application by Hawaiian Telcom, Inc., and Hawaiian Telcom Services Company, Inc., for an Order Approving the Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization of Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc., and its Debtor Affiliates, Including Certain Security Arrangements, as modified or clarified by that certain Decision and Order filed in Docket No. 2011-0124 on June 17, 2011 and Order Approving Parties’ Joint Motion, filed August 31, 2011, on September 2, 2011.

 

“IFRS” shall mean the International Financial Reporting Standards adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board and in effect from time to time.

 

“Incremental Term Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Incremental Term Loans.

 

“Incremental Term Lender” shall mean a Lender with an Incremental Term Loan Commitment or an outstanding Incremental Term Loan.

 

 

“Incremental Term Loan Amount” shall mean, at any time, the excess, if any, of (a) $50,000,000 over (b) the aggregate amount of all Incremental Term Loan Commitments established prior to such time pursuant to Section 2.22.

 

“Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement” shall mean an Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement among, and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and one or more Incremental Term Lenders.

 

“Incremental Term Loan Commitment” shall mean the commitment of any Lender, established pursuant to Section 2.22, to make Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower.

 

“Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date” shall mean the final maturity date of any Incremental Term Loan, as set forth in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement.

 

“Incremental Term Loan Repayment Dates” shall mean the dates scheduled for the repayment of principal of any Incremental Term Loan, as set forth in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement.

 

“Incremental Term Loans” shall mean Term Loans made by one or more Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(b).  Incremental Term Loans may be made in the form of additional Term Loans or, to the extent permitted by Section 2.22 and provided for in the relevant Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement, Other Term Loans.

 

“Indebtedness” of any Person shall mean, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable and accrued obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed; provided, that to the extent such Indebtedness has been assumed, only the lesser of the amount of such Indebtedness and the value of the property over which such Lien is granted shall constitute Indebtedness, (f) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (h) all Synthetic Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) net obligations of such Person under any Hedging Agreements, valued at the Agreement Value thereof, (j) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interests of such Person or any other Person on or prior to 180 days following the Term Loan Maturity Date or any warrants, rights or options to acquire such Equity Interests, valued, in the case of redeemable preferred interests, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends, (k) all obligations of such Person as an

 

 

account party in respect of letters of credit and (l) all obligations of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances.  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such Person is a general partner.

 

“Indemnified Taxes” shall mean Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

 

“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(b).

 

“Information” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.16.

 

“Intellectual Property Collateral” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

“Intercreditor Agreement” shall mean that certain Intercreditor and Collateral Agency Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the administrative agent for the lenders under the Revolving Facility Agreement.

 

“Interest Coverage Ratio” shall mean, for any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period.

 

“Interest Payment Date” shall mean (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day that would have been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of three months’ duration been applicable to such Borrowing.

 

“Interest Period” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided, however, that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (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 for any Loan shall extend beyond the maturity date of such Loan.  Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period.  For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

 

“Joint Venture” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary and any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary.

 

 

“Lenders” shall mean (a) the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01 (other than any such Person that has ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance) and (b) any Person that has become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance.

 

“Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of Total Debt on such date to Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such date.

 

“LIBO Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in Dollars (as set forth by any service selected by the Administrative Agent that has been nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates) for a period equal to such Interest Period; provided that, to the extent that an interest rate is not ascertainable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this definition, the “LIBO Rate” shall be the interest rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the average of the rates per annum at which deposits in Dollars are offered for such relevant Interest Period to major banks in the London interbank market in London, England by the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period.

 

“Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, encumbrance, charge or security interest in or on such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.  For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that Holdings and any Subsidiary may, as part of its business, grant in the ordinary course licenses to third parties to use Intellectual Property Collateral owned or developed by, or licensed to, such entity.  For purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, such licensing activity shall not constitute a “Lien” on such intellectual property.  Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender understands that any such licenses may be exclusive to the applicable licensees, and such exclusivity provisions may limit the ability of the Administrative Agent to utilize, sell, lease, license or transfer the related intellectual property or otherwise realize value from such Intellectual Property Collateral pursuant hereto.

 

“Loan Documents” shall mean this Agreement, the Security Documents, each Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement, the promissory notes, if any, executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.04(e), the Intercreditor Agreement and any other document executed in connection with, including any amendment of, the foregoing.

 

“Loan Parties” shall mean Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

“Loans” shall mean the Term Loans.

 

 

“Long-term Indebtedness” shall mean any Indebtedness that, in accordance with GAAP, constitutes (or, when incurred, constituted) a long-term liability.  For purposes of determining the Long-Term Indebtedness of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, Indebtedness of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary owed to Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary shall be excluded.

 

“Margin Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean (a) a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, operations, financial condition or operating results of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of the ability of Holdings and its Subsidiaries Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their respective obligations under any Loan Document to which they are parties or (c) a material impairment of the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Lenders under any Loan Document.

 

“Material Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness (other than the Loans), or obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of any one or more of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $7,500,000.  For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement at any time shall be the Agreement Value of such Hedging Agreement at such time.

 

“Maximum Rate” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

 

“Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor thereto.

 

“Mortgaged Properties” shall mean, initially, the owned real properties and leasehold and subleasehold interests of the Loan Parties specified on Schedule 1.01(c), and shall include each other parcel of real property and improvements thereto with respect to which a Mortgage is granted pursuant to Section 5.12.

 

“Mortgages” shall mean the mortgages, deeds of trust, leasehold mortgages, assignments of leases and rents, modifications and other security documents delivered pursuant to clause (i) of Section 4.01(h) or pursuant to Section 5.12 or Section 5.13, each substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

“Net Cash Proceeds” shall mean (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the cash proceeds (including cash proceeds subsequently received (as and when received) in respect of noncash consideration initially received), net of (i) selling expenses (including broker’s fees or commissions, legal fees, transfer and similar taxes and the Borrower’s good faith estimate of income taxes paid or payable in connection with such sale), (ii) amounts provided as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP (to the extent applicable), against any liabilities under any indemnification obligations or purchase price adjustment associated

 

 

with such Asset Sale (provided that, to the extent and at the time any such amounts are released from such reserve, such amounts shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds) and (iii) the principal amount, premium or penalty, if any, interest and other amounts on any Indebtedness for borrowed money which is secured by the asset sold in such Asset Sale and which is required to be repaid with such proceeds (other than any such Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such asset); provided, however, that, unless such Asset Sale is a sale and lease-back transaction described in Section 6.03, if (x) the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Financial Officer to the Administrative Agent at the time of receipt thereof setting forth the Borrower’s intent to reinvest such proceeds in assets of a kind then used or usable in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries within 365 days of receipt of such proceeds or commit to reinvest such proceeds within 365 days of receipt of such proceeds and such actual investment occurs no later than eighteen months after such receipt and (y) no Event of Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing at the time of such certificate and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the proposed time of the application of such proceeds, then such proceeds shall not constitute Net Cash Proceeds except to the extent not so used at the end of such 365-day period (or, in the case of a commitment in writing to reinvest such proceeds entered into within such 365-day period, not so used within eighteen months of receipt of such proceeds), at which time such proceeds shall be deemed to be Net Cash Proceeds; and (b) with respect to any issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness (other than Incremental Term Loans, Other Term Loans and loans under the Revolving Facility Agreement) or any Equity Issuance, the cash proceeds thereof, net of all taxes and fees, commissions, costs and other expenses incurred in connection therewith (including legal fees and expenses).

 

“Net Leverage Ratio” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of Total Debt on such date, minus Unrestricted Cash, to Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or prior to such date.

 

“Net Working Capital” shall mean, at any date, (a) the consolidated current assets of Holdings, the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date (excluding cash, Permitted Investments and current deferred income taxes) minus (b) the consolidated current liabilities of Holdings, the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date (excluding current liabilities in respect of Indebtedness and current deferred income taxes).  Net Working Capital at any date may be a positive or negative number.  Net Working Capital increases when it becomes more positive or less negative and decreases when it becomes less positive or more negative.

 

“Operating Licenses” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.26.

 

“Obligations” shall mean all obligations defined as “Obligations” in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

“OFAC” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.25.

 

“OID” shall mean original issue discount.

 

 

“Other Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document.

 

“Other Term Loans” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.22(a).

 

“Patronage Certificates” shall mean patronage certificates and/or capital allocation of any of (a) the Rural Utilities Service, (b) CoBank or (c) RTFC.

 

“PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

 

“Permitted Acquisition” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04(g).

 

“Permitted Investments” shall mean:

 

(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing or allowing for liquidation at the original par value at the option of the holder within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;

 

(c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances, time deposits or overnight bank deposits maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, the Administrative Agent or any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof that has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $250,000,000 and that issues (or the parent of which issues) commercial paper rated at least “Prime-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Moody’s or “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P;

 

(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 180 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria of clause (c) above;

 

(e) investments in “money market funds” within the meaning of Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, substantially all of whose assets are invested in investments of the type described in clauses (a) through (d) above;

 

(f) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any State, commonwealth or territory of the United States, or by any

 

 

political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least “A” by S&P or “A” by Moody’s;

 

(g) shares of restricted mutual funds whose investment guidelines restrict 95% of such funds’ investments to those satisfying the provisions of clauses (a) through (f) above; and

 

(h) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments of a type analogous to the foregoing.

 

“Person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, limited liability company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

“Plan” shall mean any “employee pension benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) that is subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 307 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

“Platform” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01.

 

“Prime Rate” shall mean the rate of interest per annum determined from time to time by Credit Suisse as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City and notified to the Borrower.  The prime rate is a rate set by Credit Suisse based upon various factors including Credit Suisse’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 rate.

 

“Public Lender” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01.

 

“Qualified Capital Stock” of any Person shall mean any Equity Interest of such Person that is not Disqualified Stock.

 

“Qualified ECP Guarantor” shall mean, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Guarantee or grant of the relevant security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

“Refinanced Indebtedness” shall mean the Indebtedness represented by the documents, instruments and other agreements listed on Schedule 1.01(a).

 

 

“Refinancing” shall mean, in respect of any Indebtedness, a refinancing, renewal or extension of such Indebtedness that (a) has an aggregate outstanding principal amount plus OID (together with all accrued interest, fees, prepayment premiums and other amounts payable in respect of such Indebtedness) not greater than the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness (together with all accrued and capitalized interest, fees, prepayment premiums and other amounts payable in respect of such Indebtedness) outstanding at the time of such refinancing, renewal or extension, (b) has a weighted average life to maturity (measured as of the date of such refinancing, renewal or extension) and maturity no shorter than that of such Indebtedness, (c) is not secured by any property or any Lien other than that (if any) securing such Indebtedness, (d) is not guaranteed by or secured by any property of any guarantor or other obligor which is not also a guarantor or obligor of such Indebtedness, (e) if such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing such Indebtedness, (f) does not have covenants or events of default that, taken as a  whole, are less favorable to Holdings and its Subsidiaries than those of such Indebtedness (as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Borrower) and (g) at the time of the incurrence thereof, except with respect to a refinancing of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(d), no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

“Register” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(d).

 

“Regulation T” shall mean Regulation T of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

“Regulation U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

“Regulation X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

“Related Fund” shall mean, with respect to any Lender that is a fund or commingled investment vehicle that invests in bank loans, any other fund that invests in bank loans and is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

 

“Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

“Release” shall mean any release, spill, emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into or through the environment or within or upon any building, structure, facility or fixture.

 

“Repayment Date” shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.11(a).

 

 

“Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders having Loans and unused Term Loan Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of all Loans outstanding and Term Loan Commitments at such time.

 

“Responsible Officer” of any Person shall mean any executive officer or Financial Officer of such Person and any other officer or similar official thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such Person in respect of this Agreement.

 

“Restricted Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, the payment, prepayment, repurchase or defeasance of which is restricted under Section 6.09(b).

 

“Restricted Payment” shall mean any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests (other than dividends and distributions on Equity Interests payable solely by the issuance or vesting of additional shares of Equity Interests of the Person paying such dividends or distributions and other than non-cash dividends or distributions in connection with the grant of equity based awards and the issuance of Equity Interests, in each case, under employee benefit plans) in Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any Equity Interests in Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

 

“Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount” shall mean, at any time, the aggregate amount of Excess Cash Flow of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for all fiscal years ended prior to such time (commencing with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012) that is not or not required to be applied to prepay the Loans in accordance with Section 2.13(c), less any amount thereof that has been used or otherwise applied under Section 6.06(a)(i)(B) or 6.10(i) at such time.

 

“Revolving Facility Agreement” shall mean that certain Amended and Restated Revolving Line of Credit Agreement dated as of October 3, 2011 among Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc., First Hawaiian Bank, as agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as the same may be amended, restated, modified, waived or Refinanced from time to time subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

“RTFC” shall mean Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative, a District of Columbia cooperative association.

 

“Rural Utilities Service” shall mean the Rural Utilities Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 

“S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, or any successor thereto.

 

“Secured Hedge Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

 

“Secured Parties” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

“Security Documents” shall mean the Mortgages, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and each of the security agreements, mortgages and other instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing or pursuant to Section 5.12.

 

“Specified Facilities” shall mean the facilities set forth in Schedule 1.01(f).

 

“SPV” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(i).

 

“Statutory Reserves” shall mean a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including any branch, Affiliate or other fronting office making or holding a Loan) is subject for Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board).  Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D of the Board) and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D.  Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

“subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person (herein referred to as the “parent”), any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, owned, Controlled or held, or (b) that is, at the time any determination is made, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

“Subsidiary” shall mean any subsidiary of Holdings.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor” shall mean each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.01(b), and each other Subsidiary that is or becomes a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

“Swap Obligation” shall mean, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

“Synthetic Lease” shall mean, as to any Person, any lease (including leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) (a) that is accounted for as an operating lease under GAAP and (b) in respect of which the lessee retains or obtains ownership of the property so leased for United States

 

 

Federal income tax purposes, other than any such lease under which such Person is the lessor.

 

“Synthetic Lease Obligations” shall mean, as to any Person, an amount equal to the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under any Synthetic Lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such person in accordance with GAAP if such obligations were accounted for as Capital Lease Obligations.

 

“Synthetic Purchase Agreement” shall mean any swap, derivative or other agreement or combination of agreements pursuant to which Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary is or may become obligated to make (a) any payment in connection with a purchase by any third party from a Person other than Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Equity Interest or Restricted Indebtedness or (b) any payment (other than on account of a permitted purchase by it of any Equity Interest or Restricted Indebtedness) the amount of which is determined by reference to the price or value at any time of any Equity Interest or Restricted Indebtedness; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only to current or former directors, officers or employees of Holdings, the Borrower or the Subsidiaries (or to their heirs or estates) shall be deemed to be a Synthetic Purchase Agreement.

 

“Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.

 

“Term Borrowing” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Term Loans.

 

“Term Lender” shall mean a Lender with a Term Loan Commitment or an outstanding Term Loan.

 

“Term Loan Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Term Loans hereunder as set forth on Schedule 2.01, or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender assumed its Term Loan Commitment, as applicable, as the same may be reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.  Unless the context shall otherwise require, the term “Term Loan Commitments” shall include the Incremental Term Commitments.

 

“Term Loan Maturity Date” shall mean the sixth anniversary of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date; provided that if any such date is not a Business Day, the Term Loan Maturity Date shall be the Business Day immediately preceding such date.

 

“Term Loan Repayment Dates” shall mean the Repayment Dates and the Incremental Term Loan Repayment Dates.

 

“Term Loans” shall mean the term loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01.  Unless the context shall otherwise require, the term “Term Loans” shall include any Incremental Term Loans.

 

 

“Total Debt” shall mean, at any time, the total Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries at such time.

 

“Transactions” shall mean, collectively, (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are a party and the making of the Borrowings to be made hereunder on the Closing Date, (b) the repayment of all amounts due or outstanding under or in respect of, and the termination of, the Refinanced Indebtedness and (c) the payment of fees and expenses related to the foregoing.

 

“Type”, when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, shall refer to the Rate by reference to which interest on such Loan or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing is determined.  For purposes hereof, the term “Rate” shall mean the Adjusted LIBO Rate and the Alternate Base Rate.

 

“Unrestricted Cash” shall mean domestic cash and Permitted Investments of Holdings, the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries that are free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created under the Security Documents and the Security Agreements (as defined in the Revolving Facility Agreement) and other than Liens permitted under Section 6.02(n) or (o)) and not subject to any restrictions on the use thereof to pay Indebtedness and other obligations of any of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

 

“USA PATRIOT Act” shall mean The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

 

“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person shall mean a subsidiary of such Person of which securities (except for directors’ qualifying shares) or other ownership interests representing 100% of the Equity Interests are, at the time any determination is being made, owned, Controlled or held by such Person or one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

“Withdrawal Liability” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

 

“Yield Differential” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.22(b).

 

SECTION 1.02.  Terms Generally.  The definitions in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both 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”; and the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed as having 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.  All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement

 

 

unless the context shall otherwise require.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) any reference in this Agreement to any Loan Document shall mean, unless otherwise specified herein or therein, such agreement as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, in each case, in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement, (b) any reference in this Agreement to any statute or applicable law, decision, ruling or order shall mean and be a reference to such statute or applicable law, decision, ruling or order as modified from time to time and any successor legislation or applicable law, decision, ruling or order, in each case as in effect at the time any such reference is operative, (c) any reference to an anniversary of the Closing Date falling in any year shall mean and be a reference to February 28 of such year and (d) all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower wishes to amend any covenant in Article VI or any related definition to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP occurring after the date of this Agreement on the operation of such covenant (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders wish to amend Article VI or any related definition for such purpose), then the Borrower’s compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant is amended in a manner satisfactory to the Borrower and the Required Lenders.

 

SECTION 1.03.  Pro Forma Calculations.  All pro forma calculations permitted or required to be made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to this Agreement shall include only those adjustments that would be (a) permitted or required by Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, together with those adjustments that (i) have been certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower as having been prepared in good faith based upon reasonable assumptions and (ii) are based on reasonably detailed written assumptions reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (b) required by the definition Consolidated EBITDA.

 

SECTION 1.04.  Classification of Loans and Borrowings.  For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Term Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Term Loan”).  Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Term Loan Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Term Loan Borrowing”).

 

ARTICLE II

 

The Credits

 

SECTION 2.01.  Commitments.  (a)    Subject to the terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, (i) each Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make a Term Loan to the Borrower on the Closing Date in a principal amount equal to its Term Loan Commitment and (ii) each Amendment No. 1 Lender agrees, severally and not jointly, to make an Amendment No. 1 Loan to the Borrower on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date in a principal amount equal to its

 

 

Amendment No. 1 Commitment.  Amounts paid or prepaid in respect of Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

 

(b)   Each Lender having an Incremental Term Loan Commitment, severally and not jointly, hereby agrees, subject to the terms and conditions and relying upon the representations and warranties set forth herein and in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement, to make Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower, in an aggregate principal amount equal to its Incremental Term Loan Commitment.  Amounts paid or prepaid in respect of Incremental Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

 

SECTION 2.02.  Loans.  (a)  Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their applicable Commitments; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender to make any Loan shall not in itself relieve any other Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder (it being understood, however, that no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make any Loan required to be made by such other Lender).

 

(b)   Subject to Sections 2.08 and 2.15 each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request pursuant to Section 2.03.  Each Lender may at its option make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be entitled to request any Borrowing that, if made, would result in more than six Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding hereunder at any time.  For purposes of the foregoing, Borrowings having different Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be considered separate Borrowings.

 

(c)   Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the date of this Agreement, in the case of the Term Loans contemplated by Section 2.01(a) hereof, and on the proposed date thereof, in the case of any Incremental Term Loan or any Other Term Loan, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account in New York City as the Administrative Agent may designate not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly credit the amounts so received to an account designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request or, if a Borrowing shall not occur on such date because any condition precedent herein specified shall not have been met, return the amounts so received to the respective Lenders.

 

(d)   Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s portion of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with paragraph (c) above and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount.  If the Administrative Agent shall have so made funds available then, to the extent that such Lender shall not have made such portion

 

 

available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender and the Borrower severally agree to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at (i) in the case of the Borrower, a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, a rate determined by the Administrative Agent to represent its cost of overnight or short-term funds (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error).  If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 2.03.  Borrowing Procedure.  In order to request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days before a proposed Borrowing, and (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, one Business Day before a proposed Borrowing.  Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable, and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, electronic mail or fax to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request and shall specify the following information: (i) whether the Borrowing then being requested is to be a Term Borrowing or an Incremental Term Borrowing and whether such Borrowing is to be a Eurodollar Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing (provided that, until the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Borrower that the primary syndication of the Commitments has been completed (which notice shall be given as promptly as practicable and, in any event, within 30 days after the Closing Date), the Borrower shall not be permitted to request a Eurodollar Borrowing) with an Interest Period in excess of one month; (ii) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day); (iii) the number and location of the account to which funds are to be disbursed; (iv) the amount of such Borrowing; and (v) if such Borrowing is to be a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period with respect thereto; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any contrary specification in any Borrowing Request, each requested Borrowing shall comply with the requirements set forth in Section 2.02.  If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified in any such notice, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing.  If no Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing is specified in any such notice, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly advise the applicable Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.03 (and the contents thereof), and of each Lender’s portion of the requested Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.04.  Evidence of Debt; Repayment of Loans.  (a)  The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the principal amount of each Term Loan of such Lender as provided in Section 2.11.

 

(b)   Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

 

 

(c)   The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it will record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type thereof and, if applicable, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower or any Guarantor and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(d)   The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) above shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligations of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with their terms.

 

(e)   Any Lender may request that Loans made by it hereunder be evidenced by a promissory note.  In such event, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender and its registered assigns and in a form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event any Lender shall request and receive such a promissory note, the interests represented by such note shall at all times (including after any assignment of all or part of such interests pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes payable to the payee named therein or its registered assigns.

 

SECTION 2.05.  Administrative Agent Fees.  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, the administrative fees set forth in the Engagement Letter at the times and in the amounts specified therein (the “Administrative Agent Fees”).  All Administrative Agent Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 2.06.  Interest on Loans.  (a)   Subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, the Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, when the Alternate Base Rate is determined by reference to the Prime Rate and over a year of 360 days at all other times and calculated from and including the date of such Borrowing to but excluding the date of repayment thereof) at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(b)   Subject to the provisions of Section 2.07, the Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(c)   Interest on each Loan shall be payable on the Interest Payment Dates applicable to such Loan except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.  The applicable Alternate Base Rate or Adjusted LIBO Rate for each Interest Period or day within an Interest Period, as the case may be, shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

 

SECTION 2.07.  Default Interest.  If (i) the Borrower shall default in the payment of any principal of or interest on any Loan or any other amount due hereunder or under any other Loan Document, by acceleration or otherwise, or (ii) if any Event of Default under Article VII (other than paragraphs (b), (c), (g) or (h) thereunder) has occurred and is continuing and the Required Lenders so vote, then, in the case of clause (i) above, until such defaulted amount shall have been paid in full or, in the case of clause (ii) above, from the date such vote has been exercised by the Required Lenders and for so long as such Event of Default is continuing, to the extent permitted by law, all amounts outstanding under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall bear interest (after as well as before judgment), payable on demand, (a) in the case of principal, at the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan pursuant to Section 2.06 plus 2.00% per annum and (b) in all other cases, at a rate per annum (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, when determined by reference to the Prime Rate and over a year of 360 days at all other times) equal to the rate that would be applicable to an ABR Loan plus 2.00% per annum.

 

SECTION 2.08.  Alternate Rate of Interest.  In the event, and on each occasion, that on the day two Business Days prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing the Administrative Agent shall have determined that Dollar deposits in the principal amounts of the Loans comprising such Borrowing are not generally available in the London interbank market, or that the rates at which such Dollar deposits are being offered will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the majority of Lenders of making or maintaining Eurodollar Loans during such Interest Period, or that reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the Administrative Agent shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, give written or fax notice of such determination to the Borrower and the Lenders.  In the event of any such determination, until the Administrative Agent shall have advised the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, any request by the Borrower for a Eurodollar Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.03 or 2.10 shall be deemed to be a request for an ABR Borrowing.  Each determination by the Administrative Agent under this Section 2.08 shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

SECTION 2.09.  Termination of Commitments.  The Term Loan Commitments (other than any Incremental Term Loan Commitments, which shall terminate as provided in the related Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement) shall automatically terminate upon the making of the Term Loans on the Closing Date.

 

SECTION 2.10.  Conversion and Continuation of Borrowings.  The Borrower shall have the right at any time upon prior irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent (a) not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, one Business Day prior to conversion, to convert any Eurodollar Borrowing into an ABR Borrowing, (b) not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days prior to conversion or continuation, to convert any ABR Borrowing into a Eurodollar Borrowing or to continue any Eurodollar Borrowing as a Eurodollar Borrowing for an additional Interest Period, and (c) not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days prior to conversion, to convert the Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing to another permissible Interest Period, subject in each case to the following:

 

 

(i)  until the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Borrower that the primary syndication of the Commitments has been completed (which notice shall be given as promptly as practicable and, in any event, within 30 days after the Closing Date), no ABR Borrowing may be converted into a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period in excess of one month;

 

(ii)  each conversion or continuation shall be made pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with the respective principal amounts of the Loans comprising the converted or continued Borrowing;

 

(iii)  if less than all the outstanding principal amount of any Borrowing shall be converted or continued, then each resulting Borrowing shall satisfy the minimum principal amount of $2,000,000 and multiple of $1,000,000 and the limitations specified in Sections 2.02(a) and 2.02(b) regarding maximum number of Borrowings of the relevant Type;

 

(iv)  each conversion shall be effected by each Lender and the Administrative Agent by recording for the account of such Lender the new Loan of such Lender resulting from such conversion and reducing the Loan (or portion thereof) of such Lender being converted by an equivalent principal amount; accrued interest on any Eurodollar Loan (or portion thereof) being converted shall be paid by the Borrower at the time of conversion;

 

(v)  if any Eurodollar Borrowing is converted at a time other than the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall pay, upon demand, any amounts due to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.16;

 

(vi)  any portion of a Borrowing maturing or required to be repaid in less than one month may not be converted into or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing;

 

(vii)  any portion of a Eurodollar Borrowing that cannot be converted into or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing by reason of the immediately preceding clause shall be automatically converted at the end of the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing into an ABR Borrowing;

 

(viii)  no Interest Period may be selected for any Eurodollar Term Borrowing that would end later than a Term Loan Repayment Date occurring on or after the first day of such Interest Period if, after giving effect to such selection, the aggregate outstanding amount of (A) the Eurodollar Term Borrowings comprised of Term Loans or Other Term Loans, as applicable, with Interest Periods ending on or prior to such Term Loan Repayment Date and (B) the ABR Term Borrowings comprised of Term Loans or Other Term Loans, as applicable, would not be at least equal to the principal amount of Term Borrowings to be paid on such Term Loan Repayment Date; and

 

(ix)  upon notice to the Borrower from the Administrative Agent given at the request of the Required Lenders, after the occurrence and during the

 

 

continuance of an Event of Default, no outstanding Loan may be converted into, or continued as, a Eurodollar Loan.

 

Each notice pursuant to this Section 2.10 shall be irrevocable and shall refer to this Agreement and specify (i) the identity and amount of the Borrowing that the Borrower requests be converted or continued, (ii) whether such Borrowing is to be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing or an ABR Borrowing, (iii) if such notice requests a conversion, the date of such conversion (which shall be a Business Day) and (iv) if such Borrowing is to be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period with respect thereto.  If no Interest Period is specified in any such notice with respect to any conversion to or continuation as a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  The Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of any notice given pursuant to this Section 2.10 and of each Lender’s portion of any converted or continued Borrowing.  If the Borrower shall not have given notice in accordance with this Section 2.10 to continue any Borrowing into a subsequent Interest Period (and shall not otherwise have given notice in accordance with this Section 2.10 to convert such Borrowing), such Borrowing shall, at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto (unless repaid pursuant to the terms hereof), automatically be continued as an ABR Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.11.  Repayment of Term Borrowings.  (a)   (i)  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, on the last day of each calendar quarter commencing with respect to the last calendar quarter in 2012, or if any such date is not a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day (each such date being called a “Repayment Date”), a principal amount of the Term Loans (other than Other Term Loans) (as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.12, 2.13(e) and 2.22(d)) equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the Term Loans as of the Closing Date (or, in the case of an Incremental Term Loan, as of the date such Incremental Term Loan was extended), together in each case with accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be paid to but excluding the date of such payment.

 

(ii)   The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Incremental Term Lenders, on each Incremental Term Loan Repayment Date, a principal amount of the Other Term Loans (as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.12 and 2.13(e)) equal to the amount set forth for such date in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement (which amount may be zero), together in each case with accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be paid to but excluding the date of such payment.

 

(b)   To the extent not previously paid, all Term Loans and Other Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Term Loan Maturity Date and the Incremental Term Loan Maturity Date, respectively, together with accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be paid to but excluding the date of payment.

 

(c)   All repayments pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be subject to Section 2.16, but shall otherwise be without premium or penalty.

 

 

SECTION 2.12.  Voluntary Prepayment.  (a)  The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, upon at least three Business Days’ prior written or fax notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written or fax notice) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, or written or fax notice (or telephone notice promptly confirmed by written or fax notice) at least one Business Day prior to the date of prepayment in the case of ABR Loans, to the Administrative Agent before 2:00 p.m., New York City time; provided, however, that each partial prepayment shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $2,000,000.

 

(b)   Voluntary prepayments of Term Loans shall be applied as directed by the Borrower against the remaining scheduled installments of principal due in respect of (x) the Term Loans under Section 2.11 or (y) any Other Term Loans under the applicable amortization schedule set forth in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement.

 

(c)   Each notice of prepayment shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing (or portion thereof) to be prepaid, shall be irrevocable and shall commit the Borrower to prepay such Borrowing by the amount stated therein on the date stated therein; provided, however, that if such prepayment is for all of the then outstanding Loans, then the Borrower may revoke such notice and/or extend the prepayment date by not more than five Business Days; provided further, however, that the provisions of Section 2.16 shall apply with respect to any such revocation or extension.  All prepayments under this Section 2.12 shall be subject to Sections 2.12(d) and 2.16 but otherwise without premium or penalty.  All prepayments under this Section 2.12 shall be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be prepaid to but excluding the date of payment.

 

(d)   At the time of the effectiveness of any Repricing Event that is consummated on or prior to the date that is six months after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender with outstanding Loans  which are repaid, prepaid or converted pursuant to such Repricing Event (including each Lender that withholds its consent to such Repricing Event and is replaced under Section 2.21), a fee in an amount equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of all Loans repaid, prepaid or converted in connection with such Repricing Event. Such fees shall be due and payable upon the date of the effectiveness of such Repricing Event. As used herein, “Repricing Event” shall mean (i) any prepayment or repayment of any Loans with the proceeds of, or any conversion (by way of amendment, amendment and restatement, mandatory assignment or

 

 

otherwise) of the Loans into, any new or replacement tranche of term loans (whether under this Agreement or otherwise) with a Yield less than the Yield applicable to the Loans being prepaid or repaid, as the case may be, and (ii) any repricing of the Loans (whether pursuant to an amendment, amendment and restatement, mandatory assignment or otherwise) that reduces the Yield applicable to the Loans.  As used herein, “Yield” shall mean, with respect to any loan, the total yield thereon as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower, taking into account the interest rate margins, interest rate floors, original issue discount and upfront fees (which shall be deemed to constitute like amounts of original issue discount) (with original issue discount being equated to interest based on an assumed four-year life to maturity), but excluding customary arrangement, structuring, underwriting or commitment fees.

 

SECTION 2.13.  Mandatory Prepayments.  (a)    Not later than the third Business Day following the receipt of Net Cash Proceeds (including, without limitation, insurance proceeds and condemnation awards) in respect of any Asset Sale (other than the Anticipated Tower Lease-Back and other than the proceeds from any disposition, pursuant to one or more transactions, of any Specified Facility), the Borrower shall apply 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received with respect thereto to prepay outstanding Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.13(e).

 

(b)   [Intentionally Omitted].

 

(c)   No later than the earlier of (i) 10 days after the Borrower is or would be required to file a report Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission in compliance with the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether or not the Borrower is subject to such reporting requirements), and (ii) 95 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, commencing with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2012, the Borrower shall prepay outstanding Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to (A) for the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2012, 50% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year and (B) for each fiscal year ending thereafter, (1) if the Borrower’s Leverage Ratio as at the end of such fiscal year is greater than 2.25:1.00, 50% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year, (2) if the Borrower’s Leverage Ratio as at the end of such fiscal year is equal to or less than 2.25:1.00 but greater than 1.75:1.00, 25% of Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal year or (3) if the Borrower’s Leverage Ratio as at the end of such fiscal year is 1.75:1.00 or less, zero.

 

(d)   In the event that any Loan Party or any subsidiary of a Loan Party shall receive Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness for money borrowed of any Loan Party or any subsidiary of a Loan Party (other than any cash proceeds from the issuance of Indebtedness for money borrowed permitted pursuant to Section 6.01), the Borrower shall, substantially simultaneously with (and in any event not later than the third Business Day next following) the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds by such Loan Party or such subsidiary, apply an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds to prepay outstanding Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.13(e).

 

 

(e)   Mandatory prepayments of outstanding Term Loans under this Agreement shall be allocated pro rata between the Term Loans and the Other Term Loans and applied, first to reduce the amortization obligations for the current year and then in order of maturity against the remaining scheduled installments of principal due in respect of the Term Loans and the Other Term Loans under Sections 2.11(a)(i) and (ii), respectively.

 

(f)   The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, at the time of each prepayment required under this Section 2.13, (i) a certificate signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of the amount of such prepayment and (ii) to the extent practicable, at least three days prior written notice of such prepayment to the extent then known.  Each notice of prepayment shall specify the prepayment date, the Type of each Loan being prepaid and the principal amount of each Loan (or portion thereof) to be prepaid.  All prepayments of Borrowings under this Section 2.13 shall be subject to Section 2.16, but shall otherwise be without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount to be prepaid to but excluding the date of payment.

 

SECTION 2.14.  Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Change in Law shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of or credit extended by any Lender (except any such reserve requirement which is reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or shall impose on such Lender or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender, and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then the Borrower will pay to such Lender upon demand such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b)   If any Lender shall have determined that any Change in Law regarding capital adequacy has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made pursuant hereto to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)   A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) above shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate delivered by it within 10 days after its receipt of the same.

 

 

(d)   Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation for any increased costs or reduction in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on capital shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be under any obligation to compensate any Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) above with respect to increased costs or reductions with respect to any period prior to the date that is 120 days prior to such request if such Lender knew or could reasonably have been expected to know of the circumstances giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of the fact that such circumstances would result in a claim for increased compensation by reason of such increased costs or reductions; provided further that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to any increased costs or reductions arising out of the retroactive application of any Change in Law within such 120-day period.  The protection of this Section shall be available to each Lender regardless of any possible contention of the invalidity or inapplicability of the Change in Law that shall have occurred or been imposed.

 

SECTION 2.15.  Change in Legality.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Change in Law shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make or maintain any Eurodollar Loan or to give effect to its obligations as contemplated hereby with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, then, by written notice to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent:

 

(i) such Lender may declare that Eurodollar Loans will not thereafter (for the duration of such unlawfulness) be made by such Lender hereunder (or be continued for additional Interest Periods) and ABR Loans will not thereafter (for such duration) be converted into Eurodollar Loans, whereupon any request for a Eurodollar Borrowing (or to convert an ABR Borrowing to a Eurodollar Borrowing or to continue a Eurodollar Borrowing for an additional Interest Period) shall, as to such Lender only, be deemed a request for an ABR Loan (or a request to continue an ABR Loan as such for an additional Interest Period or to convert a Eurodollar Loan into an ABR Loan, as the case may be), unless such declaration shall be subsequently withdrawn; and

 

(ii) such Lender may require that all outstanding Eurodollar Loans made by it be converted to ABR Loans, in which event all such Eurodollar Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans as of the effective date of such notice as provided in paragraph (b) below.

 

In the event any Lender shall exercise its rights under (i) or (ii) above, all payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise have been applied to repay the Eurodollar Loans that would have been made by such Lender or the converted Eurodollar Loans of such Lender shall instead be applied to repay the ABR Loans made by such Lender in lieu of, or resulting from the conversion of, such Eurodollar Loans.

 

(b)   For purposes of this Section 2.15, a notice to the Borrower by any Lender shall be effective as to each Eurodollar Loan made by such Lender, if lawful, on the last day of the Interest Period then applicable to such Eurodollar Loan; in all other cases such notice shall be effective on the date of receipt by the Borrower.

 

 

SECTION 2.16.  Breakage.  The Borrower shall indemnify each Lender against any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) any event, other than a default by such Lender in the performance of its obligations hereunder, which results in (i) such Lender receiving or being deemed to receive any amount on account of the principal of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the Interest Period in effect therefor, (ii) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan to an ABR Loan, or the conversion of the Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, in each case other than on the last day of the Interest Period in effect therefor, or (iii) any Eurodollar Loan to be made by such Lender (including any Eurodollar Loan to be made pursuant to a conversion or continuation under Section 2.10) not being made after notice of such Loan shall have been given by the Borrower hereunder (any of the events referred to in this clause (a) being called a “Breakage Event”) or (b) any default in the making of any payment or prepayment required to be made hereunder.  In the case of any Breakage Event, such loss shall include an amount equal to the excess, as reasonably determined by such Lender, of (i) its cost of obtaining funds for the Eurodollar Loan that is the subject of such Breakage Event for the period from the date of such Breakage Event to the last day of the Interest Period in effect (or that would have been in effect) for such Loan over (ii) the amount of interest likely to be realized by such Lender in redeploying the funds released or not utilized by reason of such Breakage Event for such period.  A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts which such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

SECTION 2.17.  Pro Rata Treatment.  Except as required under Section 2.12(b) or 2.15 and except as otherwise provided herein, each Borrowing, each payment or prepayment of principal of any Borrowing, each payment of interest on the Loans and each conversion of any Borrowing to or continuation of any Borrowing as a Borrowing of any Type shall be allocated pro rata among the Lenders in accordance with their respective applicable Commitments (or, if such Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, in accordance with the respective principal amounts of their outstanding Loans).  Each Lender agrees that in computing such Lender’s portion of any Borrowing to be made hereunder, the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, round each Lender’s percentage of such Borrowing to the next higher or lower whole Dollar amount.

 

SECTION 2.18.  Sharing of Setoffs.  Each Lender agrees that if it shall, through the exercise of a right of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or pursuant to a secured claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such Lender under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by any other means, obtain payment (voluntary or involuntary) in respect of any Loan or Loans as a result of which the unpaid principal portion of its Loans shall be proportionately less than the unpaid principal portion of the Loans of any other Lender, it shall be deemed simultaneously to have purchased from such other Lender at face value, and shall promptly pay to such other Lender the purchase price for, a participation in the Loans of such other Lender, so that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans and participations in Loans held by each Lender shall be in the same proportion to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans then outstanding as the principal amount of its Loans prior to such exercise of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event was

 

 

to the principal amount of all Loans outstanding prior to such exercise of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event; provided, however, that (i) if any such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be made pursuant to this Section 2.18 and the payment giving rise thereto shall thereafter be recovered, such purchase or purchases or adjustments shall be rescinded to the extent of such recovery and the purchase price or prices or adjustment restored without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this Section 2.18 shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to Holdings or any of its Affiliates (as to which the provisions of this Section 2.18 shall apply).  The Borrower and Holdings expressly consent to the foregoing arrangements and agree that any Lender holding a participation in a Loan deemed to have been so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, setoff or counterclaim with respect to any and all moneys owing by the Borrower and Holdings to such Lender by reason thereof as fully as if such Lender had made a Loan directly to the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

SECTION 2.19.  Payments.  (a)  The Borrower shall make each payment (including principal of or interest on any Borrowing or any Administrative Agent Fees or other amounts) hereunder and under any other Loan Document not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date when due in immediately available Dollars, without setoff, defense or counterclaim.  Each such payment shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices at Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender any payments received by the Administrative Agent on behalf of such Lender.

 

(b)   Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, whenever any payment (including principal of or interest on any Borrowing or any Administrative Agent Fees or other amounts) hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall become due, or otherwise would occur, on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or Administrative Agent Fees, if applicable.

 

SECTION 2.20.  Taxes.  (a)  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any other Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that, if the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent and each Lender  (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower or such Loan Party shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower or such Loan Party shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

 

(b)   In addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(c)   The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any other Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to indemnify the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to this Section 2.20(c) for any amounts incurred more than 365 days prior to the date the Administrative Agent, such Lender, as applicable, notifies the Borrower of its intention to claim compensation therefor; provided, further, that if the circumstance giving rise to such request for indemnification is retroactive, then the 365-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or by the Administrative Agent on behalf of itself or a Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)   As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower or any other Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, 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 the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)   The Administrative Agent and any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement  if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (with 30 days prior written notice) shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate but only to the extent such Lender or the Administrative Agent is lawfully able to do so.  In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (with 30 days prior written notice), 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.

 

(f)   Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is resident for tax purposes in the United States of America, any Foreign Lender and the

 

 

Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be reasonably requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender and the Administrative Agent becomes a party under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), but only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so, whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(i) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States of America is a party,

 

(ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,

 

(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender or the Administrative Agent claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender or Administrative Agent is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) duly completed copies of  Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or

 

(iv) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

 

In addition, if a payment made to a recipient hereunder or any Note would be subject to United States Federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such recipient fails 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 recipient shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to the Administrative Agent and Borrower at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such other documentation as is reasonably required for Administrative Agent and Borrower to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine whether such recipient has complied with such applicable reporting requirements of FATCA so that payments made to such recipient hereunder would not be subject to United States Federal withholding taxes under FATCA, or, if necessary, to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.

 

(g)   If the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all

 

 

out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, 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 the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  This paragraph shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

 

SECTION 2.21.  Assignment of Commitments Under Certain Circumstances; Duty to Mitigate.  (a)  In the event (i) any Lender delivers a certificate requesting compensation pursuant to Section 2.14, (ii) any Lender delivers a notice described in Section 2.15, (iii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority on account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.20 or (iv) any Lender has failed timely to provide its consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification of any Loan Document requested by the Borrower that requires the consent of at least the Required Lenders and such amendment, waiver or other modification is consented to by the Required Lenders, then, in each case, the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort (including with respect to the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 9.04(b)), upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to transfer and assign, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement (or, in the case of clause (iv) above, all of its interests, rights and obligation with respect to the Class of Loans or Commitments that is the subject of the related consent, amendment, waiver or other modification) to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such assigned obligations and, with respect to clause (iv) above, shall consent to such requested amendment, waiver or other modification of any Loan Documents (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (x) such assignment shall not conflict with any law, rule or regulation or order of any court or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction, (y) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed, and (z) the Borrower or such assignee shall have paid to the affected Lender in immediately available funds an amount equal to the sum of the principal of and interest accrued to the date of such payment on the outstanding Loans of such Lender plus all other amounts accrued for the account of such Lender hereunder with respect thereto (including any amounts under Sections 2.14 and 2.16 and, if applicable, the prepayment fee pursuant to Section 2.12(d) (with such assignment being deemed to be an voluntary prepayment for purposes of determining the applicability of Section 2.12(d), such amount to be payable by the Borrower)); provided further that, if prior to any such transfer and assignment the circumstances or event that resulted in such Lender’s claim for compensation under Section 2.14, notice under Section 2.15 or the amounts paid pursuant to Section 2.20, as the case may be, cease to cause such Lender to suffer increased costs or reductions in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on capital, or cease to have the consequences specified in Section 2.15, or cease to result in amounts being

 

 

payable under Section 2.20, as the case may be (including as a result of any action taken by such Lender pursuant to paragraph (b) below), or if such Lender shall waive its right to claim further compensation under Section 2.14 in respect of such circumstances or event or shall withdraw its notice under Section 2.15 or shall waive its right to further payments under Section 2.20 in respect of such circumstances or event or shall consent to the proposed amendment, waiver, consent or other modification, as the case may be, then such Lender shall not thereafter be required to make any such transfer and assignment hereunder.  Each Lender hereby grants to the Administrative Agent an irrevocable power of attorney (which power is coupled with an interest) to execute and deliver, on behalf of such Lender as assignor, any Assignment and Acceptance necessary to effectuate any assignment of such Lender’s interests hereunder in the circumstances contemplated by this Section 2.21(a).

 

(b)   If (i) any Lender shall request compensation under Section 2.14, (ii) any Lender delivers a notice described in Section 2.15 or (iii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority on account of any Lender, pursuant to Section 2.20, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts (which shall not require such Lender to incur an unreimbursed loss or unreimbursed cost or expense or otherwise take any action inconsistent with its internal policies or legal or regulatory restrictions or suffer any disadvantage or burden deemed by it to be significant) (x) to file any certificate or document reasonably requested in writing by the Borrower or (y) to assign its rights and delegate and transfer its obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if such filing or assignment would reduce its claims for compensation under Section 2.14 or enable it to withdraw its notice pursuant to Section 2.15 or would reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.20, as the case may be, in the future.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such filing or assignment, delegation and transfer.

 

SECTION 2.22.  Incremental Term Loans.  (a)  The Borrower may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent from time to time, request Incremental Term Loan Commitments in an amount not to exceed the Incremental Term Loan Amount from one or more Incremental Term Lenders, all of which must be either existing Lenders or Eligible Assignees.  Such notice shall set forth (i) the amount of the Incremental Term Loan Commitments being requested (which shall be in minimum increments of $1,000,000 and a minimum amount of $5,000,000 or such lesser amount equal to the remaining Incremental Term Loan Amount), (ii) the date on which such Incremental Term Loan Commitments are requested to become effective (which shall not be less than 10 Business Days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice), and (iii) whether such Incremental Term Loan Commitments are commitments to make additional Term Loans or commitments to make term loans with terms different from the Term Loans (“Other Term Loans”).

 

(b)   The Borrower may seek Incremental Term Loan Commitments from existing Lenders (each of which shall be entitled to agree or decline to participate in its sole discretion) and additional banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders who will become Incremental Term Lenders in connection therewith.  The Borrower and each Incremental Term Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an

 

 

Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify to evidence the Incremental Term Loan Commitment of each Incremental Term Lender.  The terms and provisions of the Incremental Term Loans shall be identical to those of the Term Loans except as otherwise set forth herein or in the Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement.  Without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, (i) the final maturity date of any Other Term Loans shall be no earlier than the Term Loan Maturity Date, (ii) the average life to maturity of the Other Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining average life to maturity of the Term Loans and (iii) if the All-in Yield applicable to such Other Term Loans (as determined by the Administrative Agent, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) exceeds the sum of (x) the margin then in effect for Eurodollar Term Loans (which shall be the sum of the Applicable Margin then in effect for Eurodollar Term Loans increased by the amount that any “LIBOR floor” applicable to such Eurodollar Term Loans on the date such Other Term Loans are made would exceed the Adjusted LIBO Rate (without giving effect to the clause (a) of the definition thereof) that would be in effect for a three-month Interest Period commencing on such date) plus (y) one-fourth of the amount of the OID paid in respect of the Term Loans by more than 50 basis points (the amount of such excess above 50 basis points being referred to herein as the “Yield Differential”), then the Applicable Margin then in effect for Term Loans shall automatically be increased by the Yield Differential, effective upon the making of the Other Term Loans.  Any Incremental Term Loans and Other Term Loans shall have the benefit of the same guarantees of the Guarantors under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Term Loans, and the Collateral shall secure any such Incremental Term Loans and Other Term Loans on a pari passu basis with the Credit Facilities.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement.  Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Incremental Term Loan Commitment and the Incremental Term Loans evidenced thereby, and the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may revise this Agreement to evidence such amendments.

 

(c)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incremental Term Loan Commitment shall become effective under this Section 2.22 unless (i) the definitive documentation in respect of such Incremental Term Loan Commitment, to the extent not consistent with the Loan Documents, is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (ii) on the date of such effectiveness, (x) the representations and warranties set forth in Article III and in each other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects, both before and after giving effect to such Incremental Term Loan Commitment, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date and except for representations and warranties qualified by materiality, in which case such representations and warranties shall be accurate in all respects, (y) at the time of and immediately following the effectiveness of such Incremental Term Loan Commitment, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (z) the Borrower shall have received all approvals, consents, exemptions and authorizations from any Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, HPUC and DCCA) necessary or required in connection with the incurrence of such

 

 

Incremental Term Loan Commitment and the contemplated borrowings in respect thereof and, in each case, the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate to such effect dated such date and executed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower, (iii) all fees, costs and expenses required to be paid by any Loan Party under any Loan Document or under the definitive documentation relating to such Incremental Term Loan Commitment on or prior to the effectiveness of such Incremental Term Loan Commitment shall have been paid prior to or substantially concurrently with the incurrence of such Incremental Term Loan Commitments, (iv) the covenants set forth in Sections 6.11 and 6.12 would be satisfied on a pro forma basis (calculated assuming, without duplication, that such Incremental Term Loan Commitments have been fully utilized and giving effect to any other customary and appropriate pro forma adjustment events, including any acquisitions or dispositions which occurred after the beginning of the relevant period and prior to or simultaneously with the incurrence of such Incremental Term Loan Commitments), (v) the Leverage Ratio, on a pro forma basis (calculated assuming, without duplication, that such Incremental Term Loan Commitments have been fully utilized and giving effect to any other customary and appropriate pro forma adjustment events, including any acquisitions or dispositions which occurred after the beginning of the relevant period and prior to or simultaneously with the incurrence of such Incremental Term Loan Commitments), shall not be greater than (1) until financial statements for the first fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date are delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(b), 3.00:1.00 and thereafter (2) 0.25:1.00 less than the then applicable covenant level set forth in Section 6.12, and (vi) except as otherwise specified in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall have received (with sufficient copies for each of the Incremental Term Lenders) legal opinions, board resolutions and other closing certificates reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date under Section 4.01.

 

(d)   Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that the Administrative Agent may, in consultation with the Borrower, take any and all action as may be reasonably necessary to ensure that all Incremental Term Loans (other than Other Term Loans), when originally made, are included in each Borrowing of outstanding Term Loans on a pro rata basis.  This may be accomplished by requiring each outstanding Eurodollar Term Borrowing to be converted into an ABR Term Borrowing on the date of each Incremental Term Loan, or by allocating a portion of each Incremental Term Loan to each outstanding Eurodollar Term Borrowing on a pro rata basis.  Any conversion of Eurodollar Term Loans to ABR Term Loans required by the preceding sentence shall be subject to Section 2.16.  If any Incremental Term Loan is to be allocated to an existing Interest Period for a Eurodollar Term Borrowing, then the interest rate thereon for such Interest Period and the other economic consequences thereof shall be as set forth in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement.  In addition, to the extent any Incremental Term Loans are not Other Term Loans, the scheduled amortization payments under Section 2.11(a)(i) required to be made after the making of such Incremental Term Loans shall be ratably increased by the aggregate principal amount of such Incremental Term Loans and shall be further increased for all Lenders on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary to avoid any reduction in the amortization payments to which the Term Lenders were entitled before such recalculation.

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

Each of Holdings and the Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each of the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 3.01.  Organization; Powers.  Holdings, the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (c) is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure so to qualify could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Loan Documents and each other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby to which it is or will be a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to borrow hereunder.

 

SECTION 3.02.  Authorization.  The Transactions (a) have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate and, if required, stockholder action and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents or by-laws of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (B) any order of any Governmental Authority, (C) any provision of any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any of them or any of their property is or may be bound, except, in each case, the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (D) the HPUC Decision and Order, or (E) the DCCA Decision and Order, (ii) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, or give rise to any right to accelerate or to require the prepayment, repurchase or redemption of any obligation under any such indenture, agreement or other instrument except, in each case, the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than any Lien created hereunder or under the Security Documents) other than such Liens as may be permitted hereunder.

 

SECTION 3.03.  Enforceability.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Holdings and the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered by the each Loan Party party thereto will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms.

 

SECTION 3.04.  Governmental Approvals.  No action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority (including,

 

 

without limitation, the FCC, the HPUC and the DCCA) is or will be required in connection with the Transactions, except for (a) the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements and filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, (b) recordation of the Mortgages, (c) regulatory filings relating to a transfer of control or transfer of ownership of any of the assets of Holdings, Borrower or any Subsidiary or a discontinuance of any of their operations as a result of any enforcement action taken or proposed to be taken under any Security Documents and (d) such as have been made or obtained and are in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 3.05.  Financial Statements.  (a)  The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholder’s equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, audited by and accompanied by the opinion of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, and (ii) as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, certified by its chief financial officer.  Such financial statements present fairly the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods.  Such balance sheets and the notes thereto disclose all material liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof.  Such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(b)   The Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Lenders its unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, stockholder’s equity and cash flows as of September 30, 2011, prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if they had occurred, with respect to such balance sheet, on such date and, with respect to such other financial statements, on the first day of the 9-month period ending on such date.  Such pro forma financial statements have been prepared in good faith by the Borrower, based on the assumptions used to prepare the pro forma financial information contained in the Confidential Information Memorandum (which assumptions are believed by the Borrower on the date hereof and on the Closing Date to be reasonable), are based on the best information available to the Borrower as of the date of delivery thereof, accurately reflect all adjustments required to be made to give effect to the Transactions and present fairly on a pro forma basis the estimated consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and for such period, assuming that the Transactions had actually occurred at such date or at the beginning of such period, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 3.06.  No Material Adverse Change.  No event, change or condition has occurred that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, operations, financial condition or operating results of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since September 30, 2011.

 

SECTION 3.07.  Title to Properties; Possession Under Leases.  (a)  Each of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has good and marketable title to, or valid

 

 

leasehold interests in, all its material properties and assets (including all Mortgaged Property), except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties and assets for their intended purposes.  All such material properties and assets are free and clear of Liens, other than Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02.

 

(b)   Each of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has complied with all obligations under all material leases to which it is a party and all such leases are in full force and effect.  Each of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries enjoys peaceful and undisturbed possession under all such material leases.

 

(c)   As of the Closing Date, neither Holdings nor the Borrower has received any notice of, nor has any knowledge of, any pending or contemplated condemnation proceeding affecting the Mortgaged Properties or any sale or disposition thereof in lieu of condemnation.

 

(d)   As of the Closing Date, none of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is obligated under any right of first refusal, option or other contractual right to sell, assign or otherwise dispose of any Mortgaged Property or any interest therein.

 

(e)   Holdings, the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property Collateral that is material to its business, and the use thereof by Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  No material claim is now pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, has been asserted by any Person challenging the use of any Intellectual Property Collateral of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the validity or effectiveness of any such Intellectual Property Collateral nor does Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary know of any valid basis for any such claim.

 

SECTION 3.08.  Subsidiaries.  Schedule 3.08 sets forth as of the Closing Date a list of all Subsidiaries and the percentage ownership interest of Holdings or the Borrower therein.  The shares of capital stock or other ownership interests so indicated on Schedule 3.08 are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by Holdings or the Borrower, directly or indirectly, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created under the Security Documents).

 

SECTION 3.09.  Litigation; Compliance with Laws.  (a)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.09, there are no actions, investigations, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority now pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Borrower, threatened against or affecting Holdings or the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any business, property or rights of any such Person (i) that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions or (ii) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(b)   Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the matters disclosed on Schedule 3.09 that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)   None of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective material properties or assets is in violation of, nor will the continued operation of their material properties and assets as currently conducted violate, any law, rule or regulation (including, without limitation, the Communications Act, the regulations or orders of FCC or HPUC or DCCA or any zoning, building, Environmental Law, ordinance, code or approval or any building permits) or any restrictions of record or agreements affecting the Mortgaged Property, or is in default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction, decree or order of any Governmental Authority, where such violation or default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)   Certificates of occupancy and permits are in effect for each Mortgaged Property as currently constructed, and true and complete copies of such certificates of occupancy have been delivered to the Collateral Agent as mortgagee with respect to each Mortgaged Property.

 

SECTION 3.10.  Agreements.  (a)  None of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any corporate restriction that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)   None of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is in default in any manner under any provision of any indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing Indebtedness, or any other material agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets are or may be bound, where such default could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.11.  Federal Reserve Regulations.  (a)  None of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of buying or carrying Margin Stock.

 

(b)   No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, for any purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent with, the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulation T, U or X.

 

SECTION 3.12.  Investment Company Act.  None of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

SECTION 3.13.  Use of Proceeds.  The Borrower will (a) use the proceeds of the Loans made on the Closing Date solely for the Transactions, (b) use the proceeds of the Amendment No. 1 Loans solely for the payment of the Call Premium (as defined in

 

 

Amendment No. 1) and (c) use the proceeds of Incremental Term Loans solely for the purposes specified in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Assumption Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.14.  Tax Returns.  Each of the Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all United States Federal and other material tax returns required to have been filed by it and has paid or caused to be paid all material taxes due and payable by it and all assessments received by it, except taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves.

 

SECTION 3.15.  No Material Misstatements.  None of (a) the Confidential Information Memorandum or (b) any other information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule furnished by or on behalf of Holdings or the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of any Loan Document or included therein or delivered pursuant thereto contained (as of the date thereof and as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), contains or will contain any material misstatement of fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were, are or will be made, not misleading; provided that to the extent any such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule was based upon or constitutes a forecast or projection, each of Holdings and the Borrower represents only that it acted in good faith and utilized reasonable assumptions (based upon accounting principles consistent with the historical audited financial statements of the Borrower) and due care in the preparation of such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule.

 

SECTION 3.16.  Employee Benefit Plans.  Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each of the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates is in compliance in all respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to each Plan.  No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates in an aggregate amount in excess of $7,500,000.

 

SECTION 3.17.  Environmental Matters.  (a)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17 and except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, none of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

(b)   Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the matters disclosed on Schedule 3.17 that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in, or materially increased the likelihood of, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

SECTION 3.18.  Insurance.  Schedule 3.18 sets forth a true, complete and correct description of all material insurance policies maintained by the Borrower or by the Borrower for its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof and the Closing Date.  As of each such date, such insurance is in full force and effect and all premiums have been duly paid.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries believe they have adequate insurance.

 

SECTION 3.19.  Security Documents.  (a)  The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, will create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) and the proceeds thereof and (i) when the Pledged Securities (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) are delivered to the Collateral Agent, the Lien created under Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Pledged Securities, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, and (ii) when financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.19(a), the Lien created under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement will constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral (other than Intellectual Property, as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02.

 

(b)   Upon the recordation of a short-form security agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Collateral Agent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, together with the financing statements in appropriate form filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.19(a), the Lien created under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in the Intellectual Property Collateral (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) in which a security interest may be perfected by filing in the United States and its territories and possessions, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (it being understood that subsequent recordings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office may be necessary to perfect a Lien on registered trademarks and patents, trademark and patent applications and registered copyrights acquired by the Loan Parties after the date hereof).

 

(c)   The Mortgages are effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable Lien on all of the Loan Parties’ right, title and interest in and to the Mortgaged Property thereunder and the proceeds thereof, and when the Mortgages are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 3.19(c), the Mortgages shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Mortgaged Property and the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to the rights of Persons pursuant to Liens expressly permitted by Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 3.20.  Location of Real Property and Leased Premises.  (a)  Schedule 3.20(a) lists completely and correctly as of the Closing Date all real property owned by the

 

 

Borrower and the Subsidiaries and the addresses thereof.  The Borrower and the Subsidiaries own in fee all the real property set forth on Schedule 3.20(a).

 

(b)   Schedule 3.20(b) lists completely and correctly as of the Closing Date all real property leased by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and the addresses thereof.  The Borrower and the Subsidiaries have valid leases in all the real property set forth on Schedule 3.20(b).

 

SECTION 3.21.  Labor Matters.  As of the date hereof and the Closing Date, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Borrower, threatened.  Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the hours worked by and payments made to employees of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law dealing with such matters.  Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, all payments due from Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or for which any claim may be made against Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary.  The consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to any right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary is bound.

 

SECTION 3.22.  Solvency.  Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Closing Date and immediately following the making of each Loan and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds of each Loan, (a) the fair value of the assets of the Loan Parties (on a consolidated basis), at a fair valuation, will exceed their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Loan Parties (on a consolidated basis) will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) the Loan Parties (on a consolidated basis) will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) the Loan Parties (on a consolidated basis) will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the business in which they are engaged as such business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.

 

SECTION 3.23.  Senior Indebtedness.  The Obligations and the obligations under the Revolving Facility Agreement constitute the sole “Senior Debt”  (or any similar term) permitted under the terms of any Indebtedness which is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations and the obligations under the Revolving Facility Agreement.

 

SECTION 3.24.  Sanctioned Persons.  None of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S.  Treasury

 

 

Department (“OFAC”); and the Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Loans or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

SECTION 3.25.  USA PATRIOT Act; FCPA.  Each Loan Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with the (a) Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other regulations, enabling legislation or executive orders relating thereto and (b) USA PATRIOT Act.  No part of the proceeds of any Loan shall be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

SECTION 3.26.  Licenses; Tariffs.

 

(a)   The Borrower and its Subsidiaries hold all FCC Licenses that are necessary for the operation of their businesses as currently conducted.  Each such FCC License is in full force and effect and such FCC Licenses are not subject to any material restriction or material conditions that limit the operation of the businesses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, other than restrictions or conditions generally applicable to licenses of that type.

 

(b)   Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries hold all permits, licenses, waivers, orders, approvals, concessions, registrations and other authorizations issued or provided by any Governmental Authority (other than the FCC), including HPUC and the DCCA, under all applicable laws, that are material to and necessary for Holdings, the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries to own its assets and conduct the businesses currently conducted by it (“Operating Licenses”), except to the extent that failure to hold any such Operating Licenses, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)   HPUC or DCCA or such other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction thereof has approved all material regulatory tariffs required to permit each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries to operate its businesses as currently operated, all such regulatory tariffs are in full force and effect and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has failed to materially comply with the terms of any such tariff, except in each case any lack of approvals or failures which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)   Neither Holdings nor the Borrower has knowledge of any investigation, notice of apparent liability, violation, forfeiture or other order or complaint issued by or before the FCC or HPUC or DCCA, or of any other proceedings (other than proceedings relating to the telecommunications industries generally) of or before the FCC or HPUC or DCCA, which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(e)   To the best knowledge of Holdings and the Borrower, no event has occurred which (i) has resulted in, or after notice or lapse of time or both would result in, revocation, suspension, adverse modification, non-renewal, impairment, restriction or termination of, or order of forfeiture with respect to, any FCC License or Operating License in any respect which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) affects or could reasonably be expected in the future to affect any of the rights of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary under any FCC License or Operating License held by it in any respect which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(f)   Each of Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has duly filed in a timely manner all material filings, reports, applications, documents, instruments and information required to be filed by it under the Communications Act, and all such filings were when made true, correct and complete in all material respects.  Holdings and the Borrower have no reason to believe that any material FCC License or Operating License held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary will not be renewed in the ordinary course.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Conditions of Lending

 

The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

SECTION 4.01.  Credit Event.  On the Closing Date:

 

(a)   The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself and the Lenders, a favorable written opinion of (i) Kirkland & Ellis LLP, counsel for Holdings and the Borrower, substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibit G-1, and (ii) each local counsel and regulatory counsel listed on Schedule 4.02(a), substantially to the effect set forth in Exhibits G-2, G-3 and G-4, respectively, in each case (A) dated the Closing Date, (B) addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (C) covering such other matters relating to the Loan Documents and the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, and Holdings and the Borrower hereby request such counsel to deliver such opinions.

 

(b)   All legal matters incident to this Agreement, the Borrowings and extensions of credit hereunder and the other Loan Documents shall be satisfactory to the Lenders and to the Administrative Agent.

 

(c)   The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, including all amendments thereto, of each Loan Party, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the state of its organization, and a certificate as to the good standing of each Loan Party as of a recent date, from such Secretary of State; (ii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party dated the Closing Date and certifying (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws of such Loan Party as in effect on the Closing Date and at all times since a date prior to the date of the resolutions described in clause (B) below, (B) that attached thereto is a true and

 

 

complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Loan Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect, (C) that the certificate or articles of incorporation of such Loan Party have not been amended since the date of the last amendment thereto shown on the certificate of good standing furnished pursuant to clause (i) above, and (D) as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer executing any Loan Document or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Loan Party; (iii) a certificate of another officer as to the incumbency and specimen signature of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary executing the certificate pursuant to clause (ii) above; and (iv) such other documents as the Lenders or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

(d)   The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower, certifying that (i) the representations and warranties set forth in Article III and in each other Loan Document are be true and correct in all material respects, both before and after giving effect to this Agreement and the Borrowing to be made hereunder on the Closing Date, except for representations and warranties qualified by materiality, in which case such representations and warranties shall be accurate in all respects, and (ii) at the time of and immediately following the effectiveness of this Agreement and the Borrowing to be made hereunder on the Closing Date, no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing.

 

(e)   The Administrative Agent shall have received all Administrative Agent Fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including, the upfront fees payable to each Lender equal to 1.50% of the principal amount of Loans held by such Lender as of the Closing Date and to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

 

(f)   The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and the other Security Documents shall have been duly executed by each Loan Party that is to be a party thereto and shall be in full force and effect on the Closing Date.  The Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties shall have a security interest in the Collateral of the type and priority described in each Security Document.

 

(g)   The Collateral Agent shall have received the results of a search of the Uniform Commercial Code filings (or equivalent filings) made with respect to the Loan Parties in the states (or other jurisdictions) of formation of such Persons, in which the chief executive office of each such Person is located and in the other jurisdictions in which such Persons maintain property, together with copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search, and accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Collateral Agent that the Liens indicated in any such financing statement (or similar document) would be permitted under Section 6.02 or have been or will be contemporaneously released or terminated.

 

 

(h)   Except for actions required to be taken under Section 5.13, (i)  each of the Security Documents, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders, relating to each of the Mortgaged Properties shall have been duly executed by the parties thereto and delivered to the Collateral Agent and shall be in full force and effect, (ii) each of such Mortgaged Properties shall not be subject to any Lien other than those permitted under Section 6.02, (iii) each of such Security Documents shall have been filed and recorded in the recording office as specified on Schedule 3.19(c) (or a lender’s title insurance policy, in form and substance acceptable to the Collateral Agent, insuring such Security Document as a first lien on such Mortgaged Property (subject to any Lien permitted by Section 6.02) shall have been received by the Collateral Agent) and, in connection therewith, the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it of each such filing and recordation, (iv) the Collateral Agent shall have received such other documents, including  evidence of a policy or policies of title insurance issued by a nationally recognized title insurance company, together with such endorsements, coinsurance and reinsurance as may be requested by the Collateral Agent and the Lenders, insuring the Mortgages as valid first liens on the Mortgaged Properties, free of Liens other than those permitted under Section 6.02, together with such surveys, abstracts, appraisals and legal opinions required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the Mortgages or as reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent or the Lenders and (v) the Collateral Agent shall have received, for each Mortgaged Property, a “life of the loan” Standard Flood Hazard Determination and, if such Standard Flood Hazard Determination indicates that such Mortgaged Property is located in a “flood hazard area” (in any Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency)), the Collateral Agent shall have received documentation satisfactory to it evidencing the mortgagor of such Mortgaged Property’s receipt of notice from the Collateral Agent notifying the mortgagor that such Mortgaged Property is located in a “flood hazard area”  and indicating whether flood insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (as set forth in the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as it may be amended from time to time) is available and, if such flood insurance is available, the Collateral Agent also shall have been provided access to (and to the extent requested by the Collateral Agent and not prohibited by law or contractual or regulatory restriction, received) a copy of the applicable flood insurance policy (which shall (x) provide for a minimum coverage of no less than the lesser of (1) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans and (2) the maximum amount available under the National Flood Insurance Program and (y) to the extent agreed to by the applicable insurer, obligate the provider of such insurance policy to notify the Collateral Agent in the event of any non-payment or non-renewal of such policy) naming the Collateral Agent as loss payee and a certificate as to coverage under such policy.

 

(i)   The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of, or a certificate as to coverage under, the insurance policies required by Section 5.02 and the applicable provisions of the Security Documents, each of which shall be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a customary lender’s loss payable endorsement and to name the Collateral Agent as additional insured, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(j)   Each of Holdings, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries have provided to the Administrative Agent true and correct copies of the reports, assessments

 

 

and investigations dated on or after June 1, 2007 which came within their possession, custody or control regarding environmental matters and have given the Administrative Agent access to all other such reports within their possession.

 

(k)   All principal, premium, if any, interest, fees and other amounts due or outstanding under the Refinanced Indebtedness shall have been paid in full, the commitments thereunder terminated and all guarantees and security in support thereof discharged and released, and the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory evidence thereof.  Immediately after giving effect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby, Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall have outstanding no Indebtedness or preferred stock other than Indebtedness outstanding under this Agreement and Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 6.01.

 

(l)   The Lenders shall have received the financial statements and opinion referred to in Section 3.05, none of which shall demonstrate a material adverse change in the financial condition of the Borrower from (and shall not otherwise be materially inconsistent with) the financial statements or forecasts previously provided to the Lenders.

 

(m)   The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the chief financial officer of Holdings certifying that each of the Loan Parties after giving effect to the Transactions to occur on the Closing Date, is solvent.

 

(n)   The Lenders shall be reasonably satisfied in all respects with any tax sharing arrangements among Holdings and its subsidiaries after giving effect to the Transactions.

 

(o)   All requisite Governmental Authorities and third parties shall have approved or consented to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby to the extent required, all applicable appeal periods shall have expired and there shall not be any pending or threatened litigation, governmental, administrative or judicial action that could reasonably be expected to restrain, prevent or impose burdensome conditions on the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(p)   The Lenders shall have received, at least 5 Business Days prior to the Closing Date, all requested documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

(q)   The Administrative Agent shall have received a notice of such Borrowing as required by Section 2.03.

 

(r)   The Administrative Agent shall have received a copy of the Revolving Facility Agreement and all amendments thereto, which shall have been certified by a Financial Officer as being complete and correct.

 

(s)   The Borrower, the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the administrative agent for the lenders under the Revolving Facility Agreement shall have entered into the Intercreditor Agreement on terms and subject to conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

Affirmative Covenants

 

Each of Holdings and the Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Administrative Agent Fees and all other expenses or amounts (other than unasserted, contingent indemnities) payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, each of Holdings and the Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiaries to:

 

SECTION 5.01.  Existence; Compliance with Laws; Businesses and Properties.  (a)  Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, except to the extent that the failure to do so (other than in the case of maintaining the Borrower’s existence) could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and except as otherwise expressly permitted under Section 6.05.

 

(b)   Do or cause to be done all things necessary to obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the rights, licenses, permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names material to the conduct of its business except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and decrees and orders of any Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, the FCC, the HPUC and the DCCA), whether now in effect or hereafter enacted except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and comply in all material respects with the HPUC Decision and Order and the DCCA Decision and Order; and at all times maintain and preserve all property material to the conduct of such business and keep such property in good repair, working order and condition and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times except, in each case, to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.02.  Insurance.  (a)  Keep its insurable properties adequately insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers; maintain such other insurance, to such extent and against such risks, including fire and other risks insured against by extended coverage, as is customary with companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, including public liability insurance against claims for personal injury or death or property damage occurring upon, in, about or in connection with the use of any properties owned, occupied or controlled by it; and maintain such other insurance as may be required by law.

 

(b)   Cause all insurance policies (i) in the case of property and liability insurance, to be endorsed or otherwise amended to name the Collateral Agent as insured party or loss payee, and (ii) in the case of other insurance policies (excluding directors and officers

 

 

liability insurance), to the extent applicable and permitted pursuant to their terms, to be endorsed or otherwise amended to name  the Collateral Agent as insured party or loss payee, which endorsements or amendments shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and shall provide that, in the case of any property or liability policy and to the extent permitted pursuant by the terms of the policy and agreed to by the applicable insurer from and after the Closing Date, if the insurance carrier shall have received written notice from the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent of the occurrence of an Event of Default, the insurance carrier shall pay all proceeds otherwise payable to the Borrower or the Loan Parties under such policies directly to the Collateral Agent; cause all such property and liability policies to provide that none of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any other party shall be a coinsurer thereunder; cause all such property and liability policies to contain a valuation on a replacement cost basis and, to the extent agreed to by the applicable insurer, such other provisions as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may reasonably require from time to time to protect their interests; provide evidence of coverage under such policies and provide access to (and to the extent requested by the Collateral Agent and not prohibited by law or contractual or regulatory restriction, provide) original or certified copies of all such policies to the Collateral Agent; to the extent agreed to by the applicable insurer, cause each such policy to provide that it shall not be canceled, modified or not renewed (i) by reason of nonpayment of premium upon not less than 10 days’ prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent (giving the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent the right to cure defaults in the payment of premiums) or (ii) for any other reason upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent; provide evidence of coverage under, and provide access to (and to the extent requested by the Collateral Agent and not prohibited by law or contractual or regulatory restriction, provide to) the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, prior to the cancellation, modification or nonrenewal of any such policy of insurance, a copy of a renewal or replacement policy (or other evidence of renewal of a policy previously delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent) together with evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent of payment of the premium therefor.

 

(c)   If at any time the area in which the Premises (as defined in the Mortgages) are located is designated (i) a “flood hazard area” in any Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency), obtain flood insurance (the policy in respect of which, to the extent agreed to by the applicable insurer, shall require the insurer to notify the Collateral Agent in the event of any non-payment or non-renewal of such policy) in such total amount as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders may from time to time require, and otherwise comply with the National Flood Insurance Program as set forth in the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as it may be amended from time to time, or (ii) a “Zone 1” area, obtain earthquake insurance in such total amount as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders may from time to time require.

 

(d)   With respect to any Mortgaged Property, carry and maintain commercial general liability insurance and coverage on an occurrence basis against claims made for personal injury (including bodily injury, death and property damage) and umbrella liability

 

 

insurance against any and all claims, in no event for a combined single limit of less than that which is customary for companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, naming the Collateral Agent as an additional insured, on forms satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

 

(e)   Notify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent promptly whenever any separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required to be maintained under this Section 5.02 is taken out by any Loan Party; and promptly deliver to the Collateral Agent a certificate as to coverage under such policy or policies and provide access to (and to the extent requested by the Collateral Agent and not prohibited by law or contractual or regulatory restriction, provide) duplicate original copy of such policy or policies to the Collateral Agent.

 

SECTION 5.03.  Obligations and Taxes.  Except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, pay its Indebtedness and other obligations promptly and in accordance with their terms and pay and discharge promptly when due all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise that, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon such properties or any part thereof; provided, however, that such payment and discharge shall not be required with respect to any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim so long as the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and the Borrower shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and such contest operates to suspend collection of the contested obligation, tax, assessment or charge and enforcement of a Lien and, in the case of a Mortgaged Property, there is no risk of forfeiture of such property.

 

SECTION 5.04.  Financial Statements, Reports, etc.  Furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall furnish to each Lender:

 

(a)   no later than the earlier of (i) 10 days after the Borrower is or would be required to file a report Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission in compliance with the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether or not the Borrower is subject to such reporting requirements), and (ii) 95 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows showing the financial condition of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year and the results of its operations and the operations of such Subsidiaries during such year, together with comparative figures for the immediately preceding fiscal year, all audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall be without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, together with a

 

 

customary “management discussion and analysis” provision; provided, that if Holdings elects to furnish such consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows prepared in accordance with IFRS consistently applied then Holdings shall also furnish a reconciliation of the same to the corresponding financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided, further, that if Holdings elects, pursuant to the immediately preceding proviso or the first proviso in Section 5.04(b), to furnish financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, then Holdings may not thereafter elect to furnish the financial statements required by this Section 5.04(a) prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(b)   no later than the earlier of (i) 10 days after the date that the Borrower is or would be required to file a report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission in compliance with the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether or not the Borrower is subject to such reporting requirements), and (ii) 50 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, the consolidated balance sheet of Holdings and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows showing the financial condition of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the results of its operations and the operations of such Subsidiaries during such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, and, other than with respect to quarterly reports during the remainder of the first fiscal year after the Closing Date, comparative figures for the same periods in the immediately preceding fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as fairly presenting the financial condition and results of operations of Holdings and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments, together with a customary “management discussion and analysis” provision; provided, that if Holdings elects to furnish such consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows prepared in accordance with IFRS consistently applied then Holdings shall also furnish a reconciliation of the same to the corresponding financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided, further, that if Holdings elects, pursuant to the immediately preceding proviso or the first proviso in Section 5.04(a), to furnish financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, then Holdings may not thereafter elect to furnish the financial statements required by this Section 5.04(b) prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(c)   concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under paragraph (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer in the form of Exhibit F (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto and (ii) setting forth computations in reasonable detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent demonstrating compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 6.10, 6.11 and 6.12 and, in the case of a certificate delivered with the financial statements required by paragraph (a) above, setting forth the Borrower’s calculation of Excess Cash Flow;

 

(d)   concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) above, to the extent made available to the Borrower by its auditors, a certificate of the accounting

 

 

firm that reported on such statements (which certificate may be limited to accounting matters and disclaim responsibility for legal interpretations) certifying that as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year no Event of Default or Default has occurred with respect to Sections 6.10 or 6.11 or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the extent thereof in reasonable detail.

 

(e)   within 90 days after the beginning of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a detailed consolidated budget for such fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet and related statements of projected operations and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal year and setting forth the assumptions used for purposes of preparing such budget) and, promptly when available, any significant revisions of such budget;

 

(f)   promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed to its shareholders, as the case may be;

 

(g)   promptly after the receipt thereof by Holdings or the Borrower or any of their respective subsidiaries, a copy of any “management letter” received by any such Person from its certified public accountants and the management’s response thereto;

 

(h)   promptly after the request by any Lender, all documentation and other information that such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act; and

 

(i)   promptly, from time to time, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

 

SECTION 5.05.  Litigation and Other Notices.  Furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:

 

(a)   any Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

 

(b)   the filing or commencement of, or any threat or notice of intention of any Person to file or commence, any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority, against the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)   the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount exceeding $7,500,000;

 

 

(d)   any development that has resulted in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(e)   any change in the Borrower’s corporate rating by S&P, in the Borrower’s corporate family rating by Moody’s or in the ratings of the Credit Facilities by S&P or Moody’s, or any notice from either such agency indicating its intent to effect such a change or to place the Borrower or the Credit Facilities on a “CreditWatch” or “WatchList” or any similar list, in each case with negative implications, or its cessation of, or its intent to cease, rating the Borrower or the Credit Facilities.

 

SECTION 5.06.  Information Regarding Collateral.  (a)  Furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s corporate name, (ii) in the jurisdiction of organization or formation of any Loan Party, (iii) in any Loan Party’s identity or corporate structure or (iv) in any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number.  Holdings and the Borrower agree not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have been made under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise that are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral.  Holdings and the Borrower also agree promptly to notify the Administrative Agent if any material portion of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed.

 

(b)   In the case of the Borrower, at the request of the Administrative Agent, together with the annual financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a), deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer setting forth the information required pursuant to Schedules I, II and IV of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 5.06.

 

SECTION 5.07.  Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections; Maintenance of Ratings.  (a)  Keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP (or IFRS, if the Borrower elects to furnish financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b)) and all requirements of law are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities.  Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect the financial records and the properties of such Person at reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested and to make extracts from and copies of such financial records, and permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of such Person with the officers thereof and independent accountants therefor.

 

(b)   In the case of Holdings and the Borrower, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Credit Facilities to maintain a public rating by S&P and Moody’s, and in the case of the Borrower, use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain a corporate rating

 

 

from S&P and a corporate family rating from Moody’s, in each case in respect of the Borrower.

 

SECTION 5.08.  Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of the Loans only for the purposes specified in the introductory statement to this Agreement.

 

SECTION 5.09.  Employee Benefits.  (a) Comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan and the laws applicable to any foreign pension plan and (b) furnish to the Administrative Agent as soon as possible after, and in any event within ten days after any responsible officer of Holdings, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know that, any ERISA Event has occurred that, alone or together with any other ERISA Event could reasonably be expected to result in liability of Holdings, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in an aggregate amount exceeding $7,500,000, a statement of a Financial Officer of Holdings or the Borrower setting forth details as to such ERISA Event and the action, if any, that Holdings or the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 5.10.  Compliance with Environmental Laws.  Comply, and cause all lessees and other Person occupying its properties to comply, in all material respects with all Environmental Laws applicable to its operations and properties; obtain and renew all material environmental permits necessary for its operations and properties; and conduct any remedial action in accordance with Environmental Laws; provided, however, that none of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be required to undertake any remedial action required by Environmental Laws to the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP.

 

SECTION 5.11.  Preparation of Environmental Reports.  If a Default caused by reason of a breach of Section 3.17 or Section 5.10 shall have occurred and be continuing for more than 20 days without Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary commencing activities reasonably likely to cure such Default, at the written request of the Required Lenders through the Administrative Agent, provide to the Lenders within 45 days after such request, at the expense of the Loan Parties, an environmental site assessment report regarding the matters which are the subject of such Default prepared by an environmental consulting firm reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and indicating the presence or absence of Hazardous Materials and the estimated cost of any compliance or remedial action in connection with such Default.

 

SECTION 5.12.  Further Assurances.  Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all further action (including filing Uniform Commercial Code and other financing statements, mortgages and deeds of trust) that may be required under applicable law, or that the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and in order to grant, preserve, protect and perfect the validity and first priority (subject to Liens permitted by Section 6.02 having priority by operation of law over the Liens created by the Security Documents) of the security interests created or intended to be created by the Security

 

 

Documents.  The Borrower will cause any subsequently acquired or organized Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Domestic Subsidiary and a Domestic Subsidiary owned by a Foreign Subsidiary) to become a Loan Party by executing the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and each other applicable Security Document in favor of the Collateral Agent.  In addition, from time to time, the Borrower will, at its cost and expense, promptly secure the Obligations by pledging or creating, or causing to be pledged or created, perfected security interests with respect to such of its assets and properties as may be required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, it being understood that it is the intent of the parties that the Obligations shall be secured by substantially all of the Equity Interests of the Borrower and substantially all the tangible and intangible assets of the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors, including but not limited to Equity Interests, accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, general intangibles, investment property, intellectual property, real property, cash, deposit and securities accounts, commercial tort claims, intercompany notes and the proceeds of the foregoing, in each case, whether existing on the date hereof of thereafter acquired, but excluding (i) the Equity Interests of any Joint Venture which are prohibited by the terms of the constitutive documents of such Joint Venture from being pledged as security for the Obligations without the consent of a third party, provided that such prohibition was not created in contemplation of this Section 5.12, (ii) assets as to which the Administrative Agent reasonably determines that the cost of obtaining a security interest therein outweighs the collateral value thereof and (iii) assets with an aggregate fair market value of less than $2,000,000; provided that, solely to the extent the pledge of any greater percentage of Equity Interests would result in adverse tax consequences to the Borrower, the Collateral shall, in the case of Equity Interests of Foreign Subsidiaries and Excluded Domestic Subsidiaries, be limited to 100% of the non-voting Equity Interests (if any) of such Foreign Subsidiaries and Excluded Domestic Subsidiaries and 66% of the voting Equity Interests of such Foreign Subsidiaries and Excluded Domestic Subsidiaries.  Such security interests and Liens will be created under the Security Documents and other security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust and other instruments and documents in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, and the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Lenders all such instruments and documents (including legal opinions, title insurance policies and lien searches) as the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request to evidence compliance with this Section.  The Borrower agrees to provide such evidence as the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request as to the perfection and priority status of each such security interest and Lien.  In furtherance of the foregoing, the Borrower will give prompt notice to the Administrative Agent of the acquisition by it or any of the Subsidiaries of any real property (or any interest in real property) having a value in excess of $2,000,000.

 

SECTION 5.13.  Post-Closing Covenants.  The Borrower hereby agrees to deliver to Administrative Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, the items described on Schedule 5.13 hereof on or before the dates specified with respect to such items, or such later dates as may be agreed to by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.  All representations and warranties (and conditions and covenants) contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to permit the taking of the actions described above within the time periods required above and in Schedule 5.13, rather than

 

 

as otherwise provided in the Loan Documents; provided that to the extent any representation and warranty would not be true (or any covenant would not be complied with) because the foregoing actions were not taken on the Closing Date, the respective representation and warranty shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects (and such covenant shall be required to be complied with) at the time the respective action is taken (or was required to be taken) in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.13 (and Schedule 5.13).

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Negative Covenants

 

Each of Holdings and the Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that, so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Administrative Agent Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document (other than unasserted, contingent indemnity claims) have been paid in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, neither Holdings nor the Borrower will, nor will they cause or permit any of the Subsidiaries to:

 

SECTION 6.01.  Indebtedness.  Incur, create, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01 and any Refinancing thereof;

 

(b) Indebtedness created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;

 

(c) intercompany Indebtedness of the Borrower and any Subsidiary or Joint Venture to the extent permitted by Section 6.04(c) so long as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations pursuant to an Affiliate Subordination Agreement;

 

(d) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary initially incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, telecom equipment in the nature of inventory, and extensions, renewals, replacements and Refinancings of any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness initially is incurred prior to or within 180 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.01(d), when combined with the aggregate principal amount of all Capital Lease Obligations incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(e) shall not exceed $37,500,000 at any time outstanding (plus OID and other amounts permitted to be added to principal pursuant to the definition of Refinancing);

 

(e) Capital Lease Obligations in an aggregate principal amount, when combined with the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.01(d), not in excess of $37,500,000 at any time outstanding

 

 

(plus OID and other amounts permitted to be added to principal pursuant to the definition of Refinancing);

 

(f) Indebtedness, directly or indirectly, under performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, financial assurances and completion guarantees and similar obligations, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and workers’ compensation and environmental obligations and property, casualty and liability insurance in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(g) Indebtedness (and any Refinancing thereof) of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness exists at the time such Persons becomes a Subsidiary and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary, (ii) immediately before and after such Person becomes a Subsidiary, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.01(g) shall not exceed $37,500,000 at any time outstanding (plus OID and other amounts permitted to be added to principal pursuant to the definition of Refinancing);

 

(h) Indebtedness in respect of those Hedging Agreements incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with Borrower’s business practice;

 

(i) other Indebtedness of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $15,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(j) Indebtedness 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 or other cash management services in the ordinary course of business; provided that (i) such Indebtedness (other than credit or purchase cards) is extinguished within 10 Business Days of its incurrence and (ii) such Indebtedness in respect of credit or purchase cards is extinguished within 45 days from its incurrence;

 

(k) Indebtedness (and any Refinancing thereof) arising from agreements of the Borrower or any Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase or acquisition price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Subsidiary permitted hereunder, other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any of such business assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

 

(l) Cash management obligations and other Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protection and similar arrangements, in each case, in connection with cash management and deposit account arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

(m) Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit incurred in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $16,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(n) Indebtedness owed to the Rural Utilities Service in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding and any Refinancing thereof; and

 

(o) the financing of insurance premiums in customary amounts.

 

SECTION 6.02.  Liens.  Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or assets (including Equity Interests or other securities of any Person, including the Borrower or any Subsidiary) now owned or hereafter acquired by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

 

(a) Liens on property or assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.02; provided that such Liens shall secure only those obligations which they secure on the date hereof and any Refinancing of the underlying obligations;

 

(b) any Lien created under the Loan Documents;

 

(c) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or assets of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be and any Refinancing of the underlying obligations; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary, (ii) such Lien does not apply to any other property or assets of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (iii) such Lien secures only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be and any Refinancing of such obligations;

 

(d) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies that are not yet due or which are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;

 

(e) Statutory Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, repairmen, workmen and materialmen, and other Liens imposed by law (other than any such Lien imposed pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Code or ERISA), in each case arising in the ordinary course of business (i) for amounts not yet overdue or (ii) for amounts that are overdue and that (in the case of amounts overdue for a period in excess of 45 days) are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;

 

(f) Liens incurred in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security;

 

(g) Liens securing the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), government

 

 

contracts, trade contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and any other similar obligations, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business and exclusive of obligations in respect of Indebtedness for borrowed money, so long as no foreclosure, sale or similar proceedings have been commenced with respect to any portion of the Collateral on account thereof;

 

(h) Liens solely on cash earnest money deposits made by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in connection with any acquisition not prohibited hereunder;

 

(i) zoning restrictions, easements, rights-of-way, encroachments, restrictions on use of real property and other similar encumbrances imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(j) purchase money security interests in real property, improvements thereto or equipment (including telecom equipment in the nature of inventory) or capital assets hereafter acquired (or, in the case of improvements, constructed), in each case, by the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Refinancing of the underlying obligations; provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01, (ii) such security interests are incurred, and the Indebtedness secured thereby is created, within 120 days after such acquisition (or construction), (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the lesser of the cost or the fair market value of such real property, improvements or equipment at the time of such acquisition (or construction) and (iv) such security interests do not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

(k) judgment Liens securing judgments not constituting an Event of Default under Article VII;

 

(l) other Liens securing liabilities and Indebtedness hereunder in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(m) any interest or title of a lessor under any leases or subleases entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(n) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to bankers’ liens, rights of set-off or similar rights, and Liens in favor of CoBank on the Borrower’s Equity Interests in CoBank or Patronage Certificates;

 

 

(p) Liens arising or purporting to arise from precautionary UCC financing statements in connection with operating leases, sale lease-back transactions or any permitted factoring or accounts receivable sales;

 

(q) Liens on securities that are the subject of repurchase agreements constituting Permitted Investments under clause (d) of the definition thereof and Liens securing obligations permitted under Section 6.01(h);

 

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

 

(s) Liens on cash and Permitted Investments securing letters of credit permitted under Section 6.01(m) in an amount not exceeding 105% of the aggregate stated amount of such letters of credit;

 

(t) Liens securing Indebtedness owed to the Rural Utilities Service permitted under Section 6.01(n);

 

(u) licenses of intellectual property granted in the ordinary course of business in the ordinary course of business in a manner consistent with past practices;

 

(v) Liens securing obligations permitted under Section 6.01(e); and

 

(w) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof and unearned premiums securing the financing of premiums with respect thereto as provided in Section 6.01(o).

 

SECTION 6.03.  Sale and Lease-Back Transactions.  Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property which it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred unless (a) such transaction constitutes the Anticipated Tower Lease-Back, (b) the sale or transfer of such property is permitted by Section 6.05, or (b) the resulting any Capital Lease Obligations or Liens arising in connection therewith are permitted by Sections 6.01 and 6.02, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 6.04.  Investments, Loans and Advances.  Purchase, hold or acquire any Equity Interests, evidences of indebtedness or other securities of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person, except:

 

(a) (i) investments by Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof in the Equity Interests of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries and (ii) additional investments by Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in the Equity Interests of the Borrower, the Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures; provided that

 

 

(A) any such Equity Interests held by a Loan Party shall be pledged pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (subject to the limitations applicable to the Equity Interests of Joint Ventures and the voting stock of Foreign Subsidiaries referred to therein), and (B) the aggregate amount of investments by Loan Parties in, and loans and advances made after the Closing Date by Loan Parties to, Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such investments, loans and advances) shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(b) Permitted Investments;

 

(c) loans or advances made by the Borrower to any Subsidiary or Joint Venture and made by any Subsidiary or Joint Venture to Holdings, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (i) any such loans and advances made by a Loan Party shall be evidenced by a promissory note pledged to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (ii) such loans and advances shall be unsecured and subordinated to the Obligations pursuant to an Affiliate Subordination Agreement and (iii) the amount of such loans and advances made by Loan Parties to Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties shall be subject to the limitation set forth in clause (a) above;

 

(d) investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers;

 

(e) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may make loans and advances in the ordinary course of business to the employees of Holdings and its Subsidiaries so long as the aggregate principal amount thereof at any time outstanding (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such loans and advances) shall not exceed $5,000,000;

 

(f) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may enter into Hedging Agreements that are not speculative in nature;

 

(g) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may acquire (x) all or substantially all the assets of any Person or line of business, division or product line of such Person, or not less than 100% of the Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares) of a Person or (y) any interest in a Joint Venture (any Person referred to in clause (x) or (y) being referred to herein as the “Acquired Entity”); provided that (i) such acquisition was not preceded by an unsolicited tender offer for such Equity Interests by, or proxy contest initiated by, Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) the Acquired Entity shall be in a similar, related, incidental or ancillary line of business as that of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as conducted during the current and most recent calendar year; and (iii) at the time of such transaction (A) both before and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (B) the Borrower would be in compliance with

 

 

the covenants set forth in Sections 6.11 and 6.12 as of the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to such transaction for which the financial statements and certificates required by Section 5.04(a) or 5.04(b), as the case may be, and 5.04(c) have been delivered or for which comparable financial statements have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and to any other event occurring after such period as to which pro forma recalculation is appropriate (including any other transaction described in this Section 6.04(g) occurring after such period) as if such transaction had occurred as of the first day of such period (assuming, for purposes of pro forma compliance with Section 6.12, that the maximum Leverage Ratio permitted at the time by such Section was in fact 0.25 to 1.00 less than the ratio actually provided for in such Section at such time); (C) the Borrower shall have delivered a certificate of a Financial Officer, certifying as to the foregoing and containing reasonably detailed calculations in support thereof, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (D) the Borrower shall comply, and shall cause the Acquired Entity (other than any Joint Venture) to comply, with the applicable provisions of Section 5.12 and the Security Documents (any acquisition of an Acquired Entity meeting all the criteria of this Section 6.04(g) being referred to herein as a “Permitted Acquisition”);

 

(h) [RESERVED]

 

(i) additional investments, loans and advances by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries so long as the aggregate amount invested, loaned or advanced pursuant to this paragraph (i) (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such investments, loans and advances) does not exceed at any time outstanding $20,000,000 in the aggregate;

 

(j) investments existing on or contractually committed to be made as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.04(j) and any Refinancings, renewals, extensions or continuations thereof;

 

(k) accounts receivable, security deposits and prepayments arising and extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business and any assets and securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary to prevent or limit loss and any prepayments and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business;

 

(l) investments consisting of non-cash consideration received in respect of sales, transfers or other dispositions of assets to the extent permitted by Section 6.05;

 

(m) investments from pledges and deposits referred to in Section 6.02(f) and (g);

 

 

(n) the Borrower’s investments in Equity Interests of CoBank and Patronage Certificates; and

 

(o) Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01.

 

SECTION 6.05.  Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions.  (a)  Merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all the assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) of the Borrower or less than all the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or any substantial part of the assets of any other Person, except that (i) the Borrower and any Subsidiary may purchase and sell inventory in the ordinary course of business, (ii) Holdings and its Subsidiaries may permit to occur any casualty or condemnation event and (iii) if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (A) any Wholly Owned Subsidiary may merge into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving corporation, (B) any Wholly Owned Subsidiary may merge into or consolidate with any other Wholly Owned Subsidiary in a transaction in which the surviving entity is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary and no Person other than the Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary receives any consideration (provided that if any party to any such transaction is a Loan Party, the surviving entity of such transaction shall be a Loan Party),  (C) and Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary may merge into any Wholly Owned Subsidiary or into any other Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (D) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not disadvantageous to the Lenders, and (E) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may make Permitted Acquisitions.

 

(b)   Make any Asset Sale otherwise permitted under paragraph (a) above unless (i) such Asset Sale is for consideration at least 75% of which is cash, (ii) such consideration is at least equal to the aggregate book value of the assets being sold, transferred, leased or disposed of and (iii) the fair market value of all assets sold, transferred, leased or disposed of pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall not exceed (x) in the case of sale and leaseback transactions, $5,000,000 and (y) in the case of any other Asset Sale, $40,000,000 in the aggregate; provided that the foregoing limitations on the aggregate book value of assets sold, transferred, leased or disposed shall not apply to (I) the Anticipated Tower Lease-Back, (II) sales, transfers and other dispositions of the Specified Facilities and (III) sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets related to the implementation of the Central Office Consolidation.

 

SECTION 6.06.  Restricted Payments; Restrictive Agreements.  (a)  Declare or make, or agree to declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment (including pursuant to any Synthetic Purchase Agreement), or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so; provided, however, that (i) Holdings may, provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, declare and pay dividends or other distributions to holders of its Equity Interests and/or repurchase shares of its Equity Interests (and the Borrower may make any Restricted Payments to Holdings which

 

 

constitute dividends paid by Holdings or consideration for the repurchase of the Equity Interests of Holdings, in each case, pursuant to this clause (i)) (A) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 if after giving effect to such payment or repurchase, the covenants set forth in Sections 6.11 and 6.12 would be satisfied on a pro forma basis and (B) in an aggregate amount at any time not to exceed the Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount at such time if after giving effect to such payment or repurchase on a pro forma basis, the Net Leverage Ratio would not be in excess of 1.90:1.00, (ii) any Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends or make other distributions ratably (or in a manner more favorable to the Borrower or the Loan Parties) to its equity holders, (iii) so long as no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the Borrower may, or the Borrower may make distributions to Holdings so that Holdings may, repurchase its Equity Interests owned by employees of Holdings, the Borrower or the Subsidiaries or make payments to employees of Holdings, the Borrower or the Subsidiaries upon termination of employment in connection with the exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights or similar equity incentives or equity based incentives pursuant to management incentive plans or in connection with the death or disability of such employees in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year less the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to clause (v) of this Section 6.06(a) during such fiscal year, (iv) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to Holdings at any time (x) in an amount as may be necessary to pay general corporate and overhead expenses incurred by Holdings in the ordinary course of business and (y) for so long as Holdings files tax returns on a consolidated or combined basis with the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in an amount necessary to pay such consolidated or combined Tax liabilities of Holdings (or its direct or indirect parent entity) which are allocable or attributable to (or arising as a result of) the operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (A) the amount of such dividends shall not exceed the amount that the Borrower and the Subsidiaries would be required to pay in respect of United States Federal, State and local taxes were the Borrower and the Subsidiaries to file their own consolidated or combined group and (B) all Restricted Payments made to Holdings (or its direct or indirect parent entity) pursuant to this clause (iv) are used by Holdings (or its direct or indirect parent entity) for the purposes specified herein within 20 days of the receipt thereof and (v) Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries may make up to $5,000,000 of Restricted Payments in any fiscal year to their directors, officers or employees in connection with directors’ qualifying shares, incentive shares, management or employee compensation,  stock option or other benefit plans permitted hereunder, including non-cash repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the purchase price of such options.

 

(b)   Enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (i) the ability of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets, or (ii) the ability of any Subsidiary or Joint Venture to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided that (A) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law, by the HPUC Decision and Order or by any Loan Document, (B) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions

 

 

contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale, provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (C) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed on any Foreign Subsidiary by the terms of any Indebtedness of such Foreign Subsidiary permitted to be incurred hereunder, (D) clause (i) of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness and (E) clause (i) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof.

 

SECTION 6.07.  Transactions with Affiliates.  Except for transactions between or among Loan Parties, sell or transfer any property or assets to, or purchase or acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in (a) any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may engage in any of the foregoing transactions (i) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, or (ii) that have been either (x) approved by a majority of the independent members of the board of directors of the Borrower having no, direct or indirect, personal stake or economic interest in such transactions and certified by a Financial Officer or executive officer of the Borrower as being on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from a Person who is not such an Affiliate or (y) have been determined by a nationally recognized independent appraisal or investment banking firm to be fair, from a financial standpoint, to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and are on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from a Person who is not such an Affiliate; and (b), without duplication, (i) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.06; (ii) any employment agreements entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans or similar employee benefit plans approved in good faith by the board of directors of the Borrower or of a Subsidiary, as appropriate; provided, that any such issuance, payment, award or grant constituting a Restricted Payment is otherwise permitted by Section 6.06; (iii) the grant of stock options or similar rights to employees and directors of the Borrower pursuant to plans approved by the board of directors of the Borrower; (iv) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business which are approved by a majority of the board of directors of the Borrower in good faith, to the extent permitted by Section 6.04(e); (v) the payment of customary compensation and reasonable fees to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, directors, officers, consultants and employees of Holdings, of the Borrower and of the Subsidiaries; provided, that any such payment constituting a Restricted Payment is otherwise permitted by Section 6.06; (vi) any purchase by Holdings of Equity Interests of the Borrower or contributions by Holdings to the equity capital of the Borrower; provided that any Equity Interests of the Borrower purchased by Holdings shall be pledged to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement; (vii) transactions with wholly owned Subsidiaries for the purchase or sale of goods, products, parts and services entered into in the ordinary course of business in a manner

 

 

consistent with past practice and (viii) the entry into and performance of any tax sharing agreement permitted by Section 6.06.

 

SECTION 6.08.  Business of Holdings, Borrower and Subsidiaries.  (a)  With respect to Holdings, engage in any business activities or have any assets or liabilities other than its ownership of the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Acquired Entity and the liabilities incidental thereto, including its liabilities pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

 

(b)   With respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, engage at any time in any business or business activity other than the business currently conducted by it and business activities reasonably incidental thereto.

 

SECTION 6.09.  Other Indebtedness and Agreements.  (a)  Permit (i) any waiver, supplement, modification, amendment, termination or release of any indenture, instrument or agreement pursuant to which any Material Indebtedness of Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is outstanding if the effect of such waiver, supplement, modification, amendment, termination or release would materially increase the obligations of the obligor or confer additional material rights on the holder of such Indebtedness in a manner adverse to the Lenders or (ii) any waiver, supplement, modification or amendment of its certificate of incorporation, by-laws, operating, management or partnership agreement or other organizational documents to the extent any such waiver, supplement, modification or amendment would be adverse to the Lenders in any material respect.

 

(b)   Make any distribution, whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof, other than regular scheduled payments of principal and interest as and when due (to the extent not prohibited by applicable subordination provisions), in respect of, or pay, or commit to pay, or directly or indirectly (including pursuant to any Synthetic Purchase Agreement) redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire for consideration, or set apart any sum for the aforesaid purposes, any Indebtedness except (A) the payment of the Indebtedness created hereunder, (B) refinancings of Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Section 6.01, (C) the payment of fees and expenses in respect of any Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01, other than payments in respect of Indebtedness prohibited by the subordination provisions hereof, and (D) the payment of secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness.

 

SECTION 6.10.  Capital Expenditures.  Permit the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures made by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries in any fiscal year of the Borrower to exceed $105,000,000.  The amount of permitted Capital Expenditures set forth in the immediately preceding sentence in respect of any fiscal year commencing with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2012 (such amount for any such Fiscal Year, the “Capital Expenditure Base Amount”), shall be increased (but not decreased) by (i) any Retained Excess Cash Flow Amount at such time, (ii) 25% of the revenues attributable to any Permitted Acquisitions occurring during such fiscal year and (iii) up to 100% of the Capital Expenditure Base Amount in respect of the immediately preceding fiscal year (and solely the immediately preceding fiscal year) which was not expended during such fiscal year (the

 

 

“Capital Expenditure Carryover Amount”); provided that any Capital Expenditures made in a particular fiscal year shall first be deemed to have been made with any available Capital Expenditure Base Amount before any Capital Expenditure Carryover Amount for such fiscal year is applied.

 

SECTION 6.11.  Interest Coverage Ratio.  Permit the Interest Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, in each case taken as one accounting period, ending on a date set forth below to be less than the ratio set forth opposite such date or period below:

 

	
Date or Period
    	
 
    	
Ratio
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
June 30,   2012
    	
 
    	
4.00:1.00
    
	
September 30,   2012
    	
 
    	
4.00:1.00
    
	
December 31,   2012
    	
 
    	
4.25:1.00
    
	
March 31,   2013
    	
 
    	
4.25:1.00
    
	
June 30,   2013
    	
 
    	
4.25:1.00
    
	
September 30,   2013
    	
 
    	
4.25:1.00
    
	
December 31,   2013 and each subsequent fiscal quarter
    	
 
    	
4.50:1.00
    

 

SECTION 6.12.  Maximum Leverage Ratio.  Permit the Leverage Ratio as of the date specified below to be greater than the ratio set forth opposite such date below for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such date:

 

	
Date
    	
 
    	
Ratio
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
June 30,   2012
    	
 
    	
3.25:1.00
    
	
September 30,   2012
    	
 
    	
3.25:1.00
    
	
December 31,   2012
    	
 
    	
3.00:1.00
    
	
March 31,   2013
    	
 
    	
3.00:1.00
    
	
June 30,   2013
    	
 
    	
3.00:1.00
    
	
September 30,   2013
    	
 
    	
3.00:1.00
    

 

 

	
Date
    	
 
    	
Ratio
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
December 31,   2013
    	
 
    	
3.00:1.00
    
	
March 31,   2014
    	
 
    	
3.00:1.00
    
	
June 30,   2014
    	
 
    	
3.00:1.00
    
	
September 30,   2014
    	
 
    	
3.00:1.00
    
	
December 31,   2014
    	
 
    	
3.00:1.00
    
	
March 31,   2015
    	
 
    	
2.75:1.00
    
	
June 30,   2015
    	
 
    	
2.75:1.00
    
	
September 30,   2015
    	
 
    	
2.75:1.00
    
	
December 31,   2015
    	
 
    	
2.75:1.00
    
	
March 31,   2016
    	
 
    	
2.75:1.00
    
	
June 30,   2016
    	
 
    	
2.75:1.00
    
	
September 30,   2016
    	
 
    	
2.75:1.00
    
	
December 31,   2016 and each subsequent fiscal quarter
    	
 
    	
2.50:1.00
    

 

SECTION 6.13.  Fiscal Year.  With respect to Holdings and the Borrower, change their fiscal year-end to a date other than December 31.

 

SECTION 6.14.  Certain Equity Securities.  Issue any Equity Interest that is not Qualified Capital Stock.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Events of Default

 

In case of the happening of any of the following events (“Events of Default”):

 

(a) any representation or warranty made or deemed made in or in connection with any Loan Document or the borrowings hereunder, or any representation, warranty, statement or information contained in any report, certificate, financial statement or other instrument furnished in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when so made, deemed made or furnished;

 

(b) default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise;

 

(c) default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or the Administrative Agent Fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in (b) above) due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;

 

 

(d) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.01(a), 5.02, 5.05 or 5.08 or in Article VI;

 

(e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance by Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in (b), (c) or (d) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice shall also be given at the request of any Lender);

 

(f) (i)  Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to pay any principal or interest, regardless of amount, due in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable (after giving effect to any applicable grace period specified in the agreement or instrument governing such Indebtedness), (ii) any other event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice but after giving effect to any applicable grace period specified in the agreement or instrument governing such Indebtedness) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (ii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness or (iii) an “Event of Default” (as defined in the Revolving Facility Agreement) shall have occurred;

 

(g) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property or assets of Holdings, the Borrower or a Subsidiary or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

(h) Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or approve, acquiesce to or take any action in furtherance of, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in (g) above, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator,

 

 

conservator or similar official for Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property or assets of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding that would entitle the other party or parties to an order for relief, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (vi) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

(i) one or more judgments shall be rendered against Holdings, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 45 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment and such judgment (i) is for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $7,500,000 or (ii) could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(j) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates in an aggregate amount exceeding $7,500,000;

 

(k) any Guarantee under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement for any reason shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms), or any Guarantor shall deny in writing that it has any further liability under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (other than as a result of the discharge of such Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents);

 

(l) any security interest purported to be created by any Security Document shall cease to be, or shall be asserted by the Borrower or any other Loan Party not to be, a valid, perfected, first priority (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or such Security Document) security interest in a material portion of the securities, assets or properties covered thereby, except as a result of the sale or other disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transactions permitted under the Loan Documents; or

 

(m) there shall have occurred a Change in Control;

 

(n) the HPUC shall have removed its approval of the Borrower’s consummation of the Transactions or placed conditions upon its approval that are materially different from those set forth in the HPUC Decision and Order and could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(o) the DCCA shall have removed its approval of the Borrower’s consummation of the Transactions or placed conditions upon its approval that are materially different from those set forth in the DCCA Decision and Order and could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

 

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to Holdings or the Borrower described in paragraph (g) or (h) above) the Commitments shall automatically terminate and, at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Administrative Agent Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding; and in any event with respect to Holdings or the Borrower described in paragraph (g) or (h) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Administrative Agent Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent; Etc.

 

Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent (for purposes of this Article VIII, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent are referred to collectively as the “Agents”) its agent and authorizes the Agents to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to such Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agents are hereby expressly authorized to (i) execute any and all documents (including releases) with respect to the Collateral and the rights of the Secured Parties with respect thereto, as contemplated by and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Security Documents and (ii) negotiate, enforce or the settle any claim, action or proceeding affecting the Lenders in their capacity as such, at the direction of the Required Lenders, which negotiation, enforcement or settlement will be binding upon each Lender.

 

The institution serving as the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral 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 an Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with Holdings, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not an Agent hereunder.

 

Neither Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) neither Agent shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has

 

 

occurred and is continuing, (b) neither Agent shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that such Agent is instructed in writing to exercise by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.08), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, neither Agent shall have any duty to disclose, nor shall it be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to Holdings, the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. Neither Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.08) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.  Neither Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to such Agent by Holdings, the Borrower or a Lender, and neither Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered thereunder or in connection therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent.

 

Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person.  Each Agent may also rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  Each 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.

 

Each Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by it.  Each Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of each Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facilities as well as activities as Agent.

 

Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided below, either Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders and the Borrower.  Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor subject, except after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, to the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

 

If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank.  If no successor Agent has been appointed pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence by the 30th day after the date such notice of resignation was given by such Agent, such Agent’s resignation shall become effective and the Required Lenders shall thereafter perform all the duties of such Agent hereunder and/or under any other Loan Document until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent, as the case may be.  Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder.  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After an Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.05 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while acting as Agent.

 

Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agents or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document, the Lead Arranger is named as such for recognition purposes only, and in its capacity as such shall have no duties, responsibilities or liabilities with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document; it being understood and agreed that the Lead Arranger shall be entitled to all indemnification and reimbursement rights in favor of the Agents provided herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Without limitation of the foregoing, the Lead Arranger in its capacity as such shall, by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, have any fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender, Loan Party or any other Person.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 9.01.  Notices; Electronic Communications.  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, as follows:

 

 

(a)   if to the Borrower, Holdings, any other Guarantor or any Grantor (as defined in he Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), to it at 1177 Bishop Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, Attention of Robert Reich, Chief Financial Officer (Fax No. 808-546-8957) with a copy to Leonard Klingbaum, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022 (Fax No. 212-446-6460, Email: leonard.klingbaum@kirkland.com);

 

(b)   if to the Administrative Agent, to Credit Suisse, Agency Manager, One Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010, Fax No. 212-322-2291, Email:  agency.loanops@credit-suisse.com; and

 

(c)   if to a Lender, to it at its address (or fax number) set forth on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have become a party hereto.

 

All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by fax or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 9.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 9.01.  As agreed to among Holdings, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lenders from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable Person provided from time to time by such Person.

 

The Borrower hereby agrees, unless directed otherwise by the Administrative Agent or unless the electronic mail address referred to below has not been provided by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, that it will, or will cause its Subsidiaries to, provide to the Administrative Agent all information, documents and other materials that it is obligated to furnish to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Loan Documents or to the Lenders under Article 5, including all notices, requests, financial statements, financial and other reports, certificates and other information materials, but excluding any such communication that (i) is or relates to a Borrowing Request or a notice pursuant to Section 2.10, (ii) relates to the payment of any principal or other amount due under this Agreement prior to the scheduled date therefor, (iii) provides notice of any Default or Event of Default under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or (iv) is required to be delivered to satisfy any condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement and/or any Borrowing or other extension of credit hereunder (all such non-excluded communications being referred to herein collectively as “Communications”), by transmitting the Communications in an electronic/soft medium that is properly identified in a format acceptable to the Administrative Agent to an electronic mail address as directed by the Administrative Agent.  In addition, the Borrower agrees, and agrees to cause its Subsidiaries, to continue to provide the Communications to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, as the case may be, in the manner specified in the Loan Documents but only to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

 

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, the “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on Intralinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a “Public Lender”).  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 and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information 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 11.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated as “Public Investor;” and (z) the Administrative Agent 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 marked as “Public Investor.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Borrower Materials shall be marked “PUBLIC”, unless the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent promptly that any such document contains material non-public information: (1) the Loan Documents and (2) notification of changes in the terms of the Facilities.

 

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 Communications 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.

 

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”.  NEITHER THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT NOR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES WARRANTS THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM AND EACH EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE COMMUNICATIONS.  NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS IS MADE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE PLATFORM.  IN NO

 

 

EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY OF ITS RELATED PARTIES HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER OR NOT BASED ON STRICT LIABILITY AND INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN PARTY’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE LIABILITY OF ANY SUCH PERSON IS FOUND IN A FINAL RULING BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO HAVE RESULTED PRIMARILY FROM SUCH PERSON’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

 

The Administrative Agent agrees that the receipt of the Communications by the Administrative Agent at its e-mail address set forth above shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to the Administrative Agent for purposes of the Loan Documents.  Each Lender agrees that receipt of notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that the Communications have been posted to the Platform shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents.  Each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (including by electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s e-mail address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and that the foregoing notice may be sent to such e-mail address.

 

SECTION 9.02.  Survival of Agreement.  Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.
 All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower or Holdings herein and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans, regardless of any investigation made by the Lenders or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any Administrative Agent Fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not been terminated.  The provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.16, 2.20 and 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Loans, the expiration of the Commitments, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender.

 

SECTION 9.03.  Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower, Holdings and the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto.

 

 

SECTION 9.04.  Successors and Assigns.  (a)  Whenever in this Agreement any of the parties hereto is referred to, such reference shall be deemed to include the permitted successors and assigns of such party; and all covenants, promises and agreements by or on behalf of the Borrower, Holdings, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Lenders that are contained in this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b)   Each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it), with notice to the Borrower (failure to provide or delay in providing such notice shall not invalidate such assignment) and, unless the assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or a Related Fund, with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that (i) the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall be in an integral multiple of, and not less than, $1,000,000 (or, if less, the entire remaining amount of such Lender’s Commitment or Loans of the relevant Class); provided that simultaneous assignments by two or more Related Funds shall be combined for purposes of determining whether the minimum assignment requirement is met, (ii) the parties to each assignment shall (A) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance via an electronic settlement system acceptable to the Administrative Agent or (B) if previously agreed with the Administrative Agent, manually execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, and, in each case, shall pay to the Administrative Agent a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (which fee may be waived or reduced in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), and (iii) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire (in which the assignee shall designate one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Loan Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws) and all applicable tax forms.  Upon acceptance and recording pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section 9.04, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, (A) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement and (B) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.16, 2.20 and 9.05).

 

(c)   By executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the assigning Lender thereunder and the assignee thereunder shall be deemed to confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties hereto as follows:  (i) such assigning Lender warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free and clear

 

 

of any adverse claim and that its Term Loan Commitment, and the outstanding balances of its Term Loans without giving effect to assignments thereof which have not become effective, are as set forth in such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) except as set forth in (i) above, such assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with this Agreement, or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto, or the financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the performance or observance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any of its obligations under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance and that it is not a Designated Entity; (iv) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.05(a) or delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; (v) such assignee will independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, such assigning Lender or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement; (vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as are delegated to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, respectively, by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vii) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations which by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

(d)   The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in The City of New York a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Collateral Agent and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(e)   Upon its receipt of, and consent to, a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, an Administrative Questionnaire completed in respect of the assignee (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) above, if applicable, and the written consent of the Administrative Agent to such assignment and any applicable tax forms, the Administrative Agent shall (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance and (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register. No

 

 

assignment shall be effective unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph (e).

 

(f)   Each Lender may without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent sell participations to one or more banks or other Persons in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided, however, 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, (iii) the participating banks or other Persons shall be entitled to the benefit of the cost protection provisions contained in Sections 2.14, 2.16 and 2.20 to the same extent as if they were Lenders (but, with respect to any particular participant, to no greater extent than the Lender that sold the participation to such participant) and (iv) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the obligations of the Borrower relating to the Loans and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement (other than amendments, modifications or waivers decreasing any fees payable to such participating bank or Person hereunder or the amount of principal of or the rate at which interest is payable on the Loans in which such participating bank or Person has an interest, extending any scheduled principal payment date or date fixed for the payment of interest on the Loans in which such participating bank or Person has an interest, increasing or extending the Commitments in which such participating bank or Person has an interest or releasing any Guarantor (other than in connection with the sale of such Guarantor in a transaction permitted by Section 6.05) or all or substantially all of the Collateral).  To the extent permitted by law, each participating bank or other Person also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.06 as though it were a Lender, provided such participating bank or other Person agrees to be subject to Section 2.18 as though it were a Lender.  Each Lender that sells a participation, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Loans or its other obligations under any Loan Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.

 

(g)   Any Lender or participant may, in connection with any assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation pursuant to this Section 9.04, disclose to the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant any information relating to the Borrower furnished to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower; provided that, prior to any such disclosure of information designated by the Borrower as confidential, each such assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant shall execute an agreement whereby such assignee or participant shall agree (subject to

 

 

customary exceptions) to preserve the confidentiality of such confidential information on terms no less restrictive than those applicable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 9.16.

 

(h)   Any Lender may at any time assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure extensions of credit to such Lender or in support of obligations owed by such Lender; provided that no such assignment shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(i)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPV”), identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the option to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPV to make any Loan and (ii) if an SPV elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof.  The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender.  Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement (all liability for which shall remain with the Granting Lender).  In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPV, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof.  In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 9.04, any SPV may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to the Granting Lender or to any financial institutions (consented to by the Borrower and Administrative Agent) providing liquidity and/or credit support to or for the account of such SPV to support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPV.

 

(j)   Neither Holdings nor the Borrower shall assign or delegate any of its rights or duties hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void.

 

SECTION 9.05.  Expenses; Indemnity.  (a)   The Borrower and Holdings agree, jointly and severally, to pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facilities and the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or in connection with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions hereby or thereby contemplated shall be consummated), and all reasonable

 

 

out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Shearman & Sterling LLP, counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and, in connection with any such enforcement or protection, the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of one primary counsel, one local counsel and one special counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders, collectively (except that, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict among any of the Lenders, the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, the fees and expenses of one separate counsel for all persons similarly situated as required to address such conflict shall also be reimbursed).

 

(b)   The Borrower and Holdings agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable and documented counsel fees, charges and disbursements, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of any actions, judgments, suits, litigations or investigations of any kind or nature whatsoever, arising out of or in connection with (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated thereby (including the syndication of the Credit Facilities), (ii) the use of the proceeds of the Loans, (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto (and regardless of whether such matter is initiated by a third party or by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates), or (iv) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on any property currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or the Subsidiaries; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted primarily from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

 

(c)   To the extent that Holdings and the Borrower fail to pay any amount required to be paid by them to the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, 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) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in its capacity as such.  For purposes hereof, a Lender’s “pro

 

 

rata share” shall be determined based upon its share of the outstanding Term Loans and unused Commitments at the time.

 

(d)   To the extent permitted by applicable law, neither Holdings nor the Borrower shall assert, and each hereby waives, 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 or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof.

 

The provisions of this Section 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Loans, the expiration of the Commitments, the invalidity or unenforceability of any other term or provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender.  All amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall be payable not later than 10 days after written demand therefor accompanied by reasonable documentation with respect to any amount so requested.

 

SECTION 9.06.  Right of Setoff.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, except to the extent prohibited by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or Holdings against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower or Holdings now or hereafter existing under this Agreement and other Loan Documents held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured.  The rights of each Lender under this Section 9.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

 

SECTION 9.07.  Applicable Law.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

SECTION 9.08.  Waivers; Amendment.  (a)  No failure or delay of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender in exercising any power or right hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) below,

 

 

and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  No notice or demand on the Borrower or Holdings in any case shall entitle the Borrower or Holdings to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)   Neither this Agreement, any Loan Document nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower, Holdings and the Required Lenders; provided, however, that no such agreement shall (i) decrease the principal amount of, or extend the maturity of or any scheduled principal payment date or date for the payment of any interest on any Loan, or waive or excuse any such payment or any part thereof, or decrease the rate of interest on any Loan, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly adversely affected thereby, (ii) increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender without the prior written consent of such Lender, (iii) amend or modify the pro rata requirements of Section 2.17, the provisions of Section 9.04(j) or the provisions of this Section or release all or substantially all of the value of the guarantees of the Guarantors under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or all or substantially all of the Collateral, without the prior written consent of each Lender (unless such transaction is permitted pursuant to the terms hereof), (iv) change the provisions of any Loan Document in a manner that by its terms adversely affects the rights in respect of payments due to Lenders holding Loans of one Class differently from the rights of Lenders holding Loans of any other Class without the prior written consent of Lenders holding a majority in interest of the outstanding Loans and unused Commitments of each adversely affected Class, (v) modify the protections afforded to an SPV pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.04(i) without the written consent of such SPV, (vi) amend or modify Section 9.04 to impose any additional restrictions on any Lender’s ability to assign its rights and obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender or (vii) reduce the percentage contained in the definition of the term “Required Lenders” without the prior written consent of each Lender (it being understood that with the consent of the Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Term Loan Commitments on the date hereof); provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent.

 

(c)   The Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend any Loan Document to correct administrative errors or omissions, or to effect administrative changes that are not adverse to any Lender; provided that the Lenders shall have been given at least five Business Day’s prior written notice and the Required Lenders shall not have raised an objection thereto.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, such amendment shall become effective without any further consent of any other party to such Loan Document.

 

SECTION 9.09.  Interest Rate Limitation.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law

 

 

(collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan or participation in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan or participation hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan or participation but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section 9.09 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or participations or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

 

SECTION 9.10.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, the Engagement Letter and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof.  Any other previous agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Nothing in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto and thereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereunder and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders) any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 9.11.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY 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, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.

 

SECTION 9.12.  Severability.  In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction).  The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

 

SECTION 9.13.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 9.03.  Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.14.  Headings.  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.15.  Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.  (a)  Each of Holdings and the Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or Federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by 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 shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents against the Borrower, Holdings or their respective properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(b)   Each of Holdings and the Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or Federal court.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(c)   Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01.  Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

SECTION 9.16.  Confidentiality.  Each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ officers, directors, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel, other advisors and numbering, administration and settlement service providers (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and obligated to keep such Information

 

 

confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority or quasi-regulatory authority (such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or any suit, action or proceeding relating to the enforcement of its rights hereunder or thereunder, (e) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 9.16, to (i) any actual or prospective assignee of or participant in any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective obligations, (f) with the consent of the Borrower or (g) to the extent such Information becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.16.  For the purposes of this Section, “Information” shall mean all information received from the Borrower or Holdings and related to the Borrower or Holdings or their business, other than any such information that was available to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to its disclosure by the Borrower or Holdings; provided that, in the case of Information received from the Borrower or Holdings 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 9.16 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 its own confidential information.

 

SECTION 9.17.  Lender Action.  Each Lender agrees that it shall not take or institute any actions or proceedings, judicial or otherwise, for any right or remedy against any Loan Party or any other obligor under any of the Loan Documents (including the exercise of any right of setoff, rights on account of any banker’s lien or similar claim or other rights of self-help), or institute any actions or proceedings, or otherwise commence any remedial procedures, with respect to any Collateral or any other property of any such Loan Party, unless expressly provided for herein or in any other Loan Document, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.  The provisions of this Section 9.17 are for the sole benefit of the Lenders and shall not afford any right to, or constitute a defense available to, any Loan Party.

 

SECTION 9.18.  USA PATRIOT Act Notice.  Each Lender and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies Holdings and the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Holdings and the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of Holdings and the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify Holdings and the Borrower in accordance with the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

[Signature pages follow.]Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

DATED 3 JULY 2013

 

KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL
  as Original Borrower

 

 

- and -

 

 

KOSMOS ENERGY LTD.
  as Original Guarantor

 

 

- and -

 

 

SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH
 as Facility Agent, Security Agent and Account Bank

 

 

- and -

 

THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED IN SCHEDULE 1
  as Original Lender

 

 

UP TO USD 150,000,000 MULTICURRENCY REVOLVING 
 LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT

 

 

 

Slaughter and May
 One Bunhill Row
 London
 EC1Y 8YY
 (SRG/TXI)

 

515794578

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
PART 1 INTERPRETATION
    	
3
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
1.
    	
Definitions and Interpretation
    	
3
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
PART 2 CONDITIONS   PRECEDENT
    	
25
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.
    	
Conditions Precedent
    	
25
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
PART 3 OPERATION OF THE   FACILITY
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
3.
    	
The Facility
    	
26
    
	
4.
    	
Finance Parties’ Rights and   Obligations
    	
28
    
	
5.
    	
Purpose
    	
29
    
	
6.
    	
Utilisation
    	
29
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
PART 4 PAYMENTS,   CANCELLATION, INTEREST AND FEES
    	
39
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
7.
    	
Repayment
    	
39
    
	
8.
    	
Prepayment and Cancellation
    	
39
    
	
9.
    	
Interest
    	
43
    
	
10.
    	
Fees
    	
43
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
PART 5   TAXES, INCREASED COSTS AND INDEMNITIES
    	
45
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
11.
    	
Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities
    	
45
    
	
12.
    	
Increased costs
    	
47
    
	
13.
    	
Other Indemnities
    	
49
    
	
14.
    	
Mitigation by the Lenders
    	
50
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
PART 6 FINANCIAL   INFORMATION
    	
51
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
15.
    	
Information Undertakings
    	
51
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
PART 7 GUARANTEE
    	
56
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
16.
    	
Guarantee and Indemnity
    	
56
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
PART 8 REPRESENTATIONS,   COVENANTS, EVENTS OF DEFAULT
    	
59
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
17.
    	
Representations
    	
59
    
	
18.
    	
Financial Covenants
    	
62
    
	
19.
    	
General Undertakings
    	
63
    
	
20.
    	
Events of Default
    	
65
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
PART 9 CHANGES TO LENDERS   AND OBLIGORS AND ROLES
    	
70
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
21.
    	
Changes to the Lenders
    	
70
    
	
22.
    	
Changes to the Obligors
    	
75
    
	
23.
    	
Role of the Facility Agent and   the Arranger
    	
75
    
	
24.
    	
The Security Agent
    	
81
    
	
25.
    	
Change of Security Agent and   Delegation
    	
88
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
PART 10 ADMINISTRATION,   COSTS AND EXPENSES
    	
90
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
26.
    	
Bank Accounts
    	
90
    
	
27.
    	
Payment Mechanics
    	
90
    
	
28.
    	
Set-Off
    	
93
    
	
29.
    	
Costs and Expenses
    	
93
    

 

 

	
30.
    	
Indemnities
    	
94
    
	
31.
    	
Notices
    	
95
    
	
32.
    	
Calculations and Certificates
    	
98
    
	
33.
    	
Disclosure To Numbering Service   Providers
    	
99
    
	
34.
    	
Partial Invalidity
    	
100
    
	
35.
    	
Remedies and Waivers
    	
100
    
	
36.
    	
Amendments and Waivers
    	
100
    
	
37.
    	
Counterparts
    	
102
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
PART 11 GOVERNING LAW AND   ENFORCEMENT
    	
103
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
38.
    	
Governing Law
    	
103
    
	
39.
    	
Jurisdiction
    	
103
    
	
40.
    	
Service of Process
    	
103
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 1 The Original Lender
    	
105
    
	
Schedule 2 Conditions Precedent
    	
106
    
	
Part I Conditions Precedent to First Utilisation
    	
106
    
	
Part II Conditions Precedent Required to be   Delivered by an Additional Obligor
    	
107
    
	
Schedule 3 Utilisation Request
    	
108
    
	
Schedule 4 Form of Transfer Certificate
    	
111
    
	
Schedule 5 Form of Compliance Certificate
    	
113
    
	
Schedule 6 Form of Confidentiality Undertaking
    	
115
    
	
Schedule 7 Form of Lender Accession Notice
    	
120
    
	
Schedule 8 Form of Letter of Credit
    	
122
    
	
Schedule 9 Form of Renewal or Extension Request
    	
126
    
	
Schedule 10 Pre-existing Letters of Credit
    	
128
    

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is dated       3 July                            , 2013 and made between:

 

(1)           KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL, a company incorporated in the Cayman Islands, with registered number 256364 and whose registered office is at PO Box 32322, 4th Floor, Century Yard, Cricket Square, Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-1209, Cayman Islands (the “Original Borrower” or the “Company” or “KECI”);

 

(2)           KOSMOS ENERGY LTD., a company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda with registered number 45011 and having its registered office at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda (the “Original Guarantor”);

 

(3)           SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH as Original Lender (the “Original Lender”); and

 

(4)           SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH as facility agent of the Finance Parties under this Agreement (the “Facility Agent”), as the security agent for the Secured Parties (the “Security Agent”) and as the account bank for any Cash Collateral provided by the Original Borrower (the “Account Bank”).

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

(1)           The Original Lender has agreed to provide a secured revolving letter of credit facility for up to USD 150 million.

 

(2)           The parties have agreed to enter into this Agreement for the purpose of setting out the provisions on which such facility will be provided.

 

 

PART 1
 INTERPRETATION

 

1.            DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1          Definitions

 

Each of the defined terms and interpretative provisions set out below and in the above list of parties to this Agreement shall apply to this Agreement and each Finance Document, unless an express contrary intention appears in that Finance Document.

 

“Account Bank” means the Account Bank under the Charge from time to time being, on the date of this Agreement, Societe Generale, London Branch.

 

“Accounting Reference Date” means 31 December of each year.

 

“Additional Commitment Date” has the meaning given to that term in clause 3.2 (Additional Commitments).

 

“Additional Commitment Notice” has the meaning given to it in clause 3.2 (Additional Commitments).

 

“Additional Debt” means, in relation to any debt, any money, debt or liability due, owing or incurred under or in connection with:

 

(A)           any refinancing, deferral, novation or extension of that debt;

 

(B)          any further advance which may be made under any document, agreement or instrument supplemental to any relevant Finance Document together with any related interest, fees and costs;

 

(C)          any claim for damages or restitution in the event of rescission of that debt or otherwise in connection with any relevant Finance Document;

 

(D)          any claim against the Company flowing from any recovery by the Company or any liquidator, receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, compulsory manager or other similar officer of a payment or discharge in respect of that debt on the grounds of preference or otherwise; and

 

(E)           any amount (such as post-insolvency interest) which would be included in any of the above but for any discharge, non-provability, unenforceability or non-allowability of the same in any insolvency or other proceedings.

 

“Additional Guarantor” means any Group member which becomes an additional guarantor in accordance with clause 22.2 (Additional Guarantor).

 

“Additional Lender” has the meaning given to that term in clause 3.2 (Additional Commitments).

 

“Additional Obligor” means an Additional Guarantor.

 

 

“Affected Facility Agent” has the meaning given to that term in clause 23.11 (Replacement of Administrative parties) of this Agreement.

 

“Affiliate” means, in relation to any person, a subsidiary of that person or a holding company of that person or any other subsidiary of that holding company.

 

“Agent” means each of the Facility Agent and the Security Agent and “Agents” shall be construed accordingly.

 

“Agreement” means this facility agreement as amended, supplemented or otherwise varied from time to time.

 

“Approved Accounting Principles” means US generally accepted accounting principles to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements.

 

“Approved Auditor” means any one of Deloitte LLP, Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or such other internationally recognised auditor as the Majority Lenders may approve from time to time (acting reasonably).

 

“Authorisation” means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.

 

“Authorised Signatory” means, in relation to a company or other legal person:

 

(A)          one or more directors who are duly authorised, whether singly or jointly, to act to bind that company or other legal person; or

 

(B)          a person or persons duly authorised by that company or other legal person to act to bind that company or other legal person.

 

“Authority” means any governmental, provincial or local government, department, authority, court, tribunal or other judicial or regulatory body, instrumentality or agency in any of the countries where the Borrower operates its business.

 

“Availability Period” means the period from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the date falling one month before the Termination Date.

 

“Available Commitment” means a Lender’s Commitment minus:

 

(A)          the amount (in the Base Currency) of its participation in any outstanding Letter of Credit; and

 

(B)          in relation to any proposed Utilisation, the amount (in the Base Currency) of its participation in any Letter of Credit that is due to be issued on or before the proposed Utilisation Date,

 

other than that Lender’s participation in any Letter of Credit that is due to be repaid or prepaid on or before the proposed Utilisation Date.

 

 

“Available Facility” means the aggregate for the time being of each Lender’s Available Commitment.

 

“Base Currency” means US Dollars.

 

“Base Currency Amount” means, in relation to a Letter of Credit, the amount specified in the Utilisation Request delivered by a Borrower for that Letter of Credit (or, if the amount requested is not denominated in the Base Currency, that amount converted into the Base Currency at the Facility Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange on the date which is three Business Days before the Utilisation Date or, if later, on the date the Facility Agent receives the Utilisation Request).

 

“Basel II” has the meaning given to it in clause 12.3 (Exceptions).

 

“Basel III” means the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, “Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring” and “Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision on 16 December 2010.

 

“Beneficiary” means any person to whom any Letter of Credit is issued in favour of.

 

“Borrower” means the Original Borrower.

 

“Business Day” means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) when banks are open for business in London, Paris and, in the case of a Letter of Credit which is not governed by English law, in the principal banking city of such jurisdiction.

 

“Calculation Date” means:

 

(A)          31 March and 30 September in each year commencing on and from 30 September 2013; and

 

(B)          a date (selected by the Company) which is within 30 days before the occurrence of each of the following events:

 

(i)            the issuance of HY Notes;

 

(ii)           any increase of the “Total Available Facility Amount” (as defined in the RBL Facility Agreement) or any refinancing of the RBL Facility Agreement;

 

(iii)          any increase of the amount available under the Facility or any refinancing of the Facility, provided that any increase in the Total Commitments pursuant to clause 3.2 (Additional Commitments) shall not trigger a Calculation Date if the Additional Commitment Notice has been given within 90 days of a previous occurrence of a Calculation Date;

 

 

(iv)          the incurrence by any member of the Group of any new Financial Indebtedness (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not including the refinancing of any existing Financial Indebtedness, except as provided for in paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above); or

 

(v)           a Ghana Petroleum Agreement Small Sale Event.

 

“Calculation Trigger Event” means any event listed in paragraphs (B)(i) to (v) of the definition of “Calculation Date”.

 

“Cash Collateral” means the cash denominated in US Dollars deposited in the LC Cash Collateral Accounts in accordance with clause 6.14 (Cash collateralisation) or 20.15(C) (Acceleration).

 

“Change of Control” has the meaning given to that term in clause 8.2 (Change of Control) of this Agreement.

 

“Charge” means the charge on cash deposits and the account bank agreement dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Company, the Security Agent and the Account Bank.

 

“Charged Property” means all of the assets which from time to time are, or are expressed to be, the subject of the Transaction Security.

 

“Committed Additional Participation” has the meaning given to it in clause 3.2 (Additional Commitments).

 

“Commitment” means:

 

(A)          in relation to an Original Lender, the amount in Base Currency set opposite its name under the heading “Commitment” in Schedule 1 (The Original Lender) of this Agreement, the amount of any other Commitment transferred to it and the amount of any Committed Additional Participation assumed by it pursuant to clause 3.2 (Additional Commitments); and

 

(B)          in relation to any other Lender, the amount in Base Currency of any Commitment transferred to it and the amount of any Committed Additional Participation assumed by it pursuant to clause 3.2 (Additional Commitments),

 

to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it.

 

“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Compliance Certificate) of this Agreement.

 

“Conditions Precedent” means the conditions precedent to initial Utilisation of the Facility as set out in Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) of this Agreement.

 

 

“Confidentiality Undertaking” means a confidentiality undertaking substantially in the form of Schedule 6 (Form of Confidentiality Undertaking) of this Agreement or in any other form agreed between the Company and the Facility Agent.

 

“Consolidated Cash and Cash Equivalents” means, in relation to the Group, at any time:

 

(A)          cash in hand or on deposit including, for the avoidance of doubt, restricted cash;

 

(B)          any investment in a liquidity fund, provided that such investment is capable of being withdrawn in cash on not more than five Business Days’ notice;

 

(C)          certificates of deposit, maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation;

 

(D)          any investment in marketable obligations in Sterling, US Dollar or Euro having not more than three months to final maturity issued or guaranteed with a rating of A- or above by Standard and Poor’s (or its equivalent by Moody’s);

 

(E)           any other instrument, security or investment approved in writing by the Majority Lenders.

 

“Consolidated Total Borrowings” means, in relation to the Group, at any time the aggregate of the following:

 

(A)          the outstanding principal amount of any Financial Indebtedness incurred;

 

(B)          any fixed or minimum premium payable on the repayment or redemption of any instrument referred to in paragraph (A) above; and

 

(C)          the outstanding principal amount of any indebtedness arising in connection with any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) which has the commercial effect of a borrowing,

 

including any interest treated as capitalised under applicable Approved Accounting Principles but without double-counting and, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any such amount or indebtedness owed by one member of the Group to another member of the Group.

 

“Consolidated Total Net Borrowings” means, for any Measurement Period, Consolidated Total Borrowings less Consolidated Cash and Cash Equivalents each as at the last day of that Measurement Period.

 

“Contractor” means the contractor under the WCTP PA and the DWT PA respectively from time to time.

 

“Default” means an Event of Default or event which, with the giving of notice, lapse of time, or fulfilment of any condition, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

 

“Delegate” means any delegate, agent, attorney or co-trustee appointed by the Security Agent.

 

“Deposit Agreements” means the agreements signed on or about the date of this Deed (or any future date providing the agreements are in substantially the same form as those signed on the date of this Deed) between KECI and Societe Generale, London Branch which detail the terms and conditions which apply to the Accounts (as defined in the Charge).

 

“Derivative Agreement” means an ISDA Master Agreement or similar agreement pursuant to which Derivative Transactions are entered into by the Borrower with a counterparty.

 

“Derivative Transaction” means any transaction entered into under a Derivative Agreement, including (but not limited to) any transaction which is a forward rate agreement, option, future, swap, cap, floor and any combination of the foregoing.

 

“Discharge Date” means the first date on which all liabilities (whether actual or contingent) owed to the Finance Parties have finally been discharged and such Finance Parties are under no further obligation to provide financial accommodation under the Finance Documents.

 

“Discharged Rights and Obligations” has the meaning given to it in clause 21.6 (Procedure for transfer).

 

“Dispute” has the meaning given to it in clause 39.1 (Submission).

 

“Disruption Event” means either or both of:

 

(A)          a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with the Facility (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties; or

 

(B)          the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (including, without limitation, disruption of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing or severely inhibiting that or any other Party:

 

(i)            from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or

 

(ii)           from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents, 

 

and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.

 

 

“DWT Block” means the Deep Water Tano area offshore Ghana, being the area described in Annex 1 of the DWT PA, but excluding any portions of such area in respect of which the Contractor’s rights thereunder are from time to time relinquished or surrendered pursuant to the DWT PA.

 

“DWT PA” means the petroleum agreement dated 10 March 2006 between the Government of Ghana, represented by the Minister, the GNPC, Tullow Ghana Limited, Sabre Oil and Gas Limited and KEG in respect of the DWT Block (and all amendments and supplements thereto).

 

“EBITDAX” means, in relation to the Group for any Measurement Period, its consolidated income on ordinary activities before Tax for that period, but adjusted by:

 

(A)           adding back Net Interest Payable;

 

(B)          adding back depletion and depreciation charged to the consolidated profit and loss account of the Group;

 

(C)          adding back amounts amortised to the consolidated profit and loss account of the Group;

 

(D)          adding back any amount attributable to exploration expense (except to the extent that any such exploration expenses have been capitalised);

 

(E)           adding back any amount attributable to unrealised losses, and deducting any amount attributable to unrealised gains on the value of any Derivative Transaction;

 

(F)           adding back any amount attributable to a loss and deducting any amount attributable to a gain against book value on the disposal of any non-current asset and any amount attributable to an impairment charge relating to a non-current asset;

 

(G)          adding back the amount attributable to any compensation which is paid by way of equity instruments in KEL;

 

(H)          adding back or deducting (as applicable) the amount attributable to any other material item of an unusual or non-recurring nature which represent gains or losses, including (but not limited to) those arising on:

 

(i)             the refinancing of or the extinguishment of any financing, in relation to any cost associated with the original financing which is subsequently written off as a consequence of that refinancing or extinguishment; and

 

(ii)            the restructuring of the activities of an entity and the reversal of any provisions for the cost of restructuring,

 

 

for that Measurement Period.  In addition, for the purposes of the calculation of the financial covenant contained in clause 18 (Financial Covenants), EBITDAX in relation to the Group for any Measurement Period shall be adjusted by:

 

(I)            including the EBITDAX of a subsidiary of the Company or attributable to a business or asset acquired during that Measurement Period for the part of the Measurement Period when it was not a member of the Group and/or the business or asset was not owned by a member of the Group; and

 

(J)            excluding the EBITDAX attributable to any subsidiary of the Company or to any business or asset sold during that Measurement Period.

 

“Enforcement Action” shall have the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

“EO” means EO Group Limited, a Cayman Islands company with registered company number 219175 whose registered place of business is at PMB CT 123, Cantonments, 112A Adole Crescent Way, Airport, Accra, Ghana (formerly known as the KG Group Limited).

 

“Euro” means the single currency of the Participating Member States.

 

“Event of Default” means any event or circumstance specified as such in clause 20 (Events of Default) of this Agreement.

 

“Excess Cash Collateral” has the meaning given to it in clause 6.14(F) (Cash Collateralisation).

 

“Existing Lender” has the meaning given to it in clause 21.1 (Assignments and transfers and changes in Facility Office by the Lenders).

 

“Facility” means the revolving letter of credit facility made available under this Agreement as described in clause 3 (The Facility) of this Agreement.

 

“Facility Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange” means the Facility Agent’s spot rate of exchange for the purchase of the relevant currency with the Base Currency in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11:00 a.m. on a particular day.

 

“Facility Office” means the office or offices notified by a Lender to the Facility Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date, by not less than five Business Days’ written notice where notice is required under clause 23.13 (Facility Agent relationship with the Lenders)) as the office or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

“Fee Letter” means:

 

(A)          any letter or letters dated after the date of this Agreement between any Finance Party and the Company which are required following any syndication of the Facility and which set out any of the fees referred to in clause 10 (Fees) of this Agreement and any other fees payable by

 

 

the Company to a Finance Party pursuant to a Finance Document or payable under the Facility; and

 

(B)          the letter dated on or around the date of this Agreement between Societe Generale, London Branch and KECI which details the fee payable in respect of the arrangement of the Facility.

 

“Finance Document” means this Agreement, each Security Document, any Fee Letter and any other document designated as such by the Facility Agent and the Company.

 

“Finance Party” means each of the Lenders, the Facility Agent and the Security Agent and “Finance Parties” shall be construed accordingly.

 

“Financial Covenants” means the financial covenants listed under clause 18 (Financial Covenants) of this Agreement.

 

“Financial Indebtedness” means any indebtedness for or in respect of:

 

(A)          moneys borrowed;

 

(B)          any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent;

 

(C)          any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;

 

(D)          the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would be treated in the accounts of the relevant entity as a finance or capital lease;

 

(E)           receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis);

 

(F)           any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the market to market value shall be taken into account);

 

(G)          any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) of a type not referred to in any other paragraph of this definition but which is classified as a borrowing in the accounts of the relevant entity;

 

(H)          any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution in respect of an underlying liability of an entity which is not a member of the Group and which underlying liability would fall within one of the other paragraphs of this definition if it were a liability of a member of the Group; and

 

 

(I)            the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (A) to (H) above (but only to the extent that the Financial Indebtedness supported thereby is or is at any time in the future capable of being outstanding).

 

“First Currency” has the meaning given to it in clause 13.1 (Currency indemnity).

 

“Ghana Petroleum Agreements” means, together, the DWT PA and the WCTP PA (and all other amendments and supplements thereto).

 

“Ghana Petroleum Agreement Seller” means KEI and/or KED and/or KEG, as applicable.

 

“Ghana Petroleum Agreement Small Sale Event” means any event which reduces a Ghana Petroleum Agreement Seller’s indirect or direct interest in the Ghana Petroleum Agreements and where, following such reduction, a Ghana Petroleum Agreement Seller has an indirect or direct interest in the Ghana Petroleum Agreements which (before and after such reduction) is (i) 100 per cent. or less; and (ii) more than 662/3 per cent.

 

“Ghana Petroleum Agreement Small Sale Percentage Reduction” means the reduction of a Ghana Petroleum Agreement Seller’s indirect or direct interest in the Ghana Petroleum Agreements, expressed as a percentage of such Ghana Petroleum Agreement Seller’s indirect or direct interest in the Ghana Petroleum Agreements as at the first date of this Agreement, which occurs as a result of a Ghana Petroleum Agreement Small Sale Event.

 

“Ghana Obligor” means KEO, KEI, KEFI, KED, KEG and an “Obligor” from time to time, as defined under the RBL Facility Agreement.

 

“GNPC” means the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, a public corporation established by Provisional National Defence Council Law 64 of 1983.

 

“Government” means the government of any country in which assets of the Group are situated.

 

“Group” means the Original Guarantor or any Additional Guarantor and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

 

“Guarantor” means the Original Guarantor.

 

“HY Notes” means any debenture, bond (other than performance bonds, bid bonds, retention bonds, advance payments bonds, letters of credit or trade credit related bonds), note, loan stock or other similar security issued by KEL.

 

“Illegality Lender” has the meaning given to that term in clause 8.1 (Illegality) of this Agreement.

 

“Increased Costs” has the meaning given to that term in clause 12.1 (Increased costs) of this Agreement.

 

 

“Intercreditor Agreement” means the KEFI Intercreditor Agreement;

 

“IPO” means in relation to a company, a transaction in which shares in that company are sold or issued to investors and in connection with such sale or issue are admitted to trading on a regulated market or other stock exchange.

 

“IPO Reorganisation” means any Reorganisation implemented by the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time (or any group of them), which is undertaken for the purpose of facilitating an IPO.

 

“KED” means Kosmos Energy Development, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with registered number 225879 and having its registered office at P.O. Box 32322, 4th Floor, Century Yard, Cricket Square, Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1209, Cayman Islands.

 

“KEFI” means Kosmos Energy Finance International, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with registered number 253656 and having its registered office at P.O. Box 32322, 4th Floor, Century Yard, Cricket Square, Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1209, Cayman Islands.

 

“KEFI Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement dated 23 November 2012 between, inter alios, (1) KEFI, (2) KEL, (3) Standard Chartered Bank, and (4) BNP Paribas.

 

“KEG” means Kosmos Energy Ghana HC, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with registered number 135710 and having its registered office at P.O. Box 32322, 4th Floor, Century Yard, Cricket Square, Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1209, Cayman Islands.

 

“KEI” means Kosmos Energy International, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with registered number 218274 and having its registered office at P.O. Box 32322, 4th Floor, Century Yard, Cricket Square, Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1209, Cayman Islands.

 

“KEL” means Kosmos Energy Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda with registered number 45011 and having its registered office at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda.

 

“KEO” means Kosmos Energy Operating, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with registered number 231417 and having its registered office at P.O. Box 32322, 4th Floor, Century Yard, Cricket Square, Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY1-1209, Cayman Islands.

 

“LC Cash Collateral Accounts” means the bank accounts which are established and maintained by the Original Borrower pursuant to clause 26 (Bank Accounts) of this Agreement with the Account Bank and which are secured in favour of the Security Agent, details of which are set out at Schedule 11 (Details of the LC Cash Collateral Accounts).

 

 

“LC Issuing Bank” means the Original Lender and such of its global facility offices as are required to fulfil a Utilisation requested by the Borrower.

 

“Lender” means:

 

(A)          the Original Lender; and

 

(B)          any bank or financial institution which has become a Party as a lender in accordance with clause 3.2 (Additional Commitments) or clause 21 (Changes to the Lenders) of this Agreement,

 

which in each case has not ceased to be a Party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

“Lender Accession Notice” means a notice substantially in the form set out under Schedule 7 (Form of Lender Accession Notice) to be delivered by a New Lender pursuant to and in accordance with clause 21.6 (Procedure for transfer) or by an Additional Lender pursuant to and in accordance with clause 3.2 (Additional Commitments).

 

“Letter of Credit” means a letter of credit:

 

(A)          issued in substantially the form set out in Schedule 8 (Form of Letter of Credit) of this Agreement;

 

(B)          in such form as already issued under this Agreement; or

 

(C)          in any other form requested by the Borrower and agreed to by the LC Issuing Bank and the Facility Agent.

 

“Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning given to that term in clause 10.1 (Letter of Credit fee).

 

“Letter of Credit Rate” has the meaning given to that term in clause 10.1 (Letter of Credit fee).

 

“Liabilities” means all present and future liabilities and obligations at any time of any Obligor to any Lender under the Finance Documents, both actual and contingent and whether incurred solely or jointly or in any other capacity together with any of the following matters relating to or arising in respect of those liabilities and obligations:

 

(A)           any refinancing, novation, deferral or extension;

 

(B)          any claim for breach of representation, warranty or undertaking or on an event of default or under any indemnity given under or in connection with any document or agreement evidencing or constituting any other liability or obligation falling within this definition;

 

(C)          any claim for damages or restitution; and

 

 

(D)          any claim as a result of any recovery by any Obligor of a Payment on the grounds of preference or otherwise,

 

and any amounts which would be included in any of the above but for any discharge, non-provability, unenforceability or non-allowance of those amounts in any insolvency or other proceedings.

 

“Majority Lenders” means, as applicable, those Lenders whose Commitments then aggregate at least 662/3 per cent. of the Total Commitments under the Facility.

 

“Margin” means 50 basis points per annum.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means, in relation to any event (or series of events) or circumstance which occurs or arises, that event (or events) or circumstance (or any effect or consequence thereof) which, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, would reasonably be expected materially and adversely to affect the financial condition, operations, or business of any Obligor or the ability of any Obligor to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents in full and on the basis contemplated therein in a way which is materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders or results in the Obligors being unable to pay any amounts when due and payable under the Finance Documents.

 

“Measurement Period” means in respect of a Calculation Date, a period of 12 months ending on the Calculation Date in question.

 

“Minister” means the Government’s Minister for Energy.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation and any successor thereto and if such corporation shall for any reason no longer perform the functions of a securities rating agency, Moody’s shall be deemed to refer to any other internationally recognised rating agency agreed by the Facility Agent and the Company (both acting reasonably).

 

“Net Interest Payable” means, in relation to the Group for any Measurement Period, Total Interest Payable less Total Interest Receivable for the Group during that Measurement Period.

 

“New Commitment Rebalancing” has the meaning given to it in clause 3.2 (Additional Commitments) of this Agreement.

 

“New Lender” has the meaning given to it in clause 21.1 (Assignments and transfers and changes in Facility Office by the Lenders) of this Agreement.

 

“Non-Funding Lender” means:

 

(A)          any Lender who fails to participate in any Utilisation in the amount and at the time required;

 

 

(B)          any Lender who has indicated publicly or to the Facility Agent or an Obligor that it does not intend to participate in all or part of any Utilisation;

 

(C)          any Lender which has repudiated its obligations under the Facility; or

 

(D)          any Lender in respect of which or in respect of whose holding company any of the events specified in clause 20.7 (Insolvency) or clause 20.8 (Insolvency proceedings) of this Agreement (disregarding paragraph (B) of clause 20.8 (Insolvency proceedings)) applies or has occurred.

 

“Obligor” means the Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

“Ongoing Letter of Credit” has the meaning given to that term in clause 6.14 (Cash collateralisation) of this Agreement.

 

“Optional Currency” means a currency (other than the Base Currency) which is approved by the LC Issuing Bank in accordance with clause 6.7 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies).

 

“Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that has the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.

 

“Party” means a party to a Finance Document.

 

“Payment” means, in respect of any Liabilities (or any other liabilities or obligations), a payment, prepayment, repayment, redemption, defeasance or discharge of those Liabilities (or other liabilities or obligations).

 

“Permitted Party” has the meaning given to it in clause 21.8 (Disclosure of information).

 

“Permitted Transferee” shall have the meaning given to that term in clause 8.2 (Change of Control).

 

“Person” has the meaning given to it in clause 17.15 (OFAC).

 

“Pre-existing Letter of Credit” has the meaning given to it in clause 6.15 (Transfer of existing Letters of Credit).

 

“Process Agent” has the meaning given to it in clause 40 (Service of Process).

 

“Qualifying Bank” means an internationally recognised bank:

 

(A)          which is not subject to Sanctions; or

 

(B)          which does not have its principal place of business in a country which is subject to Sanctions; or

 

 

(C)          which is not a bank whose principal place of business is in a country notified by the Company to the Facility Agent prior to signing of this Agreement; or

 

(D)          whose long-term unguaranteed, unsecured securities or debt is rated at least Baa3 (Moody’s) or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency (except that this shall not be a requirement if an Event of Default is continuing).

 

“RBL Facility Agreement” means the facility agreement dated 28 March 2011 between, amongst others, KEFI as original borrower, KEO, KEI, KED and KEG as original guarantors, BNP Paribas as facility agent and the Original Lender named therein, as amended on 17 February 2012.

 

“Receiver” means a receiver or receiver and manager or administrative receiver of the whole or any part of the Charged Property.

 

“Renewal or Extension Request” has the meaning given to that term in clause 6.8(A) (Renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit).

 

“Reorganisation” means (without limitation) any transaction, deemed transaction, step, procedure or agreement, including (but without limitation) the transfer, distribution, contribution or settlement of assets and/or liabilities.

 

“Repeating Representations” means the representations set out under:

 

(A)          clauses 17.1 (Status), 17.2 (Legal validity), 17.3 (Non-conflict) and 17.4 (Powers and authority) of this Agreement, each as at the time the power or authority was exercised only; and

 

(B)          clauses 17.5 (Authorisations), 17.8 (Financial statements and other factual information), 17.9 (Proceedings pending or threatened), 17.10 (Breach of laws), 17.11 (Ranking of security), 17.12 (Pari passu ranking), 17.13 (No immunity) and 17.15 (OFAC) of this Agreement.

 

“Replacement Lender” has the meaning given to that term in clause 8.5 (Right of repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender) of this Agreement.

 

“Requested Additional Commitment” has the meaning given to it in clause 3.2 (Additional Commitments).

 

“Required Approvals” means all material approvals, licences, consents and authorisations necessary in connection with the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of any Finance Document.

 

“Revised Termination Date” has the meaning given to it in clause 20.17 (Lender’s Termination);

 

“Sanctions” has the meaning given to it in clause 17.15 (OFAC).

 

 

“Second Currency” has the meaning given to it in clause 13.1 (Currency indemnity).

 

“Secured Liabilities” means at any time and without double counting, all present and future obligations and liabilities (actual or contingent) of each Obligor (whether or not for the payment of money and including any obligation to pay damages for breach of contract) which are, or are expressed to be, or may become due, owing or payable to any or all of the Secured Parties under or in connection with any of the Finance Documents, together with all costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Security Agent or any Secured Party which any Obligor is obliged to pay under any Finance Document.

 

“Secured Party” means each of the Lenders, the Facility Agent and the Security Agent.

 

“Secured Property” means:

 

(A)          the Transaction Security expressed to be granted in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Secured Parties and all proceeds of that Transaction Security;

 

(B)          all obligations expressed to be undertaken by an Obligor to pay amounts in respect of the Liabilities to the Security Agent as trustee for the Secured Parties and secured by the Transaction Security together with all representations and warranties expressed to be given by an Obligor in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Secured Parties; and

 

(C)          any other amounts or property, whether rights, entitlements, choses in action or otherwise, actual or contingent, which the Security Agent is required by the terms of the Finance Documents to hold as trustee on trust for the Secured Parties.

 

“Security Document” means:

 

(A)          the Charge;

 

(B)          any other document entered into at any time by any of the Obligors creating any guarantee, indemnity, Security Interest or other assurance against financial loss in favour of any of the Secured Parties as security for any of the Secured Liabilities; and

 

(C)          any Security Interest granted under any covenant for further assurance in any of the documents set out in paragraphs (A) and (B) above.

 

“Security Interest” means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other security interest or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.

 

“Service Document” has the meaning given to it in clause 40 (Service of Process).

 

“Shareholder” means any funds affiliated with Warburg Pincus and Blackstone Capital Partners or the Blackstone Group.

 

 

“Shareholder Affiliate” means any Affiliate of a Shareholder, any trust of which a Shareholder or any of its Affiliates is a trustee, any partnership of which a Shareholder or any of its Affiliates is a partner and any trust, fund or other entity which is managed by, or is under the control of, a Shareholder or any of its Affiliates, provided that any such trust, fund or other entity which has been established for at least six months solely for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans or debt securities and which is managed or controlled independently from all other trusts, funds or other entities managed or controlled by a Shareholder or any of its Affiliates which have been established for the primary or main purpose of investing in the share capital of companies shall constitute a Shareholder Affiliate.

 

“Shareholder Distribution” means the declaration, making or payment of a distribution to a shareholder (which shall include the payment of any loans provided by a shareholder).

 

“Signing Date” means the date on which each of the Finance Documents have been signed, as applicable.

 

“Sterling” means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

 

“Stock Exchange” means an organised and regulated financial market for the buying and selling of interests in financial instruments where any securities issued by any Obligor are listed from time to time.

 

“Subsidiary Beneficiary” has the meaning given to it in clause 6.6 (Issue of Letters of Credit).

 

“Suspension Period End Date” has the meaning given to it in clause 20.17(A) (Lender’s Termination).

 

“Sum” has the meaning given to it in clause 13.1 (Currency indemnity).

 

“Tax” means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).

 

“Termination Date” means the earlier of:

 

(A)          the date falling three years from the date of this Agreement or, if not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day; or

 

(B)          if applicable, the Revised Termination Date calculated in accordance with clause 20.17 (Lender’s Termination).

 

“Third Parties Act” means the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties Act) 1999.

 

“Total Commitments” means the aggregate of the Commitments of the Lenders.

 

 

“Total Interest Payable” means, in relation to the Group for any Measurement Period, all interest and other financing charges paid or payable and incurred by the Group during that Measurement Period.

 

“Total Interest Receivable” means, in relation to the Group for any Measurement Period, all interest and other financing charges received or receivable by the Group during that Measurement Period.

 

“Trade Letter of Credit” means a letter of credit which is not a standby letter of credit and operates as the primary method of payment for specified goods and/or services, instead of a payment obligation of the entity on whose behalf the letter of credit is issued.

 

“Transaction Security” means the security created or evidenced or expressed to be created or evidenced under or pursuant to the Security Documents.

 

“Transfer Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 (Form of Transfer Certificate) of this Agreement or any other form agreed between the Facility Agent and the Company.

 

“Transfer Date” means, in relation to a transfer, the later of:

 

(A)          the proposed Transfer Date specified in the Transfer Certificate; and

 

(B)          the date on which the Facility Agent executes the Transfer Certificate.

 

“Unpaid Sum” means any sum due and payable but unpaid by an Obligor under the Finance Documents.

 

“USD” or “US Dollar” means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

“Utilisation” means a utilisation of the Facility by way of a Letter of Credit.

 

“Utilisation Date” means the date of a Utilisation, being the date on which a Letter of Credit is issued.

 

“Utilisation Request” means a notice substantially in the form set out in  Schedule 3 (Utilisation Request) of this Agreement.

 

“VAT” means value added tax as provided for in the Value Added Tax Act 1994 or any regulations promulgated thereunder and any other tax of a similar nature.

 

“WCTP Block” means West Cape Three Points area offshore Ghana, being the area described in Annex 1 to the WCTP PA, but excluding any portions of such area in respect of which the Contractor’s rights thereunder are from time to time relinquished or surrendered pursuant to the WCTP PA.

 

“WCTP PA” means the petroleum agreement dated 22 July 2004 between the Government of Ghana, represented by the Minister, the GNPC, KEG and EO in respect 

 

 

of the West Cape Three Points Block Off-shore Ghana (and all amendments and supplements thereto).

 

1.2          Construction of particular terms

 

Unless a contrary indication appears, any reference in this Agreement to:

 

(A)          “this Agreement” shall be construed as a reference to the agreement or document in which such reference appears together with all recitals and Schedules thereto;

 

(B)          a reference to “assets” includes properties, revenues and rights of every description;

 

(C)          an “authorisation” or “consent” shall be construed as including any authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, permission, recording, notarisation, filing or registration;

 

(D)          an “authorised officer” shall be construed, in relation to any Party, as a reference to a director or other person duly authorised by such Party as notified by such Party to the Facility Agent as being authorised to sign any agreement, certificate or other document or to take any decision or action, as applicable. The provision of any certificate or the making of any certification by any authorised officer of the Company shall not create for that authorised officer any personal liability to the Finance Parties;

 

(E)           a “calendar year” is a reference to a period starting on (and including) 1 January and ending on (and including) the immediately following 31 December;

 

(F)           a “certified copy” shall be construed as a reference to a copy of that document, certified by an authorised officer of the relevant Party delivering it to be a complete, accurate and up-to-date copy of the original document;

 

(G)          a “clause” shall, subject to any contrary indication, be construed as a reference to a clause of the agreement or document in which such reference appears;

 

(H)          “continuing” shall, in relation to any Default or Event of Default, be construed as meaning that such Default or Event of Default has not been remedied or waived;

 

(I)            the “equivalent” on any given date in any currency (the “first currency”) of an amount denominated in another currency (the “second currency”) is a reference to the amount of the first currency which could be purchased with the amount of the second currency at the Spot Rate of Exchange quoted by the Facility Agent in the normal course of business at or about 11:00 a.m. on such date for the purchase of the first currency with the second currency in the London foreign exchange markets for delivery on the second Business Day thereafter;

 

(J)            the “group” of any person, shall be construed as a reference to that person, its subsidiaries and any holding company of that person and all other subsidiaries of any such holding company, from time to time;

 

 

(K)          a “holding company” of a company or corporation shall be construed as a reference to any company or corporation of which the first-mentioned company or corporation is a subsidiary;

 

(L)           “include” or “including” shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation” or “but not limited to” whether or not they are followed by such phrase or words of like import;

 

(M)         a “month” or “Month” is a reference to a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next succeeding calendar month save that, where any such period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, it shall end on the next succeeding Business Day, unless that day falls in the calendar month succeeding that in which it would otherwise have ended, in which case it shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day provided that, if a period starts on the last Business Day in a calendar month or if there is no numerically corresponding day in the month in which that period ends, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that later month (and references to “months” and “Months” shall be construed accordingly);

 

(N)          a “person” shall be construed as a reference to any person, trust, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality) of two or more of the foregoing;

 

(O)          a reference to a “regulation” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of Law but, if not having the force of Law, being a regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline with which a prudent person carrying on the same or a similar business to the Company would comply) of any governmental body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation;

 

(P)           the Borrower “repaying” or “prepaying” a Letter of Credit means:

 

(i)            the Borrower providing Cash Collateral for that Letter of Credit;

 

(ii)           the maximum amount payable under that Letter of Credit being reduced in accordance with its terms; or

 

(iii)          the LC Issuing Bank being satisfied that it has no further liability under that Letter of Credit,

 

and the amount by which a Letter of Credit is repaid or prepaid under paragraphs (P)(i) and (ii) above is the amount of the relevant Cash Collateral or reduction;

 

(Q)          a “right” shall be construed as including any right, title, interest, claim, remedy, discretion, power or privilege, in each case whether actual, contingent, present or future;

 

(R)          a “Schedule” shall, subject to any contrary indication, be construed as a reference to a schedule of the agreement or document in which such reference appears;

 

(S)           a “subsidiary” of a company or corporation means a subsidiary undertaking within the meaning of section 1162 of the Companies Act 2006 which shall be construed as a reference to any company or corporation:

 

 

(i)            which is controlled, directly or indirectly, by the first-mentioned company or corporation;

 

(ii)           more than half the issued share capital of which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the first-mentioned company or corporation; or

 

(iii)          which is a subsidiary of another subsidiary of the first-mentioned company or corporation,

 

and, for these purposes, a company or corporation shall be treated as being controlled by another if that other company or corporation is able to direct its affairs and/or to control the composition of its board of directors or equivalent body;

 

(T)           the “winding-up”, “dissolution” or “administration” of a company or corporation shall be construed so as to include any equivalent or analogous proceedings under the law of the jurisdiction in which such company or corporation is incorporated or any jurisdiction in which such company or corporation carries on business including the seeking of liquidation, bankruptcy, winding-up, reorganisation, dissolution, administration, receivership, judicial custodianship, administrative receivership, arrangement, adjustment, protection or relief of debtors; and

 

(U)          a “year” is a reference to a period starting on one day in a month in a calendar year and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the same month in the next succeeding calendar year, save that, where any such period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, it shall end on the next succeeding Business Day, unless that day falls in the month succeeding that in which it would otherwise have ended, in which case it shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day Provided that, if a period starts on the last Business Day in a month, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that later month (and references to “years” shall be construed accordingly).

 

1.3          Interpretation

 

(A)          Words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

(B)          Words indicating any gender shall include each other gender.

 

(C)          Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document to:

 

(i)            any party or person shall be construed so as to include its and any subsequent successors, permitted transferees and permitted assigns in accordance with their respective interests;

 

(ii)           such agreement or document or any other agreement or document shall be construed as a reference to each such agreement or document or, as the case may be, such other agreement or document as the same may have been, or may from time to time be, amended, varied, novated or supplemented, in each case to the extent permitted under the Finance Documents; and

 

 

(iii)          a time of day shall, save as otherwise provided in any agreement or document, be construed as a reference to London time.

 

(D)          Section, Part, Clause and Schedule headings contained in, and any index or table of contents to, any agreement or document are for ease of reference only.

 

1.4          Third Party Rights

 

(A)          A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Third Parties Act to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement.

 

(B)          Notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, this Agreement may be rescinded or varied without the consent of any person who is not a Party hereto.

 

 

PART 2
 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

2.             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

2.1          Conditions Precedent to first Utilisation

 

The Company may not deliver a Utilisation Request unless the Facility Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent (acting reasonably), or their delivery has otherwise been waived.  The Facility Agent (acting reasonably) shall notify the Company and the Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied.

 

2.2          Conditions Precedent to each Utilisation

 

The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with clause 6.5 (Lenders’ participation) if, on the proposed Utilisation Date, disregarding for the purposes of paragraph (A) below the effect of clause 20(A) and 20(B) (Events of Default):

 

(A)          in the case of a Letter of Credit renewed or extended in accordance with clause 6.8 (Renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit), no Event of Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation and, in the case of any other Utilisation, no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation; and

 

(B)          an Authorised Signatory of the Company certifies that the Repeating Representations to be made by each Obligor are, in the light of the facts and circumstances then existing, true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of a Repeating Representation that contains a materiality concept, true and correct in all respects).

 

 

PART 3
 OPERATION OF THE FACILITY

 

3.             THE FACILITY

 

3.1          Facility Commitment amounts

 

(A)          Subject to the terms of the Finance Documents, the Lenders have agreed to make available to the Borrower a secured multicurrency revolving letter of credit facility on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement (the “Facility”) in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Commitments.

 

(B)          The Facility may only be utilised by way of Letters of Credit.

 

3.2          Additional Commitments

 

(A)          KECI may request that the Total Commitments be increased by the provision of additional commitments under the Facility (each such increase being a “Requested Additional Commitment”), by providing written notice to the Facility Agent (such notice being an “Additional Commitment Notice”) provided that,

 

(i)            the Additional Commitment Notice shall be delivered prior to the expiry of the Availability Period;

 

(ii)           the increase in and/or, as the case may be, assumption of Requested Additional Commitments is to take effect before the expiry of the Availability Period and the maximum aggregate amount of Requested Additional Commitments (including all previous increases in and/or assumptions of Requested Additional Commitments) shall not exceed US$50,000,000; and

 

(iii)          no Event of Default is continuing or would arise as a result of the provision of the Requested Additional Commitment; and

 

(iv)          the terms of the Requested Additional Commitment shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, be treated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement in the same manner as the existing Commitments.

 

(B)          Each Additional Commitment Notice shall:

 

(i)            confirm that the requirements of clause 3.2(A) above are fulfilled; and

 

(ii)           specify the date upon which the Requested Additional Commitment is anticipated to be made available to the Borrower (the “Additional Commitment Date”).

 

(C)          Upon receipt of any notice pursuant to clause 3.2(A) above, the Facility Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of such request, and on or before the Additional Commitment Date, each Lender shall inform the Facility Agent of the amount in the Base Currency of the Requested Additional Commitment which it will make available on a committed basis (each a “Committed Additional Participation”).  The Facility Agent shall promptly notify KECI of the details of each Committed Additional Participation.

 

 

(D)          If, on the Additional Commitment Date, the aggregate amount of the Committed Additional Participation is less than the Requested Additional Commitment, the Borrower may agree with any bank or financial institution which is not a Lender (each an “Additional Lender”) that they will participate in the Facility provided that:

 

(i)            any such Additional Lender agrees to become a Lender under this Agreement and make available a Commitment on the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Borrower notifies the Facility Agent of the same, on or prior to the Additional Commitment Date; and

 

(ii)           KECI shall procure that on or prior to the Additional Commitment Date, such Additional Lender delivers a Lender Accession Notice in the form set out in Schedule 1 (The Original Lender) duly completed and signed on behalf of the Additional Lender and specifying its Committed Additional Participation to the Facility Agent.

 

(E)           Subject to the conditions in paragraphs (B) and (D) above being met, from the relevant Additional Commitment Date:

 

(i)            the Additional Lender shall make available the relevant Committed Additional Participation for Utilisation under the Facility in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (as amended);

 

(ii)           the Committed Additional Participation shall rank pari passu with respect to existing Commitments; and

 

(iii)          any necessary rebalancing of the Commitments and outstandings under the Facility and the Committed Additional Participation provided by the Additional Lender to ensure that they are pro rata (the “New Commitment Rebalancing”) will be made, at the Borrower’s election, by the Facility Agent making utilisations from the Committed Additional Participation in priority to utilisations from Commitments under the Facility to procure, as far as practicable, any New Commitment Rebalancing, following which all utilisations shall be made pro rata.

 

(F)           Each Additional Lender shall become a party to the Finance Documents (and be entitled to share in the Security created under the Security Documents in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents) if such Additional Lender accedes to the Finance Documents in accordance with the Finance Documents.

 

(G)          Each party (other than the relevant Additional Lender) irrevocably authorises and instructs the Facility Agent to execute on its behalf any Lender Accession Notice which has been duly completed and signed on behalf of that proposed Additional Lender and each Party agrees to be bound by such accession.  The Facility Agent must promptly sign any such Lender Accession Notice (and in any event within three Business Days of receipt).

 

(H)          The Facility Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Lender Accession Notice delivered to it by an Additional Lender once the Facility Agent (and LC Issuing Bank) (acting reasonably) has, to the extent that the necessary information is not already available to it, received all required information to comply with all (i) “know your customer” requirements or (ii) other similar checks required, in each case by law, regulation or the LC Issuing Bank’s mandatory internal policy (as consistently applied) regarding environmental issues, each in relation to the accession of such Additional Lender.

 

 

(I)            On the date that the Facility Agent executes a Lender Accession Notice:

 

(i)            the Additional Lender party to that Lender Accession Notice, each other Finance Party and the Obligors shall acquire the same rights and assume the same obligations between themselves as they would have acquired and assumed had that Additional Lender been an Original Lender with the rights and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of that accession and with the Commitment specified by it as its Committed Additional Participation; and

 

(ii)           that Additional Lender shall become a Party to this Agreement as a “Lender”.

 

(J)            Clause 21.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this clause 3.2 in relation to an Additional Lender as if references in that clause to:

 

(i)            an “Existing Lender” were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the relevant increase;

 

(ii)           the “New Lender” were references to that “Additional Lender”; and

 

(iii)          a “re-transfer” and “re-assignment” were references to respectively a “transfer” and “assignment”.

 

4.             FINANCE PARTIES’ RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

 

(A)          The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several.  Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under any Finance Documents to which it is a Party does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance Documents.  No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents.

 

(B)          The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents to which it is a Party are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from an Obligor shall be a separate and independent debt.

 

(C)          A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under the Finance Documents.

 

5.             PURPOSE

 

5.1          Purpose

 

The Facility shall be used for the purpose of the issue of Letters of Credit in support of documented performance obligations (including payment obligations), except for any Trade Letters of Credit, or as otherwise agreed by the Parties.

 

5.2          Monitoring

 

No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any Letter of Credit made pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

 

6.             UTILISATION

 

6.1          Availability Period

 

Subject to the satisfaction of the relevant Conditions Precedent, the Facility shall be available for drawing during the Availability Period.

 

6.2          Delivery of a Utilisation Request for Letters of Credit

 

(A)          Subject to clause 6.6(K) (Issue of Letters of Credit), the Borrower may request a Letter of Credit to be issued by delivery to the Facility Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request substantially in the form of  Schedule 3 (Utilisation Request) not later than five Business Days prior to the proposed Utilisation Date.  The Utilisation Request shall attach the form of the proposed Letter of Credit including confirmation as to whether such form falls within paragraph (A), (B) or (C) of the definition of “Letter of Credit” in clause 1.1 (Definitions).

 

(B)          If the form of the proposed Letter of Credit requires the agreement of the LC Issuing Bank and the Facility Agent pursuant to paragraph (C) of the definition of “Letter of Credit” in clause 1.1 (Definitions), in the event that either the LC Issuing Bank or the Facility Agent does not approve the form, then:

 

(i)            the objecting party shall inform the Borrower of the grounds for its objection and confirm what changes would reasonably need to be made to make the form of the Letter of Credit acceptable; and

 

(ii)           the Utilisation Request shall be deemed to be revoked (but without the Borrower incurring any cost or liability to any Finance Party whatsoever as a consequence of such revocation).

 

6.3          Completion of a Utilisation Request for Letters of Credit

 

Each Utilisation Request for a Letter of Credit is irrevocable (except where otherwise provided for in this Agreement) and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:

 

(A)          the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability Period;

 

(B)          the term of the Letter of Credit requested is not more than five years;

 

(C)          the currency and amount of the Letter of Credit requested complies with clauses 6.4 (Amount), 6.6 (Issue of Letters of Credit) and 6.7 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies) respectively;

 

(D)          the form of the Letter of Credit is in the form set out in paragraph (A) or (B) of the definition of “Letter of Credit” in clause 1.1 (Definitions), or is approved by the LC Issuing Bank pursuant to clause 6.2 (Delivery of a Utilisation Request for Letters of Credit); and

 

(E)           the delivery instructions for the Letter of Credit are specified; and

 

 

(F)           it is accompanied by extracts of those underlying documents related to the Letter of Credit which are reasonably required and requested by the LC Issuing Bank to facilitate the negotiation and issuance of the Letter of Credit.

 

6.4          Amount

 

(A)          The amount of any proposed Letter of Credit under the Facility must be a minimum of USD 250,000 (or the equivalent in any Optional Currency at the Facility Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange) (or such lower amount as agreed between the Parties acting reasonably).

 

(B)          The maximum amount of any single Letter of Credit cannot exceed USD 75,000,000 (or the equivalent in any Optional Currency at the Facility Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange) (or such higher amount as agreed between the Parties acting reasonably).

 

(C)          The maximum amount of all Letters of Credit issued in favour of a single beneficiary or any number of beneficiaries in a single jurisdiction cannot at any time exceed USD 75,000,000 (or the equivalent in any Optional Currency at the Facility Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange) (or such higher amount as agreed between the Parties acting reasonably).

 

6.5          Lenders’ participation

 

(A)          If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, each Lender shall make its participation in the relevant Letter of Credit available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(B)          The amount of a Lender’s participation in that Letter of Credit will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior to the making of the relevant Letter of Credit.

 

(C)          Upon notification of a Utilisation to the Facility Agent pursuant to clause 6.2 (Delivery of a Utilisation Request for Letters of Credit), the Facility Agent shall notify each Lender of the Base Currency Amount of each Letter of Credit registered and the Base Currency Amount of its participation in each such Letter of Credit.

 

6.6          Issue of Letters of Credit

 

(A)          If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, the LC Issuing Bank shall issue each Letter of Credit on the relevant Utilisation Date proposed in the Utilisation Request.

 

(B)          The LC Issuing Bank will only be obliged to comply with paragraph (A) above if on the date of the Utilisation Request or Renewal or Extension Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date:

 

(i)            the making of the proposed Utilisation would not result in the total outstanding Letters of Credit exceeding 40;

 

(ii)           the making of the proposed Utilisation would not result in the aggregate of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by the LC Issuing Banks exceeding the Total Commitments;

 

 

(iii)          the LC Issuing Bank and the Lenders have completed all applicable (i) know-your-customer requirements and (ii) compliance requirements, in each case as required by law, regulation or the LC Issuing Bank’s mandatory internal policy (as consistently applied) regarding environmental issues, each in relation to the Beneficiary of the Letter of Credit.

 

(C)          Subject to clause 6.14(B) (Cash collateralisation), the Borrower may request a Utilisation which requires a Letter of Credit to be issued by the LC Issuing Bank which has a term greater than the Availability Period under the Facility.

 

(D)          The Borrower may request a Utilisation which requires a Letter of Credit to be issued by the LC Issuing Bank’s Facility Office (or branch) in any particular country, and the LC Issuing Bank shall, unless prevented from doing so by mandatory internal policy requirements (as applied consistently) or by applicable law or regulation, satisfy any such request. For the avoidance of doubt, this clause 6.6(D) shall not apply to any Letter of Credit required to be issued by the LC Issuing Bank’s London branch.

 

(E)           If the Borrower requests a Utilisation which requires a Letter of Credit:

 

(i)            to be issued by a financial institution in a country in which the LC Issuing Bank does not have a facility office (or branch); or

 

(ii)           where clause 6.6(D) applies;

 

the LC Issuing Bank will use its best efforts, subject to the Borrower’s prior written consent, to procure that such Letter of Credit is issued through a correspondent bank.  In the event that the LC Issuing Bank is requested to issue any Letter of Credit through a correspondent bank then it shall promptly, and in any event within 15 Business Days of the date of any Utilisation Request, advise the Borrower of any reasonable additional and documented costs associated with the issue of the Letter of Credit by its correspondent bank (and the LC Issuing Bank shall provide the Borrower with copies of any agreement and any documentation providing for and evidencing the payment of such costs).  For the avoidance of doubt the 15 Business Days during which the LC Issuing Bank is required to advise the Borrower of reasonable additional and documented costs shall have no impact or effect on the Utilisation Date.  The LC Issuing Bank shall take all reasonable steps to minimise any such additional costs.  In no event may the LC Issuing Bank increase the Margin or Letter of Credit Fee payable by the Borrower hereunder or charge any additional amount for its own account as a consequence of the issue of a Letter of Credit through a correspondent bank which it would not otherwise have been able to charge had the Letter of Credit been issued by it under this Agreement.  Any additional costs properly incurred and payable to the correspondent bank by the LC Issuing Bank in respect of the issue of the Letter of Credit shall be borne by the Borrower.  If the Borrower does not agree to the payment of such costs and/or the identity of the correspondent bank, it may revoke the Utilisation Request (without incurring any cost or liability to any Finance Party whatsoever for so doing).

 

 

(F)           The Borrower may request that a Letter of Credit is issued in the Base Currency or, subject to clause 6.7 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies), in an Optional Currency.

 

(G)          For the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower may request that a Letter of Credit is issued on behalf of any member of the Group (and the LC Issuing Bank shall comply with any such request).

 

(H)          The Borrower may request that a Letter of Credit is issued which is governed by the governing law of any jurisdiction (and the LC Issuing Bank shall comply with any such request). Where a Letter of Credit is to be governed by law which is not the law of England, the Borrower shall, if so requested by the LC Issuing Bank, pay the reasonable legal costs of the LC Issuing Bank incurred in relation to instructing external advisers to provide it and the Finance Parties with such advice as may reasonably be required in relation to that Letter of Credit.

 

(I)            In the event that the rating of the LC Issuing Bank’s long-term unguaranteed, unsecured securities or debt falls below A3 (Moody’s) or falls below a comparable rating from any other internationally recognised credit rating agency, then in any such case the LC Issuing Bank shall, without imposing any cost or penalty of any kind (arising under this Agreement or otherwise), at the direction of the Borrower novate any Letter of Credit identified by the Borrower to a person willing to accept the rights and obligations thereunder, subject to:

 

(i)            the Borrower obtaining the prior consent and cooperation of the relevant Beneficiary in relation to the novation of the Letter of Credit; and;

 

(ii)           the LC Issuing Bank completing all (i) know-your-customer requirements and (ii) compliance requirements which are, in each case required by law or regulation, each in relation to such person.

 

In both cases the LC Issuing Bank will, at the Borrower’s cost, cooperate with the Borrower and sign such documents as may be necessary to effect the relevant transaction provided the LC Issuing Bank is satisfied that such documents release it from all obligations under the relevant Letter of Credit. The LC Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to procure a person willing to issue replacement Letters of Credit or have Letters of Credit novated to it.

 

(J)            The Facility Agent shall notify the LC Issuing Bank and each Lender of the details of each requested Letter of Credit and its participation in that Letter of Credit within five Business Days.

 

(K)          If the Borrower requests a Utilisation which requires a Letter of Credit to be issued in accordance with clauses 6.6 (D), (E) or (H) above, the LC Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue such Letter of Credit or procure that such Letter of Credit is issued unless the Borrower provides 10 Business Days’ advance notice of such request.

 

6.7          Conditions relating to Optional Currencies

 

The Borrower shall select the currency of a Letter of Credit in the relevant Utilisation Request or Renewal or Extension Request.  A Letter of Credit may be issued in the Base Currency or any currency which is freely convertible into the Base Currency and 

 

 

approved by the LC Issuing Bank acting reasonably (such currency being an “Optional Currency”).  In the event that such currency is not approved by the LC Issuing Bank, the LC Issuing Bank shall notify the Facility Agent and the Borrower in writing not less than three Business Days prior to the proposed Utilisation Date, and the relevant Utilisation Request shall be deemed to be revoked upon the delivery of such notice (without the Borrower incurring any cost or liability to any Finance Party whatsoever).

 

6.8          Renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit

 

(A)          The Borrower may request any Letter of Credit issued under this Agreement be renewed or extended by delivery to the Facility Agent of a renewal or extension request in the form set out in Schedule 9 (Form of Renewal or Extension Request) by the fifth Business Day before the date of the proposed renewal (a “Renewal or Extension Request”).

 

(B)          The Lenders shall treat any Renewal or Extension Request in the same way as a Utilisation Request for a Letter of Credit.

 

(C)          The terms of each renewed or extended Letter of Credit shall be the same as those of the relevant Letter of Credit immediately prior to its renewal or extension, except that:

 

(i)            its amount may be less than the amount of the Letter of Credit;

 

(ii)           (in relation to a renewal only) its Term shall start on the date which was the expiry date of the Letter of Credit immediately prior to its renewal and shall end on the proposed expiry date specified in the Renewal or Extension Request; and

 

(iii)          (in relation to an extension only) its Term shall start on the date which was the start date of the Letter of Credit immediately prior to its extension, and shall end on the proposed expiry date specified in the Renewal or Extension Request.

 

(D)          If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, the LC Issuing Bank shall re-issue and/or amend any Letter of Credit pursuant to a Renewal or Extension Request.

 

6.9          Claims under a Letter of Credit

 

(A)          The Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally authorises the LC Issuing Bank to pay any claim made or purported to be made under a Letter of Credit and which appears on its face to be in order (a “Claim”).

 

(B)          Subject to paragraph (C) below, the Borrower shall within five Business Days on written demand by the Facility Agent pay to the LC Issuing Bank for the account of each Lender an amount equal to the amount of any Claim.  The Borrower irrevocably authorises the use by the Facility Agent, the Security Agent and the Account Bank, of amounts standing to the credit of the LC Cash Collateral Accounts in making such payment and each of the Facility Agent and the Security Agent shall take all such steps (and procure that the Account Bank takes all such steps) as may reasonably be required (at the cost of the Borrower) for the Borrower to make such payment.

 

(C)          The Borrower acknowledges that the LC Issuing Bank:

 

 

(i)            is not obliged to carry out any investigation or seek any confirmation from any other person before paying a Claim; and

 

(ii)           deals in documents only and will not be concerned with the legality of a Claim or any underlying transaction or any available set-off, counterclaim or other defence of any person.

 

(D)          The obligations of the Borrower under this clause will not be affected by:

 

(i)            the sufficiency, accuracy or genuineness of any Claim or any other document; or

 

(ii)           any incapacity of, or limitation on the powers of, any person signing a Claim or other document.

 

6.10        Indemnities

 

(A)          Subject to clause 6.9 (Claims under a Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall immediately on demand indemnify the LC Issuing Bank against any cost, loss or liability incurred by such LC Issuing Bank in acting as LC Issuing Bank hereunder (otherwise than by reason of such LC Issuing Bank’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct).

 

(B)          Each Lender shall (according to its portion of the Available Facility), immediately on demand by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the LC Issuing Bank), indemnify the LC Issuing Bank against any cost, loss or liability incurred by the LC Issuing Bank (otherwise than by reason of such LC Issuing Bank’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) in acting as such LC Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit (unless that LC Issuing Bank has been reimbursed by the Borrower pursuant to a Finance Document).

 

(C)          Subject to clause 6.9 (Claims under a Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall immediately on demand reimburse any Lender for any payment it makes to the LC Issuing Bank under this clause 6.10 (Indemnities).

 

(D)          The obligations of each Lender and the Borrower under this clause are continuing obligations and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by that Lender or, as the case may be, the Borrower in respect of any Letter of Credit, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

(E)          The obligations of a Lender or a Borrower under this clause will not be affected by any act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this clause, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this clause (without limitation and whether or not known to it or any other person) including:

 

(i)            any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor, any beneficiary under a Letter of Credit or any other person;

 

(ii)           the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement;

 

(iii)          the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor, any 

 

 

beneficiary under a Letter of Credit or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

(iv)          any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor, any beneficiary under a Letter of Credit or any other person;

 

(v)           any amendment (however fundamental) or replacement of a Finance Document, any Letter of Credit or any other document or security;

 

(vi)          any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document, any Letter of Credit or any other document or security; or

 

(vii)         any insolvency or similar proceedings.

 

6.11        Role of the LC Issuing Bank

 

(A)          Nothing in this Agreement designates the LC Issuing Bank as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person.

 

(B)          The LC Issuing Bank shall not be bound to account to any Lender for any sum, or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.

 

(C)          The LC Issuing Bank may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any member of the Group.

 

(D)          The LC Issuing Bank may rely on:

 

(i)            any representation, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; and

 

(ii)           any statement made by a director, Authorised Signatory or employee of any person regarding any matters which may reasonably be assumed to be within his knowledge or within his power to verify.

 

(E)          The LC Issuing Bank may engage, pay for and rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, surveyors or other experts.

 

(F)           The LC Issuing Bank may act in relation to the Finance Documents through its personnel and agents.

 

(G)          The LC Issuing Bank is not responsible for:

 

(i)            the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) provided by any Party (including itself), or any other person under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; or

 

 

(ii)           the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document.

 

6.12        Credit appraisal by the Lenders

 

Without affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender confirms to the LC Issuing Bank that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including, but not limited to, those listed in paragraphs (A) to (D) of clause 23.14 (Credit appraisal by the Lenders).

 

6.13        Amendments and Waivers

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document, an amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the LC Issuing Bank may not be effected without the consent of the LC Issuing Bank.

 

6.14        Cash collateralisation

 

(A)          The Borrower shall deposit and maintain Cash Collateral in the LC Cash Collateral Accounts which is in aggregate at least equal to 75 per cent. of the aggregate USD face value of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued under the Facility at any time.

 

(B)          If any Letter of Credit has an expiry date which is after the Termination Date (an “Ongoing Letter of Credit”) and if the Facility has not been extended or otherwise replaced, then during the period between the Termination Date and the expiry date of any Ongoing Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall, for each such Ongoing Letter of Credit, deposit and maintain Cash Collateral in the LC Cash Collateral Accounts which is at least equal to 100 per cent. of the USD face value of each Ongoing Letter of Credit.  For the avoidance of doubt, this obligation shall survive the occurrence of the Termination Date.

 

(C)          Within five Business Days after a breach of any of the Financial Covenants in clause 18 (Financial Covenants) the Borrower shall, until such breach is no longer continuing, deposit and maintain Cash Collateral in the LC Cash Collateral Accounts at least equal to 100 per cent. of the aggregate USD face value of all current outstanding Letters of Credit drawn under the Facility.

 

(D)          The LC Issuing Bank shall (i) every six months from the date of this Agreement, (ii) following notification from the LC Issuing Bank of a significant currency disruption event, or (iii) at the reasonable request of the Lenders (and to the extent that such day is not a Business Day, on the immediately following Business Day), the LC Issuing Bank shall determine and inform the Borrower within five Business Days of the USD face value of the Cash Collateral in the LC Cash Collateral Accounts and the USD face value of each current outstanding Letter of Credit (the “Forex Calculation”), such amount to be least equal to 75 per cent. of the aggregate USD face value of such current outstanding Letter of Credit issued under the Facility based on the Facility Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange on the Business Day on which the Forex Calculation is made.

 

 

(E)           If at any time there is insufficient Cash Collateral standing to the credit of the LC Cash Collateral Accounts pursuant to either clause 6.14(A), 6.14(B), 6.14(C), 6.14(D) or clause 8.2(A)(iii) (Change of Control), the Borrower shall be required to deposit and maintain the required additional Cash Collateral in the LC Cash Collateral Accounts within five Business Days of being notified in writing by the Facility Agent of such insufficiency.

 

(F)           The Borrower may at any time instruct the Facility Agent to instruct the Security Agent and the Account Bank to release any Cash Collateral standing to the credit of the LC Cash Collateral Accounts (subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreements) which is not then required to be maintained in that account in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (such amount as calculated and confirmed by the Facility Agent in each case) (including, if necessary, by releasing any security held over such amount) and for such amount to be paid to the Borrower or as the Borrower shall instruct (and the Facility Agent and the Security Agent shall comply and shall procure that the Account Bank complies with such instructions).  For the avoidance of doubt, where the Borrower has deposited an amount into the LC Cash Collateral Accounts to cure or to prevent an Event of Default from occurring or continuing pursuant to clause 20.3 (Breach of Financial Covenants), then on and from the date upon which such Event of Default has been (and remains) cured or waived the Borrower shall be entitled to withdraw any excess amount above the amount which would otherwise be required to be deposited into the LC Cash Collateral Accounts pursuant to clause 6.14(A).

 

6.15        Transfer of existing Letters of Credit

 

Upon request by the Borrower, the LC Issuing Bank and the Facility Agent will consult with the Borrower with a view to procuring that any letters of credit issued by any member of the Group prior to the date of this Agreement (“Pre-existing Letters of Credit”) become letters of credit issued under and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  Each such party shall act in good faith and shall use all reasonable endeavours and enter into such documentation as may reasonably be required to give effect to this clause.  If any such existing letter of credit was issued by the LC Issuing Bank, then the form of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be acceptable to both the LC Issuing Bank and the Facility Agent.

 

 

PART 4
 PAYMENTS, CANCELLATION, INTEREST AND FEES

 

7.             REPAYMENT

 

Subject to clause 6.9 (Claims under a Letter of Credit), if a Claim is made under a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall repay an amount equal to the Claim within five Business Days of written demand by the LC Issuing Bank.

 

8.             PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION

 

8.1          Illegality

 

(A)          If it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for a Lender (an “Illegality Lender”) to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by the Finance Documents or to fund or maintain its participation in any Utilisation:

 

(i)            that Lender shall promptly notify the Facility Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

 

(ii)           the Borrower shall to the extent possible and at the sole discretion of the Borrower, implement arrangements whereby all of the Illegality Lender’s Commitment is transferred to a Lender or a New Lender and the affected Illegality Lender will provide all reasonable assistance to facilitate such transfer; and

 

(iii)          where the process described at paragraph (ii) above is not possible, the Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled and the Borrower shall repay the Illegality Lender’s participations in the Utilisations made to the Borrower on the date specified by the Illegality Lender in the notice delivered to the Facility Agent.

 

(B)          If it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for the Borrower to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by the Finance Documents:

 

(i)            the Borrower shall promptly notify the Facility Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

 

(ii)           the Facility Agent shall notify the Lenders; and

 

(iii)          with all reasonable assistance of the Lenders the Borrower shall endeavour to cancel all outstanding Letters of Credit within 90 days of the notice provided under clause 8.1(B)(i) (Illegality).

 

8.2          Change of Control

 

(A)          Upon a Change of Control:

 

(i)            the Obligor shall promptly notify the Facility Agent upon becoming aware of the occurrence of that event; and

 

(ii)           the LC Issuing Bank shall not be obliged to issue any Letter of Credit except pursuant to a Renewal or Extension Request;

 

 

(iii)          if the Majority Lenders so require, the Borrower shall, as soon as practicable (and in any event within 30 Business Days) deposit and maintain in the LC Cash Collateral Accounts an amount equal to the aggregate face value of all outstanding Letters of Credit at that time.

 

(B)          For the purpose of paragraph (A) above, “Change of Control” means any person (or persons with whom they act in concert) other than a Permitted Transferee acquiring, directly or indirectly, more than 50 per cent. of the ordinary share capital in the Obligor carrying a right to vote in general meetings of that company. For the avoidance of doubt, a Change of Control shall not occur on an IPO of any shareholder (directly or indirectly) in the Borrower.

 

(C)          For the purposes of paragraph (B) above, any persons includes more than one person acting in concert and a “Permitted Transferee” means:

 

(i)            a Shareholder;

 

(ii)           a Shareholder Affiliate;

 

(iii)          a member of the Group; or

 

(iv)          a person who is otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders (acting reasonably) provided that any Lender which does not grant its approval may, on not less than 30 days’ written notice to the Facility Agent and the Company, demand that its participation in the Facility be prepaid in full and that its Commitment be immediately cancelled, provided that the Company may, in accordance with paragraph (B) of clause 8.5 (Right of repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender), procure the replacement of that Lender or the transfer of its participation and Commitment to another Lender (with that Lender’s consent) rather than such prepayment and cancellation provided that such replacement or transfer is completed within the relevant notice period given by the relevant Lender.  If such replacement or transfer does not occur within the relevant period, that Lender’s participation in the Facility shall be immediately due and payable in full by the Borrower and its Commitment immediately cancelled.

 

8.3          Automatic cancellation

 

At the close of business in London on the last Business Day of the Availability Period for the Facility, the undrawn Commitment of each Lender under the Facility at that time shall be automatically cancelled.

 

8.4          Voluntary cancellation

 

(A)          The Company may, by giving not less than 10 Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior written notice to the Facility Agent, without penalty, cancel the Available Facility in whole or in part (but if in part, in a minimum amount of USD 1 million or, if less, the relevant Commitments in the Available Facility).  The relevant Commitments in respect of the Facility will be cancelled on a date specified in such notice, being a date not earlier than 10 Business Days after the relevant notice is received by the Facility Agent.

 

(B)          Any valid notice of cancellation will be irrevocable and will specify the date on which the cancellation shall take effect.  No part of any Commitment which has been cancelled or which is the subject of a notice of cancellation may subsequently be utilised.

 

 

(C)          When any cancellation of Commitments under the Facility takes effect, each Lender’s Available Commitment under the Facility will be reduced by an amount which bears the same proportion to the total amount being cancelled as its Available Commitment under the Facility bears to the Available Facility (at that time).

 

8.5          Right of repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender

 

(A)          If:

 

(i)            the Company reasonably believes that the sum payable to any Lender by an Obligor is required to be increased under clause 11.2 (Tax gross-up);

 

(ii)           the Company receives a notice from the Facility Agent under clause 11.3 (Tax Indemnity) or clause 12.1 (Increased costs);

 

(iii)          any Lender is or becomes a Non-Funding Lender;

 

(iv)          the rating of any Lender’s long-term unguaranteed, unsecured securities or debt is reduced to below A3 (Moody’s) or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency,

 

the Company may, while (in the case of paragraphs (i) and (ii) above) the circumstance giving rise to the belief or notice continues or (in the case of (iii) or (iv) above) the relevant circumstance continues:

 

(a)           give the Facility Agent notice of cancellation of the Commitment of that Lender and its intention to procure the repayment of that Lender’s participation in the Utilisations;

 

(b)           in the case of a Non-Funding Lender or Illegality Lender, give the Facility Agent notice of cancellation of the Available Commitment of that Lender in relation to the Facility and reinstate all or part of such Available Commitment in accordance with paragraph (B) below; or

 

(c)            replace that Lender in accordance with paragraph (B) below.

 

(B)          The Company may:

 

(i)            in the circumstances set out in paragraph (A) above or pursuant to clause 8.1 (Illegality) or clause 8.2(A)(ii) (Change of Control), replace an Existing Lender (as defined in clause 21 (Changes to the Lenders)), with one or more other Lenders (which need not be Existing Lenders) (each a “Replacement Lender”), which have agreed to purchase all or part of the Commitment and participations of that Existing Lender in Utilisations made to the Borrower pursuant to an assignment or transfer in accordance with the provisions of clause 21 (Changes to the Lenders); or

 

(ii)           in the circumstances set out in paragraph (A)(iv)(a) of this clause 8.5, cancel the Available Commitments of the Non-Funding Lender or Illegality Lender in respect of the Facility and procure that one or more Replacement Lenders assume Commitments under the Facility in 

 

 

an aggregate amount not exceeding the Available Commitment of the relevant Non-Funding Lender or Illegality Lender in relation to the Facility,

 

in each case on condition that:

 

(a)           each assignment or transfer under this paragraph (B) shall be arranged by the Company (with such reasonable assistance from the Existing Lender as the Company may reasonably request); and

 

(b)           no Existing Lender shall be obliged to make any assignment or transfer pursuant to this paragraph (B) unless and until it has received payment from the Replacement Lender or Replacement Lenders in an aggregate amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of the participations in the Utilisations owing to the Existing Lender, together with accrued and unpaid interest and fees and all other amounts payable to the Existing Lender under this Agreement.

 

(C)          On receipt of a notice from the Company referred to in paragraph (A) above, the Commitment of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero.

 

(D)          Within 90 days of the Company having given notice of cancellation under paragraph (A) above (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Company in that notice), the Company shall repay that Lender’s participation in the relevant Utilisation.

 

(E)           Paragraphs (A) and (B) do not in any way limit the obligations of any Finance Party under clause 14.1 (Mitigation).

 

9.             INTEREST

 

9.1          Default interest

 

(A)          Other than Cash Collateral, if an Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to paragraph (B) below, is 1 per cent. higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Letter of Credit in the currency of the overdue amount issued for a period equal to the period during which the overdue amount remains outstanding.  Any interest accruing under this clause shall be immediately payable by the Obligor on written demand by the Facility Agent.

 

(B)          Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each 90-day period but will remain immediately due and payable.

 

10.          FEES

 

10.1        Letter of Credit fee

 

(A)          The Borrower shall pay to the LC Issuing Bank, for the account of the Lenders to share rateably in accordance with their participation in each Letter of Credit, a letter of credit fee at a 

 

 

rate equal to the Margin (the “Letter of Credit Rate”) on the outstanding amount of each Letter of Credit from the period starting from the Utilisation Date in respect of that Letter of Credit until its expiry date or such earlier date upon which it is terminated (the “Letter of Credit Fee”).

 

(B)          The Letter of Credit Fee shall continue to be payable on the full outstanding balance of each Letter of Credit. The outstanding balance shall not be reduced by any amount of Cash Collateral deposited in the LC Cash Collateral Accounts.

 

(C)          The accrued Letter of Credit Fee on each Letter of Credit is payable quarterly in arrears and on the expiry date or such earlier termination date of each Letter of Credit.

 

10.2        Arrangement fee

 

The Borrower shall pay to the Facility Agent (for its own account) an arrangement fee in the amount and at the time agreed in the Fee Letter.

 

10.3        Security Agent and Facility Agent fee

 

If the Original Lender ceases to be the sole Lender under the Facility, the Parties shall, acting reasonably, agree fees payable to the Security Agent and the Facility Agent (the “Security Agent Fee” and the “Facility Agent Fee” respectively).  The Borrower shall pay to the Security Agent and the Facility Agent the Security Agent Fee and the Facility Agent Fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.

 

10.4        LC Issuing Bank fee

 

Where the Original Lender ceases to be the sole lender under the Facility the Parties shall, acting reasonably, agree the LC Issuing Bank fee.  The Borrower shall pay to the LC Issuing Bank the LC Issuing Bank fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.

 

 

PART 5
 TAXES, INCREASED COSTS AND INDEMNITIES

 

11.          TAX GROSS-UP AND INDEMNITIES

 

11.1        Definitions

 

(A)          In this Agreement:

 

“Tax Credit” means a credit against, relief or remission for, or repayment of any Tax.

 

“Tax Deduction” means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document.

 

“Tax Payment” means either the increase in a payment made by an Obligor to a Finance Party under clause 11.2 (Tax gross-up) or a payment under clause 11.3 (Tax Indemnity).

 

11.2        Tax gross-up

 

(A)          Each Obligor shall make all payments to be made by it without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law.

 

(B)          The Company shall promptly upon becoming aware that an Obligor must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction) notify the Facility Agent accordingly.

 

(C)          If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required.

 

(D)          If an Obligor is required to make a Tax Deduction, that Obligor shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law.

 

(E)           Within 30 days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Obligor making that Tax Deduction shall deliver to the Facility Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party (acting reasonably) that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing Authority.

 

(F)           If an Obligor makes any payment to a Finance Party in respect of or relating to a Tax Deduction, but such Obligor was not obliged to make such payment, the relevant Finance Party shall within five Business Days of demand refund such payment to such Obligor.

 

 

11.3        Tax Indemnity

 

(A)          Except as provided below, the Borrower shall (within five Business Days of demand by the Facility Agent) indemnify a Finance Party against any loss, liability or cost which that Finance Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered by that Finance Party for or on account of Tax, by that Finance Party in respect of a Finance Document.

 

(B)          Paragraph (A) above shall not apply:

 

(i)            with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party under the law of the jurisdiction in which:

 

(a)           that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for Tax purposes; or

 

(b)           that Finance Party’s Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction,

 

if in either such case that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party or that Finance Party’s Facility Office; or

 

(ii)           to the extent a loss, liability or cost is compensated for by an increased payment under clause 11.2 (Tax gross-up); or

 

(iii)          with respect to any Tax assessed prior to the date which is 180 days prior to the date on which the relevant Finance Party requests such a payment from the Borrower, unless a determination of the amount claimed could only be made on or after the first of those dates.

 

(C)          A Finance Party making, or intending to make a claim under paragraph (A) above shall promptly notify the Facility Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Facility Agent shall provide to the Company a copy of the notification by such Finance Party.

 

(D)          A Finance Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under this clause, notify the Facility Agent.  The Finance Parties will undertake to use reasonable endeavours to obtain reliefs and remissions for taxes and deductions and to reimburse the Company for reliefs, remissions or credits obtained (but without any obligation to arrange its Tax affairs other than as it sees fit nor to disclose any information about its Tax affairs).

 

11.4        Tax Credit

 

(A)          If:

 

(i)            an Obligor makes a Tax Payment, and

 

(ii)           a Tax Credit is attributable either to an increased payment of which that Tax Payment forms part, or to that Tax Payment, and

 

 

(iii)          that Finance Party has obtained, utilised and retained that Tax Credit,

 

the Finance Party shall pay an amount to the Obligor which that Finance Party reasonably determines will leave it (after that payment) in the same after-Tax position as it would have been in but for its utilisation of the Tax Credit.

 

(B)          Nothing in this clause will:

 

(i)            interfere with the rights of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit; or

 

(ii)           oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its Tax affairs or computations.

 

11.5        Stamp taxes

 

The Company shall, within five Business Days of demand, pay and indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document other than in respect of an assignment or transfer by a Lender.

 

11.6        Value added tax

 

(A)          All consideration expressed to be payable under a Finance Document by any Party to a Finance Party shall be deemed to be exclusive of any VAT.  If VAT is chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party to any Party in connection with a Finance Document, that Party shall pay to the Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying the consideration) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT against delivery of an appropriate VAT invoice.

 

(B)          Where a Finance Document requires any Party to reimburse a Finance Party for any costs or expenses, that obligation shall be deemed to extend to all VAT incurred by the Finance Party in respect of the costs or expenses to the extent that the Finance Party reasonably determines that neither the Finance Party nor any other member of any VAT group of which it is a member is entitled to credit or repayment of the VAT.

 

12.          INCREASED COSTS

 

12.1        Increased costs

 

(A)          Subject to clause 12.3 (Exceptions) the Borrower shall, within five Business Days of a demand by the Facility Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Costs incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates as a result of the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application by any governmental body or regulatory Authority of) any law or regulation (whether or not having the force of law, but if not, being of a type with which that Finance Party or Affiliate is expected or required to comply), or as a result of the implementation or application of, or compliance with, Basel III or any law or regulation that implements or applies Basel III.

 

(B)          In this Agreement “Increased Costs” means:

 

 

(i)            a reduction in the rate of return from the Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital;

 

(ii)           an additional or increased cost; or

 

(iii)          a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document,

 

which is (a) material and (b) incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates but only to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document.

 

12.2        Increased cost claims

 

(A)          A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to clause 12.1 (Increased costs) shall notify the Facility Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following which the Facility Agent shall promptly notify the Company.

 

(B)          Each Finance Party shall provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Increased Costs.

 

12.3        Exceptions

 

(A)          Clause 12.1 (Increased costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is:

 

(i)            attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by an Obligor provided that this clause is without prejudice to any rights which the affected Lender may have under clause 11.2 (Tax gross-up) to receive a grossed up payment;

 

(ii)           the subject of a claim under clause 11.3 (Tax Indemnity) (or might be or have been the subject of a claim under clause 11.3 (Tax Indemnity) but for any of the exclusions in paragraph (B) of clause 11.3 (Tax Indemnity));

 

(iii)          incurred prior to the date which is 180 days prior to the date on which the Finance Party makes a claim in accordance with clause 12.2 (Increased cost claims), unless a determination of the amount incurred could only be made on or after the first of those dates;

 

(iv)          attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or any of its Affiliates of any law or regulation; or

 

(v)           attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 in the form existing on the date of this Agreement (but excluding any amendment contained in Basel III) (“Basel II”) or any other law or regulation which implements Basel II (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates).

 

(B)          In this clause 12.3 (Exceptions), a reference to a “Tax Deduction” has the same meaning given to the term in clause 11.1 (Definitions).

 

 

13.          OTHER INDEMNITIES

 

13.1        Currency indemnity

 

(A)          If any sum due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (a “Sum”), or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the “First Currency”) in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the “Second Currency”) for the purpose of:

 

(i)            making or filing a claim or proof against that Obligor; or

 

(ii)           obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings,

 

that Obligor shall as an independent obligation, within five Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any cost, loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (a) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (b) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.

 

(B)          Each Obligor waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable.

 

13.2        Other indemnities

 

Each Obligor shall, within five Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by that Finance Party as a result of:

 

(A)          the occurrence of any Event of Default;

 

(B)          a failure by an Obligor to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date.

 

13.3        Indemnity to the Facility Agent

 

Each Obligor shall promptly on demand, indemnify the Facility Agent against any cost, loss or liability incurred by the Facility Agent (acting reasonably) as a direct result of:

 

(A)          investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default; and

 

(B)          acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised by an Obligor.

 

 

14.          MITIGATION BY THE LENDERS

 

14.1        Mitigation

 

(A)          Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Company, use all reasonable endeavours to mitigate or remove any circumstances which arise and which would result in any facility ceasing to be available or any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of clause 8.1 (Illegality), clause 11.2 (Tax gross-up) or clause 12.1 (Increased costs) including (but not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office.

 

(B)          Paragraph (A) above does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents.

 

(C)          Each Finance Party shall notify the Facility Agent as soon as it becomes aware that any circumstances of the kind described in paragraph (A) above have arisen or may arise.  The Facility Agent shall notify the Company promptly of any such notification from a Finance Party.

 

14.2        Limitation of liability

 

(A)          Each Obligor shall promptly indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under clause 14.1 (Mitigation).

 

(B)          A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under clause 14.1 (Mitigation) if, in the bona fide opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might in any way be prejudicial to it.

 

 

PART 6
 FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

15.          INFORMATION UNDERTAKINGS

 

The undertakings in this clause remain in force from the date of this Agreement until the Discharge Date.

 

15.1        Books of account and auditors

 

Each Obligor shall:

 

(A)          keep proper books of account relating to its business; and

 

(B)          appoint and maintain as its auditors any Approved Auditor.

 

15.2        Financial statements

 

(A)          The Borrower shall supply to the Facility Agent (in sufficient copies as most recently notified by the Facility Agent as being sufficient to allow one copy for each Lender):

 

(i)            as soon as they become available, but in any event within 180 days of the end of each financial year, the audited financial statements of the Original Guarantor for that financial year, and within 90 days of the end of each financial year, the annual management reports of the Borrower; and

 

(ii)           within 90 days of the end of each quarter, the unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements of the Original Guarantor for that period.

 

(B)          If during any financial year of the Original Guarantor there is a material change in the nature and extent of the accounting transactions which the Original Guarantor enters into, the Borrower shall promptly inform the Facility Agent thereof and the Borrower shall, if instructed to do so by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders (acting reasonably)), supply to the Facility Agent (in sufficient copies for each Lender), as soon as they become available, but in any event within 180 days of request, the audited financial statements of the Original Guarantor for its last financial year.

 

15.3        Year-end

 

The Borrower shall not change its financial year-end from the Accounting Reference Date without the consent of the Majority Lenders.

 

15.4        Form of financial statements

 

(A)          The Borrower must ensure that each set of financial statements supplied under this Agreement:

 

(i)            is certified by an Authorised Signatory of the Borrower as a true and correct copy; and

 

 

(ii)           gives (if audited) a true and fair view of, or (if unaudited) fairly represents, the financial condition of the relevant Borrower for the period to the date on which those financial statements were drawn up.

 

(B)          Unless otherwise agreed with the Facility Agent, all financial statements delivered under this Agreement shall be prepared in accordance with the Approved Accounting Principles.

 

(C)          The Borrower must notify the Facility Agent of any material change to the manner in which any audited or unaudited financial statements delivered under this Agreement are prepared.

 

(D)          If requested by the Facility Agent, the Borrower must supply to the Facility Agent:

 

(i)            a full description of any change notified under paragraph (B) above and the adjustments which would be required to be made to those financial statements in order to cause them to use the accounting policies, practices, procedures and reference period upon which such financial statements were prepared prior to such change; and

 

(ii)           sufficient information, in such detail and format as may be required by the Facility Agent (acting reasonably), to enable the Lenders to make a proper comparison between the financial position shown by the set of financial statements prepared on the changed basis and its most recent audited or unaudited financial statements delivered to the Facility Agent under this Agreement prior to such change.

 

15.5        Compliance Certificate

 

(A)          The Borrower must supply to the Facility Agent a Compliance Certificate with each set of financial statements sent to the Facility Agent under clause 15.2 (Financial statements), above certifying the matters specified in clause 15.4(A) (Form of financial statements) above and compliance with the financial covenants in clauses 18.1 (Debt cover ratio) and 18.2 (Interest cover ratio) below.

 

(B)          A Compliance Certificate supplied in accordance with paragraph (A) above must be signed by two Authorised Signatories of the Borrower.

 

15.6        Information: miscellaneous

 

Each Obligor shall supply to the Facility Agent, in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Facility Agent so requests:

 

(A)          all documents dispatched by each Obligor to its Shareholders (or any class of them) or its creditors generally, at the same time as they are dispatched;

 

(B)          promptly after becoming aware of them, the details of any material litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are currently threatened or pending against the Guarantor or any member of the Group;

 

(C)          promptly upon them being becoming available, (i) each annual work program and each budget to be delivered to any governmental ministry or analogous governmental body, in 

 

 

connection with any underlying licence which a Letter of Credit has been granted in relation to and (ii) any other analogous document or information as reasonably required by the LC Issuing Bank for any Letters of Credit issued for any purpose which is not related to exploration licences.

 

(D)          promptly, such further information regarding the financial condition, assets, business and operations of the Guarantor or any member of the Group as the Facility Agent may reasonably request.

 

15.7        Notification of Default

 

Each Obligor must notify the Facility Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence.

 

15.8        “Know your customer” and “customer due diligence” requirements

 

(A)          If:

 

(i)            the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application by any government or regulatory Authority of) any law or regulation (having the force of law) made after the date of this Agreement;

 

(ii)           any change in the ownership of an Obligor after the date of this Agreement; or

 

(iii)          a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a party that is not a Lender prior to such assignment or transfer,

 

obliges the Facility Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of paragraph (C) below, any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer”, “customer due diligence” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it (or, in the case of paragraph (C) below, cannot be provided by the transferring Lender from information already provided to it), the Company shall, as soon as reasonably practicable upon the request of the Facility Agent or the relevant Lender, supply, or procure the supply of, such reasonable documentation and other evidence as is within an Obligor’s possession and control to enable the Facility Agent or such Lender to comply with all necessary “know your customer”, “customer due diligence” or other similar checks required under the relevant laws and regulations including using its reasonable efforts to provide any updated or additional information as may be reasonably requested by the Facility Agent or Lenders to maintain such compliance.

 

(B)          Each Lender shall promptly upon the request of the Facility Agent supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Facility Agent (for itself) in order for the Facility Agent, as the case may be, to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all (i) “know your customer” requirements or (ii) other similar checks, in each case as required under all applicable laws and regulations, in each case pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

 

 

(C)          The Borrower shall, by not less than 10 Business Days’ prior written notice to the Facility Agent, notify the Facility Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of its intention to request that a member of its Group becomes an Additional Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(D)          Following the giving of any notice pursuant to paragraph (C) above, if the accession of such Additional Guarantor obliges the Facility Agent or any Lender, by law or applicable regulation, to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, the Borrower shall promptly upon the request of the Facility Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Facility Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Facility Agent or such Lender or any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the accession of such subsidiary to this Agreement as an Additional Guarantor.

 

15.9        Use of websites

 

(A)          Except as provided below, each Obligor may deliver any information under the Facility Agreement to the Facility Agent by posting it on to an electronic website if:

 

(i)            it maintains or has access to an electronic website for this purpose and provides the Facility Agent with the details and password to access the website and the information; and

 

(ii)           the information posted is in a format required by this Agreement or is otherwise agreed between each Obligor and the Facility Agent (whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

The Facility Agent must supply each relevant Lender with the address of and password for the website.

 

(B)          Notwithstanding the above, the Company must supply to the Facility Agent within 10 Business Days of request, in paper form a copy of any information posted on the website together with sufficient copies for any Lender, if that Lender so requests.

 

(C)          Each Obligor must, promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence, notify the Facility Agent if:

 

(i)            the website cannot be accessed;

 

(ii)           the website or any information on the website is infected by any electronic virus or similar software;

 

(iii)          the password for the website is changed; or

 

(iv)          any information to be supplied under the Facility Agreement is posted on the website or amended after being posted.

 

 

If the circumstances in sub-paragraph (C)(i) or (ii) above occur, an Obligor must supply any information required under this Agreement in paper form until the circumstances giving rise to the notification are no longer continuing and the information can be provided in accordance with paragraph (A) above.

 

 

PART 7
 GUARANTEE

 

16.          GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY

 

16.1        Guarantee and indemnity

 

Subject to clause 16.5 (Limitation on liability), each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally jointly and severally:

 

(A)          guarantees to each Finance Party punctual performance by each Borrower of all that Borrower’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

(B)          undertakes with each Finance Party that whenever a Borrower does not pay any amount when due under or in connection with any Finance Document, that Guarantor shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor; and

 

(C)          indemnifies each Finance Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability suffered by that Finance Party if any obligation guaranteed by it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal.  The amount of the cost, loss or liability shall be equal to the amount which that Finance Party would otherwise have been entitled to recover.

 

16.2        Continuing guarantee

 

This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by any Obligor under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

16.3        Reinstatement

 

If any payment by an Obligor or any discharge given by a Finance Party (whether in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is avoided or reduced as a result of insolvency or any similar event:

 

(A)          the liability of each Obligor shall continue as if the payment, discharge, avoidance or reduction had not occurred; and

 

(B)          each Finance Party shall be entitled to recover the value or amount of that security or payment from each Obligor, as if the payment, discharge, avoidance or reduction had not occurred.

 

16.4        Waiver of defences

 

The obligations of each Guarantor under this clause 16 will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this clause, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this clause 16 (without limitation and whether or not known to it or any Finance Party) including:

 

(A)          any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor or other person;

 

 

(B)          the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Group;

 

(C)          the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

(D)          any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality or dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor or any other person;

 

(E)           any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of any Finance Document or any other document or security including without limitation any change in the purpose of, any extension of or any increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under any Finance Document or other document or security;

 

(F)           any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or

 

(G)          any insolvency or similar proceedings.

 

16.5        Limitation on liability

 

No Guarantor shall have any liability under this clause 16 nor shall any Guarantor otherwise be required to make any payment to any Finance Party or to any trustee or agent on its behalf in respect of any liability of the Borrower which may, at that time, be satisfied by amounts standing to the credit of the LC Cash Collateral Accounts.  Subject to the foregoing, each Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person claiming from that Guarantor under this clause 16.  This waiver applies, subject to the foregoing, irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.

 

16.6        Appropriations

 

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:

 

(A)          subject to clause 6.9 (Claims under a Letter of Credit), refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and no Guarantor shall be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

 

(B)          hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from any Guarantor or on account of any Guarantor’s liability under this clause 16.

 

 

16.7        Deferral of Guarantors’ rights

 

(A)          Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Facility Agent otherwise directs, no Guarantor will exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents:

 

(i)            to be indemnified by an Obligor;

 

(ii)           to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents; and/or

 

(iii)          to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance Party.

 

(B)          If a Guarantor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it shall hold that benefit, payment or distribution to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Finance Parties by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents to be repaid in full on trust for the Finance Parties and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Agent or as the Agent may direct for application in accordance with clause 27 (Payment Mechanics) of this Agreement.

 

16.8        Additional security

 

This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party.

 

 

PART 8
 REPRESENTATIONS, COVENANTS, EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

17.          REPRESENTATIONS

 

Each Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in this clause to each Finance Party and acknowledges that each Finance Party has entered into the Finance Documents in full reliance on those representations and warranties.

 

17.1        Status

 

(A)          It is a limited liability or, as the case may be, an exempted company, duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.

 

(B)          It has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted.

 

17.2        Legal validity

 

Each Finance Document to which it is a party constitutes, or will constitute when executed, its valid, legally binding and enforceable obligations in accordance with its terms (subject to any limitation on enforcement under law or general principles of equity or qualifications which are specifically set out in any legal opinion delivered as a Condition Precedent) and that, so far as it is aware having made all due and careful enquiries, each Finance Document is in full force and effect.

 

17.3        Non-conflict

 

The entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents to which it is a party do not conflict with:

 

(A)          any applicable law or regulation;

 

(B)          its constitutional documents; or

 

(C)          any agreement binding upon it,

 

to the extent which has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

17.4        Powers and authority

 

It has (or had at the relevant time) the power and authority to execute and deliver the Finance Documents to which it is a party and it has the power and authority to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

17.5        Authorisations

 

All Required Approvals (except to the extent already provided as a Condition Precedent, or where required by any Authority in respect of any Security Interest granted (or to be 

 

 

granted) under the Security Documents) have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect (where a failure to do so has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).

 

17.6        Stamp and registration duties

 

Except for registration fees, if any, payable in relation to the Charge, there is no stamp or registration duty or similar Tax or charge in respect of any Finance Document, which has not been made or paid within applicable time periods (where a failure to do so has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect).

 

17.7        No Default

 

No Default has occurred and is outstanding.

 

17.8        Financial statements and other factual information

 

(A)          The most recent audited financial statements and interim financial statements delivered to the Facility Agent in accordance with clause 15.2 (Financial statements):

 

(i)            have been prepared in accordance with the Approved Accounting Principles (if relevant); and

 

(ii)           (if audited) give a true and fair view of, or (if unaudited) fairly represent, its financial condition for the relevant period.

 

(B)          All factual information provided by or under the express direction of the Borrower to the Finance Parties in connection with the Facility was believed by the Borrower at the time it was so provided to be true in all material respects.

 

17.9        Proceedings pending or threatened

 

Except as disclosed to the Facility Agent in writing prior to the Signing Date, no litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding is pending or threatened which could reasonably be expected to be adversely determined against it and which, if so determined, has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

17.10      Breach of laws

 

(A)          It has not breached any law or regulation which has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(B)          It is in compliance with all environmental laws, a breach of which could reasonably be expected to give rise to a liability on it which has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect and, so far as it is aware having made due and careful enquiry, there is no environmental claim outstanding against it which, if adversely determined, would give rise to a liability on it which has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

17.11      Ranking of security

 

Subject to any limitations on enforcement under law or general principles of equity or qualifications set out in any legal opinion delivered as a Condition Precedent, each Security Document when executed confers the Security Interests it purports to confer over the assets referred to in that document and those assets are not subject to any other Security Interest.

 

17.12      Pari passu ranking

 

Its payment obligations under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu with all its other present unsecured obligations, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.

 

17.13      No immunity

 

In any proceedings taken in any relevant jurisdiction in relation to the Finance Documents (or any of them), it shall not be entitled to claim for itself or any of its assets immunity from suit, execution or attachment or other legal process.

 

17.14      Ownership of Obligors

 

(A)          The Guarantor beneficially owns, indirectly, all of the issued share capital of the Company.

 

(B)          The issued share capital of the Company is fully paid up and, to the extent applicable, beneficially owned by the Guarantor, free of all encumbrances or other third party rights.

 

17.15      OFAC

 

Each Obligor represents that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries or, to its knowledge, any director, officer, employee, agent or representative of it or any of its subsidiaries is an individual or entity (“Person”) currently the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the United States Government, including, without limitation, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is it or any of its subsidiaries located, organised or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions.

 

17.16      Times for making representations

 

(A)          The representations set out in this clause 17 (other than the representations in clauses 17.4 (Powers and authority) and 17.5 (Authorisations)) are made by each Obligor on the date of this Agreement. The representation in clause 17.4 (Powers and authority) will be made as at the time that the power or authority is exercised only.  Each Repeating Representation is deemed to be repeated by each Obligor on the date of each Utilisation Request, each Utilisation Date and any date when the Letter of Credit Fee is paid by the Borrower.

 

 

(B)          When a representation is repeated, it is applied to the facts and circumstances existing at the time of repetition.

 

18.          FINANCIAL COVENANTS

 

18.1        Debt cover ratio

 

The Company undertakes that on each Calculation Date the ratio of Consolidated Total Net Borrowings to EBITDAX of the Group for the Measurement Period shall be less than or equal to 3.50 : 1.00.

 

18.2        Interest cover ratio

 

The Company undertakes that on each Calculation Date the ratio of EBITDAX of the Group to the Net Interest Payable of the Group for the Measurement Period shall be greater than or equal to 2.25 : 1.00.

 

18.3        Calculation of ratios on Calculation Date

 

(A)          The Company will give written notice to the Facility Agent of the anticipated occurrence of any Calculation Date together with pro forma calculations of the ratio of Consolidated Total Net Borrowings to EBITDAX of the Group and EBITDAX of the Group to the Net Interest Payable of the Group for the relevant Measurement Period.

 

(B)          The pro forma calculations referred to in paragraph (A) above will:

 

(i)            incorporate all debt and interest of the Group, ignoring any debt that must be mandatorily prepaid as a result of the relevant Calculation Trigger Event (and also ignoring any related interest) and including any debt envisaged to be incurred (and including any interest that would have been payable had that debt been incurred at the beginning of the relevant Measurement Period) by the Group pursuant to the relevant Calculation Trigger Event as though that debt had been incurred at the beginning of the relevant Measurement Period; and.

 

(ii)           ignore, in instances where the relevant Calculation Trigger Event is a Ghana Petroleum Agreement Small Sale Event, the Ghana Petroleum Agreement Small Sale Percentage Reduction and any amounts payable to the Group in connection with a Ghana Petroleum Agreement Small Sale Event.

 

(C)          The Company may only proceed with a Calculation Trigger Event which is listed in paragraph (B)(iv) or (B)(v) of the definition of Calculation Date if the pro forma calculations referred to in paragraph (A) above show that the financial covenants in clause 18.1 (Debt cover ratio) and in clause 18.2 (Interest cover ratio) would be met for the relevant Measurement Period, or otherwise only with the consent of the Majority Lenders.

 

(D)          The Company may only proceed with a Calculation Trigger Event which is listed in paragraph (B)(i), (B)(ii) or (B)(iii) of the definition of Calculation Date in clause 1.1 (Definitions) if the pro forma calculations referred to in paragraph (A) above show that the financial covenants in clause 18.1 (Debt cover ratio) and in clause 18.2 (Interest cover ratio) would be met for the relevant Measurement Period, or otherwise only with the consent of each Lender.

 

 

19.          GENERAL UNDERTAKINGS

 

The undertakings in this clause shall remain in force from the date of this Agreement until the Discharge Date.

 

19.1        Corporate existence

 

Each Obligor shall maintain its corporate existence.

 

19.2        Authorisations

 

Each Obligor shall promptly obtain and comply with Required Approvals where a failure to do so would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

19.3        Compliance with laws

 

Each Obligor shall comply with all laws and regulations (including compliance with environmental laws, permits and licences) applicable to it where failure to do so would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

19.4        Pari passu ranking

 

Each Obligor shall ensure that at all times its payment obligations to the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu as to priority of payment with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated Financial Indebtedness, except for claims mandatorily preferred by operation of law applying generally.

 

19.5        Security

 

Each Obligor shall undertake all actions reasonably necessary (including the making or delivery of filings and payment of fees) to maintain the Security Interests under the Security Documents to which it is party in full force and effect (including the priority thereof).

 

19.6        Change of business

 

KEL shall procure that no substantial change is made to the general nature of the business of the Obligors or the Group taken as a whole from that carried on by the Group as at the date of this Agreement.

 

19.7        Disposals

 

Each Obligor shall not, either in a single transaction or in a series of transactions and whether related or not, dispose of all or a material part of its assets.

 

19.8        Mergers

 

No Obligor may enter into any amalgamation, consolidation, demerger, merger or reconstruction or winding-up without the consent of the Majority Lenders, except on a 

 

 

solvent basis and in circumstances where the Obligor remains the legal entity following such amalgamation, consolidation, demerger, merger or reconstruction or winding-up.

 

19.9        Tax affairs

 

Each Obligor must promptly file all tax returns required by law within the requisite time limits except to the extent contested in good faith and subject to adequate reserve or provision.

 

19.10      Distributions

 

(A)          Each Obligor may make, declare or pay a Shareholder Distribution, subject to there being no Default or Event of Default outstanding and provided that no Default or Event of Default would occur by making such Shareholder Distribution.

 

(B)          For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in paragraph (A) above shall restrict an Obligor from making a Shareholder Distribution at any time (including at a time when a Default or an Event of Default is continuing) to the extent that the payment of such Shareholder Distribution is mandatory under the rules of any Stock Exchange.

 

19.11      OFAC

 

Each Obligor represents and covenants that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries will, directly or, to such Obligor’s knowledge, indirectly, use the proceeds of the Facility, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, adviser, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. Furthermore, each Obligor represents and covenants that it and each of its subsidiaries is in compliance with Council Regulation (EU) No 961/2010 of 25 October 2010 on restrictive measures against Iran and repealing Regulation (EC) No 423/2007.

 

19.12      Restricted Entity

 

The Borrower undertakes that it shall not nominate as a Beneficiary any person currently the subject of Sanctions, or located, organised or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions.

 

19.13      Insurance

 

The Obligors shall maintain insurances, with reputable independent insurance companies or underwriters, on and in relation to their respective business and assets against those risks and to the extent as is usual for companies carrying on the same or substantially similar business.

 

 

19.14      Constitutional documents

 

Each Obligor shall notify the Facility Agent of any amendment to any of its constitutional documents in a manner that has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

20.          EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

Subject to the following, each of the events or circumstances set out in this clause is an Event of Default unless otherwise stated.  Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document:

 

(A)          no Event of Default will or may occur under this Agreement or be continuing where (and for so long as) Cash Collateral has been deposited into the LC Cash Collateral Accounts which is at least equal to 100 per cent. of the aggregate face value of all outstanding Letters of Credit; and

 

(B)          any Event of Default which has occurred will be fully and effectively remedied and shall be deemed not to be continuing if and when Cash Collateral which is at least equal to 100 per cent. of the aggregate face value of all outstanding Letters of Credit is deposited into the LC Cash Collateral Accounts.

 

20.2        Non-payment

 

An Obligor does not pay any amount payable by it to any Finance Party (or to the Facility Agent for its own account) under the Finance Documents in the manner and on the date required under the Finance Documents within five Business Days of its due date.

 

20.3        Breach of financial covenant

 

The Borrower does not comply with the provisions of the Financial Covenants, provided that where the debt cover ratio or interest cover ratio has been breached, the Borrower shall have 45 days within which to remedy any breach of the relevant financial covenant by means of a prepayment and/or a cancellation of the Facility where any prepayment is funded by the provision of Additional Debt subordinated on terms acceptable to the Majority Lenders (acting reasonably), or by the contribution of equity to the capital of the Borrower or by taking such other remedial action as may be approved by the Majority Lenders provided always that the Borrower shall be entitled to remedy any such breach not more than twice in total and not more than once in any 12-month period.

 

20.4        Breach of other obligations

 

An Obligor does not comply with any other provision of the Finance Documents to which it is a party (other than in respect of non-payment or breach of a Financial Covenant), unless the non-compliance is:

 

(A)          capable of remedy; and

 

 

(B)          remedied within 30 days of the earlier of the Facility Agent giving notice or the Obligor becoming aware of the non-compliance.

 

20.5        Misrepresentation

 

Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Obligor in the Finance Documents is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made (or, in the case of a representation or statement that contains a materiality concept, is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any respect when made or deemed to be made), unless the misrepresentation is:

 

(A)          capable of remedy; and

 

(B)          remedied within 30 days of the earlier of the Facility Agent giving notice or the relevant Obligor becoming aware of the misrepresentation.

 

20.6        Cross-default

 

(A)          Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor is not paid when due nor within any applicable grace period.

 

(B)          Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described) and such amount is not paid when due.

 

(C)          Notwithstanding paragraphs (A) and (B) above, no Event of Default will occur under this clause if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness is less than USD 100 million (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies) or if the relevant event or default has been waived, or if such event or default is caused by a Disruption Event, provided that, in the case of a Disruption Event the requisite payment is made within five Business Days.

 

20.7        Insolvency

 

Any of the following occurs in respect of an Obligor:

 

(A)          it is, or is deemed for the purposes of any law to be, unable to, or admits its inability to, pay its debts as they fall due or is or becomes insolvent or a moratorium is declared in relation to its indebtedness generally; or

 

(B)          it stops or suspends or threatens to suspend, or announces an intention to stop or suspend making payment of all or any class of its debts as they fall due in default of the obligation to make the relevant payment.

 

20.8        Insolvency proceedings

 

(A)          Except as provided in paragraph (B) below, any of the following occurs in respect of an Obligor:

 

 

(i)            a written resolution is passed or a resolution is passed at a meeting of its shareholders, directors or other officers to petition for or to file documents with a court or any registrar for its winding-up, administration or dissolution;

 

(ii)           any person presents a petition, or files documents with a court or any registrar for its winding-up, administration or dissolution;

 

(iii)          an order for its winding-up, administration or dissolution is made;

 

(iv)          any liquidator, provisional liquidator, trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer is appointed in respect of it or any material part of its assets;

 

(v)           a moratorium is declared in relation to the indebtedness of an Obligor;

 

(vi)          its shareholders, directors or other officers request the appointment of, or give notice of their intention to appoint a liquidator, trustee in bankruptcy, judicial custodian, compulsory manager, provisional liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or similar officer;

 

(vii)         any composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement is made with any of its creditors; or

 

(viii)        any other analogous step or procedure is taken in any jurisdiction.

 

(B)          Paragraph (A) does not apply to:

 

(i)            any step or procedure which is part of a re-organisation of an Obligor on a solvent basis with the consent of the Majority Lenders (acting reasonably); or

 

(ii)           an IPO Reorganisation; or

 

(iii)          in the case of sub-paragraph (ii) or (iv) (or any step or procedure under sub-paragraph (vi) that is analogous to sub-paragraph (ii) or (iv)), if the relevant step, petition or filing is made by a person other than an Obligor, shareholder or their respective officers or directors and the relevant Obligor is taking steps in good faith and with due diligence for such proceedings or action to be stayed, discontinued, revoked or set aside and the same is stayed, discontinued, revoked or set aside within a period of 60 days; or

 

(iv)          any Enforcement Action that applies to assets having an aggregate value of less than USD 100 million.

 

20.9        Creditors’ process

 

Any attachment, sequestration, distress, execution or analogous event affects any asset(s) of an Obligor, having an aggregate value of at least USD 15 million, and is not discharged within 45 days.

 

 

20.10      Unlawfulness and invalidity of the Finance Documents

 

If all or any part of a Finance Document is not, or ceases to be, a legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of an Obligor, and:

 

(A)          the Company fails, within 30 days of becoming aware of the matter, to procure the execution of a substitute agreement or agreements on substantially the same terms and with a commercially qualified party or parties acceptable to the Majority Lenders (acting reasonably); or

 

(B)          the matter is not otherwise remedied within 30 days of an Obligor becoming aware of the matter.

 

20.11      Cessation of business

 

An Obligor ceases, or threatens to cease, all or a substantial part of its business (as carried on at the date of this Agreement).

 

20.12      Repudiation of Finance Documents

 

Any Finance Document is repudiated or rescinded by an Obligor.

 

20.13      Material litigation

 

Any material litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings are commenced, threatened or pending against an Obligor which could reasonably be expected to be adversely determined against it and which, if so determined, has, or would have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

20.14      Material Adverse Effect

 

Any event which, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders (acting reasonably), has a Material Adverse Effect but only following consultation between the Facility Agent and the Company over a period of not less than 30 days with a view to agreeing steps of mitigation (each Party acting reasonably with a view to appropriate remedial action being taken).

 

20.15      Acceleration

 

On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing, the Facility Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower:

 

(A)          cancel the Total Commitments whereupon they shall immediately be cancelled;

 

(B)          declare that all accrued fees, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable (as applicable);

 

 

(C)          require the Borrower to provide 100% Cash Collateral to the relevant LC Issuing Bank in respect of any outstanding uncollateralised liabilities under each Letter of Credit; and/or

 

(D)          exercise or direct the Security Agent to exercise any or all of its rights, remedies, powers or discretions under any of the Finance Documents.

 

20.16      Notification of Event of Default

 

The Facility Agent shall notify the Security Agent of the occurrence of any Event of Default.

 

20.17      Lender’s Termination

 

(A)          On the occurrence of an event or circumstance set out in clause 20 which, but for the operation of clause 20(A) and/or 20(B) would be an Event of Default, and which continues for an uninterrupted period until the date which is at least 90 days after the Borrower first received notice or became aware of the event or circumstance in question (such date being the “Suspension Period End Date”), the Facility Agent may, on any date selected by it falling after the Suspension Period End Date (provided that on such selected date the event or circumstance in question is still continuing) provide written notice of the revised Termination Date for the Facility (the “Revised Termination Date”), which written notice shall be delivered to the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement no later than five Business Days prior to such Revised Termination Date.

 

(B)          During the period beginning on the date upon which the Borrower first receives notice or becomes aware of an event or circumstance which, but for the operation of clause 20(A) and/or 20(B) would be an Event of Default, and ending on the Suspension Period End Date relating to that event or circumstance, the Borrower, the LC Issuing Bank and the Facility Agent shall negotiate in good faith with a view to resolving the cause of the event or circumstance in question.

 

 

PART 9
 CHANGES TO LENDERS AND OBLIGORS AND ROLES

 

21.          CHANGES TO THE LENDERS

 

21.1        Assignments and transfers and changes in Facility Office by the Lenders

 

Subject to this clause and to clause 21.2 (Transfer of LC Issuing Bank role), a Lender (the “Existing Lender”) may:

 

(A)

 

(i)            assign any of its rights; or

 

(ii)           transfer by novation any of its rights and obligations,

 

to an Affiliate, another Lender, an Affiliate of another Lender or a Qualifying Bank, another bank or financial institution or to a trust or other entity which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets or such other institution as the Borrower may agree in writing (the “New Lender”), or

 

(B)          change its Facility Office.

 

21.2        Transfer of LC Issuing Bank role

 

The Original Lender, who at the Signing Date holds the role of LC Issuing Bank, may not, without the prior written consent of the Borrower, assign, novate or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations as LC Issuing Bank.

 

21.3        Conditions of assignment and transfer or change in Facility Office

 

(A)          The consent of the Company is required for an assignment or transfer by an Existing Lender, unless the assignment or transfer is (i) to, or in favour of, another Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or a Qualifying Bank, or (ii) made at a time when an Event of Default is continuing.

 

(B)          The consent of the Company is required for a change in Facility Office to a different jurisdiction.  In the case of a change of Facility Office for which the Company’s consent is not required, the Lender must notify the Company of the new Facility Office promptly on the change taking effect.

 

(C)          The consent of the Company to an assignment or transfer or change in Facility Office must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (and will be deemed to have been given five Business Days after the relevant Lender has requested it unless consent is expressly refused by the Company within that time).

 

(D)          An assignment will only be effective on:

 

(i)            receipt by the Facility Agent of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same

 

 

 

obligations to the other Finance Parties as it would have been under if it was an Original Lender; and

 

(ii)           the New Lender entering into the documentation required for it to accede as a party to the relevant Finance Documents.

 

(E)           A transfer will only be effective if the procedure set out in clause 21.6 (Procedure for transfer) is complied with.

 

(F)           If:

 

(i)            a Lender assigns or transfers any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or changes its Facility Office; and

 

(ii)           as a result of circumstances existing at the date the assignment, transfer or change occurs, an Obligor would be obliged to make a payment to the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office under clause 11 (Tax Gross-Up and Indemnities) or clause 12 (Increased costs),

 

then the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office is only entitled to receive payment under those clauses to the same extent as the Existing Lender or Lender acting through its previous Facility Office would have been if the assignment, transfer or change had not occurred.

 

(G)          Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Facility Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with the Finance Documents on or prior to the date on which the transfer or assignment becomes effective in accordance with this Agreement.

 

(H)          Any assignment or transfer of part of the Existing Lender’s rights and/or obligations must be a minimum of USD 5 million (or, if less, the entire Commitment of the Existing Lender) and must not result in the Existing Lender retaining less than USD 5 million, unless the assignment or transfer is made at a time when an Event of Default is continuing.

 

21.4        Assignment or transfer fee

 

The New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment or transfer takes effect, pay to the Facility Agent (for its own account) a fee of USD 2,500.

 

21.5        Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders

 

(A)          Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender for:

 

(i)             the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents or any other documents;

 

(ii)            the financial condition of any Obligor;

 

 

(iii)           the performance and observance by any Obligor of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents; or

 

(iv)          the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document or any other document,

 

and any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.

 

(B)          Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that it:

 

(i)            has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of each Obligor and its related entities in connection with its participation in the Facility and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

(ii)           will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.

 

(C)          Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to:

 

(i)            accept a re-transfer or re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights and obligations assigned or transferred under this clause; or

 

(ii)           support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Obligor of its obligations under the Finance Documents or otherwise.

 

21.6        Procedure for transfer

 

(A)          Subject to the conditions set out in clause 21.3 (Conditions of assignment and transfer or change in Facility Office) a transfer is effected in accordance with paragraph (B) below when the Facility Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate and Lender Accession Notice delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender.  The Facility Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Transfer Certificate and Lender Accession Notice appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate and Lender Accession Notice on behalf of the other Finance Parties and the Obligors as well as itself, and notify the Company of the date of the transfer and name of the New Lender.  Each Finance Party and each Obligor irrevocably authorises the Facility Agent to sign such a Transfer Certificate and Lender Accession Notice on its behalf.

 

(B)          On the Transfer Date:

 

(i)            to the extent that in the Transfer Certificate the Existing Lender seeks to transfer by novation its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents, each of the Obligors and the Existing Lender shall be released from further obligations towards one another under the Finance Documents and their respective rights against one another under the Finance Documents shall be cancelled (being the “Discharged Rights and Obligations”);

 

 

(ii)           each of the Obligors and the New Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another which differ from the Discharged Rights and Obligations only insofar as that Obligor and the New Lender have assumed and/or acquired the same in place of that Obligor and the Existing Lender;

 

(iii)          the Facility Agent, the New Lender and the other Finance Parties shall acquire the same rights and assume the same obligations between themselves as they would have acquired and assumed had the New Lender been an Original Lender with the rights and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of the transfer and to that extent such Finance Parties and the Existing Lender shall each be released from further obligations to each other under the Finance Documents; and

 

(iv)          the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender”.

 

21.7        Copy of Transfer Certificate and Lender Accession Notice to Borrower

 

The Facility Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate and Lender Accession Notice, send to the Company a copy of that Transfer Certificate and Lender Accession Notice.

 

21.8        Disclosure of information

 

Any Lender, its officers and agents may disclose to any of its Affiliates (including its head office, representative and branch offices in any jurisdiction) (each a “Permitted Party”) and:

 

(A)          to any person (or through) whom that Lender assigns or transfers (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (or any adviser on a need-to-know basis advising such person on any of the foregoing);

 

(B)          to a professional adviser or a service provider of the Permitted Parties on a need-to-know basis advising such person on the rights and obligations under the Finance Documents or to an auditor of any Permitted Party on a need-to-know basis;

 

(C)          with (or through) whom that Lender enters into (or may potentially enter into) any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to, this Agreement or any Obligor (or any adviser of any of the foregoing on a need-to-know basis advising such person on the rights and obligations under the Finance Documents);

 

(D)          to any rating agency (provided only general terms are disclosed in relation to the rating of a portfolio of assets), insurer or insurance broker, a direct or indirect provider of credit protection in respect of the Lender’s participation in the Facility only on a need-to know-basis;

 

(E)           to any court or tribunal or regulatory, supervisory, governmental or quasi-governmental authority with jurisdiction over the Permitted Parties who requires disclosure of that information (where the Permitted Party has a legal obligation to provide that information or, if not, is customarily obligated or required to comply with such requirement);

 

 

(F)           to whom, and to the extent that, information is required to be disclosed by any applicable law or regulation; or

 

(G)          to any person who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in paragraph (A) or (C) above,

 

any information about any Obligor, the Group and the Finance Documents as that Lender shall consider appropriate if, in relation to paragraphs (A) to (C) above, the person to whom the information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking (unless such person is already subject to professional confidentiality requirements which are no less stringent than those which are set out in a Confidentiality Undertaking) and provided that it shall itself ensure that all such information is kept confidential and is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to its own confidential information.

 

21.9        Security over Lenders’ rights

 

In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this clause 21, each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from any Obligor, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create any Security Interest in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:

 

(A)          any charge, assignment or other Security Interest to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and

 

(B)          in the case of any Lender which is a fund, any charge, assignment or other Security Interest granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities,

 

except that no such charge, assignment or Security Interest shall:

 

(i)            release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or Security Interest for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or

 

(ii)           require any payments to be made by an Obligor other than or in excess of, or grant to any person any more extensive rights than, those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents.

 

22.          CHANGES TO THE OBLIGORS

 

22.1        Assignments and transfers by Obligors

 

No Obligor may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

 

22.2        Additional Guarantor

 

(A)          Subject to compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (C) and (D) of clause 15.8 (“Know your customer” and “customer due diligence” requirements), the Borrower may request that any member of the Group becomes an Additional Guarantor.  That Group member shall become an Additional Guarantor if:

 

(i)            the Company delivers to the Facility Agent an Accession Letter duly completed and executed by that Additional Guarantor and the Company; and

 

(ii)           the Facility Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part II of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in relation to that Additional Guarantor, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent.

 

(B)          The Facility Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders promptly upon being satisfied (acting reasonably) that it has received (in form and substance satisfactory to it) all the documents and other evidence listed in Part II of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent).

 

23.          ROLE OF THE FACILITY AGENT AND THE ARRANGER

 

23.1        Appointment of the Facility Agent

 

(A)          Each Finance Party (other than the Facility Agent) appoints the Facility Agent to act in that capacity under and in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

(B)          Each other Finance Party authorises the Facility Agent to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to it under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions.

 

23.2        Duties of the Facility Agent

 

(A)          The Facility Agent shall promptly forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Facility Agent for that Party by any other Party.

 

(B)          Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, the Facility Agent is not obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

 

(C)          If the Facility Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the Finance Parties.

 

(D)          If the Facility Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance Party (other than to an Agent) under this Agreement, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

 

(E)           The Facility Agent’s duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature.

 

 

23.3        No fiduciary duties

 

(A)          Except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, nothing in this Agreement constitutes the Facility Agent as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person.

 

(B)          The Facility Agent shall not be bound to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.

 

23.4        Business with the Group

 

The Facility Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any member of the Group.

 

23.5        Rights and discretions of the Facility Agent

 

(A)          The Facility Agent may rely on:

 

(i)            any representation, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; and

 

(ii)           any statement made by a director, Authorised Signatory or employee of any person regarding any matters which may reasonably be assumed to be within his knowledge or within his power to verify.

 

(B)          The Facility Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent for the Lenders) that:

 

(i)            no Default has occurred (unless it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under clause 20.2 (Non-payment));

 

(ii)           any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or the Lenders (or any consistent majority of Lenders) has not been exercised; and

 

(iii)          any notice or request made by the Company (other than a Utilisation Request) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Obligors.

 

(C)          The Facility Agent may engage, pay for and rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, surveyors or other experts.

 

(D)          The Facility Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents through its personnel and agents.

 

(E)           The Facility Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as agent under this Agreement.

 

(F)           Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Facility Agent is obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality.

 

 

23.6        Lenders’ instructions

 

(A)          Unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, the Facility Agent shall (i) exercise any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Facility Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by the Lenders in accordance with this Agreement (or, if so instructed, refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Facility Agent) and (ii) not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from taking any action) in accordance with such instructions.

 

(B)          The Facility Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with instructions given to it by the Lenders in accordance with this Agreement until it has received such security as it may require for any cost, loss or liability (together with any associated VAT) which it may incur in complying with the instructions.

 

(C)          In the absence of instructions in accordance with this Agreement the Facility Agent may act (or refrain from taking action) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders.

 

(D)          The Facility Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Lender (without first obtaining that Lender’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document.

 

23.7        Responsibility for documentation

 

The Facility Agent:

 

(A)          is not responsible for the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Facility Agent, an Obligor or any other person given in or in connection with any Finance Document; or

 

(B)          is not responsible for the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of or in connection with any Finance Document.

 

23.8        Exclusion of liability

 

(A)          Without limiting paragraph (B) below (and without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph (E) of clause 27.9 (Disruption to Payment Systems etc.), the Facility Agent shall not be liable (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) for any action taken by it under or in connection with any Finance Document, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

(B)          No Party (other than the Facility Agent) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Facility Agent in respect of any claim it might have against it or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document and any officer, employee or agent of the Facility Agent may rely on this clause.

 

(C)          The Facility Agent will not be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by it if the Facility Agent has taken all necessary steps as soon as reasonably practicable to comply 

 

 

with the regulations or operating procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by it for that purpose.

 

23.9        Lenders’ indemnity to the Facility Agent

 

Each Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the Total Commitments are then zero, to its share of the Total Commitments immediately prior to their reduction to zero) indemnify the Facility Agent within three Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by it (otherwise than by reason of the Facility Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to clause 27.9 (Disruption to Payment Systems etc.) notwithstanding the Facility Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Facility Agent) in acting as Facility Agent under the Finance Documents (unless the Facility Agent has been reimbursed by an Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document).

 

23.10      Resignation of the Facility Agent

 

(A)          The Facility Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates acting through an office in the United Kingdom as successor by giving notice to the other Finance Parties and the Company.

 

(B)          Alternatively, the Facility Agent may resign by giving notice to the other Finance Parties and the Company, in which case the Majority Lenders may appoint a successor Facility Agent.

 

(C)          If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Facility Agent in accordance with paragraph (B) above within 30 days after notice of resignation was given, the Facility Agent may (with the prior written consent of the Company) appoint a successor Facility Agent (acting through an office in the United Kingdom).

 

(D)          The retiring Facility Agent shall, at its own cost, make available to the successor Facility Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Facility Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Facility Agent under the Finance Documents.  This obligation shall not apply in the event the Facility Agent is required to resign pursuant to paragraph (G) below.

 

(E)           The Facility Agent’s resignation notice shall only take effect upon the appointment of a successor.

 

(F)           Upon the appointment of a successor, a retiring Facility Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents but shall remain entitled to the benefit of this clause 23.10.  Its successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.

 

(G)          After consultation with the Company, the Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Facility Agent, require it to resign in accordance with paragraph (B) above.

 

 

23.11      Replacement of Administrative parties

 

(A)          If:

 

(i)            in relation to the Facility Agent (or its holding company), clause 20.7 (Insolvency) or clause 20.8 (Insolvency proceedings) (disregarding paragraph (B) of that clause) applies or has occurred; or

 

(ii)           if the Facility Agent or any of its Affiliates repudiates its obligations under the Facility or (in its capacity as Lender) becomes a Non-Funding Lender,

 

the Company shall be entitled to request that Majority Lenders appoint within 10 Business Days either a co-Facility Agent or a replacement Facility Agent from one of their number or (subject to reasonable consultation with the Company), from outside the Lender group.

 

(B)          The Facility Agent to which either of the circumstances described in (A)(i) or (A)(ii) above applies (an “Affected Facility Agent”) shall cease to be entitled to fees in respect of its role upon becoming an Affected Facility Agent.

 

(C)          The Affected Facility Agent shall provide all assistance and documentation reasonably required to the Company and the other Lenders to enable the uninterrupted administration of the Facility.  This shall include the provision to the Company on request and in any event, within five Business Days, of an up to date list of participants in the Facility including names and contact details.

 

23.12      Confidentiality

 

(A)          In acting as agent for the Finance Parties, the Facility Agent shall be regarded as acting through its agency division performing the role which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments.

 

(B)          If information is received by another division or department of the Facility Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Facility Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it.

 

23.13      Facility Agent relationship with the Lenders

 

The Facility Agent may treat each Lender as a Lender, entitled to payments under this Agreement and acting through its Facility Office unless it has received not less than five Business Days’ prior notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

23.14      Credit appraisal by the Lenders

 

Without affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender confirms to the Facility Agent that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own 

 

 

independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:

 

(A)          the financial condition, status and nature of the Guarantor and each member of the Group;

 

(B)          the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document;

 

(C)          whether that Lender has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

(D)          the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any information provided by the Facility Agent, any Party or by any other person under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document.

 

23.15      Deductions from amounts payable by Agents

 

If any Party owes an amount to the Facility Agent under the Finance Documents, the Facility Agent may, after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that Party which the Facility Agent would otherwise be obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed.  For the purposes of the Finance Documents, that Party shall be regarded as having received any amounts so deducted.

 

24.          THE SECURITY AGENT

 

24.1        Trust

 

(A)          The Security Agent declares that it shall hold the Secured Property on trust for the Secured Parties on the terms contained in this Agreement.

 

(B)          Each of the Secured Parties to this Agreement agrees that the Security Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in this Agreement or in the Security Documents to which the Security Agent is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied).

 

24.2        No independent power

 

The Secured Parties shall not have any independent power to enforce, or have recourse to, any of the Transaction Security or to exercise any rights or powers arising under the Security Documents except through the Security Agent.

 

 

24.3        Instructions to Security Agent and exercise of discretion

 

(A)          Subject to paragraphs (D) and (E) below, the Security Agent shall act in accordance with any instructions given to it by the Majority Lenders or, if so instructed by the Majority Lenders, refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Security Agent and shall be entitled to assume that (i) any instructions received by it from the Facility Agent or a group of Lenders are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents and (ii) unless it has received actual notice of revocation, that those instructions or directions have not been revoked.

 

(B)          The Security Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any direction, from the Majority Lenders as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, powers, authorities and discretions and the Security Agent may refrain from acting unless and until those instructions or clarification are received by it.

 

(C)          Any instructions given to the Security Agent by the Majority Lenders shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties.

 

(D)          Paragraph (A) above shall not apply:

 

(i)            where a contrary indication appears in this Agreement;

 

(ii)           where this Agreement requires the Security Agent to act in a specified manner or to take a specified action;

 

(iii)          in respect of any provision which protects the Security Agent’s own position in its personal capacity as opposed to its role of Security Agent for the Secured Parties.

 

(E)           In exercising any discretion to exercise a right, power or authority under this Agreement where either:

 

(i)            it has not received any instructions from the Majority Lenders as to the exercise of that discretion; or

 

(ii)           the exercise of that discretion is subject to paragraph (D)(iii) above,

 

the Security Agent shall do so having regard to the interests of all the Secured Parties.

 

24.4        Security Agent’s actions

 

Without prejudice to the provisions of clause 24.3 (Instructions to Security Agent and exercise of discretion), the Security Agent may (but shall not be obliged to), in the absence of any instructions to the contrary, take such action in the exercise of any of its powers and duties under the Finance Documents as it considers in its discretion to be appropriate.

 

 

24.5        Security Agent’s discretions

 

The Security Agent may:

 

(A)          assume (unless it has received actual notice to the contrary from the Facility Agent) that (i) no Default has occurred and no Obligor is in breach of or in default of its obligations under any of the Finance Documents and (ii) any right, power, authority or discretion vested by any Finance Document in any person has not been exercised;

 

(B)          engage, pay for and rely on the advice or services of any legal advisers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other experts (whether obtained by the Security Agent or by any other Secured Party) whose advice or services may at any time seem necessary, expedient or desirable;

 

(C)          rely upon any communication or document believed by it to be genuine and, as to any matters of fact which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of a Secured Party, any Lender or an Obligor, upon a certificate signed by or on behalf of that person; and

 

(D)          refrain from acting in accordance with the instructions of any Secured Party (including bringing any legal action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with the Finance Documents) until it has received any indemnification and/or Security that it may in its discretion require (whether by way of payment in advance or otherwise) for all costs, losses and liabilities which it may incur in so acting.

 

24.6        Security Agent’s obligations

 

The Security Agent shall promptly:

 

(A)          copy to the Facility Agent the contents of any notice or document received by it from any Obligor under any Finance Document; and

 

(B)          forward to a Secured Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Security Agent for that Secured Party by any other Party provided that, except where a Finance Document expressly provides otherwise, the Security Agent is not obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

 

24.7        Excluded obligations

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary expressed or implied in the Finance Documents, the Security Agent shall not:

 

(A)          be bound to enquire as to (i) whether or not any Default has occurred or (ii) the performance, default or any breach by an Obligor of its obligations under any of the Finance Documents;

 

(B)          be bound to account to any other Party for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account;

 

(C)          be bound to disclose to any other person (including but not limited to any Secured Party) (i) any confidential information or (ii) any other information if disclosure would, or might in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or be a breach of fiduciary duty; or

 

 

(D)          have or be deemed to have any relationship of trust or agency with any Obligor.

 

24.8        Exclusion of liability

 

None of the Security Agent, any Receiver nor any Delegate shall accept responsibility or be liable for:

 

(A)          the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Security Agent or any other person in or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents, or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document;

 

(B)          the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document, the Secured Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Secured Property;

 

(C)          any losses to any person or any liability arising as a result of taking or refraining from taking any action in relation to any of the Finance Documents, the Secured Property or otherwise, whether in accordance with an instruction from the Facility Agent or otherwise unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

 

(D)          the exercise of, or the failure to exercise, any judgment, discretion or power given to it by or in connection with any of the Finance Documents, the Secured Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, the Finance Documents or the Secured Property; or

 

(E)           any shortfall which arises on the enforcement or realisation of the Secured Property.

 

24.9        No proceedings

 

No Party (other than the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate in respect of any claim it might have against the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document or any Secured Property and any officer, employee or agent of the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate may rely on this clause subject to the provisions of the Third Parties Rights Act.

 

24.10      Own responsibility

 

Without affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Secured Party confirms to the Security Agent that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:

 

(A)          the financial condition, status and nature of each Obligor;

 

 

(B)          the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy and enforceability of any Finance Document, the Secured Property and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Secured Property;

 

(C)          whether that Secured Party has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the Secured Property, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Secured Property;

 

(D)          the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any information provided by the Security Agent or by any other person under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

(E)           the right or title of any person in or to, or the value or sufficiency of any part of the Charged Property, the priority of any of the Transaction Security or the existence of any Security affecting the Charged Property,

 

and each Secured Party warrants to the Security Agent that it has not relied on and will not at any time rely on the Security Agent in respect of any of these matters.

 

24.11      No responsibility to perfect Transaction Security

 

The Security Agent shall not be liable for any failure to:

 

(A)          require the deposit with it of any deed or document certifying, representing or constituting the title of any Obligor to any of the Charged Property;

 

(B)          obtain any licence, consent or other authority for the execution, delivery, legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any of the Finance Documents or the Transaction Security;

 

(C)          register, file or record or otherwise protect any of the Transaction Security (or the priority of any of the Transaction Security) under any applicable laws in any jurisdiction or to give notice to any person of the execution of any of the Finance Documents or of the Transaction Security;

 

(D)          take, or to require any of the Obligors to take, any steps to perfect its title to any of the Charged Property or to render the Transaction Security effective or to secure the creation of any ancillary Security under the laws of any jurisdiction; or

 

(E)           require any further assurances in relation to any of the Security Documents.

 

24.12      Insurance by Security Agent

 

(A)          The Security Agent shall not be under any obligation to insure any of the Charged Property, to require any other person to maintain any insurance or to verify any obligation to 

 

 

arrange or maintain insurance contained in the Finance Documents.  The Security Agent shall not be responsible for any loss which may be suffered by any person as a result of the lack of or inadequacy of any such insurance.

 

(B)          Where the Security Agent is named on any insurance policy as an insured party, it shall not be responsible for any loss which may be suffered by reason of, directly or indirectly, its failure to notify the insurers of any material fact relating to the risk assumed by such insurers or any other information of any kind, unless the Facility Agent shall have requested it to do so in writing and the Security Agent shall have failed to do so within 14 days after receipt of that request.

 

24.13      Custodians and nominees

 

The Security Agent may appoint and pay any person to act as a custodian or nominee on any terms in relation to any assets of the trust as the Security Agent may determine, including for the purpose of depositing with a custodian this Agreement or any document relating to the trust created under this Agreement and the Security Agent shall not be responsible for any loss, liability, expense, demand, cost, claim or proceedings incurred by reason of the misconduct, omission or default on the part of any person appointed by it under this Agreement or be bound to supervise the proceedings or acts of any person.

 

24.14      Acceptance of title

 

The Security Agent shall be entitled to accept without enquiry, and shall not be obliged to investigate, any right and title that any of the Obligors may have to any of the Charged Property and shall not be liable for or bound to require any Obligor or Group Company to remedy any defect in its right or title.

 

24.15      Refrain from illegality

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary expressed or implied in the Finance Documents, the Security Agent may refrain from doing anything which in its opinion will or may be contrary to any relevant law, directive or regulation of any jurisdiction and the Security Agent may do anything which is, in its opinion, necessary to comply with any such law, directive or regulation.

 

24.16      Business with the Obligors

 

The Security Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any of the Obligors.

 

24.17      Winding up of trust

 

If the Security Agent, with the approval of the Facility Agent, determines that (a) all of the Liabilities and all other obligations secured by the Security Documents have been fully and finally discharged and (b) none of the Secured Parties is under any commitment, obligation or liability (actual or contingent) to make advances or provide other financial accommodation to any Obligor pursuant to the Finance Documents:

 

 

(A)          the trusts set out in this Agreement shall be wound up and the Security Agent shall release, without recourse or warranty, all of the Transaction Security and the rights of the Security Agent under each of the Security Documents; and

 

(B)          any Retiring Security Agent shall release, without recourse or warranty, all of its rights under each of the Security Documents.

 

24.18      Perpetuity period

 

The perpetuity period under the rule against perpetuities, if applicable to this Agreement, shall be the period of 125 years from the date of this Agreement.

 

24.19      Powers supplemental

 

The rights, powers and discretions conferred upon the Security Agent by this Agreement shall be supplemental to the Trustee Act 1925 and the Trustee Act 2000 and in addition to any which may be vested in the Security Agent by general law or otherwise.

 

24.20      Trustee division separate

 

(A)          In acting as trustee for the Secured Parties, the Security Agent shall be regarded as acting through its trustee division which shall be treated as a separate entity from any of its other divisions or departments.

 

(B)          If information is received by another division or department of the Security Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Security Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it.

 

24.21      Disapplication

 

Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the duties of the Security Agent in relation to the trusts constituted by this Agreement. Where there are any inconsistencies between the Trustee Act 1925 or the Trustee Act 2000 and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall, to the extent allowed by law, prevail and, in the case of any inconsistency with the Trustee Act 2000, the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of that Act.

 

24.22      Obligors: Power of Attorney

 

Each Obligor by way of security for its obligations under this Agreement irrevocably appoints the Security Agent to be its attorney to do anything which that Obligor has authorised the Security Agent or any other Party to do under this Agreement or is itself required to do under this Agreement but has failed to do (and the Security Agent may delegate that power on such terms as it sees fit).

 

 

25.          CHANGE OF SECURITY AGENT AND DELEGATION

 

25.1        Resignation of the Security Agent

 

(A)          The Security Agent may resign and appoint one of its affiliates as successor by giving notice to the Company and the Lenders.

 

(B)          Alternatively the Security Agent may resign by giving notice to the other Lenders in which case the Majority Lenders may appoint a successor Security Agent.

 

(C)          If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Security Agent in accordance with paragraph (B) above within 30 days after the notice of resignation was given, the Security Agent (after consultation with the Facility Agent) may appoint a successor Security Agent.

 

(D)          The retiring Security Agent (the “Retiring Security Agent”) shall, at its own cost, make available to the successor Security Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Security Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Security Agent under the Finance Documents.

 

(E)           The Security Agent’s resignation notice shall only take effect upon (i) the appointment of a successor and (ii) the transfer of all of the Secured Property to that successor.

 

(F)           Upon the appointment of a successor, the Retiring Security Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph 24.17(B) (Winding up of trust) and under paragraph (D) above) but shall, in respect of any act or omission by it whilst it was the Security Agent, remain entitled to the benefit of clause 24 (The Security Agent), clause 30.1 (Obligors’ indemnity) and clause 30.3 (Lenders’ indemnity).  Its successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if that successor had been an original Party.

 

(G)          The Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Security Agent, require it to resign in accordance with paragraph (B) above.  In this event, the Security Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (B) above but the cost referred to in paragraph (D) above shall be for the account of the Company.

 

25.2        Delegation

 

(A)          Each of the Security Agent, any Receiver and any Delegate may, at any time, delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person for any period, all or any of the rights, powers and discretions vested in it by any of the Finance Documents.

 

(B)          That delegation may be made upon any terms and conditions (including the power to sub-delegate) and subject to any restrictions that the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as the case may be) may, in its discretion, think fit in the interests of the Secured Parties and it shall not be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any loss incurred by reason of any misconduct or default on the part of any such delegate or sub-delegate.

 

25.3        Additional Security Agents

 

(A)          The Security Agent may at any time appoint (and subsequently remove) any person to act as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee jointly with it (i) if it considers that appointment to be in the interests of the Secured Parties or (ii) for the purposes of conforming to any legal 

 

 

requirements, restrictions or conditions which the Security Agent deems to be relevant or (iii) for obtaining or enforcing any judgment in any jurisdiction, and the Security Agent shall give prior notice to the Company and the Facility Agent of that appointment.

 

(B)          Any person so appointed shall have the rights, powers and discretions (not exceeding those conferred on the Security Agent by this Agreement) and the duties and obligations that are conferred or imposed by the instrument of appointment.

 

(C)          The remuneration that the Security Agent may pay to that person, and any costs and expenses (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by that person in performing its functions pursuant to that appointment shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be treated as costs and expenses incurred by the Security Agent.

 

 

PART 10
 ADMINISTRATION, COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

26.          BANK ACCOUNTS

 

26.1        LC Cash Collateral Accounts

 

The borrower shall establish and maintain the LC Cash Collateral Accounts with the Account Bank.

 

27.          PAYMENT MECHANICS

 

27.1        Payments to the Facility Agent

 

(A)          On any date on which an Obligor or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document, that Obligor or Lender shall make the same available to the Facility Agent in US Dollars (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the due date at the time specified by the Facility Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the place of payment.

 

(B)          Payment shall be made to such account in London (or, as the case may be, Paris or New York) as the Facility Agent specifies.

 

27.2        Distributions by the Facility Agent

 

Each payment received by the Facility Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall be made available by the Facility Agent as soon as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Facility Agent by not less than five Business Days’ notice with a bank in London (or, as the case may be, Paris or New York).

 

27.3        Clawback

 

(A)          Where a sum is to be paid to the Facility Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Facility Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum.

 

(B)          If the Facility Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the Facility Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Facility Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Facility Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Facility Agent, calculated by the Facility Agent to reflect its cost of funds.

 

27.4        Partial payments

 

(A)          If the Facility Agent receives a payment for application against amounts due in respect of any Finance Documents that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable 

 

 

by an Obligor under those Finance Documents, the Facility Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of that Obligor under the Finance Documents in the following order:

 

(i)            first, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid fees, costs and expenses of the Facility Agent under the Finance Documents;

 

(ii)           secondly, in or towards payment pro rata of any accrued interest, fee or commission due but unpaid under this Agreement;

 

(iii)          thirdly, in or towards payment pro rata of any principal due but unpaid under this Agreement; and

 

(iv)          fourthly, in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents.

 

(B)          The Facility Agent shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders, vary the order set out in paragraphs (A)(ii) to (iv) above.

 

(C)          Paragraphs (A) and (B) above will override any appropriation made by an Obligor.

 

27.5        No set-off by Obligors

 

All payments to be made by an Obligor under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.

 

27.6        Business Days

 

(A)          Subject to paragraph (C) below, any payment which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

 

(B)          During any extension of the due date for payment of any Unpaid Sum under the Finance Documents, interest is payable on the Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date.

 

(C)          Notwithstanding paragraph (A) above, a payment due on the Termination Date shall be made on the Termination Date.

 

27.7        Currency of account

 

The default currency for any sum due from an Obligor under any Finance Document is the US Dollar.

 

27.8        Change of currency

 

(A)          Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then:

 

 

(i)            any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Facility Agent acting reasonably (after consultation with the Company); and

 

(ii)           any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Facility Agent (acting reasonably).

 

(B)          If a change in any currency of a country occurs, the Parties will enter negotiations in good faith with a view to agreeing any amendments which may be necessary to this Agreement to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the London interbank market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency.

 

27.9        Disruption to Payment Systems etc.

 

If the Facility Agent determines (acting reasonably) that a Disruption Event has occurred or the Facility Agent is notified by the Company that a Disruption Event has occurred:

 

(A)          the Facility Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Company, consult with the Company with a view to agreeing with the Company such changes to the operation or administration of the Facility (including, without limitation, changes to the timing and mechanics of payments due under the Finance Documents) as the Facility Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances;

 

(B)          the Facility Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Company in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (A) above if, in its reasonable opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances and, in any event, shall have no obligation to agree to such changes;

 

(C)          the Facility Agent may consult with the Finance Parties in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (A) above but shall not be obliged to do so if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances;

 

(D)          any such changes agreed upon by the Facility Agent and the Company shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the Parties as an amendment to (or, as the case may be, waiver of) the terms of the Finance Documents, notwithstanding the provisions of clause 36 (Amendments and Waivers);

 

(E)           the Facility Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever (including, without limitation for negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Facility Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this clause; and

 

(F)           the Facility Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to paragraph (D) above.

 

 

28.          SET-OFF

 

Without prejudice to the rights of the Finance Parties at law, at any time after an Event of Default has occurred which is continuing, a Finance Party (other than a Non-Funding Lender) may, on giving notice to the Obligor, set off any matured obligation due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to that Obligor, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation.  If the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.

 

29.          COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

29.1        Transaction expenses

 

The Company shall, within 15 Business Days of written demand, pay the Facility Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, and execution of:

 

(A)          this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement; and

 

(B)          any other Finance Documents executed after the date of this Agreement.

 

29.2        Amendment costs

 

If:

 

(A)          an Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent; or

 

(B)          an amendment is required pursuant to clause 27.8 (Change of currency),

 

the Company shall, within 15 Business Days of written demand, reimburse the Facility Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Facility Agent in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.

 

29.3        Enforcement costs

 

The Company shall, within five Business Days of written demand, pay to each Finance Party the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by that Finance Party in connection with the enforcement or attempted enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document.

 

 

30.          INDEMNITIES

 

30.1        Obligors’ indemnity

 

Each Obligor shall promptly indemnify the Security Agent and every Receiver and Delegate against any cost, loss or liability (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by any of them:

 

(A)          in relation to or as a result of:

 

(i)            any failure by the Company to comply with obligations under clause 29 (Costs and Expenses);

 

(ii)           the taking, holding, protection or enforcement of the Transaction Security;

 

(iii)          the exercise of any of the rights, powers, discretions and remedies vested in the Security Agent, each Receiver and each Delegate by the Finance Documents or by law; or

 

(iv)          any default by any Obligor in the performance of any of the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Finance Documents; or

 

(B)          which otherwise relates to any of the Secured Property or the performance of the terms of this Agreement (otherwise than as a result of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct).

 

30.2        Priority of indemnity

 

The Security Agent and every Receiver and Delegate may, in priority to any payment to the Secured Parties, indemnify itself out of the Charged Property in respect of, and pay and retain, all sums necessary to give effect to the indemnity in clause 30.1 (Obligors’ indemnity) and shall have a lien on the Transaction Security and the proceeds of the enforcement of the Transaction Security for all moneys payable to it.

 

30.3        Lenders’ indemnity

 

Each Lender shall (in the proportion that the Liabilities due to it bears to the aggregate of the Liabilities due to all the Lenders for the time being (or, if the Liabilities due to each of those Lenders is zero, immediately prior to their being reduced to zero)), indemnify the Security Agent and every Receiver and every Delegate, within three Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability incurred by any of them (otherwise than by reason of the relevant Security Agent’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct in acting as Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate under the Finance Documents (unless the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate has been reimbursed by an Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document) and the Obligors shall jointly and severally indemnify each Lender against any payment made by it under this clause 30.

 

 

31.          NOTICES

 

31.1        Communications in writing

 

Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by fax or letter or, as appropriate, electronic mail.

 

31.2        Addresses

 

The address and fax number (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents is:

 

(A)          in the case of the Obligors, that identified with its name below;

 

(B)          in the case of each Lender or any other Obligor, that notified in writing to the Facility Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party; and

 

(C)          in the case of the Facility Agent, that identified with its name below,

 

or any substitute address or fax number or department or officer as the Party may notify to the Facility Agent (or the Facility Agent may notify to the other Parties, if a change is made by the Facility Agent) by not less than five Business Days’ notice.

 

Contact details of the Original Borrower

 

	
P.O.   Box 32322
   4th Floor, Century Yard
   Cricket Square
   Elgin Avenue
   George Town
   Grand Cayman
   KY1-1209
   Cayman Islands
    	
c/o   Kosmos Energy LLC
   8176 Park Lane
   Suite 500
   Dallas
   Texas 75231
   USA
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Fax: (345) 946 4090
    	
Fax: +1 214 445 9705
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Attention: Andrew Johnson
    	
Attention: General Counsel
    

 

 

Contact details of the Guarantor

 

	
Clarendon   House
   2 Church Street
   Hamilton
   HM11
   Bermuda
    	
c/o   Kosmos Energy LLC
   8176 Park Lane
   Suite 500
   Dallas
   Texas 75231
   USA
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Fax: (345) 946 4090
    	
Fax: +1 214 445 9705
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Attention: Andrew Johnson
    	
Attention: General Counsel
    

 

Contact details of the Facility Agent

 

	
SG   House
   41 Tower Hill
   London
   EC3N 4SG
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Fax: 
    	
+44   207676 6661
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Attention:
    	
Mirela   Kubicka and Muzaffar Khalmirzaev
    

 

Contact details of the Security Agent

 

	
SG   House
   41 Tower Hill
   London
   EC3N 4SG
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Fax: 
    	
+44   207676 6661
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Attention:
    	
Mirela   Kubicka and Muzaffar Khalmirzaev
    

 

Contact details of the Account Bank

 

	
SG   House
   41 Tower Hill
   London
   EC3N 4SG
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Fax: 
    	
+44   207676 6661
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Email: 
    	
;

; and

 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Attention:
    	
Mirela   Kubicka and Muzaffar Khalmirzaev
    

 

 

31.3        Delivery

 

(A)          Subject to clause 31.5 (Electronic communication), any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective:

 

(i)            if by way of fax, when received in legible form; or

 

(ii)           if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post with postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address;

 

and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under clause 31.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer.

 

(B)          Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Facility Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Facility Agent and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified with the Facility Agent’s signature below (or any substitute department or officer as the Facility Agent shall specify for this purpose).

 

(C)          All notices from or to an Obligor shall be sent through the Facility Agent.

 

(D)          Any communication or document made or delivered to the Company in accordance with this clause will be deemed to have been made or delivered to each of the Obligors.

 

31.4        Notification of address and fax number

 

Promptly upon receipt of notification of an address or fax number or change of address or fax number pursuant to clause 31.2 (Addresses) or changing its own address or fax number, the Facility Agent shall notify the other Parties.

 

31.5        Electronic communication

 

(A)          Any communication to be made between the Facility Agent and a Lender under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means, if the Facility Agent and the relevant Lender:

 

(i)            agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication;

 

(ii)           notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means; and

 

(iii)          notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them.

 

 

(B)          Any electronic communication made between the Facility Agent and a Lender will be effective only when actually received in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made by a Lender to the Facility Agent only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Facility Agent shall specify for this purpose.

 

31.6        English language

 

(A)          Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English.

 

(B)          All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be:

 

(i)            in English; or

 

(ii)           if not in English, and if so required by the Facility Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.

 

(C)          The Security Agent and/or receiving party shall be entitled to assume the accuracy of and rely upon any English translation of any document provided pursuant to this clause 31.6 and the English translation shall prevail unless the document is a statutory or other official document.  Translation costs are for the account of the Obligors.

 

32.          CALCULATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

 

32.1        Accounts

 

In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.

 

32.2        Certificates and determinations

 

Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any Finance Document is, in the absence of manifest or proven error, prima facie evidence of the matters to which it relates.

 

32.3        Day count convention

 

Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 360 days.

 

33.          DISCLOSURE TO NUMBERING SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

(A)          Any Finance Party may disclose to any national or international numbering service provider appointed by that Finance Party to provide identification numbering services in respect of this Agreement, the Facility and/or one or more Obligors the following information:

 

 

(i)            names of Obligors;

 

(ii)           country of domicile of Obligors;

 

(iii)          place of incorporation of Obligors;

 

(iv)          date of this Agreement;

 

(v)           the name of the Facility Agent;

 

(vi)          date of each amendment and restatement of this Agreement;

 

(vii)         amount of Total Commitments;

 

(viii)        currencies of the Facility;

 

(ix)          type of Facility;

 

(x)           ranking of Facility;

 

(xi)          Termination Date for the Facility;

 

(xii)         changes to any of the information previously supplied pursuant to paragraphs (i) to (xi) above; and

 

(xiii)        such other information agreed between such Finance Party and the Company,

 

to enable such numbering service provider to provide its usual syndicated loan numbering identification services.

 

(B)          The Parties acknowledge and agree that each identification number assigned to this Agreement, the Facility and/or one or more Obligors by a numbering service provider and the information associated with each such number may be disclosed to users of its services in accordance with the standard terms and conditions of that numbering service provider.

 

(C)          The Company represents that none of the information set out in paragraphs (i) to (xiii) of paragraph (A) above is, nor will at any time be, unpublished price-sensitive information.

 

(D)          The Facility Agent shall notify the Company and the other Finance Parties of:

 

(i)            the name of any numbering service provider appointed by the Facility Agent in respect of this Agreement, the Facility and/or one or more Obligors; and

 

(ii)           the number or, as the case may be, numbers assigned to this Agreement, the Facility and/or one or more Obligors by such numbering service provider.

 

 

34.          PARTIAL INVALIDITY

 

If, at any time, any provision of the Finance Documents is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.

 

35.          REMEDIES AND WAIVERS

 

No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party, any right or remedy under the Finance Documents shall operate as a waiver, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy.  The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

36.          AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

36.1        Required consents

 

(A)          Subject to clause 36.2 (Exceptions) below, any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Obligors and any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all Parties.

 

(B)          The consent of the Security Agent shall be required in relation to any proposed amendment or waiver of clause 24 (The Security Agent), clause 25 (Change of Security Agent and Delegation) or clause 30 (Indemnities).

 

(C)          The Facility Agent may effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver permitted by this clause.

 

36.2        Exceptions

 

(A)          The following may not be effected without the consent of all the Lenders:

 

(i)            amending the definition of “Majority Lenders”;

 

(ii)           amending, varying or waiving clause 4 (Finance Parties’ Rights and Obligations) and/or any other term of any Finance Document which relates to the rights and/or obligations of each Finance Party being several;

 

(iii)          varying the date for, or altering the amount or currency of, any payment to Lenders under the Finance Documents;

 

(iv)          extending the Commitment of a Lender (except in relation to clause 8.1 (Illegality));

 

(v)           amending varying or waiving a term of any Finance Document which expressly requires the consent of all the Lenders;

 

 

(vi)          amending, varying or waiving this clause; or

 

(vii)         any release of Security Interests granted pursuant to any Security Document.

 

(B)          An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Facility Agent may not be effected without the consent of the Facility Agent.

 

(C)          If a Lender (i) becomes a Non-Funding Lender or (ii) does not accept or reject a request for an amendment, waiver, consent or approval within 15 Business Days (or such longer period as the Company may specify) of such request being made, that Lender’s Commitment shall not be included for the purposes of calculating Total Commitments under the Facility when ascertaining whether a certain percentage of Total Commitments has been obtained to approve the amendment, waiver, consent or approval, provided that (other than in the case of (i) above) no more than 25 per cent. of Lender votes (by Commitment) may be disregarded in such a way.

 

36.3        Exclusions

 

Subject to clause 36.2 (Exceptions), if a Lender does not accept or reject a request for an amendment or waiver within 10 Business Days of receipt of such request (or such longer period as the Company and the Facility Agent may agree), or abstains from accepting or rejecting a request for an amendment or waiver, or if the Lender is a Non-Funding Lender, its Commitments shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments when ascertaining whether the consent of a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than the required percentage of the Total Commitments has been obtained in respect of such request.

 

36.4        Disenfranchisement of Shareholder Affiliates

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, for so long as a Shareholder Affiliate is a Lender and/or to the extent that a Shareholder Affiliate beneficially owns a Commitment or has entered into a sub-participation agreement relating to a Commitment or other agreement or arrangement having a substantially similar economic effect and such agreement or arrangement has not been terminated, such Shareholder Affiliate shall not be entitled to exercise any rights to vote as Lender in respect of any matters requiring decision by the Lenders under the terms of this Agreement or any of the Finance Documents. Each such Shareholder Affiliate acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(A)          in the event that a matter requires decision by one or more Lenders under this Agreement or any of the Finance Documents,

 

(i)            the Commitment of such Shareholder Affiliate and any associated participation of such Shareholder Affiliate in a Loan shall be deemed to be zero; and

 

(ii)           such Shareholder Affiliate shall be deemed not to be a Lender;

 

(B)          in relation to any meeting or conference call to which all or any number of Lenders are invited to attend or participate, it shall not attend or participate in the same if so requested by

 

 

the Facility Agent or, unless the Facility Agent otherwise agrees, be entitled to receive the agenda or any minutes of the same; and

 

(C)          it shall not, unless the Facility Agent otherwise agrees, be entitled to receive any report or other document prepared at the behest of, or on the instructions of, the Facility Agent or one or more of the Lenders.

 

37.          COUNTERPARTS

 

(A)          This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by the parties on separate counterparts, but shall not be effective until each Party has executed at least one counterpart.

 

(B)          Each counterpart shall constitute an original of this Agreement, but all the counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

 

PART 11
 GOVERNING LAW AND ENFORCEMENT

 

38.          GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

 

39.          JURISDICTION

 

39.1        Submission

 

The parties hereby irrevocably agree for the exclusive benefit of the Secured Parties that the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement, or any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it) (a “Dispute”).

 

39.2        Forum convenience

 

The parties hereby irrevocably agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly irrevocably agree not to argue to the contrary.

 

39.3        Concurrent jurisdiction

 

This clause 39 is for the benefit of the Secured Parties only.  As a result, no Secured Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction.  To the extent allowed by law, the Secured Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.

 

40.          SERVICE OF PROCESS

 

(A)          Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each of the Obligors:

 

(i)            irrevocably appoints Trusec Limited of 2 Lambs Passage, London, EC1Y 8BB (the “Process Agent”) as its agent for service of process in relation to any Dispute before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document;

 

(ii)           irrevocably agrees that any Service Document may be sufficiently and effectively served on it in connection with any Dispute in England and Wales by service on the Process Agent (or any replacement agent appointed pursuant to paragraph (B) of this clause 40; and

 

(iii)          irrevocably agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.

 

(B)          If the agent referred to in paragraph (A) of this clause 40 (or any replacement agent appointed pursuant to this paragraph (B)) at any time ceases for any reason to act as such, as the case may be, each Obligor shall as soon as reasonably practicable appoint a replacement

 

 

agent to accept service having an address for service in England or Wales and shall notify the Facility Agent of the name and address of the replacement agent.  Failing such appointment and notification, the agent referred to in paragraph (A) of this clause 40 (or any replacement agent appointed pursuant to this paragraph (B)) shall continue to be authorised to act as agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts on behalf of the relevant party and shall constitute good service.

 

(C)          Any document addressed in accordance with paragraph (A) of this clause 40 shall be deemed to have been duly served if:

 

(i)            left at the specified address, when it is left; or

 

(ii)           sent by first class post, two clear Business Days after posting.

 

(D)          For the purposes of this clause 40 (Service of Process), “Service Document” means a writ, summons, order, judgment or other document relating to or in connection with any Dispute.  Nothing contained herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

 

Schedule 1
 The Original Lender

 

	
Original   Lender
    	
Commitment   (USD)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Societe   Generale, London Branch
    	
100,000,000
    
	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

Schedule 2
 Conditions Precedent

 

Part I
 Conditions Precedent to First Utilisation

 

1.            Provision of each of the following Finance Documents, duly executed by each of the parties to them:

 

(i)            this Agreement;

 

(ii)           the Charge.

 

2.            Provision of certified copies of each Obligor’s (excluding the Original Guarantor) constitutional documents and the director and shareholder corporate resolutions authorising entry into and performance of the Finance Documents to which they are a party and certification as to solvency.

 

3.            Provision by each Obligor (excluding the Original Guarantor) of the specimen signatures of the persons authorised by each of the Obligor’s corporate resolutions referred to at paragraph 2 above to execute the Finance Documents and all other documents and notices required in connection with such Finance Documents.

 

4.            Receipt by the Facility Agent of appropriate legal opinions from Maples and Calder (Cayman Islands Counsel to the Original Borrower) in relation to the Original Borrower and Conyers Dill & Pearman Limited in relation to the Original Guarantor (special Bermuda legal Counsel to the Original Guarantor).

 

5.            The Charge entered into pursuant to condition precedent 1 above is perfected and fully valid.

 

6.            Provision of a certificate from the Borrower that all Required Approvals on the date of the proposed Utilisation have been obtained (including a schedule of all such Required Approvals).

 

7.            Provision of such documentation and other evidence to the satisfaction by the Facility Agent and the Lenders of their respective “know your customer” checks or similar identification procedures.

 

8.            Provision by the Original Borrower of a schedule detailing all Pre-existing Letters of Credit which it anticipates will be migrated to the Facility (included at Schedule 10 (Pre-existing Letters of Credit)).

 

9.            Provision by the Original Borrower of a duly signed and executed Fee Letter detailing the arrangement fee for the Facility.

 

10.          Evidence that all sums required to be deposited into the LC Cash Collateral Accounts pursuant to clause 6.14 (Cash Collateralisation) have been deposited.

 

11.          Provision of a certificate from the Borrower that the Repeating Representations to be made by each Obligor are, in the light of the facts and circumstances then existing, true

 

 

and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of a Repeating Representation that contains a materiality concept, true and correct in all respects).

 

Part II
 Conditions Precedent Required to be Delivered by an Additional Obligor

 

1.            Provision of an Accession Letter, duly executed by the Additional Obligor and the Borrower.

 

2.            Provision of certified copies of the Additional Obligor’s constitutional documents and certificates of incorporation (or equivalent).

 

3.            A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Additional Obligor approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Accession Letter and the Finance Documents and resolving that one or more specified persons execute the Accession Letter and any other documents and notices in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

4.            A specimen signature of each person authorised to execute the Accession Letter and any other documents and notices in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

5.            A certificate of the Additional Obligor (signed by a director) confirming that borrowing or guaranteeing or securing, as appropriate, the Total Commitments would not cause any borrowing, guarantee, security or similar limit binding on it to be exceeded.

 

6.            A certificate of an Authorised Signatory of the Additional Obligor certifying that each copy document listed in this Part II of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of the Accession Letter.

 

7.            A copy of any Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Facility Agent considers to be necessary or desirable in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by the Accession Letter or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document.

 

8.            If available, the latest audited financial statements of the Additional Obligor.

 

9.            Receipt by the Facility Agent of any appropriate legal opinions.

 

10.          If the proposed Additional Obligor is incorporated in a jurisdiction other than England and Wales, evidence that the process agent specified in clause 40 (Service of Process), if not an Obligor, has accepted its appointment in relation to the proposed Additional Obligor.

 

11.          Evidence that all sums required to be deposited into the LC Cash Collateral Accounts pursuant to clause 6.14 (Cash Collateralisation) have been deposited.

 

 

Schedule 3
 Utilisation Request

 

From:     KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL (the “Borrower”)

 

To:          SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH (the “Facility Agent”)

 

Dated:

 

Dear Sirs

 

KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL — Facility Agreement
 dated [              ] (the “Agreement”)

 

1.            We refer to the Agreement.  This is a Utilisation Request in respect of a Utilisation under the Facility.  Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request.

 

2.            We wish for a Letter of Credit to be issued under the Facility in the form attached in the Schedule to this Utilisation Request and on the following terms:

 

	
Proposed   Utilisation Date:
    	
[            ]   (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Amount:
    	
[            ]   
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Currency:
    	
[            ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Issued   on behalf of:
    	
[            ]
    

 

3.             We hereby certify that:

 

(a)           no Default or Event of Default is continuing or will result from the proposed Letter of Credit being issued;

 

(b)           the making of the Utilisation would not result in the aggregate amount outstanding under the Facility exceeding the Total Commitment; and

 

(c)           the Repeating Representations are, in the light of the facts and circumstances existing on the date hereof, true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of a Repeating Representation that contains a materiality concept, true and correct in all respects).

 

 

5.             This Utilisation Request is irrevocable and is a Finance Document.

 

Yours faithfully

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

Authorised Signatory for
  KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL

 

 

SCHEDULE
 Form of Letter of Credit

 

[Attach form of Letter of Credit]

 

 

Schedule 4
 Form of Transfer Certificate

 

To:          SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH as the “Facility Agent”

 

From:     [the Existing Lender] (the “Existing Lender”) and [the New Lender] (the “New Lender”)

 

Dated:

 

Dear Sirs

 

KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL — Facility Agreement
 dated [            ] (the “Agreement”)

 

1.             We refer to the Agreement. This is a Transfer Certificate. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Transfer Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Transfer Certificate.

 

2.             We refer to clause 21.6 (Procedure for transfer):

 

(a)           The Existing Lender and the New Lender agree to the Existing Lender transferring to the New Lender by novation all or part of the Existing Lender’s Commitment, rights and obligations referred to in the Schedule in accordance with clause 21.6 (Procedure for transfer).

 

(b)           The proposed Transfer Date is [            ].

 

(c)           The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of clause 31.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule.

 

3.             The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in paragraph (C) of clause 21.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders).

 

4.             The New Lender confirms that it is a Qualifying Bank.

 

5.             The New Lender confirms that it has validly executed a Lender Accession Notice in the form set out at Schedule 7 (Form of Lender Accession Notice) to this Agreement.

 

6.             This Transfer Certificate may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Transfer Certificate.

 

7.             This Transfer Certificate is governed by English law.

 

 

THE SCHEDULE
 Commitments/rights and obligations to be transferred

 

[Insert relevant details]

 

[Facility Office address, fax number and attention details for notices and account details for payments]

 

	
[Existing   Lender]
    	
[New   Lender]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
By:
    

 

This Transfer Certificate is accepted by the Facility Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [            ].

 

Societe Generale, London Branch

 

	
By:
    	
 
    

 

 

Schedule 5
 Form of Compliance Certificate

 

To:          SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH (the “Facility Agent”)

 

From:     KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL (the “Borrower”)

 

Dated:

 

Dear Sirs

 

KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL — Facility Agreement
 dated [            ] (the “Agreement”)

 

1.            We refer to the Agreement.  This is a Compliance Certificate.  Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.

 

2.            We confirm that the financial statements supplied to the Facility Agent pursuant to clause 17.8 (Financial statements and other factual information) of the Agreement:

 

(A)           are certified by an Authorised Signatory of the Borrower as a true and correct copy; and

 

(B)           [give a true and fair view of](1) / [fairly represent](2) the financial condition of the Borrower for the period to the date on which those financial statements were drawn up.

 

3.            We confirm that as at [            ], being the last occurring Calculation Date:

 

(A)          the debt cover ratio was [            ]; and

 

(B)          the interest cover ratio was [            ].

 

4.             We set out below the calculations establishing the figures in paragraph 2 above:

 

[            ]

 

5.            We confirm that as at [            ], so far as we are aware having made diligent enquiries, no Default has occurred or is continuing.(3)

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

(1)     Insert if audited.

 

(2)     Insert if unaudited.

 

(3)     Note — If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that has occurred or is continuing and the action taken, or proposed to be taken, to remedy it.

 

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Authorised   Signatory for 
    KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL
    	
 
    	
Authorised   Signatory for 
    KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL
    

 

 

Schedule 6
 Form of Confidentiality Undertaking

 

To:          [Purchaser’s details]

 

Re:

 

KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL (the “Company”) and its up to USD 150 million revolving letter of credit facility dated [            ] 2013 (the “Facility”)

 

[insert date]

 

Dear Sirs

 

We understand that you are considering participating in the Facility.  In consideration of us agreeing to make available to you certain information, by your signature of a copy of this letter you agree as follows:

 

1.             Confidentiality Undertaking: You undertake:

 

(A)          to keep the Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone except as provided for by paragraph 2 below and to ensure that the Confidential Information is protected with security measures with a degree of care not less than that which you would apply to your own confidential information;

 

(B)          to keep confidential and not disclose to anyone except as provided for by paragraph 2 below the fact that the Confidential Information has been made available or that discussions or negotiations are taking place or have taken place between us;

 

(C)          to use the Confidential Information only for the Permitted Purpose;

 

(D)          to ensure that any person to whom you pass any Confidential Information in accordance with paragraph 2 (unless disclosed under paragraph 2(B) below) acknowledges and complies with the provisions of this letter as if that person were also a party to it; and

 

(E)           not to make enquiries in relation to the Confidential Information of any other person, whether a third party or any member of the Group or any of their officers, directors, employees or professional advisers, save for such officers, directors, employees or professional advisers as may be expressly nominated by us for this purpose, provided that this paragraph shall not prevent or restrict you from conducting and completing all necessary and appropriate due diligence in accordance with your normal credit and underwriting approval processes and as required to be performed in order to obtain any requisite credit or underwriting approvals in relation to your possible participation in the Facility.

 

 

2.             Permitted Disclosure: We agree that you may disclose Confidential Information:

 

(A)          to members of the Participant Group and their officers, directors, employees, consultants and professional advisers but only to the extent necessary for the proper fulfilment of the Permitted Purpose, provided that:

 

(i)            such information is disclosed strictly on a need-to-know basis and provided that the Confidential Information may not be disclosed to any person in the Participant Group who is not working directly on matters concerning your participation in the Facility; and

 

(ii)           appropriate information barriers or other procedures as may be necessary are in place to ensure there can be no unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, the Confidential Information to any such person referred to in subparagraph (i) above;

 

(B)          (i) where required by any court of competent jurisdiction or any competent judicial, governmental, supervisory or regulatory body, (ii) where required by the rules of any stock exchange on which the shares or other securities of any member of the Participant Group are listed or (iii) where required by the laws or regulations of any country with jurisdiction over the affairs of any member of the Participant Group; or

 

(C)          with our prior written consent.

 

3.            Notification of Required or Unauthorised Disclosure: You agree (to the extent permitted by law) to inform us of the full circumstances of any disclosure under paragraph 2(B) (in advance where reasonable and practicable) or immediately upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this letter.

 

4.            Return of Copies:  If we so request in writing, you shall return all Confidential Information supplied to you by us or any member of the Group and destroy or permanently erase all copies of Confidential Information made by you and use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that anyone to whom you have supplied any Confidential Information destroys or permanently erases such Confidential Information and any copies made by them, in each case save to the extent that you or the recipients are required to retain any such Confidential Information by any applicable law, rule or regulation or by any competent judicial, governmental, supervisory or regulatory body, or where the Confidential Information has been disclosed in accordance with paragraph 2(B) above.

 

5.            Continuing Obligations:  The obligations in the preceding paragraphs of this letter are continuing and, in particular, shall survive the termination of any discussions or negotiations between you and us, irrespective of their outcome.  Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the obligations in this letter shall cease 12 months after you have returned all Confidential Information and destroyed or permanently erased all copies of Confidential Information made by you to the extent required pursuant to paragraph 4 above.

 

 

6.             No Representation; Consequences of Breach, etc:  You acknowledge and agree that:

 

(A)          neither we nor any of our officers, employees or advisers, and no other member of the Group and none of the officers, employees or advisers of any member of the Group (each a “Relevant Person”), (i) make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to, or assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, reliability or completeness of any of the Confidential Information or any other information supplied by us or any member of the Group or the assumptions on which it is based or (ii) shall be under any obligation to update or correct any inaccuracy in the Confidential Information or any other information supplied by us or any other member of the Group or be otherwise liable to you or any other person in respect of the Confidential Information or any such information; and

 

(B)          we and other members of the Group may be irreparably harmed by the breach of the terms of this letter and damages may not be an adequate remedy; each Relevant Person may be granted an injunction or specific performance for any threatened or actual breach of the provisions of this letter by you or any other person.

 

7.            Inside Information:  You acknowledge that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation relating to insider dealing and you undertake not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.  As a result of being given the Confidential Information you may well become insiders and, therefore, be unable to take certain actions which you would otherwise be able to take.

 

8.            No Waiver; Amendments, etc:  This letter shall not affect any other obligation owed by you to any member of the Group.  No failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege under this letter will operate as a waiver thereof nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privileges under this letter.  The terms of this letter and your obligations under this letter may only be amended or modified by written agreement between us and you.

 

9.            Nature of Undertakings:  The undertakings and acknowledgements given by you under this letter are given to us and (without implying any fiduciary obligations on our part) are also given for the benefit of each other member of the Group.

 

10.          Third party rights:

 

(A)          Each other member of the Group and each Relevant Person (each a “Third Party”) may enforce the terms of this letter by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the “Third Parties Act”). This paragraph 10(A) confers a benefit on each Third Party, and, subject to the remaining provisions of this paragraph 10, is intended to be enforceable by each Third Party by virtue of the Third Parties Act.

 

 

(B)          Subject to paragraph 10(A), a person who is not a party to this letter has no right under the Third Parties Act to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of this letter.

 

(C)          Notwithstanding any provisions of this letter, the parties to this letter do not require the consent of any person to rescind or vary this letter at any time.

 

11.          Counterparts: This letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by the parties on separate counterparts, but shall not be effective until each party has executed at least one counterpart.  Each counterpart shall constitute an original of this letter, but all the counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

12.          Governing Law and Jurisdiction:  Any matter, claim or dispute, whether contractual or non-contractual, arising out of or in connection with this letter (including the agreement constituted by your acknowledgement of its terms), is to be governed by and determined in accordance with English law, and the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

 

13.          Definitions and Construction:  In this letter (including the acknowledgement set out below):

 

“Confidential Information” means any and all information relating to the Company, the Group and the Facility, provided to you by us or any member of the Group or any of our affiliates or advisers, in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information and information regarding all discussions and negotiations between us (including information regarding the outcome of such discussions or negotiations), but excludes information that (a) is or becomes public knowledge other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach of this letter or (b) is known by you before the date the information is disclosed to you by us or any member of the Group or any of our affiliates or advisers or is lawfully obtained by you after that date, other than from a source which is connected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as you are aware, has not been obtained in violation of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality;

 

“Group” means, in respect of a person, that person and that person’s Holding Companies and each of their respective Subsidiaries;

 

“Holding Company” means, in relation to a company, any other company in respect of which it is a Subsidiary;

 

“Participant Group” means you and each of your Holding Companies and Subsidiaries;

 

“Permitted Purpose” means considering and evaluating whether to enter into contracts with us in relation to your participation in the Facility; and

 

“Subsidiary” means a subsidiary within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

 

Please acknowledge your agreement to the above by signing and returning the enclosed copy.

 

	
Yours   faithfully
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
For   and on behalf of [Seller’s details]
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
To:
    	
[Seller’s details]
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
We   acknowledge and agree to the above:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
For   and on behalf of [Purchaser’s details]
    	
 
    	
 
    
				

 

 

Schedule 7
 Form of Lender Accession Notice

 

To:          SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH as Facility Agent

 

From:     [New Lender / Additional Lender]

 

Dated:

 

Dear Sirs

 

Kosmos Energy Credit International - Facility Agreement
 dated [            ] 2013 (the “Facility Agreement”)

 

1.            We refer to the Facility Agreement.  This is a Lender Accession Notice.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this Lender Accession Notice unless given a different meaning in this Lender Accession Notice.

 

2.             [New Lender / Additional Lender] agrees:

 

(a)           to be bound by the terms of the Finance Documents as a Lender pursuant to clause [21.6 (Procedure for transfer)] [3.2 (Additional Commitments)] of the Facility Agreement.

 

3.             [New Lender’s / Additional Lender’s] Commitment is USD          [                      ].

 

4.             [New Lender’s / Additional Lender’s] administrative details are as follows:

 

	
Account   details:
    	
[                      ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Facility   Office address:
    	
[                      ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Telephone   no.:
    	
[                      ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Fax   no.:
    	
[                      ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Attention:
    	
[                      ]
    
			

 

5.            This Lender Accession Notice may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Lender Accession Notice.

 

6.            This Lender Accession Notice is governed by English law.

 

7.            This Lender Accession Notice has been delivered as a deed on the date stated at the beginning of this Lender Accession Notice.

 

 

[New Lender / Additional Lender]

 

	
By:
    	
 
    

 

 

This Lender Accession Notice is accepted by the Facility Agent and the [Transfer Date / Additional Commitment Date] is confirmed as [          ].

 

Societe Generale, London Branch

 

	
By:
    	
 
    

 

 

 

Schedule 8
 Form of Letter of Credit

 

To:          [Beneficiary] (the “Beneficiary”)

 

Date:

 

Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit no. [          ]

 

At the request and for the account of [                        ], [LC Issuing Bank] (the “LC Issuing Bank”) hereby establishes in your favour this irrevocable standby letter of credit (“Letter of Credit”) not exceeding the Total L/C Amount on the following terms and conditions:

 

1.             Definitions

 

In this Letter of Credit:

 

“Business Day” means a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London.

 

“Demand” means a demand for a payment under this Letter of Credit in the form of the schedule to this Letter of Credit.

 

“Expiry Date” means [                                   ].

 

“Restricted Entity” means any director, officer, employee, agent or representative of it or any of its subsidiaries is an individual or entity (“Person”) currently the subject of any Sanctions administered or enforced by the United States Government, including, without limitation, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is it or any of its subsidiaries located, organised or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions.

 

“Total L/C Amount” means an aggregate amount not to exceed (USD [•] [insert amount in words] only).

 

2.             LC Issuing Bank’s agreement

 

(A)          The Beneficiary may request a drawing or drawings under this Letter of Credit by giving to the LC Issuing Bank a duly completed Demand.  A Demand must be received by the LC Issuing Bank by [          ] p.m. (London time) on the Expiry Date.  Multiple drawings are permitted.

 

(B)          Subject to the terms of this Letter of Credit, the LC Issuing Bank unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to the Beneficiary that, within [10] Business Days of receipt by it of a Demand, it shall pay to the Beneficiary the amount demanded in that Demand.

 

 

(C)          The LC Issuing Bank will not be obliged to make a payment under this Letter of Credit if as a result the aggregate of all payments made by it under this Letter of Credit would exceed the Total L/C Amount.

 

3.             Expiry

 

(A)          The LC Issuing Bank will be released from its obligations under this Letter of Credit on the date (if any) notified by the Beneficiary to the LC Issuing Bank as the date upon which the obligations of the LC Issuing Bank under this Letter of Credit are released.

 

(B)          Unless previously released under paragraph (A) above, on [          ] p.m. ([London] time) on the Expiry Date the obligations of the LC Issuing Bank under this Letter of Credit will cease with no further liability on the part of the LC Issuing Bank except for any Demand validly presented under the Letter of Credit that remains unpaid.

 

(C)          The cancellation/release of this Letter of Credit can be indicated by return of the original to the LC Issuing Bank or by way of a formal release letter issued by the Beneficiary. In any case it will be rendered null and void after the Expiry Date whether or not it is returned to the LC Issuing Bank.

 

(D)          [The Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be automatically extended from year to year, without amendment, for successive periods of one year each from the present or any future Expiry Date hereof unless, not less than 90 days prior to the present or any future Expiry Date, the LC Issuing Bank shall notify the Beneficiary (at the address set out above or such other address as the Beneficiary may advise the Bank by notice in writing to the address set out above) in writing by courier that the LC Issuing Bank elects not to consider this Letter of Credit renewed for any such additional period.  Upon receipt by the Beneficiary of such notice, the Beneficiary may draw the Total L/C Amount by means of a Demand accompanied by the original of this Letter of Credit.]

 

4.             Payments

 

All payments under this Letter of Credit shall be made in [                ] and for value on the due date to the account of the Beneficiary specified in the Demand.

 

5.             Delivery of demand

 

Each Demand shall be in writing, and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by letter, sent by registered mail or by courier on your letterhead, with the blanks appropriately completed, purportedly signed by your authorised officers bearing original handwritten signatures and must be received in legible form by the LC Issuing Bank at its address and by the particular department or officer (if any) as follows:

 

[     ]

 

 

6.             Assignment

 

The Beneficiary’s rights under this Letter of Credit may not be assigned or transferred.

 

7.             Amendment

 

The Letter of Credit may be amended only by written instrument signed by the LC Issuing Bank and the Beneficiary.

 

8.             ISP 98

 

Except to the extent it is inconsistent with the express terms of this Letter of Credit, this Letter of Credit is subject to the International Standby Practices (ISP 98), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590.

 

9.             Restricted Entity

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the LC issuing bank shall be under no obligation to make any payment or pay any compensation to a Restricted Entity.

 

9.             Governing law

 

This Letter of Credit is governed by [English law].

 

10.          Jurisdiction

 

The courts of [England] have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Letter of Credit.

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

	
[LC Issuing   Bank]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    

 

 

SCHEDULE

 

FORM OF DEMAND

 

To:          [LC Issuing Bank]

 

Date:

 

Dear Sirs

 

Standby Letter of Credit no. [         ] issued in favour of [BENEFICIARY] (the “Letter of Credit”)

 

We refer to the Letter of Credit.  Terms defined in the Letter of Credit have the same meaning when used in this Demand.

 

1.            We certify that the sum of [          ] is due [and has remained unpaid for at least [          ] Business Days] [under [set out underlying contract or agreement]].  We therefore demand payment of the sum of [          ].

 

2.            The amount specified in paragraph 1 is not in excess of the Total L/C Amount.

 

3.            Payment should be made to the following account:

 

Name:

 

Account number:

 

Bank:

 

4.             The date of this Demand is not later than the Expiry Date.

 

	
Yours   faithfully
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
(Authorised   Signatory)
    	
(Authorised   Signatory)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
For
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
[BENEFICIARY]
    	
 
    

 

 

Schedule 9
 Form of Renewal or Extension Request

 

From:     KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL (the “Borrower”)

 

To:          SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH (the “Facility Agent”)

 

Dated:

 

Dear Sirs

 

KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL - Facility Agreement
 dated [             ] (the “Agreement”)

 

 

1.            We refer to the Agreement.  This is a Renewal or Extension Request in respect of a Letter of Credit under the Facility.  Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Renewal or Extension Request unless given a different meaning in this Renewal or Extension Request.

 

2.            We wish for a Letter of Credit to be issued under the Facility on the following terms:

 

	
Current   Beneficiary:
    	
[            ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Current   expiry date:
    	
[            ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Current   amount:
    	
[            ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Letter   of Credit number:
    	
[            ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Proposed   expiry date:
    	
[            ]   (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Proposed   Amount:
    	
[            ]   or, if less, the Total Available Commitment
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Proposed   Currency:
    	
[            ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
To   be issued on behalf of:
    	
[            ]
    

 

3.             We hereby certify that:

 

(a)           no Event of Default is continuing or will result from the proposed Letter of Credit being issued;

 

(b)           the making of the Utilisation would not result in the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Facility exceeding the Total Commitments; and

 

(c)           the Repeating Representations are, in the light of the facts and circumstances existing on the date hereof, true and correct in all material respects (or, in the case of a Repeating Representation that contains a materiality concept, true and correct in all respects).

 

 

5.             This Renewal or Extension Request is irrevocable and is a Finance Document.

 

	
Yours faithfully
    
	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    
	
Authorised Signatory for
    
	
KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL
    

 

 

Schedule 10
 Pre-existing Letters of Credit

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Issuing
   Bank
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Beneficiary
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Amount
   and
   Currency
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Expiry
   Date
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Reference/
   Details
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Entity
   originally
   issued on
   behalf of
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Entity
   issued on
   behalf of
   going
   forward
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Societe   Generale, London Branch
    	
 
    	
 
    	
A   Monsieur le Ministre charge des Hydrocarbures Bruts, Republique Islamique de   Mauritainie
    	
 
    	
 
    	
USD   9,000,000
    	
 
    	
 
    	
15/12/2016
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Block   C8
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Kosmos   Energy Mauritania
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Kosmos   Energy Mauritania
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Societe   Generale, London Branch
    	
 
    	
 
    	
A   Monsieur le Ministre charge des Hydrocarbures Bruts, Republique Islamique de   Mauritainie
    	
 
    	
 
    	
USD   9,000,000
    	
 
    	
 
    	
15/12/2016
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Block   C12
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Kosmos   Energy Mauritania
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Kosmos   Energy Mauritania
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Societe   Generale, London Branch
    	
 
    	
 
    	
A   Monsieur le Ministre charge des Hydrocarbures Bruts, Republique Islamique de   Mauritainie
    	
 
    	
 
    	
USD   9,000,000
    	
 
    	
 
    	
15/12/2016
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Block   C13
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Kosmos   Energy Mauritania
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Kosmos   Energy Mauritania
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

125

 

Schedule 11
 Details of the LC Cash Collateral Accounts

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
10172726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
10272726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
10372726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
10472726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
10572726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
10672726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
10772726661
    

 

126

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
10872726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
10972726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
11072726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
11172726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
11272726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
11372726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
11472726661
    

 

127

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
11572726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
11672726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
11772726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
11872726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
11972726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
12072726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
12172726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
12272726661
    

 

128

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
12372726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
12472726661
    

 

	
Name:
    	
Kosmos Energy Credit International
    
	
Number:
    	
12572726661
    

 

129

 

SIGNATURES

 

Original Borrower

 

KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL

 

	
EXECUTED   as a DEED by KOSMOS ENERGY CREDIT INTERNATIONAL
    acting by Neal Shah expressly authorised in accordance with a   power of attorney dated 28 June 2013
   in the presence of:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
Per:
    	
/s/   Neal Shah
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
Title:   Attorney-in-Fact
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
Name:   Neal Shah
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
Witness’s   signature
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   Phillip B. Feiner
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:   Phillip B. Feiner
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address:   8176 Park Lane
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Suite 500
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dallas,   Texas 75231 USA
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Occupation:   Attorney
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

130

 

Guarantor

 

KOSMOS ENERGY LTD.

 

	
EXECUTED   as a DEED by KOSMOS ENERGY LTD. 
    acting by Neal Shah expressly authorised in accordance with a   power of attorney dated June 28, 2013
   in the presence of:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
Per:
    	
/s/   Neal Shah
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
Title:   Attorney-in-Fact
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
)
    	
Name:   Neal Shah
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
Witness’s   signature
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   Phillip B. Feiner
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:   Phillip B. Feiner
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address:   8176 Park Lane
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Suite 500
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dallas,   Texas 75231 USA
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Occupation:   Attorney
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

The Original Lender

 

SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH

 

	
By:
    	
/s/ Christophe Roux
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:   Christophe Roux
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:   Managing   Director
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

Facility Agent

 

SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH

 

	
By:
    	
/s/ Christophe Roux
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:   Christophe Roux
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:   Managing   Director
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

Security Agent

 

SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH

 

	
By:
    	
/s/ Christophe Roux
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:   Christophe Roux
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:   Managing   Director
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

Account Bank

 

SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH

 

	
By:
    	
/s/ Christophe Roux
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:   Christophe Roux
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:   Managing   Director

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00219-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00219-of-00352.parquet"}]]