UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013
OR
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to .
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 000-26489
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 48-1090909 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) | |
3111 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 1300 San Diego, California |
92108 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
(877) 445 - 4581
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
(Not Applicable)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the last 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class |
Outstanding at April 30, 2013 | |
Common Stock, $0.01 par value | 23,336,320 shares |
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(In Thousands, Except Par Value Amounts)
(Unaudited)
March 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 29,904 | $ | 17,510 | ||||
Investment in receivable portfolios, net |
801,525 | 873,119 | ||||||
Deferred court costs, net |
35,448 | 35,407 | ||||||
Property tax payment agreements receivable, net |
153,580 | 135,100 | ||||||
Interest receivable |
4,621 | 4,042 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
24,389 | 23,223 | ||||||
Other assets |
31,113 | 27,006 | ||||||
Goodwill |
51,437 | 55,446 | ||||||
Identifiable intangible assets, net |
462 | 487 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,132,479 | $ | 1,171,340 | ||||
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|
|
|
|||||
Liabilities and stockholders equity | ||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ | 42,120 | $ | 45,450 | ||||
Income tax payable |
7,236 | 3,080 | ||||||
Deferred tax liabilities, net |
8,443 | 8,236 | ||||||
Debt |
646,011 | 706,036 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
1,738 | 2,722 | ||||||
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|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities |
705,548 | 765,524 | ||||||
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|
|
|
|||||
Commitments and contingencies |
||||||||
Stockholders equity: |
||||||||
Convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding |
| | ||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 23,336 shares and 23,191 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively |
233 | 232 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
89,189 | 88,029 | ||||||
Accumulated earnings |
338,777 | 319,329 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(1,268) | (1,774) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total stockholders equity |
426,931 | 405,816 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
$ | 1,132,479 | $ | 1,171,340 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Revenues |
||||||||
Revenue from receivable portfolios, net |
$ | 140,683 | $ | 126,405 | ||||
Tax lien transfer |
||||||||
Interest income |
4,715 | | ||||||
Interest expense |
(1,113) | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net interest income |
3,602 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total revenues |
144,285 | 126,405 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating expenses |
||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits |
28,832 | 22,304 | ||||||
Cost of legal collections |
42,258 | 38,635 | ||||||
Other operating expenses |
13,265 | 11,598 | ||||||
Collection agency commissions |
3,329 | 3,959 | ||||||
General and administrative expenses |
16,342 | 13,658 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,846 | 1,240 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total operating expenses |
105,872 | 91,394 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income from operations |
38,413 | 35,011 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other (expense) income |
||||||||
Interest expense |
(6,854) | (5,515) | ||||||
Other income |
460 | 272 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total other expense |
(6,394) | (5,243) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |
32,019 | 29,768 | ||||||
Provision for income taxes |
(12,571) | (11,660) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income from continuing operations |
19,448 | 18,108 | ||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax |
| (6,702) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income |
$ | 19,448 | $ | 11,406 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: |
||||||||
Basic |
23,446 | 24,779 | ||||||
Diluted |
24,414 | 25,740 | ||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share from: |
||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ | 0.83 | $ | 0.73 | ||||
Discontinued operations |
$ | 0.00 | $ | (0.27) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net basic earnings per share |
$ | 0.83 | $ | 0.46 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from: |
||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ | 0.80 | $ | 0.70 | ||||
Discontinued operations |
$ | 0.00 | $ | (0.26) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net diluted earnings per share |
$ | 0.80 | $ | 0.44 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other comprehensive gain (loss): |
||||||||
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of tax |
620 | 682 | ||||||
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation, net of tax |
(114) | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax |
506 | 682 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Comprehensive income |
$ | 19,954 | $ | 12,088 | ||||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity
(Unaudited, In Thousands)
Common Stock | Additional Paid-In |
Accumulated | Accumulated Other Comprehensive |
Total Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Par | Capital | Earnings | (Loss) Income | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 |
23,191 | $ | 232 | $ | 88,029 | $ | 319,329 | $ | (1,774) | $ | 405,816 | |||||||||||||
Net income |
| | | 19,448 | | 19,448 | ||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of tax |
| | | | 620 | 620 | ||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax |
| | | | (114) | (114) | ||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options and issuance of share-based awards, net of shares withheld for employee taxes |
169 | 1 | (2,029) | | | (2,028) | ||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase of common stock |
(24) | | (729) | | | (729) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| | 3,001 | | | 3,001 | ||||||||||||||||||
Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation |
| | 902 | | | 902 | ||||||||||||||||||
Tax benefit related to convertible notes, net |
| | 15 | | | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||
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|
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|
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|
|||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2013 |
23,336 | $ | 233 | $ | 89,189 | $ | 338,777 | $ | (1,268) | $ | 426,931 | |||||||||||||
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|
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|
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, In Thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Operating activities: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 19,448 | $ | 11,406 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities |
||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,846 | 1,363 | ||||||
Impairment charge for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets |
| 10,349 | ||||||
Amortization of loan costs and premium on property tax payment agreements receivable |
1,517 | 466 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
3,001 | 2,266 | ||||||
Income tax provision in excess of income tax payments |
207 | 623 | ||||||
Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements |
(983) | (1,067) | ||||||
(Reversal) provision for allowances on receivable portfolios, net |
(1,006) | 373 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
||||||||
Other assets |
(1,630) | (326) | ||||||
Deferred court costs |
(41) | (1,333) | ||||||
Prepaid income tax and income taxes payable |
4,314 | 2,130 | ||||||
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other liabilities |
(2,980) | 853 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
23,693 | 27,103 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Investing activities: |
||||||||
Purchases of receivable portfolios |
(58,771) | (130,463) | ||||||
Collections applied to investment in receivable portfolios, net |
130,493 | 104,230 | ||||||
Proceeds from put-backs of receivable portfolios |
878 | 734 | ||||||
Originations of property tax payment agreements receivable |
(27,446) | | ||||||
Collections applied to property tax payment agreements receivable, net |
11,812 | | ||||||
Purchases of property and equipment |
(2,315) | (1,555) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
54,651 | (27,054) | ||||||
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|
|
|
|||||
Financing activities: |
||||||||
Payment of loan costs |
(2,340) | | ||||||
Repayment of senior secured notes |
(2,500) | | ||||||
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities |
33,741 | 43,500 | ||||||
Repayment of revolving credit facilities |
(91,800) | (34,500) | ||||||
Repurchase of common stock |
(729) | | ||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
846 | 1,061 | ||||||
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards |
(2,872) | (2,093) | ||||||
Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements |
983 | 1,067 | ||||||
Repayment of capital lease obligations |
(1,279) | (1,685) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(65,950) | 7,350 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
12,394 | 7,399 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
17,510 | 8,047 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 29,904 | $ | 15,446 | ||||
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|
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Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
||||||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 5,485 | $ | 5,119 | ||||
Cash paid for income taxes |
7,520 | 4,075 | ||||||
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities: |
||||||||
Fixed assets acquired through capital lease |
674 | 1,564 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
4
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1: Ownership, Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Encore Capital Group, Inc. (Encore), through its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company), is a leading provider of debt management and recovery solutions for consumers and property owners across a broad range of financial assets. The Company purchases portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables at deep discounts to face value and manages them by working with individuals as they repay their obligations and work toward financial recovery. Defaulted receivables are consumers unpaid financial commitments to credit originators, including banks, credit unions, consumer finance companies, commercial retailers, auto finance companies, and telecommunication companies. Defaulted receivables may also include receivables subject to bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, through its subsidiary, Propel Financial Services, LLC (Propel), the Company assists Texas property owners who are delinquent on their property taxes by paying these taxes on behalf of the property owners in exchange for payment agreements collateralized by tax liens on the property.
Portfolio purchasing and recovery
The Company purchases receivables based on robust, account-level valuation methods and employs a suite of proprietary statistical and behavioral models across the full extent of its operations. These investments allow the Company to value portfolios accurately (and limit the risk of overpaying), avoid buying portfolios that are incompatible with its methods or goals and precisely align the accounts it purchases with its operational channels to maximize future collections. As a result, the Company has been able to realize significant returns from the receivables it acquires. The Company maintains strong relationships with many of the largest credit and telecommunication providers in the United States, and possesses one of the industrys best collection staff retention rates.
The Company uses insights discovered during its purchasing process to build account collection strategies. The Companys proprietary consumer-level collectability analysis is the primary determinant of whether an account will be actively serviced post-purchase. The Company continuously refines this analysis to determine the most effective collection strategy to pursue for each account it owns. After the Companys preliminary analysis, it seeks to collect on only a fraction of the accounts it purchases, through one or more of its collection channels. The channel identification process is analogous to a funneling system, where the Company first differentiates those consumers who it believes are not able to pay from those who are able to pay. Consumers who the Company believes are financially incapable of making any payments, facing extenuating circumstances or hardships (such as medical issues), serving in the military, or currently receiving social security as their only source of income are excluded from the next step of its collection process and are designated as inactive. The remaining pool of accounts in the funnel then receives further evaluation. At that point, the Company analyzes and determines a consumers perceived willingness to pay. Based on that analysis, the Company will pursue collections through letters and/or phone calls to its consumers. Despite its efforts to reach consumers and work out a settlement option, only a small number of consumers who are contacted choose to engage with the Company. Those who do are often offered deep discounts on their obligations, or are presented with payment plans that are better suited to meet their daily cash flow needs. The majority of contacted consumers, however, ignore both the Companys calls and letters, and therefore the Company must then make the difficult decision whether or not to pursue collections through legal means.
Tax lien transfer
Propels principal activity is originating and servicing property tax lien transfers in the state of Texas. With the property owners consent, Propel pays the property owners delinquent property taxes directly to the taxing authority, which then transfers its tax lien to Propel. Propel then enters into a payment agreement with the property owner creating an affordable payment plan. Tax lien transfers provide the local taxing authorities with much needed tax revenue and property owners with an alternative to paying their property tax bills in one lump sum. Tax lien transfers typically carry a lower interest rate and fee structure than what the local taxing authority would charge.
Financial Statement Preparation
The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Encore, without audit, in accordance with the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods presented reflects all adjustments, consisting of only normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Companys consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year.
5
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosure of contingent amounts in the Companys financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Basis of Consolidation
Encore is a Delaware holding company whose principal assets are its investments in various wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
On May 8, 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of Propel, BNC Retax, LLC, RioProp Ventures, LLC, and certain related affiliates (collectively, the Propel Entities). The condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 do not include the results of operations of the Propel Entities as the acquisition was not completed until May 8, 2012. For additional acquisition related information relating to the Propel Entities, please refer to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 24, 2012.
Reclassification
Certain reclassifications have been made to the condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to the current years presentation.
Note 2: Discontinued Operations
On May 16, 2012, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and certain of the liabilities of its bankruptcy servicing subsidiary, Ascension Capital Group, Inc. (Ascension), to a subsidiary of American InfoSource, L.P. (AIS). As part of the sale, the Company agreed to fund certain agreed-upon operating losses in the first year of AIS ownership of the Ascension business, not to exceed $4.0 million. If the Ascension business becomes profitable under AIS ownership, the Company will be paid an earn-out equal to 30% to 40% of Ascensions EBITDA for the first five years commencing May 16, 2012. The Company received no proceeds from the sale. Additionally, the Company recognized the entire $4.0 million loss contingency during the second quarter of 2012.
The Company performed an interim goodwill impairment test for Ascension as of March 31, 2012 and concluded that the entire goodwill balance relating to Ascension of $9.9 million was impaired. Additionally, the Company wrote-off the remaining identifiable intangible assets of approximately $0.4 million relating to Ascension as of March 31, 2012.
Ascensions operations are presented as discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012, in the Companys condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The following table presents the revenue and components of discontinued operations, net of tax (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 |
||||
Revenue |
$ | 3,812 | ||
|
|
|||
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes |
$ | (11,018) | ||
Income tax benefit |
4,316 | |||
|
|
|||
Loss from discontinued operations |
$ | (6,702) | ||
|
|
Note 3: Business Combinations
Merger Agreement
On March 6, 2013, the Company and Pinnacle Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (Merger Sub), entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the Merger Agreement) with Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. (AACC), another leading provider of debt management and recovery solutions. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into AACC, and AACC will continue as the surviving corporation and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The Merger Agreement has been approved by the board of directors of the Company and the board of directors of AACC.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, each holder of AACC common stock will be entitled to receive, at such holders election, either $6.50 in cash or 0.2162 validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Encore common stock, in each case without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, for each share of AACC common stock such holder owns at the effective time of the merger. However, no more than 25% of the total shares of AACC common stock outstanding immediately prior to the merger may be exchanged for shares of the Companys common stock and any shares of AACC common stock elected to be exchanged for the Companys common stock in excess of such 25% limitation will be subject to proration in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.
6
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2013, and is subject to, among other items, customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Information regarding this transaction is set forth on the Companys Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, initially filed with the SEC on March 27, 2013.
The Company will account for the merger using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets and liabilities of AACC will be recorded as of the closing date of the merger, at their respective fair values, and consolidated with those of the Company. The results of operations of AACC will be consolidated with those of the Company beginning on the closing date of the merger.
Propel Acquisition
On May 8, 2012, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of the Propel Entities for $186.8 million in cash (the Propel Acquisition). The Propel Acquisition is accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition.
The Company has completed an independent valuation study and determined the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed from the Propel Entities. Fair value measurements have been applied based on assumptions that market participants would use in the pricing of the respective assets and liabilities. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company made an adjustment to the initial purchase price allocation, increasing property tax payment agreements receivable and decreasing goodwill by approximately $4.0 million. The components of the final purchase price allocation for the Propel Entities are as follows (in thousands):
Purchase price: |
||||
Cash paid at acquisition |
$ | 186,814 | ||
Purchase price adjustment |
741 | |||
|
|
|||
Total purchase price |
$ | 187,555 | ||
|
|
|||
Allocation of purchase price: |
||||
Cash |
$ | 824 | ||
Accounts receivable |
1,049 | |||
Interest receivable |
3,679 | |||
Property tax payment agreements receivable |
136,987 | |||
Fixed assets |
461 | |||
Other assets |
860 | |||
Liabilities assumed |
(2,265) | |||
Identifiable intangible assets |
570 | |||
Goodwill |
45,390 | |||
|
|
|||
Total net assets acquired |
$ | 187,555 | ||
|
|
Note 4: Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options and restricted stock units.
The components of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except earnings per share):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Income from continuing operations |
$ | 19,448 | $ | 18,108 | ||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax |
| (6,702) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income available for common stockholders |
$ | 19,448 | $ | 11,406 | ||||
|
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|
|||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding basic |
23,446 | 24,779 | ||||||
Dilutive effect of stock-based awards |
968 | 961 | ||||||
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|
|||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding diluted |
24,414 | 25,740 | ||||||
|
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|
|||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share from: |
||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ | 0.83 | $ | 0.73 | ||||
Discontinued operations |
$ | 0.00 | $ | (0.27) | ||||
|
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|
|||||
Net basic earnings per share |
$ | 0.83 | $ | 0.46 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from: |
||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ | 0.80 | $ | 0.70 | ||||
Discontinued operations |
$ | 0.00 | $ | (0.26) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net diluted earnings per share |
$ | 0.80 | $ | 0.44 | ||||
|
|
|
|
7
No anti-dilutive employee stock options were outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2013. Employee stock options to purchase approximately 209,000 shares of common stock were outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2012, but not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because the effect on diluted earnings per share would be anti-dilutive.
Note 5: Fair Value Measurements
The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements defines fair value as the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or the price paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). The guidance utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of each level:
| Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
| Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. |
| Level 3: Unobservable inputs, including inputs that reflect the reporting entitys own assumptions. |
Financial instruments required to be carried at fair value
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):
Fair Value Measurements as
of March 31, 2013 |
||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swap agreements |
$ | | $ | (423) | $ | | $ | (423) | ||||||||
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
| (1,248) | | (1,248) | ||||||||||||
Fair Value Measurements as
of December 31, 2012 |
||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swap agreements |
$ | | $ | (645) | $ | | $ | (645) | ||||||||
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
| (2,010) | | (2,010) |
Fair values of derivative instruments included in Level 2 are estimated using industry standard valuation models. These models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs including interest rate curves, foreign currency exchange rates, and forward and spot prices for currencies.
Financial instruments not required to be carried at fair value
The Company records its investment in receivable portfolios at cost, which represents a significant discount from the contractual receivable balances due. The Company computes the fair value of its investment in receivable portfolios by discounting the estimated future cash flows, generated by its proprietary forecasting models, using an estimated market participant discount rate. Using this method, the fair value of investment in receivable portfolios was approximately $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. A 100 basis point fluctuation in the discount rate used would result in an increase or decrease in the fair value by approximately $20.0 million as of March 31, 2013. This fair value calculation does not represent, and should not be construed to represent, the underlying value of the Company or the amount which could be realized if its investment in receivable portfolios were sold. The carrying value of the investment in receivable portfolios was $801.5 million and $873.1 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
8
The Company capitalizes deferred court costs and provides a reserve for those costs that it believes will ultimately be uncollectible. The carrying value of net deferred court costs approximates fair value.
The fair value of property tax payment agreements receivable is estimated by discounting the future cash flows of the portfolio using a discount rate equivalent to the current rate at which similar property tax payment agreements receivable would be originated. The carrying value of property tax payment agreements receivable approximates fair value. Additionally, the carrying value of interest receivable approximates fair value.
The Companys senior secured notes and borrowings under its revolving credit facilities and term loan facilities are carried at historical costs, adjusted for additional borrowings less principal repayments, which approximate fair value. The Companys convertible notes are carried at historical cost, adjusted for debt discount. The carrying value of the convertible notes was $101.2 million as of March 31, 2013. The fair value estimate for these notes incorporates quoted market prices, which was approximately $127.5 million as of March 31, 2013.
Note 6: Derivatives and Hedging Instruments
The Company uses derivative instruments to manage risks related to interest rates and foreign currency. The Companys outstanding interest rate swap contracts and foreign currency exchange contracts qualify for hedge accounting treatment under the authoritative guidance for derivatives and hedging.
Interest Rate Swaps
The Company may periodically enter into derivative financial instruments, typically interest rate swap agreements, to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on variable interest rate debt and their impact on earnings and cash flows. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had five interest rate swap agreements outstanding with a total notional amount of $125.0 million. Under the swap agreements, the Company receives floating interest rate payments based on one-month reserve-adjusted LIBOR and makes interest payments based on fixed interest rates. The Company intends to continue electing the one-month reserve-adjusted LIBOR as the benchmark interest rate on the debt being hedged through its term. No credit spread was hedged. The Company designates its interest rate swap instruments as cash flow hedges.
The authoritative accounting guidance requires companies to recognize derivative instruments as either an asset or liability measured at fair value in the statement of financial position. The effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative instrument is recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI). The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized in interest expense in the period of change. From the inception of the hedging program, the Company has determined that the hedging instruments are highly effective.
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
The Company has operations in India, which exposes the Company to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations due to transactions denominated in Indian rupees, such as employee salaries and rent expenditures. To mitigate this risk, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments, principally forward contracts, which are designated as cash flow hedges, to mitigate fluctuations in the cash payments of future forecasted transactions in Indian rupees for up to 36 months. The Company adjusts the level and use of derivatives as soon as practicable after learning that an exposure has changed, and the Company reviews all exposures and derivative positions on an ongoing basis.
Gains and losses on cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged transaction is recorded in the consolidated financial statements. Once the underlying transaction is recorded in the consolidated financial statements, the Company reclassifies the accumulated other comprehensive income or loss on the derivative into earnings. If all or a portion of the forecasted transaction was cancelled, this would render all or a portion of the cash flow hedge ineffective and the Company would reclassify the ineffective portion of the hedge into earnings. The Company generally does not experience ineffectiveness of the hedge relationship and the accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any such gains or losses.
As of March 31, 2013, the total notional amount of the forward contracts to buy Indian rupees in exchange for U.S. dollars was $41.6 million. All outstanding contracts qualified for hedge accounting treatment as of March 31, 2013. The Company estimates that approximately $0.6 million of net derivative loss included in OCI will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months. No gains or losses were reclassified from OCI into earnings as a result of forecasted transactions that failed to occur during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.
9
The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
The following table summarizes the fair value of derivative instruments as recorded in the Companys condensed consolidated statements of financial condition (in thousands):
March 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Location |
Fair Value | Balance Sheet Location |
Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
Other liabilities | $ | (423) | Other liabilities | $ | (645) | ||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
Other liabilities | (1,248) | Other liabilities | (2,010) |
The following tables summarize the effects of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships in the Companys statements of comprehensive income during the periods presented (in thousands):
Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI- Effective Portion |
Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income - Effective Portion |
Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified from OCI into Income - Effective Portion |
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing |
Amount
of Gain or (Loss) Recognized - Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months
Ended March 31, |
Three Months
Ended March 31, |
Three Months
Ended March 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps |
$ | 222 | $ | (221) | Interest expense | $ | | $ | | Other (expense) income |
$ | | $ | | ||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
601 | 903 | Salaries and employee benefits |
(49) | (116) | Other (expense) income |
| | ||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
103 | 297 | General and administrative expenses |
(9) | (16) | Other (expense) income |
| |
Note 7: Stock-Based Compensation
On March 9, 2009, Encores Board of Directors (the Board) approved an amendment and restatement of the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (2005 Plan), which was originally adopted on March 30, 2005, for Board members, employees, officers, and executives of, and consultants and advisors to, the Company. The amendment and restatement of the 2005 Plan increased the maximum number of shares of the Companys common stock that may be issued or be subject to awards under the plan by 2,000,000 shares, established a new 10-year term for the plan, and made certain other amendments. The 2005 Plan amendment was approved by the Companys stockholders on June 9, 2009. The 2005 Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance-based awards to eligible individuals. As amended, the 2005 Plan allows the granting of an aggregate of 3,500,000 shares of the Companys common stock for awards. In addition, shares subject to options granted under the 2005 Plan that terminate or expire without being exercised become available for grant under the 2005 Plan. The benefit provided under the 2005 Plan is compensation subject to authoritative guidance for stock-based compensation.
In accordance with authoritative guidance for stock-based compensation, compensation expense is recognized only for those shares expected to vest, based on the Companys historical experience and future expectations. Total stock-based compensation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was $3.0 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
The Companys stock-based compensation arrangements are described below:
Stock Options
The 2005 Plan permits the granting of stock options to certain employees and directors of the Company. Option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Companys stock at the date of issuance, generally vest over three to five years of continuous service, and have ten-year contractual terms.
10
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair-value of stock-based awards. All options are amortized ratably over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods.
The fair value for options granted is estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. No stock options were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.
Unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options as of March 31, 2013, was $1.7 million. The weighted-average remaining expense period, based on the unamortized value of these outstanding stock options, was approximately 1.6 years.
A summary of the Companys stock option activity as of March 31, 2013, and changes during the three months then ended, is presented below:
Number of Shares |
Option Price Per Share |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) |
|||||||||||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2012 |
1,948,259 | $ | 2.89 $24.65 | $ | 15.38 | |||||||||||
Exercised |
(45,334) | 11.0 24.65 | 18.65 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2013 |
1,902,925 | $ | 2.89 $24.65 | $ | 15.30 | $ | 28,168 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2013 |
1,688,264 | $ | 2.89 $24.65 | $ | 14.41 | $ | 26,494 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was $0.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding and options exercisable was 5.6 years and 5.2 years, respectively.
Non-Vested Shares
Under the Companys 2005 Plan, Board members, employees, officers and executives of, and consultants and advisors to the Company are eligible to receive restricted stock units and restricted stock awards. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the fair value of these non-vested shares is equal to the closing sale price of the Companys common stock on the date of issuance. The total number of these awards expected to vest is adjusted by estimated forfeiture rates. As of March 31, 2013, the non-vested shares are expected to vest over approximately one to three years of continuous service.
A summary of the status of the Companys restricted stock units and restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2013, and changes during the three months then ended, is presented below:
Non-Vested
Shares |
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value |
|||||||
Non-vested at December 31, 2012 |
744,016 | $ | 23.51 | |||||
Awarded |
135,800 | $ | 30.88 | |||||
Vested |
(239,525) | $ | 21.06 | |||||
Cancelled/forfeited |
(3,732) | $ | 23.05 | |||||
|
|
|||||||
Non-vested at March 31, 2013 |
636,559 | $ | 26.00 | |||||
|
|
Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested shares as of March 31, 2013, was $10.8 million. The weighted-average remaining expense period, based on the unamortized value of these outstanding non-vested shares, was approximately 2.2 years. The fair value of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards vested during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was $7.5 million and $5.3 million, respectively.
Note 8: Investment in Receivable Portfolios, Net
In accordance with the authoritative guidance for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality, discrete receivable portfolio purchases during a quarter are aggregated into pools based on common risk characteristics. Once a static pool is established, the portfolios are permanently assigned to the pool. The discount (i.e., the difference between the cost of each static pool and the related aggregate contractual receivable balance) is not recorded because the Company expects to collect a relatively small percentage of each static pools contractual receivable balance. As a result, receivable portfolios are recorded at cost at the time of acquisition. The purchase cost of the portfolios includes certain fees paid to third parties incurred in connection with the direct acquisition of the receivable portfolios.
11
In compliance with the authoritative guidance, the Company accounts for its investments in consumer receivable portfolios using either the interest method or the cost recovery method. The interest method applies an internal rate of return (IRR) to the cost basis of the pool, which remains unchanged throughout the life of the pool, unless there is an increase in subsequent expected cash flows. Subsequent increases in expected cash flows are generally recognized prospectively through an upward adjustment of the pools IRR over its remaining life. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows do not change the IRR, but are recognized as an allowance to the cost basis of the pool, and are reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as a reduction in revenue, with a corresponding valuation allowance, offsetting the investment in receivable portfolios in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
The Company utilizes its proprietary forecasting models to continuously evaluate the economic life of each pool. The collection forecast of each pool is generally estimated to be between 84 to 96 months based on the expected collection period of each pool. The Company often experiences collections beyond the 84 to 96 month collection forecast. As of March 31, 2013, the total estimated remaining collections beyond the 84 to 96 month collection forecast, which are not included in the calculation of the Companys IRRs, were $115.8 million.
The Company accounts for each static pool as a unit for the economic life of the pool (similar to one loan) for recognition of revenue from receivable portfolios, for collections applied to the cost basis of receivable portfolios, and for provision for loss or allowance. Revenue from receivable portfolios is accrued based on each pools IRR applied to each pools adjusted cost basis. The cost basis of each pool is increased by revenue earned and decreased by gross collections and portfolio allowances.
If the amount and timing of future cash collections on a pool of receivables are not reasonably estimable, the Company accounts for such portfolios on the cost recovery method as Cost Recovery Portfolios. The accounts in these portfolios have different risk characteristics than those included in other portfolios acquired during the same quarter, or the necessary information was not available to estimate future cash flows and, accordingly, they were not aggregated with other portfolios. Under the cost recovery method of accounting, no income is recognized until the purchase price of a Cost Recovery Portfolio has been fully recovered.
Accretable yield represents the amount of revenue the Company expects to generate over the remaining life of its existing investment in receivable portfolios based on estimated future cash flows. Total accretable yield is the difference between future estimated collections and the current carrying value of a portfolio. All estimated cash flows on portfolios where the cost basis has been fully recovered are classified as zero basis cash flows.
The following table summarizes the Companys accretable yield and an estimate of zero basis future cash flows at the beginning and end of the period presented (in thousands):
Accretable Yield |
Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows |
Total | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 |
$ | 984,944 | $ | 17,366 | $ | 1,002,310 | ||||||
Revenue recognized, net |
(135,072) | (5,611) | (140,683) | |||||||||
Net additions to existing portfolios(1) |
173,634 | 7,061 | 180,695 | |||||||||
Additions for current purchases(1) |
66,808 | | 66,808 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance at March 31, 2013 |
$ | 1,090,314 | $ | 18,816 | $ | 1,109,130 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Accretable Yield |
Estimate of Zero Basis Cash Flows |
Total | ||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 |
$ | 821,527 | $ | 32,676 | $ | 854,203 | ||||||
Revenue recognized, net |
(119,340) | (7,065) | (126,405) | |||||||||
Net additions to existing portfolios(1) |
131,039 | 3,608 | 134,647 | |||||||||
Additions for current purchases(1) |
119,533 | | 119,533 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance at March 31, 2012 |
$ | 952,759 | $ | 29,219 | $ | 981,978 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Estimated remaining collections and accretable yield include anticipated collections beyond the 84 to 96 month collection forecast. |
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company purchased receivable portfolios with a face value of $1.6 billion for $58.8 million, or a purchase cost of 3.6% of face value. The estimated future collections at acquisition for these portfolios amounted to $126.6 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company purchased receivable portfolios with a face value of $2.9 billion for $130.5 million, or a purchase cost of 4.5% of face value. The estimated future collections at acquisition for these portfolios amounted to $235.9 million.
12
All collections realized after the net book value of a portfolio has been fully recovered (Zero Basis Portfolios) are recorded as revenue (Zero Basis Revenue). During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, Zero Basis Revenue was approximately $4.7 million and $6.0 million, respectively.
The following tables summarize the changes in the balance of the investment in receivable portfolios during the following periods (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||
Accrual Basis Portfolios |
Zero Basis Portfolios |
Total | ||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
$ | 873,119 | $ | | $ | 873,119 | ||||||
Purchases of receivable portfolios |
58,771 | | 58,771 | |||||||||
Gross collections(1) |
(264,559) | (5,611) | (270,170) | |||||||||
Put-backs and recalls(2) |
(878) | | (878) | |||||||||
Revenue recognized |
135,015 | 4,662 | 139,677 | |||||||||
Portfolio allowance reversals, net |
57 | 949 | 1,006 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance, end of period |
$ | 801,525 | $ | | $ | 801,525 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Revenue as a percentage of collections(3) |
51.0% | 83.1% | 51.7% | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||
Accrual Basis Portfolios |
Zero Basis Portfolios |
Total | ||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
$ | 716,454 | $ | | $ | 716,454 | ||||||
Purchases of receivable portfolios |
130,463 | | 130,463 | |||||||||
Gross collections(1) |
(223,943) | (7,065) | (231,008) | |||||||||
Put-backs and recalls(2) |
(734) | | (734) | |||||||||
Revenue recognized |
120,746 | 6,032 | 126,778 | |||||||||
(Portfolio allowances) portfolio allowance reversals, net |
(1,406) | 1,033 | (373) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance, end of period |
$ | 741,580 | $ | | $ | 741,580 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Revenue as a percentage of collections(3) |
53.9% | 85.4% | 54.9% | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Does not include amounts collected on behalf of others. |
(2) | Put-backs represent accounts that are returned to the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (Put-Backs). Recalls represent accounts that are recalled by the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (Recalls). |
(3) | Revenue as a percentage of collections excludes the effects of net portfolio allowances or net portfolio allowance reversals. |
The following table summarizes the change in the valuation allowance for investment in receivable portfolios during the periods presented (in thousands):
Valuation Allowance | ||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Balance at beginning of period |
$ | 105,273 | $ | 109,494 | ||||
Provision for portfolio allowance |
479 | 1,759 | ||||||
Reversal of prior allowance |
(1,485) | (1,386) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance at end of period |
$ | 104,267 | $ | 109,867 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The Company currently utilizes various business channels for the collection of its receivables. The following table summarizes the total collections by collection channel (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Collection sites |
$ | 126,562 | $ | 109,870 | ||||
Legal collections |
122,273 | 109,572 | ||||||
Collection agencies |
21,335 | 11,586 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 270,170 | $ | 231,028 | |||||
|
|
|
|
13
Note 9: Property Tax Payment Agreements Receivable, Net
The Companys portfolio of property tax payment agreements receivable primarily consists of payment agreements collateralized by tax liens on residential and commercial properties in the state of Texas. The tax liens are in a priority position to most other liens on the properties, including those that existed at the time the tax lien was transferred from the respective taxing authority to the Company. Repayment of residential and commercial property tax payment agreements receivable is generally dependent on the property owner. However, repayment may ultimately come through payments from other lien holders or foreclosure on the properties. Risk of loss is mitigated by the Companys internal underwriting policies, including its policy relating to the amount of taxes it will pay relative to the value of the property. The Company will generally not originate a tax lien transfer if this percentage is in excess of 25% and, in most cases, this percentage is below 15%.
The Company evaluates the entire portfolio of property tax payment agreements receivable for impairment. The primary credit quality indicator the Company uses to evaluate its portfolio is lien to value ratio. The Company has not experienced any losses on the property tax payment agreements receivable in its portfolio. In addition, management believes, based on the fact that the tax liens that collateralize the payment agreements are in a priority position over most other liens on the properties, that it will not experience any material losses on the ultimate collection of its property tax payment agreements receivable. Therefore, no allowance has been provided for as of March 31, 2013.
The following table presents the Companys aging analysis of property tax payment agreements receivable as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
March 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Current |
$ | 118,363 | $ | 101,052 | ||||
31-60 days past due |
10,531 | 10,175 | ||||||
61-90 days past due |
4,013 | 1,982 | ||||||
> 90 days past due |
20,673 | 21,891 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 153,580 | $ | 135,100 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Note 10: Deferred Court Costs, Net
The Company contracts with a nationwide network of attorneys that specialize in collection matters. The Company generally refers charged-off accounts to its contracted attorneys when it believes the related debtor has sufficient assets to repay the indebtedness and has, to date, been unwilling to pay. In connection with the Companys agreement with the contracted attorneys, it advances certain out-of-pocket court costs (Deferred Court Costs). The Company capitalizes Deferred Court Costs in its consolidated financial statements and provides a reserve for those costs that it believes will ultimately be uncollectible. The Company determines the reserve based on its analysis of court costs that have been advanced and those that have been recovered. Historically, the Company wrote off Deferred Court Costs not recovered within three years of placement. However, as a result of a history of court cost recoveries beyond three years, the Company has determined that court costs are recovered over a longer period of time. As a result, on a prospective basis, the Company began increasing its deferral period from three years to five years in January 2013. Collections received from these debtors are first applied against related court costs with the balance applied to the debtors account.
Deferred Court Costs consist of the following as of the dates presented (in thousands):
March 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Court costs advanced |
$ | 304,161 | $ | 279,314 | ||||
Court costs recovered |
(106,213) | (94,827) | ||||||
Court costs reserve |
(162,500) | (149,080) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 35,448 | $ | 35,407 | |||||
|
|
|
|
14
A roll forward of the Companys court cost reserve is as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Balance at beginning of period |
$ | (149,080) | $ | (130,454) | ||||
Provision for court costs |
(13,420) | (12,343) | ||||||
Write-off of reserve after the deferral period |
| 13,410 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Balance at end of period |
$ | (162,500) | $ | (129,387) | ||||
|
|
|
|
Note 11: Other Assets
Other assets consist of the following (in thousands):
March 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Debt issuance costs, net of amortization |
$ | 15,772 | $ | 14,397 | ||||
Prepaid expenses |
8,737 | 6,399 | ||||||
Security depositIndia building lease |
1,825 | 1,696 | ||||||
Recoverable legal fees |
1,410 | 1,521 | ||||||
Service tax receivable |
1,537 | 1,344 | ||||||
Other |
1,832 | 1,649 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 31,113 | $ | 27,006 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Note 12: Debt
The Company is obligated under borrowings, as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Revolving credit facility |
$ | 186,000 | $ | 258,000 | ||||
Term loan facility |
148,125 | 148,125 | ||||||
Propel facility |
131,542 | 117,601 | ||||||
Senior secured notes |
70,000 | 72,500 | ||||||
Convertible notes |
115,000 | 115,000 | ||||||
Less: Debt discount |
(13,835) | (14,442) | ||||||
Capital lease obligations |
9,179 | 9,252 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 646,011 | $ | 706,036 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility
The Companys Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the Credit Agreement) includes a term loan facility tranche of $150.0 million and a revolving credit facility tranche of $445.0 million for a total commitment of $595.0 million (the Credit Facility). The maturities of both facilities are five years, expiring in November 2017, except with respect to a $50.0 million subtranche of the term loan facility, which has a three-year maturity, expiring in November 2015. The Credit Agreement includes several financial institutions and lenders and is led by an administrative agent. The Credit Agreement contains an accordion feature which allows the Company to request an increase in the facility of up to $180.0 million ($20.0 million of the original $200.0 million was exercised in December 2012) by obtaining one or more commitments from one or more lenders or other financial institutions with the consent of the administrative agent, but does not require the Company to obtain the consent of the other lenders in the facility.
Provisions of the Credit Agreement include, but are not limited to:
| A revolving loan component of $425.0 million, interest at a floating rate equal to, at the Companys option, either: (1) reserve adjusted LIBOR, plus a spread that ranges from, depending on the Companys cash flow leverage ratio, 250 to 300 basis points for the five-year tranches and 200 to 250 basis points for the three-year tranche; or (2) Alternate Base Rate, plus a spread that ranges from, depending on the Companys cash flow leverage ratio, 150 to 200 basis points for the five year tranches and 100 to 150 basis points for the three-year tranche. Alternate Base Rate, as defined in the agreement, means the highest of (i) the per annum rate which the administrative agent publicly announces from time to time as its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time, (ii) the federal funds effective rate from time to time, plus 0.5% and (iii) reserved adjusted LIBOR determined on a daily basis for a one month interest period, plus 1.0%; |
15
| A $100.0 million five-year term loan, interest at a floating rate equal to, at the Companys option, either: (1) reserve adjusted LIBOR, plus a spread that ranges from 250 to 300 basis points, depending on the Companys cash flow leverage ratio; or (2) Alternate Base Rate, plus a spread that ranges from 150 to 200 basis points, depending on the Companys cash flow leverage ratio. Principal amortizes $1.3 million in 2012, $5.0 million in 2013, $5.6 million in 2014, $8.1 million in 2015, $10.0 million in 2016, $5.0 million in 2017 with the remaining principal due at the end of the term; |
| A $50.0 million three-year term loan, interest at a floating rate equal to, at the Companys option, either: (1) reserve adjusted LIBOR, plus a spread that ranges from 200 to 250 basis points, depending on the Companys cash flow leverage ratio; or (2) Alternate Base Rate, plus a spread that ranges from 100 to 150 basis points, depending on the Companys cash flow leverage ratio. Principal amortizes $0.6 million in 2012, $2.5 million in 2013, $2.8 million in 2014, $2.8 million in 2015 with the remaining principal due at the end of the term; |
| A borrowing base equal to (1) the lesser of (i) (a) 55% of eligible estimated remaining collections for consumer receivables subject to bankruptcy proceedings, provided that the amount described in this clause (i)(a) may not exceed 35% of the amount described in clauses (i)(a) and (i)(b), plus (b) 30%35% (depending on the Companys trailing 12-month cost per dollar collected) of all other eligible estimated remaining collections, initially set at 33%, and (ii) the product of the net book value of all receivable portfolios acquired on or after January 1, 2005 multiplied by 95%, minus (2) (x) the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Prudential senior secured notes plus (y) the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the term loans; |
| The allowance of additional unsecured indebtedness not to exceed $150.0 million; |
| Restrictions and covenants, which limit the payment of dividends and the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens, among other limitations; |
| Repurchases of up to $50.0 million of Encores common stock, subject to compliance with certain covenants and available borrowing capacity. The Company has repurchased approximately $50.0 million common stock during the fourth quarter of 2012 and in January 2013. Refer to Note 18, Common Stock Repurchases for details of the stock repurchase program; |
| A change of control definition, which excludes acquisitions of stock by Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC, JCF FPK LLP and their respective affiliates of up to 50% of the outstanding shares of Encores voting stock; |
| Events of default which, upon occurrence, may permit the lenders to terminate the revolving credit facility and declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable; |
| An annual capital expenditure limit of $20.0 million; |
| An annual rental expense limit of $15.0 million; |
| An outstanding capital lease limit of $15.0 million; |
| An acquisition limit of $100.0 million; and |
| Collateralization by all assets of the Company, other than the assets of the Propel Entities. |
At March 31, 2013, the outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility and term loan facility was $334.1 million, which bore a weighted average interest rate of 3.14% and 4.15% for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
On May 9, 2013, the Company exercised the remaining $180.0 million of its accordion feature and entered into an amendment to its Credit Facility, restating the Credit Facility in its entirety (the Restated Credit Agreement). The Restated Credit Amendment reset the accordion feature to $200.0 million and added new lenders. In conjunction with the amendment, the Company exercised $37.5 million of the new accordion feature. This $37.5 million exercise, when combined with the $180.0 million exercise, increased the aggregate revolving loan commitment by $217.5 million, from $595.0 million to $812.5 million, a portion of which is subject to ongoing principal amortization. Including the remaining accordion feature, the maximum amount that can be borrowed under the Credit Facility is $975.0 million. See Note 19 Subsequent Events for additional information.
Propel Facility
The Company, through its Propel subsidiary has a $160.0 million syndicated loan facility (the Propel Facility). The Propel Facility was used in part to fund a portion of the Propel Acquisition and to fund future growth at Propel.
The Propel Facility has a three-year term and includes the following key provisions:
| Interest at Propels option, at either: (1) LIBOR, plus a spread that ranges from 300 to 375 basis points, depending on Propels cash flow leverage ratio; or (2) Prime Rate, which is defined in the agreement as the rate of interest per annum equal to the sum of (a) the interest rate quoted in the Money Rates section of The Wall Street Journal from time to time and designated as the Prime Rate plus (b) the Prime Rate Margin, which is a spread that ranges from 0 to 75 basis points, depending on Propels cash flow leverage ratio; |
| A borrowing base of 90% of the face value of the tax lien collateralized payment arrangements; |
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| Interest payable monthly; principal and interest due at maturity; |
| Restrictions and covenants, which limit, among other things, the payment of dividends and the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liens; |
| Events of default which, upon occurrence, may permit the lender to terminate the Propel Facility and declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable; and |
| A $40.0 million accordion feature. |
The Propel Facility is collateralized by the tax lien collateralized payment agreements and requires Propel to maintain various financial covenants, including a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum cash flow leverage ratio.
At March 31, 2013, the outstanding balance on the Propel Facility was $131.5 million and, for the three months ended March 31, 2013, bore a weighted average interest rate of 3.54%.
Senior Secured Notes
As of March 31, 2013, Encore had $70.0 million in senior secured notes with certain affiliates of Prudential Capital Group (the Senior Secured Notes). Twenty five million dollars of the Senior Secured Notes bear an annual interest rate of 7.375% and mature in 2018. These notes require quarterly interest only payments through May 2013. Beginning in May 2013, the notes require a quarterly payment of interest plus $1.25 million of principal. The remaining $45.0 million of Senior Secured Notes bear an annual interest rate of 7.75%, mature in 2017 and require quarterly principal amortization payments of $2.5 million. Prior to December 2012 these notes required quarterly interest only payments.
The Senior Secured Notes are guaranteed in full by certain of Encores subsidiaries. Similar to, and pari passu with, the Credit Agreement, the Senior Secured Notes are also collateralized by all assets of the Company, other than the assets of the Propel Entities. The Senior Secured Notes may be accelerated and become automatically and immediately due and payable upon certain events of default, including certain events related to insolvency, bankruptcy, or liquidation. Additionally, the Senior Secured Notes may be accelerated at the election of the holder or holders of a majority in principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes upon certain events of default by Encore, including the breach of affirmative covenants regarding guarantors, collateral, most favored lender treatment or minimum revolving credit facility commitment or the breach of any negative covenant. If Encore prepays the Senior Secured Notes at any time for any reason, payment will be at the higher of par or the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the portion being prepaid. The discount rate used to determine the present value is 50 basis points over the then current Treasury Rate corresponding to the remaining average life of the senior secured notes. The covenants are substantially similar to those in the Credit Agreement. Prudential Capital Group and the administrative agent for the lenders of the Credit Agreement have an intercreditor agreement related to their pro rata rights to the collateral, actionable default, powers and duties and remedies, among other topics. Certain terms of the Senior Secured Notes were amended on May 8, 2012, to provide for the change in administrative and collateral agent, the Propel Acquisition, and the addition of the Propel Facility. The Senior Secured Notes were again amended on November 5, 2012 in connection with the Credit Agreement in order to properly align certain covenants.
On May 9, 2013, the Company entered into an amendment to its Senior Secured Notes. See Note 19 Subsequent Events for additional information.
Convertible Senior Notes
On November 27, 2012, Encore sold $100.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.0% convertible senior notes due November 27, 2017 in a private placement transaction. On December 6, 2012, the initial purchasers exercised, in full, their option to purchase an additional $15.0 million of the convertible senior notes, which resulted in an aggregate principal amount of $115.0 million of the convertible senior notes outstanding (collectively, the Convertible Notes). Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually, in arrears, on May 27 and November 27 of each year, beginning on May 27, 2013. The Convertible Notes are the Companys general unsecured obligations. The Convertible Notes will be convertible into cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be converted and the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of the Companys common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Companys common stock, at the Companys election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of the Companys conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted. The Convertible Notes will be convertible at an initial conversion rate of 31.6832 shares of the Companys common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, subject to adjustment upon certain events, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $31.56 per share of the Companys common stock.
Concurrent with the pricing of the Convertible Notes, the Company entered into privately negotiated convertible note hedge transactions (together, the Convertible Note Hedge Transactions) with certain counterparties. The Convertible Note Hedge Transactions, collectively, cover, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, the number of shares of the Companys common stock underlying the Convertible Notes, as described below. Concurrently with entering into the Convertible Note Hedge Transactions, the Company also entered into separate, privately negotiated warrant transactions (together, the Warrant Transactions) with the same counterparties, whereby the Company sold to the counterparties warrants to purchase, collectively, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, up to the same number of shares of the Companys common stock as in the Convertible Note Hedge Transactions. Subject to certain conditions, the Company may settle the warrants in cash or on a net-share basis.
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The Convertible Note Hedge Transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution and/or offset the potential cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount upon conversion of the Convertible Notes in the event that the market price per share of the Companys common stock, is greater than the strike price of the Convertible Note Hedge Transactions, which initially corresponds to the conversion price of the Convertible Notes and is subject to anti-dilution adjustments. If, however, the market price per share of the Companys common stock, as measured under the terms of the Warrant Transactions, exceeds the strike price of the warrants, there would nevertheless be dilution to the extent that such market price exceeds the strike price of the warrants, unless the Company elects, subject to certain conditions, to settle the Warrant Transactions in cash. The strike price of the Warrant Transactions will initially be $44.1875 per share of the Companys common stock and is subject to certain adjustments under the terms of the Warrant Transactions. Taken together, the Convertible Note Hedge Transactions and the Warrant Transactions have the effect of increasing the effective conversion price of the Convertible Notes to $44.1875 per share.
The Convertible Note Hedge Transactions and the Warrant Transactions are separate transactions, in each case, entered into by the Company with certain counterparties, and are not part of the terms of the Convertible Notes and will not affect any holders rights under the Convertible Notes. Holders of the Convertible Notes will not have any rights with respect to the Convertible Note Hedge Transactions or the Warrant Transactions. In accordance with authoritative guidance, as of December 31, 2012, the Company recorded the net cost of the Convertible Notes Hedge Transactions and the Warrant Transactions as a reduction in additional paid in capital, and will not recognize subsequent changes in fair value of these financial instruments in its consolidated financial statements.
The net proceeds from the sale of the Convertible Notes were approximately $111.1 million, after deducting estimated fees and expenses. The Company used approximately $11.5 million of the net proceeds to pay the cost of the Convertible Note Hedge Transactions, taking into account the proceeds to the Company of the Warrant Transactions; approximately $25.0 million of the net proceeds to repurchase shares of the Companys common stock; approximately $61.5 million of the net proceeds to repay borrowings under the Credit Agreement; and the balance of the net proceeds for general corporate purposes.
Authoritative guidance related to debt with conversion and other options requires that issuers of convertible debt instruments that, upon conversion, may be settled fully or partially in cash, must separately account for the liability and equity components in a manner that will reflect the entitys nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. Additionally, debt issuance costs are required to be allocated in proportion to the allocation of the liability and equity components and accounted for as debt issuance costs and equity issuance costs, respectively.
The Company determined that the fair value of the Convertible Notes at the date of issuance was approximately $100.3 million, and designated the residual value of approximately $14.7 million as the equity component. Additionally, the Company allocated approximately $3.3 million of the $3.8 million original Convertible Notes issuance cost as debt issuance cost and the remaining $0.5 million as equity issuance cost.
The balances of the liability and equity components as of the dates presented, were as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Liability componentprincipal amount |
$ | 115,000 | $ | 115,000 | ||||
Unamortized debt discount |
(13,835) | (14,442) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Liability componentnet carrying amount |
$ | 101,165 | $ | 100,558 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Equity component |
$ | 14,702 | $ | 14,702 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The debt discount is being amortized into interest expense over the remaining life of the Convertible Notes using the effective interest rate. The effective interest rate on the liability component was 6.0 %.
Interest expense related to the Convertible Notes was as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 |
||||
Interest expensestated coupon rate |
$ | 858 | ||
Interest expenseamortization of debt discount |
607 | |||
|
|
|||
Total interest expenseconvertible notes |
$ | 1,465 | ||
|
|
The Company is in compliance with all covenants under its financing arrangements.
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Capital Lease Obligations
The Company has capital lease obligations primarily for computer equipment. As of March 31, 2013, the Companys combined obligations for these equipment leases were approximately $9.1 million. These lease obligations require monthly or quarterly payments through July 2016 and have implicit interest rates that range from zero to approximately 7.7 %.
Note 13: Income Taxes
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $12.6 million, reflecting an effective rate of 39.3% of pretax income from continuing operations. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 primarily consisted of a provision for federal income taxes of 32.7% (which is net of a benefit for state taxes of 2.3%), and a blended provision for state taxes of 6.6%.
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $11.7 million, reflecting an effective rate of 39.2% of pretax income from continuing operations. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 primarily consisted of a provision for federal income taxes of 32.7% (which is net of a benefit for state taxes of 2.3%) and a blended provision for state taxes of 6.5%.
The Companys subsidiary in Costa Rica is operating under a 100% tax holiday through December 31, 2018 and a 50% tax holiday for the subsequent four years. The impact of the tax holiday in Costa Rica for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was immaterial.
As of March 31, 2013, the Company had a gross unrecognized tax benefit of $2.6 million that, if recognized, would result in a net tax benefit of approximately $1.8 million and would have a positive effect on the Companys effective tax rate. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, there was no material change in the gross unrecognized tax benefit of $2.6 million.
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company did not provide for United States income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on the quarterly undistributed earnings from continuing operations of its subsidiaries operating outside of the United States. Undistributed earnings of these subsidiaries during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, were approximately $1.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively. Such undistributed earnings are considered permanently reinvested.
Note 14: Purchase Concentrations
The following table summarizes purchases by seller sorted by total aggregate cost (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 |
||||||||
Cost | % | |||||||
Seller 1 |
$ | 15,042 | 25.6% | |||||
Seller 2 |
11,656 | 19.9% | ||||||
Seller 3 |
8,067 | 13.7% | ||||||
Seller 4 |
7,071 | 12.0% | ||||||
Seller 5 |
6,942 | 11.8% | ||||||
Other sellers |
9,993 | 17.0% | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Purchases, net |
$ | 58,771 | 100.0% | |||||
|
|
|
|
Note 15: Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
The Company is involved in disputes and legal actions from time to time in the ordinary course of business. The Company, along with others in its industry, is routinely subject to legal actions based on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), comparable state statutes, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), state and federal unfair competition statutes, and common law causes of action. The violations of law alleged in these actions often include claims that the Company lacks specified licenses to conduct its business, attempts to collect debts on which the statute of limitations has run, has made inaccurate assertions of fact in support of its collection actions, and/or has acted improperly in connection with its efforts to contact consumers. These cases are frequently styled as supposed class actions.
On May 19, 2008, an action captioned Brent v. Midland Credit Management, Inc. et. al was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Western Division, in which the plaintiff filed a class action counter-claim against two of the Companys subsidiaries (the Midland Defendants). The complaint alleged that the Midland Defendants business practices violated consumers rights under the FDCPA and the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. The plaintiff sought actual and statutory damages for
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the class of Ohio residents, plus attorneys fees and costs of class notice and class administration. The dollar amount of damages originally sought in the case was an unspecified amount in excess of $25,000. On August 12, 2011, the court issued an order granting final approval to the parties agreed upon settlement of this lawsuit, as well as two other pending lawsuits in the Northern District of Ohio entitled Franklin v. Midland Funding LLC and Vassalle v. Midland Funding LLC, on a national class basis, and dismissed the cases against the Midland Defendants with prejudice. That order was subsequently appealed by certain objectors to the settlement, and on February 26, 2013, the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed the district courts order approving the settlement, vacated the judgment certifying a nationwide settlement class, and remanded the case back to the Northern District of Ohio for further proceedings consistent with the Sixth Circuits ruling, where it remains pending.
On March 8, 2013, March 19, 2013 and March 20, 2013, three actions entitled Shell v. Asset Acceptance Capital Corp., et. al., Neumann v. Asset Acceptance Capital Corp., et. al., and Jaluka v. Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. et. al., respectively, were filed in the Macomb County Circuit Court of the State of Michigan. On April 19, 2013, a fourth action entitled Dix v. Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. et al was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. These actions were brought by purported stockholders of Asset Acceptance Capital Corporation (AACC) against the Company, AACC, and certain other named entities and individuals, and allege, among other things, that the Company has aided and abetted AACCs directors in breaching their fiduciary duties of care, loyalty and candor or disclosure owed to AACC stockholders. Plaintiffs in the actions seek, among other things, injunctive relief prohibiting consummation of the proposed acquisition, or rescission of the proposed acquisition (in the event the transaction has already been consummated), as well as costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys and experts fees, and other equitable or injunctive relief as the court may deem just and proper. The plaintiffs have not specified the dollar amount of damages sought in each action.
Except as described above, there have been no material developments in any of the legal proceedings disclosed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
In certain legal proceedings, the Company may have recourse to insurance or third party contractual indemnities to cover all or portions of its litigation expenses, judgments, or settlements. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company records loss contingencies in its financial statements only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum estimated liability. The Company continuously assesses the potential liability related to the Companys pending litigation and revises its estimates when additional information becomes available. As of March 31, 2013, the Company has no material reserves for litigation. Additionally, based on the current status of litigation matters, either the estimate of exposure is immaterial to the Companys financial statements or an estimate cannot yet be determined. The Companys legal costs are recorded to expense as incurred.
Purchase Commitments
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into forward flow purchase agreements and other purchase commitment agreements. As of March 31, 2013, the Company has entered into agreements to purchase receivable portfolios with a face value of approximately $876.7 million for a purchase price of approximately $55.0 million. The Company has no purchase commitments beyond December 2014.
Note 16: Segment Information
The Company conducts business through two operating segments: portfolio purchasing and recovery and tax lien transfer. The Companys management relies on internal management reporting processes that provide segment revenue, segment operating income, and segment asset information in order to make financial decisions and allocate resources. The operating results from the Companys tax lien transfer segment are immaterial to the Companys total consolidated operating results. However, total assets from this segment are significant as compared to the Companys total consolidated assets. As a result, in accordance with authoritative guidance on segment reporting, the Companys tax lien transfer segment is determined to be a reportable segment.
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Segment operating income includes income from operations before depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, and stock-based compensation expense. The following table provides a reconciliation of revenue and segment operating income by reportable segment to consolidated results and was derived from the segments internal financial information as used for corporate management purposes (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||
Portfolio purchasing and recovery |
$ | 140,683 | $ | 126,405 | ||||
Tax lien transfer |
3,602 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 144,285 | $ | 126,405 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating income: |
||||||||
Portfolio purchasing and recovery |
$ | 42,680 | $ | 38,517 | ||||
Tax lien transfer(1) |
580 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
43,260 | 38,517 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(1,846) | (1,240) | ||||||
Stock-based compensation |
(3,001) | (2,266) | ||||||
Other expense |
(6,394) | (5,243) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |
$ | 32,019 | $ | 29,768 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | Does not include service fee revenue of $0.3 million that was included in Other Income in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2013. |
Additionally, assets are allocated to operating segments for management review. As of March 31, 2013, total segment assets were $926.4 million and $206.1 million for the portfolio purchasing and recovery segment and tax lien transfer segment, respectively.
Note 17: Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
In accordance with authoritative guidance, goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level annually for impairment and in interim periods if certain events occur indicating the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value.
As of March 31, 2013, the Company has two reporting units that carry goodwill: portfolio purchasing and recovery and tax lien transfer. Annual testing is performed as of October 1st for the portfolio purchasing and recovery reporting unit and as of April 1st for the tax lien transfer reporting unit.
As discussed in Note 3, Business Combinations, as a result of its final purchase price allocation related to the Propel Acquisition, the Company made an adjustment of approximately $4.0 million to reduce goodwill attributable to the tax lien transfer reporting unit during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
As discussed in Note 2, Discontinued Operations, on May 16, 2012, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and certain liabilities of Ascension to AIS. In connection with the preparation of its financial statements and based, in part, on the anticipated disposition of Ascension, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment test for Ascension as of March 31, 2012 and concluded that Ascensions entire goodwill balance of $9.9 million was impaired. Additionally, the Company wrote-off Ascensions remaining identifiable intangible assets of approximately $0.4 million as of March 31, 2012.
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The Companys acquired intangible assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):
As of March 31, 2013 | As of December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Carrying Amount |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net Carrying Amount |
Gross Carrying Amount |
Accumulated Amortization |
Net Carrying Amount |
|||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets subject to amortization: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Trade name and other |
$ | 570 | $ | (108 | ) | $ | 462 | $ | 570 | $ | (83 | ) | $ | 487 | ||||||||||
Intangible assets not subject to amortization: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill portfolio purchasing and recovery |
$ | 6,047 | $ | 6,047 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill tax lien transfer |
45,390 | 49,399 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Total goodwill |
$ | 51,437 | $ | 55,446 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Note 18: Common Stock Repurchases
The Company had a $50.0 million share repurchase program authorized by its Board of Directors. Under this program, the Company had the ability to repurchase up to $50.0 million of the Companys common stock, subject to available borrowing capacity and other covenants contained in the Companys financing agreements, including the Credit Agreement. During 2012, the Company repurchased 1.9 million shares of common stock at a cost of $49.3 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company repurchased 24,400 shares under the share repurchase program for $0.7 million. As of March 31, 2013, the Company did not have any stock repurchase capacity under this program.
Note 19: Subsequent Events
On April 8, 2013, the Company announced that it had hired Kenneth A. Vecchione to replace J. Brandon Black as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Black will remain on the Board through his current term and is not expected to seek re-election. Mr. Vecchione joined the Board as of April 8, 2013. As part of the transition, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Black and an employment agreement with Mr. Vecchione. Information regarding this event is set forth on the Companys Form 8-K filed on April 9, 2013.
On May 9, 2013, the Company exercised the remaining $180.0 million of its accordion feature and entered into the Restated Credit Agreement and amended and restated its Senior Secured Notes. The Restated Credit Amendment reset the accordion feature to $200.0 million and added new lenders. In conjunction with the amendment, the Company exercised $37.5 million of the new accordion feature. This $37.5 million exercise, when combined with the $180.0 million exercise, increased the aggregate revolving loan commitment by $217.5 million, from $595.0 million to $812.5 million, a portion of which is subject to ongoing principal amortization. Including the remaining accordion feature, the maximum amount that can be borrowed under the Credit Facility is $975.0 million.
Additionally, both amendments include, but are not limited to, the following key provisions:
| Allow for the AACC merger discussed in Note 3 Business Combinations; |
| Introduce a basket to allow for investments in unrestricted subsidiaries; and |
| Increase the subordinated debt basket to $300.0 million. |
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Item 2 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws. The words believe, expect, anticipate, estimate, project, intend, plan, will, may, and similar expressions often characterize forward-looking statements. These statements may include, but are not limited to, projections of collections, revenues, income or loss, estimates of capital expenditures, plans for future operations, products or services and financing needs or plans, as well as assumptions relating to these matters. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we caution that these expectations or predictions may not prove to be correct or we may not achieve the financial results, savings or other benefits anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which may be beyond our control or cannot be predicted or quantified, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Many factors, including but not limited to those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, could cause our actual results, performance, achievements or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, achievements or industry results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Our business, financial condition or results of operations could also be materially and adversely affected by other factors besides those listed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements were made. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events, or for any other reason, even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements will not be realized. In addition, it is generally our policy not to make any specific projections as to future earnings, and we do not endorse projections regarding future performance that may be made by third parties.
Our Business and Operating Segments
We are a leading provider of debt management and recovery solutions for consumers and property owners across a broad range of financial assets. We purchase portfolios of defaulted consumer receivables at deep discounts to face value and manage them by working with individuals as they repay their obligations and work toward financial recovery. Defaulted receivables are consumers unpaid financial commitments to credit originators, including banks, credit unions, consumer finance companies, commercial retailers, auto finance companies, and telecommunication companies. Defaulted receivables may also include receivables subject to bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, through our subsidiary, Propel, we assist Texas property owners who are delinquent on their property taxes by paying these taxes on behalf of the property owners in exchange for payment agreements collateralized by tax liens on the property.
We conduct business through two operating segments: portfolio purchasing and recovery and tax lien transfer. The operating results from our tax lien transfer segment are immaterial to our total consolidated operating results. However, the total segment assets are significant as compared to our total consolidated assets. As a result, in accordance with authoritative guidance on segment reporting, our tax lien transfer segment is determined to be a reportable segment.
Portfolio purchasing and recovery
Our portfolio purchasing and recovery segment purchases receivables based on robust, account-level valuation methods and employs proprietary statistical and behavioral models across the full extent of our operations. These investments allow us to value portfolios accurately (and limit the risk of overpaying), avoid buying portfolios that are incompatible with our methods or goals and align the accounts we purchase with our operational channels to maximize future collections. As a result, we have been able to realize significant returns from the receivables we acquire. We maintain strong relationships with many of the largest credit and telecommunication providers in the United States and believe we possess one of the industrys best collection staff retention rates.
While seasonality does not have a material impact on our portfolio purchasing and recovery segment, collections are generally strongest in our first calendar quarter, slower in the second and third calendar quarters, and slowest in the fourth calendar quarter. Relatively higher collections in the first quarter could result in a lower cost-to-collect ratio compared to the other quarters, as our fixed costs would be constant and applied against a larger collection base. The seasonal impact on our business may be influenced by our purchasing levels, the types of portfolios we purchase, and our operating strategies.
Collection seasonality with respect to our portfolio purchasing and recovery segment can also impact our revenue recognition rate. Generally, revenue for each pool group declines steadily over time, whereas collections can fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on seasonality, as described above. In quarters with lower collections (e.g., the fourth calendar quarter), revenue as a percentage of collections can be higher than in quarters with higher collections (e.g., the first calendar quarter).
In addition, seasonality could have an impact on the relative level of quarterly earnings. In quarters with stronger collections, total costs are higher as a result of the additional efforts required to generate those collections. Since revenue for each pool group declines steadily over time, in quarters with stronger collections and higher costs (e.g., the first calendar quarter), all else being equal, earnings could be lower than in quarters with slower collections and lower costs (e.g., the fourth calendar quarter). Additionally, in quarters where a greater percentage of collections come from our legal and agency outsourcing channels, cost to collect will be higher than if there were more collections from our internal collection sites.
23
Tax lien transfer
Our tax lien transfer segment focuses on the property tax financing industry. Our principal activity is originating and servicing property tax lien transfers in the state of Texas. With the property owners consent, we pay the property owners delinquent property taxes directly to the taxing authority, which then transfers its tax lien to us. We then enter into a payment agreement with the property owner, creating an affordable payment plan. Revenue from our tax lien transfer segment comprised 2% of total consolidated revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Operating income from our tax lien transfer segment comprised 1% of our total consolidated operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
Merger Agreement
On March 6, 2013, we and our wholly owned subsidiary, Pinnacle Sub, Inc. (Merger Sub), entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the Merger Agreement) with AACC, another leading provider of debt management and recovery solutions. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into AACC, and AACC will continue as the surviving corporation and will become our wholly owned subsidiary. The Merger Agreement has been approved by our board of directors and by the board of directors of AACC.
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2013, and is subject to, among other items, customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Information regarding this transaction is set forth on our Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, initially filed with the SEC on March 27, 2013.
We will account for the merger using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets and liabilities of AACC will be recorded as of the closing date of the merger, at their respective fair values, and consolidated with our assets and liabilities. The results of operations of AACC will be consolidated with our results of operations beginning on the closing date of the merger.
Discontinued Operations
On May 16, 2012, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and certain of the liabilities of our bankruptcy servicing subsidiary Ascension Capital Group, Inc. (Ascension). Accordingly, Ascensions results of operations are reflected as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Purchases and Collections
Purchases by Type
The following table summarizes the types of charged-off consumer receivable portfolios we purchased for the periods presented (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Credit card |
$ | 43,414 | $ | 107,935 | ||||
Telecom |
15,357 | 22,528 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 58,771 | $ | 130,463 | |||||
|
|
|
|
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we invested $58.8 million to acquire charged-off credit card and telecom portfolios, with face values aggregating $1.6 billion, for an average purchase price of 3.6% of face value. This is a $71.7 million decrease, or 55.0%, in the amount invested, compared with the $130.5 million invested during the three months ended March 31, 2012, to acquire charged-off credit card portfolios with a face value aggregating $2.9 billion, for an average purchase price of 4.5% of face value.
Average purchase price, as a percentage of face value, varies from period to period depending on, among other things, the quality of the accounts purchased and the length of time from charge off to the time we purchase the portfolios.
Meaningful increases in the prices for portfolios offered for sale directly from credit issuers continued into the first quarter 2013 especially for fresh portfolios. Fresh portfolios are portfolios that are generally transacted within six months of the consumers account being charged-off by the financial institution. We believe this price increase is due to a reduction in the supply of charged-off accounts and continued demand in the marketplace. We believe that the reduction in supply is partially due to shifts in underwriting standards by financial institutions which have resulted in lower volumes of charged-off accounts. We expect that pricing will remain at these elevated levels for a period of time. We believe that pricing will not decline until buyers who have paid prices that are too high recognize that they are unable to realize a profit. Should pricing trends continue in this manner, we expect to continue to adjust our purchasing strategies away from fresh portfolios, and toward portfolios in alternative asset classes or aged portfolios, where pricing is not as elevated and where we believe that our operational model allows us to maintain acceptable profit margins. Additionally, as discussed above, we entered into an agreement to purchase AACC, another leading provider of debt management and recovery solutions, including their investment in receivable portfolios. We expect this transaction to close in the second or third quarter of 2013 and for this transaction to account for a significant portion of our 2013 purchases.
24
Collections by Channel
We utilized numerous business channels for the collection of charged-off credit card receivables and other charged-off receivables. The following table summarizes gross collections by collection channel in the respective periods (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Collection sites |
$ | 126,562 | $ | 109,870 | ||||
Legal collections |
122,273 | 109,572 | ||||||
Collection agencies |
21,335 | 11,586 | ||||||
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|
|
|
|||||
$ | 270,170 | $ | 231,028 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Gross collections increased $39.1 million, or 16.9%, to $270.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $231.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Results of Operations
Results of operations in dollars and as a percentage of total revenue were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts and percentages):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||
Revenue from receivable portfolios, net |
$ | 140,683 | 97.5% | $ | 126,405 | 100.0% | ||||||||||
Net interest income tax lien transfer |
3,602 | 2.5% | | 0.0% | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total revenues |
144,285 | 100.0% | 126,405 | 100.0% | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Operating expenses |
||||||||||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits |
28,832 | 20.0% | 22,304 | 17.6% | ||||||||||||
Cost of legal collections |
42,258 | 29.3% | 38,635 | 30.6% | ||||||||||||
Other operating expenses |
13,265 | 9.2% | 11,598 | 9.2% | ||||||||||||
Collection agency commissions |
3,329 | 2.3% | 3,959 | 3.1% | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
16,342 | 11.3% | 13,658 | 10.8% | ||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,846 | 1.3% | 1,240 | 1.0% | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total operating expenses |
105,872 | 73.4% | 91,394 | 72.3% | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Income from operations |
38,413 | 26.6% | 35,011 | 27.7% | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Other (expense) income |
||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(6,854) | (4.7)% | (5,515) | (4.4)% | ||||||||||||
Other income |
460 | 0.3% | 272 | 0.2% | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total other expense |
(6,394) | (4.4)% | (5,243) | (4.2)% | ||||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |
32,019 | 22.2% | 29,768 | 23.5% | ||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes |
(12,571) | (8.7)% | (11,660) | (9.2)% | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Income from continuing operations |
19,448 | 13.5% | 18,108 | 14.3% | ||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax |
| 0.0% | (6,702) | (5.3)% | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net income |
$ | 19,448 | 13.5% | $ | 11,406 | 9.0% | ||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP Disclosure
In addition to the financial information prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), we provide certain historical non-GAAP financial information. Management believes that the presentation of such non-GAAP financial information is meaningful and useful in understanding the activities and business metrics of our operations. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of our business that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business.
Management believes that the presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency and facilitates comparison of operating results across a broad spectrum of companies with varying capital structures, compensation strategies, derivative instruments, and amortization methods, which provide a more complete understanding of our financial performance, competitive position, and prospects for the future. Readers should consider the information in addition to, but not instead of, our financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial information may be determined or calculated differently by other companies, limiting the usefulness of these measures for comparative purposes.
25
Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations Per Share. Management believes that investors regularly rely on non-GAAP adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share, to assess operating performance, in order to highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying on financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted income from continuing operations excludes non-cash interest and issuance cost amortization, relating to our convertible notes, and acquisition related expenses, net of tax. The following table provides a reconciliation between income from continuing operations and diluted income from continuing operations per share calculated in accordance with GAAP to adjusted income from continuing operations and adjusted income from continuing operations per share, respectively (in thousands, except per share data):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||
$ | Per Diluted
Share |
$ | Per Diluted
Share |
|||||||||||||
GAAP income from continuing operations, as reported |
$ | 19,448 | $ | 0.80 | $ | 18,108 | $ | 0.70 | ||||||||
Adjustments: |
||||||||||||||||
Convertible notes non-cash interest and issuance cost amortization, net of tax |
673 | 0.03 | | | ||||||||||||
Acquisition related expenses, net of tax |
775 | 0.03 | | | ||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||
Adjusted income from continuing operations |
$ | 20,896 | $ | 0.86 | $ | 18,108 | $ | 0.70 | ||||||||
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|
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|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA. Management utilizes adjusted EBITDA (defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expenses, portfolio amortization, and acquisition related expenses), which is materially similar to a financial measure contained in covenants used in our credit agreement, in the evaluation of our operations and believes that this measure is a useful indicator of our ability to generate cash collections in excess of operating expenses through the liquidation of our receivable portfolios (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
GAAP net income, as reported |
$ | 19,448 | $ | 11,406 | ||||
Adjustments: |
||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax |
| 6,702 | ||||||
Interest expense |
6,854 | 5,515 | ||||||
Provision for income taxes |
12,571 | 11,660 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
1,846 | 1,240 | ||||||
Amount applied to principal on receivable portfolios |
129,487 | 104,603 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
3,001 | 2,266 | ||||||
Acquisition related expenses |
1,276 | 489 | ||||||
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|
|||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 174,483 | $ | 143,881 | ||||
|
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|
Adjusted operating expenses. We have included information concerning adjusted operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense, tax lien transfer segment operating expenses, and acquisition related expenses, in order to facilitate a comparison of approximate cash costs to cash collections for the portfolio purchasing and recovery business in the periods presented. (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
GAAP total operating expenses, as reported |
$ | 105,872 | $ | 91,394 | ||||
Adjustments: |
||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
(3,001) | (2,266) | ||||||
Tax lien transfer segment operating expenses |
(3,022) | | ||||||
Acquisition related expenses |
(1,276) | (489) | ||||||
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|
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|
|||||
Adjusted operating expenses for the portfolio purchasing and recovery business |
$ | 98,573 | $ | 88,639 | ||||
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26
Comparison of Results of Operations
Revenues
Our revenues consist primarily of portfolio revenue and interest income net of related interest expense from property tax payment agreements receivable.
Portfolio revenue consists of accretion revenue and zero basis revenue. Accretion revenue represents revenue derived from pools (quarterly groupings of purchased receivable portfolios) with a cost basis that has not been fully amortized. Revenue from pools with a remaining unamortized cost basis is accrued based on each pools effective interest rate applied to each pools remaining unamortized cost basis. The cost basis of each pool is increased by revenue earned and decreased by gross collections and portfolio allowances. The effective interest rate is the IRR derived from the timing and amounts of actual cash received and anticipated future cash flow projections for each pool. All collections realized after the net book value of a portfolio has been fully recovered, or Zero Basis Portfolios, are recorded as revenue, or Zero Basis Revenue. We account for our investment in receivable portfolios utilizing the interest method in accordance with the authoritative guidance for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality. Interest income, net of related interest expense represents net interest income on property tax payment agreements receivable.
The following tables summarize collections, revenue, end of period receivable balance and other related supplemental data, by year of purchase from our portfolio purchasing and recovery segment (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | As of March 31, 2013 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collections(1) | Gross Revenue(2) |
Revenue Recognition Rate(3) |
Net Portfolio Allowance Reversal (Allowance) |
Revenue % of Total Revenue |
Unamortized Balances |
Monthly IRR |
||||||||||||||||||||||
ZBA(4) |
$ | 5,611 | $ | 4,662 | 83.1 | % | $ | 949 | 3.4 | % | $ | | | |||||||||||||||
2005 |
2,251 | 233 | 10.4 | % | 10 | 0.2 | % | 108 | 5.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2006 |
2,503 | 1,140 | 45.5 | % | (459 | ) | 0.8 | % | 6,415 | 5.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
2007 |
3,378 | 1,554 | 46.0 | % | 343 | 1.1 | % | 8,966 | 5.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2008 |
12,114 | 7,031 | 58.0 | % | 163 | 5.0 | % | 29,395 | 7.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2009 |
23,232 | 14,695 | 63.3 | % | | 10.5 | % | 38,683 | 10.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
45,224 | 28,392 | 62.8 | % | | 20.3 | % | 87,624 | 9.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2011 |
67,236 | 36,348 | 54.1 | % | | 26.0 | % | 164,466 | 6.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2012 |
104,172 | 43,295 | 41.6 | % | | 31.0 | % | 409,360 | 3.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2013 |
4,449 | 2,327 | 52.3 | % | | 1.7 | % | 56,508 | 3.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 270,170 | $ | 139,677 | 51.7 | % | $ | 1,006 | 100.0 | % | $ | 801,525 | 5.1 | % | ||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 | As of March 31, 2012 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collections(1) | Gross Revenue(2) |
Revenue Recognition Rate(3) |
Net |
Revenue % of Total Revenue |
Unamortized Balances |
Monthly IRR |
||||||||||||||||||||||
ZBA(4) |
$ | 7,065 | $ | 6,032 | 85.4 | % | $ | 1,033 | 4.8 | % | $ | | | |||||||||||||||
2005 |
3,431 | 1,319 | 38.4 | % | (78 | ) | 1.0 | % | 6,114 | 5.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||
2006 |
3,769 | 2,505 | 66.5 | % | (1,119 | ) | 2.0 | % | 15,010 | 5.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
2007 |
5,050 | 2,737 | 54.2 | % | (209 | ) | 2.2 | % | 15,960 | 5.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
2008 |
17,313 | 9,045 | 52.2 | % | | 7.1 | % | 49,979 | 5.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2009 |
32,578 | 20,738 | 63.7 | % | | 16.3 | % | 76,589 | 8.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
63,996 | 37,098 | 58.0 | % | | 29.3 | % | 164,036 | 6.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2011 |
85,220 | 41,924 | 49.2 | % | | 33.1 | % | 291,099 | 4.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
2012 |
12,586 | 5,380 | 42.7 | % | | 4.2 | % | 122,793 | 3.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
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|
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Total |
$ | 231,008 | $ | 126,778 | 54.9 | % | $ | (373 | ) | 100.0 | % | $ | 741,580 | 5.4 | % | |||||||||||||
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|
(1) | Does not include amounts collected on behalf of others. |
(2) | Gross revenue excludes the effects of net portfolio allowances or net portfolio allowance reversals. |
(3) | Revenue recognition rate excludes the effects of net portfolio allowances or net portfolio allowance reversals. |
(4) | ZBA revenue typically has a 100% revenue recognition rate. However, collections on ZBA pool groups where a valuation allowance remains must first be recorded as an allowance reversal until the allowance for that pool group is zero. Once the valuation allowance is reversed, the revenue recognition rate will become 100%. |
27
Total revenues were $144.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, an increase of $17.9 million, or 14.1%, compared to total revenues of $126.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Revenue from our portfolio purchasing and recovery segment was $140.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, an increase of $14.3 million, or 11.3%, compared to revenue of $126.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase in portfolio revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2013, was primarily the result of additional accretion revenue associated with collection over performance compared with our cash projections, resulting in increases to certain portfolio IRRs during the three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the same periods of the prior year. Additionally, during the three months ended March 31, 2013, we recorded a net portfolio allowance reversal of $1.0 million, compared to a net portfolio allowance provision of $0.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Net interest income from our tax lien transfer segment was $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $105.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, an increase of $14.5 million, or 15.8%, compared to total operating expenses of $91.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Operating expenses are explained in more detail as follows:
Salaries and employee benefits
Salaries and employee benefits increased $6.5 million, or 29.3%, to $28.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $22.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily the result of increases in headcount and related compensation expense to support the growth in our portfolio purchasing and recovery business and the acquisition of Propel. The increase was also attributable to higher stock-based compensation expenses of $0.7 million. Salaries and employee benefits related to our internal legal channel were approximately $2.8 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Salaries and employee benefits broken down between the reportable segments are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Salaries and employee benefits: |
||||||||
Portfolio purchasing and recovery |
$ | 27,414 | $ | 22,304 | ||||
Tax lien transfer |
1,418 | | ||||||
|
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|
|
|||||
$ | 28,832 | $ | 22,304 | |||||
|
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|
|
Cost of legal collections Portfolio purchasing and recovery
The cost of legal collections increased $3.7 million, or 9.4%, to $42.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to $38.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012. These costs represent contingent fees paid to our nationwide network of attorneys and costs of litigation. The increase in the cost of legal collections was primarily the result of an increase of $12.7 million, or 11.6%, in gross collections through our legal channel. Gross legal collections were $122.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, up from $109.6 million collected during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The cost of legal collections, decreased as a percentage of gross collections through this channel to 34.6% during the three months ended March 31, 2013 from 35.3% during the same period in the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to increased collections in our internal legal channel for which we do not pay a commission.
28
The following table summarizes our legal collection channel performance and related direct costs (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||
Collections: |
||||||||||||||||
Collections legal outsourcing |
$ | 112,642 | 92.1% | $ | 106,702 | 97.4% | ||||||||||
Collections internal legal |
9,631 | 7.9% | 2,870 | 2.6% | ||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total collections legal networks |
$ | 122,273 | 100.0% | $ | 109,572 | 100.0% | ||||||||||
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|
|||||||||
Costs: |
||||||||||||||||
Commissions legal outsourcing |
$ | 28,810 | 25.6% | $ | 27,567 | 25.8% | ||||||||||
Court cost expense legal outsourcing (1) |
10,015 | 9,247 | ||||||||||||||
Court cost expense internal legal (1) |
2,515 | 1,242 | ||||||||||||||
Other(2) |
918 | 579 | ||||||||||||||
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|
|
|||||||||||||
Total direct costs legal networks |
$ | 42,258 | 34.6% | $ | 38,635 | 35.3% | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | We advance certain out-of-pocket court costs and capitalize these costs in our consolidated financial statements and provide a reserve and corresponding court cost expense for the costs that we believe will be ultimately uncollectible. This amount includes changes in our anticipated recovery rate of court costs expensed. |
(2) | Other costs consist of costs related to counter claims and legal network subscription fees. |
Other operating expenses
Other operating expenses increased $1.7 million, or 14.4%, to $13.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $11.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily the result of Propel other operating expenses of $0.9 million, an increase of $0.3 million in direct mail campaign expenses, an increase of $0.3 million in telephone expenses, and a net increase in various other operating expenses of $0.2 million, primarily to support our growth.
Other operating expenses broken down between the reportable segments are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Other operating expenses: |
||||||||
Portfolio purchasing and recovery |
$ | 12,380 | $ | 11,598 | ||||
Tax lien transfer |
885 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 13,265 | $ | 11,598 | |||||
|
|
|
|
Collection agency commissions Portfolio purchasing and recovery
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we incurred $3.3 million in commissions to third party collection agencies, or 15.6% of the related gross collections of $21.3 million, compared to $4.0 million in commissions, or 34.2%, of the related gross collections of $11.6 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2012. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we experienced an increase in collection agency collections as a result of increased purchases of bankruptcy portfolios, which are primarily serviced by an outside service provider. During the period, the commission rate decreased as compared to the prior year due to bankruptcy commission rates being lower than commission rates on non-bankruptcy portfolios.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses increased $2.7 million, or 19.7%, to $16.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $13.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily the result of acquisition related costs of $1.3 million, an increase in IT consulting and other IT expenses of $2.1 million, general and administrative expenses related to Propel of $0.7 million, and a net increase in other general and administrative expenses of $0.7 million. The increase was offset by a reduction in corporate settlement expense of $2.0 million.
General and administrative expenses broken down between the reportable segments are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
General and administrative expenses: |
||||||||
Portfolio purchasing and recovery |
$ | 15,623 | $ | 13,658 | ||||
Tax lien transfer |
719 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 16,342 | $ | 13,658 | |||||
|
|
|
|
29
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.6 million, or 48.9%, to $1.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $1.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2013 was primarily related to increased depreciation expense resulting from our acquisition of fixed assets in recent periods.
Cost per Dollar Collected Portfolio purchasing and recovery
The following tables summarize our cost per dollar collected (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collections | Cost | Cost Per
Channel Dollar Collected |
Cost Per
Total Dollar Collected |
Collections | Cost | Cost Per
Channel Dollar Collected |
Cost Per
Total Dollar Collected |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collection sites(1) |
$ | 126,562 | $ | 7,243 | 5.7% | 2.7% | $ | 109,870 | $ | 6,476 | 5.9% | 2.8% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Legal outsourcing |
112,642 | 39,590 | 35.1% | 14.7% | 106,702 | 37,345 | 35.0% | 16.1% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Internal legal |
9,631 | 2,668 | 27.7% | 1.0% | 2,870 | 1,290 | 44.9% | 0.6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collection agency outsourcing |
21,335 | 3,329 | 15.6% | 1.2% | 11,586 | 3,959 | 34.2% | 1.7% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other indirect costs(2) |
| 45,743 | | 16.9% | | 39,569 | | 17.2% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 270,170 | $ | 98,573(3) | 36.5% | $ | 231,028 | $ | 88,639(3) | 38.4% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | Cost in collection sites represents only account managers and their supervisors salaries, variable compensation, and employee benefits. |
(2) | Other indirect costs represent non-collection site salaries and employee benefits, general and administrative expenses, other operating expenses and depreciation and amortization. Included in other indirect costs were costs related to our internal legal channel of approximately $4.1 million and $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. |
(3) | Represents all operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation expense, tax lien transfer segment operating expenses, and acquisition related expenses. We include this information in order to facilitate a comparison of approximate cash costs to cash collections for the debt purchasing business in the periods presented. Refer to the Non-GAAP Disclosure section for further details. |
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, cost per dollar collected decreased by 190 basis points to 36.5% of gross collections from 38.4% of gross collections during the three months ended March 31, 2012. This decrease was due to several factors, including:
| The cost of legal collections through our legal outsourcing channel, as a percentage of total collections, decreased to 14.7% during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 16.1% during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and, as a percentage of channel collections, remained relatively consistent compared to the same period of 2012. The decrease in cost of total collections through our legal outsourcing channel was primarily due to legal outsourcing collections decreasing as a percentage of total collections as collections from our internal legal channel continue to increase. |
| The cost of legal collections through our internal legal channel, as a percentage of total collections, increased to 1.0% during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 0.6% during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and, as a percentage of channel collections, decreased to 27.7% during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 44.9% during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increase in cost of total collections through our internal legal channel was primarily due to increased collections from this channel as a percentage of total collections. The decrease in cost of channel collections was primarily due to increased productivity as we continue to ramp up our internal legal platform. |
| The cost from our collection sites, which includes account manager salaries, variable compensation, and employee benefits, as a percentage of total collections, decreased slightly to 2.7% during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 2.8% during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and, as a percentage of our site collections, decreased to 5.7% from 5.9%. These decreases were primarily due to the continued growth of our collection workforce in India and improvements in our consumer insights, which allow us to more effectively determine which consumers have the ability to pay and how to best engage with them. |
| Collection agency commissions, as a percentage of total collections, decreased to 1.2% during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 1.7% during the same period in the prior year. Our collection agency commission rate decreased to 15.6% during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 34.2% during the same period in the prior year. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we experienced an increase in collection agency collections as a result of increased purchases of bankruptcy portfolios, which are primarily serviced by an outside service provider. During the same period, the commission rate decreased as compared to the prior year, due to bankruptcy commission rates being lower than commission rates on non-bankruptcy portfolios. |
30
| Other costs not directly attributable to specific channel collections (other indirect costs), as a percentage of total collections, decreased 30 basis points, to 16.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2013, from 17.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2012. These costs include non-collection site salaries and employee benefits, internal legal salaries and other internal legal operating expenses, general and administrative expenses, other operating expenses, and depreciation and amortization. This decrease was due to collections growth outpacing the increase in other indirect costs. |
Interest Expense Portfolio purchasing and recovery
Interest expense increased $1.3 million, or 24.3%, to $6.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013, from $5.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012.
The following table summarizes our interest expense (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
Stated interest on debt obligations |
$ | 5,477 | $ | 5,049 | $ | 428 | 8.5% | |||||||||
Amortization of loan fees and other loan costs |
770 | 466 | 304 | 65.2% | ||||||||||||
Amortization of debt discountconvertible notes |
607 | | 607 | | ||||||||||||
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Total interest expense |
$ | 6,854 | $ | 5,515 | $ | 1,339 | 24.3% | |||||||||
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The increase in interest expense was primarily due to higher outstanding debt balances and increased amortization of debt discount and loan fees related to the $115.0 million convertible notes we issued in November and December 2012.
Provision for Income Taxes
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we recorded an income tax provision of $12.6 million, reflecting an effective rate of 39.3% of pretax income from continuing operations. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 primarily consisted of a provision for federal income taxes of 32.7% (which is net of a benefit for state taxes of 2.3%), and a blended provision for state taxes of 6.6%.
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we recorded an income tax provision of $11.7 million, reflecting an effective rate of 39.2% of pretax income from continuing operations. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 primarily consisted of a provision for federal income taxes of 32.7% (which is net of a benefit for state taxes of 2.3%) and provision for state taxes of 6.5%.
31
Supplemental Performance Data Portfolio purchasing and recovery
Cumulative Collections to Purchase Price Multiple
The following table summarizes our purchases and related gross collections by year of purchase (in thousands, except multiples):
Year of Purchase |
Purchase Price(1) |
Cumulative Collections through March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
<2007 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | Total(2) | CCM(3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Charged-off consumer receivables: |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
<2006 |
$ | 578,054(4) | $ | 1,334,922 | $ | 194,411 | $ | 113,239 | $ | 70,095 | $ | 47,196 | $ | 33,831 | $ | 24,130 | $ | 5,043 | $ | 1,822,867 | 3.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2006 |
141,027 | 42,354 | 92,265 | 70,743 | 44,553 | 26,201 | 18,306 | 12,825 | 2,553 | 309,800 | 2.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 |
204,066 | | 68,048 | 145,272 | 111,117 | 70,572 | 44,035 | 29,619 | 5,746 | 474,409 | 2.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 |
227,785 | | | 69,049 | 165,164 | 127,799 | 87,850 | 59,507 | 12,178 | 521,547 | 2.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 |
253,319 | | | | 96,529 | 206,773 | 164,605 | 111,569 | 23,273 | 602,749 | 2.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
346,105 | | | | | 125,465 | 284,541 | 215,088 | 43,731 | 668,825 | 1.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 |
382,869 | | | | | | 122,224 | 300,536 | 67,218 | 489,978 | 1.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 |
477,078 | | | | | | | 186,472 | 95,750 | 282,222 | 0.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 |
58,636 | | | | | | | | 4,450 | 4,450 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Subtotal |
$ | 2,668,939 | $ | 1,377,276 | $ | 354,724 | $ | 398,303 | $ | 487,458 | $ | 604,006 | $ | 755,392 | $ | 939,746 | $ | 259,942 | $ | 5,176,847 | 1.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Purchased bankruptcy receivables: |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
$ | 11,975 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 388 | $ | 4,247 | $ | 5,598 | $ | 1,504 | $ | 11,737 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 |
1,644 | | | | | | 1,372 | 1,413 | 302 | 3,087 | 1.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 |
83,705 | | | | | | | 1,249 | 8,422 | 9,671 | 0.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Subtotal |
$ | 97,324 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 388 | $ | 5,619 | $ | 8,260 | $ | 10,228 | $ | 24,495 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 2,766,263 | $ | 1,377,276 | $ | 354,724 | $ | 398,303 | $ | 487,458 | $ | 604,394 | $ | 761,011 | $ | 948,006 | $ | 270,170 | $ | 5,201,342 | 1.9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | Adjusted for put-backs and account recalls. Put-backs represent accounts that are returned to the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (Put-Backs). Recalls represent accounts that are recalled by the seller in accordance with the respective purchase agreement (Recalls). |
(2) | Cumulative collections from inception through March 31, 2013, excluding collections on behalf of others. |
(3) | Cumulative Collections Multiple (CCM) through March 31, 2013collections as a multiple of purchase price. |
Total Estimated Collections to Purchase Price Multiple
The following table summarizes our purchases, resulting historical gross collections, and estimated remaining gross collections by year of purchase (in thousands, except multiples):
Purchase Price(1) | Historical Collections(2) |
Estimated Remaining Collections(3) |
Total Estimated Gross Collections |
Total Estimated Gross Collections to Purchase Price |
||||||||||||||||
Charged-off consumer receivables: |
||||||||||||||||||||
<2006 |
$ | 578,054 | $ | 1,822,867 | $ | 8,025 | $ | 1,830,892 | 3.2 | |||||||||||
2006 |
141,027 | 309,800 | 12,803 | 322,603 | 2.3 | |||||||||||||||
2007 |
204,066 | 474,409 | 31,468 | 505,877 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||
2008 |
227,785 | 521,547 | 71,845 | 593,392 | 2.6 | |||||||||||||||
2009 |
253,319 | 602,749 | 145,048 | 747,797 | 3.0 | |||||||||||||||
2010 |
346,105 | 668,825 | 298,392 | 967,217 | 2.8 | |||||||||||||||
2011 |
382,869 | 489,978 | 448,267 | 938,245 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||
2012 |
477,078 | 282,222 | 672,582 | 954,804 | 2.0 | |||||||||||||||
2013 |
58,636 | 4,450 | 121,129 | 125,579 | 2.1 | |||||||||||||||
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Subtotal |
$ | 2,668,939 | $ | 5,176,847 | $ | 1,809,559 | $ | 6,986,406 | 2.6 | |||||||||||
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Purchased bankruptcy receivables: |
||||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
$ | 11,975 | $ | 11,737 | $ | 11,307 | $ | 23,044 | 1.9 | |||||||||||
2011 |
1,644 | 3,087 | 1,025 | 4,112 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||
2012 |
83,705 | 9,671 | 88,764 | 98,435 | 1.2 | |||||||||||||||
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Subtotal |
$ | 97,324 | $ | 24,495 | $ | 101,096 | $ | 125,591 | 1.3 | |||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 2,766,263 | $ | 5,201,342 | $ | 1,910,655 | $ | 7,111,997 | 2.6 | |||||||||||
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(1) | Adjusted for Put-Backs and Recalls. |
(2) | Cumulative collections from inception through March 31, 2013, excluding collections on behalf of others. |
(3) | Estimated remaining collections for charged off consumer receivables includes $100.8 million related to accounts that converted to bankruptcy after purchase. |
32
Estimated Remaining Gross Collections by Year of Purchase
The following table summarizes our estimated remaining gross collections by year of purchase (in thousands):
Estimated Remaining Gross Collections by Year of Purchase(1), (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | >2022 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Charged-off consumer receivables: |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
<2006 |
$ | 3,326 | $ | 3,625 | $ | 1,074 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 8,025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2006 |
5,897 | 4,392 | 1,780 | 734 | | | | | | | 12,803 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 |
12,713 | 9,149 | 4,694 | 3,592 | 1,320 | | | | | | 31,468 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 |
26,037 | 22,064 | 11,941 | 6,461 | 3,820 | 1,522 | | | | | 71,845 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 |
42,655 | 43,521 | 26,426 | 16,069 | 8,941 | 5,323 | 2,113 | | | | 145,048 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
82,389 | 83,432 | 56,915 | 34,029 | 21,490 | 10,461 | 6,821 | 2,855 | | | 298,392 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 |
124,343 | 123,975 | 83,319 | 51,137 | 29,428 | 17,341 | 9,582 | 6,483 | 2,659 | | 448,267 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 |
177,525 | 191,081 | 121,884 | 73,541 | 43,596 | 25,615 | 18,673 | 10,675 | 7,559 | 2,433 | 672,582 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 |
28,650 | 40,007 | 24,852 | 12,637 | 6,758 | 4,035 | 2,519 | 915 | 434 | 322 | 121,129 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Subtotal |
$ | 503,535 | $ | 521,246 | $ | 332,885 | $ | 198,200 | $ | 115,353 | $ | 64,297 | $ | 39,708 | $ | 20,928 | $ | 10,652 | $ | 2,755 | $ | 1,809,559 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Purchased bankruptcy receivables: |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
$ | 4,048 | $ | 4,021 | $ | 2,533 | $ | 705 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 11,307 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 |
663 | 247 | 68 | 43 | 4 | | | | | | 1,025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 |
20,161 | 25,088 | 20,605 | 13,201 | 7,365 | 2,344 | | | | | 88,764 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Subtotal |
$ | 24,872 | $ | 29,356 | $ | 23,206 | $ | 13,949 | $ | 7,369 | $ | 2,344 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 101,096 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 528,407 | $ | 550,602 | $ | 356,091 | $ | 212,149 | $ | 122,722 | $ | 66,641 | $ | 39,708 | $ | 20,928 | $ | 10,652 | $ | 2,755 | $ | 1,910,655 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | Estimated remaining collections for Zero Basis Portfolios can extend beyond our collection forecasts. |
(2) | Estimated remaining collections for charged off consumer receivables includes $100.8 million related to accounts that converted to bankruptcy after purchase. |
Unamortized Balances of Portfolios
The following table summarizes the remaining unamortized balances of our purchased receivable portfolios by year of purchase (in thousands, except percentages):
Unamortized Balance as of March 31, 2013 |
Purchase Price(1) |
Unamortized Balance as a Percentage of Purchase Price |
Unamortized Balance as a Percentage of Total |
|||||||||||||
Charged-off consumer receivables: |
||||||||||||||||
2005 |
$ | 108 | $ | 192,585 | 0.1% | 0.0% | ||||||||||
2006 |
6,415 | 141,027 | 4.5% | 0.9% | ||||||||||||
2007 |
8,966 | 204,066 | 4.4% | 1.2% | ||||||||||||
2008 |
29,395 | 227,785 | 12.9% | 4.0% | ||||||||||||
2009 |
38,683 | 253,319 | 15.3% | 5.4% | ||||||||||||
2010 |
81,289 | 346,105 | 23.5% | 11.3% | ||||||||||||
2011 |
164,323 | 382,869 | 42.9% | 22.9% | ||||||||||||
2012 |
333,243 | 477,078 | 69.9% | 46.4% | ||||||||||||
2013 |
56,508 | 58,636 | 96.4% | 7.9% | ||||||||||||
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Subtotal |
$ | 718,930 | $ | 2,283,470 | 31.5% | 100.0% | ||||||||||
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Purchased bankruptcy receivables: |
||||||||||||||||
2010 |
$ | 6,335 | $ | 11,975 | 52.9% | 7.6% | ||||||||||
2011 |
143 | 1,644 | 8.7% | 0.2% | ||||||||||||
2012 |
76,117 | 83,705 | 90.9% | 92.2% | ||||||||||||
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Subtotal |
$ | 82,595 | $ | 97,324 | 84.9% | 100.0% | ||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 801,525 | $ | 2,380,794 | 33.7% | 100.0% | ||||||||||
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(1) | Purchase price refers to the cash paid to a seller to acquire a portfolio less Put-Backs, plus an allocation of our forward flow asset (if applicable), and less the purchase price for accounts that were sold at the time of purchase to another debt purchaser. |
33
Changes in the Investment in Receivable Portfolios
Revenue related to our investment in receivable portfolios comprises two groups. First, revenue from those portfolios that have a remaining book value and are accounted for on the accrual basis (Accrual Basis Portfolios), and second, revenue from those portfolios that have fully recovered their book value (Zero Basis Portfolios) and, therefore, every dollar of gross collections is recorded entirely as Zero Basis Revenue. If the amount and timing of future cash collections on a pool of receivables are not reasonably estimable, we account for such portfolios on the cost recovery method (Cost Recovery Portfolios). No revenue is recognized on Cost Recovery Portfolios until the cost basis has been fully recovered, at which time they become Zero Basis Portfolios.
The following tables summarize the changes in the balance of the investment in receivable portfolios and the proportion of revenue recognized as a percentage of collections (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||
Accrual
Basis Portfolios |
Zero
Basis Portfolios |
Total | ||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
$ | 873,119 | $ | | $ | 873,119 | ||||||
Purchases of receivable portfolios |
58,771 | | 58,771 | |||||||||
Gross collections(1) |
(264,543) | (5,627) | (270,170) | |||||||||
Put-backs and recalls |
(878) | | (878) | |||||||||
Revenue recognized |
135,015 | 4,662 | 139,677 | |||||||||
Portfolio allowance reversals, net |
41 | 965 | 1,006 | |||||||||
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Balance, end of period |
$ | 801,525 | $ | | $ | 801,525 | ||||||
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Revenue as a percentage of collections(2) |
51.0% | 82.9% | 51.7% | |||||||||
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Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||
Accrual
Basis Portfolios |
Zero
Basis Portfolios |
Total | ||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period |
$ | 716,454 | $ | | $ | 716,454 | ||||||
Purchases of receivable portfolios |
130,463 | | 130,463 | |||||||||
Gross collections(1) |
(223,943) | (7,065) | (231,008) | |||||||||
Put-backs and recalls |
(734) | | (734) | |||||||||
Revenue recognized |
120,746 | 6,032 | 126,778 | |||||||||
(Portfolio allowances) portfolio allowance reversals, net |
(1,406) | 1,033 | (373) | |||||||||
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Balance, end of period |
$ | 741,580 | $ | | $ | 741,580 | ||||||
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Revenue as a percentage of collections(2) |
53.9% | 85.4% | 54.9% | |||||||||
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(1) | Does not include amounts collected on behalf of others. |
(2) | Revenue as a percentage of collections excludes the effects of net portfolio allowances or net portfolio allowance reversals. |
As of March 31, 2013, we had $801.5 million in investment in receivable portfolios. This balance will be amortized based upon current projections of cash collections in excess of revenue applied to the principal balance. The estimated amortization of the investment in receivable portfolios balance is as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, |
Charged-off Consumer Receivables |
Purchased Bankruptcy Receivables |
Total Amortization |
|||||||||
2013(1) |
$ | 176,646 | $ | 17,764 | $ | 194,410 | ||||||
2014 |
204,294 | 23,176 | 227,470 | |||||||||
2015 |
144,498 | 19,865 | 164,363 | |||||||||
2016 |
92,464 | 12,600 | 105,064 | |||||||||
2017 |
60,647 | 6,892 | 67,539 | |||||||||
2018 |
29,266 | 2,297 | 31,563 | |||||||||
2019 |
10,795 | | 10,795 | |||||||||
2020 |
321 | | 321 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
$ | 718,931 | $ | 82,594 | $ | 801,525 | ||||||
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|
|
|
(1) | 2013 amount consists of nine months data from April 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. |
34
Legal Outsourcing Costs as a Percentage of Gross Collections by Year of Collection
The following table summarizes our legal outsourcing court cost expense and commissions as a percentage of gross collections by year of collection:
Collection Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Placement Year |
2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | Cumulative Average |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2003 |
41.7% | 39.2% | 35.2% | 33.4% | 31.0% | 32.0% | 32.9% | 33.2% | 31.3% | 34.0% | 33.7% | 36.9% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2004 |
| 41.7% | 39.8% | 35.7% | 32.4% | 32.8% | 33.2% | 34.6% | 32.2% | 33.7% | 33.0% | 38.0% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2005 |
| | 46.1% | 40.6% | 32.6% | 32.1% | 32.3% | 34.0% | 32.5% | 32.4% | 32.4% | 38.4% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2006 |
| | | 54.9% | 41.0% | 32.8% | 30.5% | 33.5% | 32.7% | 32.0% | 32.3% | 39.5% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 |
| | | | 64.8% | 43.5% | 31.3% | 32.2% | 32.5% | 32.3% | 32.7% | 42.1% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 |
| | | | | 69.7% | 43.0% | 33.1% | 31.4% | 30.2% | 30.5% | 41.9% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 |
| | | | | | 69.7% | 41.4% | 31.1% | 28.6% | 29.2% | 41.3% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 |
| | | | | | | 72.5% | 39.1% | 29.2% | 29.4% | 41.4% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 |
| | | | | | | | 64.5% | 33.2% | 27.8% | 41.5% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 |
| | | | | | | | | 56.4% | 39.5% | 50.0% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 |
| | | | | | | | | | 76.4% | 76.4% |
Headcount by Function by Site
The following table summarizes our headcount by function by site:
Headcount as of March 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||
Domestic | International | Domestic | International | |||||||||||||
General & Administrative |
610 | 600 | 473 | 367 | ||||||||||||
Account Manager |
180 | 1,399 | 213 | 1,165 | ||||||||||||
Bankruptcy Specialist |
| | 94 | 83 | ||||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
790 | 1,999 | 780 | 1,615 | |||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
Gross Collections by Account Manager
The following table summarizes our collection performance by account manager (in thousands, except headcount):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Gross collectionscollection sites |
$ | 126,562 | $ | 109,870 | ||||
Average active account managers |
1,589 | 1,239 | ||||||
Collections per average active account manager(1) |
$ | 79.6 | $ | 88.7 |
(1) | The decrease in collections per average active account manager is primarily driven by short-term ramp up cost as part of our long-term strategy in developing lower cost-to-collect international call centers, including our near-shore call center in Costa Rica. As we ramped up headcount in our international call centers, our overall collector productivity, as expected, has declined. Once we are fully ramped up and the new account managers become experienced, we expect productivity to move back towards previous levels. |
Gross Collections per Hour Paid
The following table summarizes our gross collections per hour paid to account managers (in thousands, except gross collections per hour paid):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Gross collectionscollection sites |
$ | 126,562 | $ | 109,870 | ||||
Total hours paid |
728 | 544 | ||||||
Collections per hour paid(1) |
$ | 173.8 | $ | 202.0 |
(1) | The decrease in collections per hour paid is primarily driven by short-term ramp up cost as part of our long-term strategy in developing lower cost-to-collect international call centers, including our near-shore call center in Costa Rica. As we ramped up headcount in our international call centers, our overall collector productivity, as expected, has declined. Once we are fully ramped up and the new account managers become experienced, we expect productivity to move back towards previous levels. |
35
Collection Sites Direct Cost per Dollar Collected
The following table summarizes our gross collections in collection sites and the related direct cost (in thousands, except percentages):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Gross collectionscollection sites |
$ | 126,562 | $ | 109,870 | ||||
Direct cost(1) |
$ | 7,243 | $ | 6,476 | ||||
Cost per dollar collected |
5.7% | 5.9% |
(1) | Represent account managers and their supervisors salaries, variable compensation, and employee benefits. |
Salaries and Employee Benefits by Function
The following table summarizes our salaries and employee benefits by function (excluding stock-based compensation) (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Portfolio purchasing and recovery activities |
||||||||
Collection site salaries and employee benefits(1) |
$ | 7,243 | $ | 6,476 | ||||
Non-collection site salaries and employee benefits(2) |
17,170 | 13,562 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Subtotal |
24,413 | 20,038 | ||||||
Tax lien transfer |
1,418 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 25,831 | $ | 20,038 | |||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | Represent account managers and their supervisors salaries, variable compensation, and employee benefits. |
(2) | Includes internal legal channel salaries and employee benefits of $2.8 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. |
Purchases by Quarter
The following table summarizes the purchases we made by quarter, and the respective purchase prices (in thousands):
Quarter |
# of Accounts |
Face Value | Purchase Price |
|||||||||
Q1 2010 |
839 | $ | 2,112,332 | $ | 81,632 | |||||||
Q2 2010 |
1,002 | 2,245,713 | 83,336 | |||||||||
Q3 2010 |
1,101 | 2,616,678 | 77,889 | |||||||||
Q4 2010 |
1,206 | 3,882,646 | 119,100 | |||||||||
Q1 2011 |
1,243 | 2,895,805 | 90,675 | |||||||||
Q2 2011 |
1,477 | 2,998,564 | 93,701 | |||||||||
Q3 2011 |
1,633 | 2,025,024 | 65,731 | |||||||||
Q4 2011 |
2,776 | 3,782,595 | 136,743 | |||||||||
Q1 2012 |
2,132 | 2,902,409 | 130,463 | |||||||||
Q2 2012 |
3,679 | 6,034,499 | 230,983 | |||||||||
Q3 2012 |
1,037 | 1,052,191 | 47,311 | |||||||||
Q4 2012 |
3,125 | 8,467,400 | 153,578 | |||||||||
Q1 2013 |
1,678 | 1,615,214 | 58,771 |
36
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, we have met our cash requirements by utilizing our cash flows from operations, bank borrowings, convertible debt offerings, and equity offerings. Our primary cash requirements have included the purchase of receivable portfolios, operating expenses, and the payment of interest and principal on bank borrowings and tax payments.
The following table summarizes our cash flows by category for the periods presented (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 23,693 | $ | 27,103 | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
54,651 | (27,054) | ||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(65,950) | 7,350 |
Currently, all of our portfolio purchases are funded with cash from operations and borrowings under our Credit Agreement. All of our tax lien transfers are funded with cash from Propel operations and borrowings under the Propel Facility. See Note 12 Debt to our consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of our debt.
On May 9, 2013, we exercised the remaining $180.0 million of our accordion feature and entered into an amendment to our Credit Facility, restating the Credit Facility in its entirety (the Restated Credit Agreement). The Restated Credit Amendment reset the accordion feature to $200.0 million and added new lenders. In conjunction with the amendment, we exercised $37.5 million of the new accordion feature. This $37.5 million exercise, when combined with the $180.0 million exercise, increased the aggregate revolving loan commitment by $217.5 million, from $595.0 million to $812.5 million, a portion of which is subject to ongoing principal amortization. Including the remaining accordion feature, the maximum amount that can be borrowed under the Credit Facility is $975.0 million. See Note 19 Subsequent Events to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Share Repurchase Program
Subject to compliance with the Credit Agreement, we were authorized by our Board of Directors to repurchase up to $50.0 million of Encores common stock. We repurchased the entire $50.0 million of common stock authorized under this program during the fourth quarter of 2012 and in January 2013.
Operating Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities was $23.7 million and $27.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2013, was primarily related to net income of $19.4 million and various non-cash add backs in operating activities and changes in operating assets and liabilities. Cash provided by operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2012, was primarily related to net income of $11.4 million and a $10.3 million non-cash add back related to impairment charges for goodwill and identifiable intangible assets related to Ascension, our bankruptcy servicing reporting unit.
Investing Cash Flows
Net cash provided by investing activities was $54.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013. Net cash used in investing activities was $27.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012.
The cash flows provided by investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2013, were primarily related to gross collection proceeds applied to the principal of our receivable portfolios in the amount of $130.5 million, collections applied to our property tax payment agreements receivable of $11.8 million, offset by receivable portfolio purchases of $58.8 million and originations of property tax payment agreements receivable of $27.4 million. The cash flows used in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2012, were primarily related to receivable portfolio purchases of $130.5 million, offset by gross collection proceeds applied to the principal of our receivable portfolios in the amount of $104.2 million.
Capital expenditures for fixed assets acquired with internal cash flow were $2.3 million and $1.6 million for three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
37
Financing Cash Flows
Net cash used in financing activities was $66.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013. Net cash provided by financing activities was $7.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012.
The cash used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2013, reflects $91.8 million in repayments of amounts outstanding under our Credit Agreement, $2.5 million in repayment of our Senior Secured Notes, offset by $33.7 million in borrowings under our Credit Agreement. The cash provided by financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2012, reflects $43.5 million in borrowings under our Credit Agreement, offset by $34.5 million in repayments of amounts outstanding under our Credit Agreement.
We are in compliance with all covenants under our financing arrangements. We believe that we have sufficient liquidity to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months, given our expectation of continued positive cash flows from operations, our cash and cash equivalents of $29.9 million as of March 31, 2013, our access to capital markets, and availability under our credit facilities.
Our future cash needs will depend on our acquisitions of portfolios and businesses, including the merger with AACC. We expect to use cash and borrowings under our Credit Agreement to fund the merger with AACC.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Foreign Currency. At March 31, 2013, there had not been a material change in any of the foreign currency risk information disclosed in Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Interest Rate. At March 31, 2013, there had not been a material change in the interest rate risk information disclosed in Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and accordingly, management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Based on their most recent evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act are effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
38
We are involved in disputes and legal actions from time to time in the ordinary course of business. We, along with others in our industry, are routinely subject to legal actions based on the FDCPA, comparable state statutes, the TCPA, state and federal unfair competition statutes, and common law causes of action. The violations of law alleged in these actions often include claims that we lack specified licenses to conduct our business, attempt to collect debts on which the statute of limitations has run, have made inaccurate assertions of fact in support of our collection actions and/or have acted improperly in connection with our efforts to contact consumers. These cases are frequently styled as supposed class actions.
On May 19, 2008, an action captioned Brent v. Midland Credit Management, Inc. et. al was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Western Division, in which the plaintiff filed a class action counter-claim against two of our subsidiaries (the Midland Defendants). The complaint alleged that the Midland Defendants business practices violated consumers rights under the FDCPA and the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act. The plaintiff sought actual and statutory damages for the class of Ohio residents, plus attorneys fees and costs of class notice and class administration. The dollar amount of damages originally sought in the case was an unspecified amount in excess of $25,000. On August 12, 2011, the court issued an order granting final approval to the parties agreed upon settlement of this lawsuit, as well as two other pending lawsuits in the Northern District of Ohio entitled Franklin v. Midland Funding LLC and Vassalle v. Midland Funding LLC, on a national class basis, and dismissed the cases against the Midland Defendants with prejudice. That order was subsequently appealed by certain objectors to the settlement, and on February 26, 2013, the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed the district courts order approving the settlement, vacated the judgment certifying a nationwide settlement class, and remanded the case back to the Northern District of Ohio for further proceedings consistent with the Sixth Circuits ruling, where it remains pending.
On March 8, 2013, March 19, 2013 and March 20, 2013, three actions entitled Shell v. Asset Acceptance Capital Corp., et. al., Neumann v. Asset Acceptance Capital Corp., et. al., and Jaluka v. Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. et. al., respectively, were filed in the Macomb County Circuit Court of the State of Michigan. On April 19, 2013, a fourth action entitled Dix v. Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. et al was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. These actions were brought by purported stockholders of Asset Acceptance Capital Corporation (AACC) against us, AACC, and certain other named entities and individuals, and allege, among other things, that we have aided and abetted AACCs directors in breaching their fiduciary duties of care, loyalty and candor or disclosure owed to AACC stockholders. Plaintiffs in the actions seek, among other things, injunctive relief prohibiting consummation of the proposed acquisition, or rescission of the proposed acquisition (in the event the transaction has already been consummated), as well as costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys and experts fees, and other equitable or injunctive relief as the court may deem just and proper. The plaintiffs have not specified the dollar amount of damages sought in each action.
Except as set forth above, there has been no material development in any of the legal proceedings disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
In certain legal proceedings, we may have recourse to insurance or third party contractual indemnities to cover all or portions of our litigation expenses, judgments, or settlements. In accordance with authoritative guidance, we record loss contingencies in our financial statements only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, we record the minimum estimated liability. We continuously assess the potential liability related to our pending litigation and revise our estimates when additional information becomes available. As of March 31, 2013, we have no material reserves for litigation. Additionally, based on the current status of litigation matters, either the estimate of exposure is immaterial to our financial statements or an estimate cannot yet be determined. Our legal costs are recorded to expense as incurred.
There is no material change in the information reported under Part IItem 1ARisk Factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and Part II, Item 1ARisk Factors in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q with the exception of the following:
Failure to complete the merger with AACC could negatively impact the market price of our common stock and our future business and financial results.
If the merger is not completed, our ongoing business may be adversely affected and we will be subject to several risks and consequences, including the following:
we will be required to pay certain costs relating to the merger, whether or not the merger is completed, such as legal, accounting, filing, financial advisor and printing fees;
39
we would not realize the expected benefits of the merger;
matters relating to the merger may require substantial commitments of time and resources by our management, which could otherwise have been devoted to other opportunities that may have been beneficial to us.
In addition, if the merger is not completed, we may experience negative reactions from the financial markets and from third-party affiliates and employees. We could also be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the merger or to enforcement proceedings commenced against us to attempt to force us to perform our obligations under the merger agreement.
We may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger with AACC.
The success of the merger will depend on, among other things, our ability to realize anticipated cost savings and to combine our business and AACCs business in a manner that does not materially disrupt the existing business relationships of either company nor result in decreased revenues from any disruption in our business operations. The success of the merger will also depend upon the integration of employees, systems, operating procedures and information technologies, as well as the retention of key employees. If we are not able to successfully achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits of the merger may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected, and any such events could adversely affect the value of our common stock.
Our business and AACCs business will operate as independent businesses until the completion of the merger. It is possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees, the disruption of AACCs ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with our third-party vendors and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger.
Unanticipated costs relating to the merger with AACC could reduce our future earnings per share.
We believe that we have reasonably estimated the likely costs of integrating our operations with that of AACC, and the incremental costs of operating as a combined company. However, it is possible that unexpected transaction costs, such as taxes, fees or professional expenses or unexpected future operating expenses such as increased personnel costs or increased taxes, as well as other types of unanticipated adverse developments, could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and financial condition of the combined company. If unexpected costs are incurred, the earnings per share of our common stock could be less than they would have been if the merger had not been completed.
If the merger with AACC is consummated, we will incur additional debt to finance the cash portion of the merger consideration.
In connection with the merger, we will borrow up to $381.7 million under our revolving credit facility. This additional indebtedness could have important consequences to our business, including increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate and restricting us from pursuing certain business opportunities.
Item 2Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Our revolving credit facilities contain restrictions and covenants, which limit, among other things, the payment of dividends.
40
2.1 | Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 6, 2013, by and among Encore Capital Group, Inc., Pinnacle Sub, Inc. and Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2013). | |
10.1+ | Transition and consulting letter agreement, dated as of April 8, 2013, by and between Encore Capital Group, Inc. and J. Brandon Black (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 9, 2013). | |
10.2+ | Employment offer letter, dated as of April 8, 2013, by and between Encore Capital Group, Inc. and Kenneth A. Vecchione (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 9, 2013). | |
10.3 | Amendment No. 1 and Limited Waiver, dated May 9, 2013, to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2012, by and among Encore Capital Group, Inc., the several banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent and collateral agent (filed herewith). | |
10.4 | Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement, dated May 9, 2013, by and among Encore Capital Group, Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation (filed herewith). | |
31.1 | Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (filed herewith). | |
31.2 | Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (filed herewith). | |
32.1 | Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith). | |
101 | The following financial information from the Encore Capital Group, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.* |
+ | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
* | Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections. |
41
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Paul Grinberg | |
Paul Grinberg | ||
Executive Vice President, | ||
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
Date: May 9, 2013
42
EXHIBIT INDEX
2.1 | Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 6, 2013, by and among Encore Capital Group, Inc., Pinnacle Sub, Inc. and Asset Acceptance Capital Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2013). | |
10.1+ | Transition and consulting letter agreement, dated as of April 8, 2013, by and between Encore Capital Group, Inc. and J. Brandon Black (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 9, 2013). | |
10.2+ | Employment offer letter, dated as of April 8, 2013, by and between Encore Capital Group, Inc. and Kenneth A. Vecchione (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 9, 2013). | |
10.3 | Amendment No. 1 and Limited Waiver, dated May 9, 2013, to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2012, by and among Encore Capital Group, Inc., the several banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent and collateral agent (filed herewith). | |
10.4 | Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement, dated May 9, 2013, by and among Encore Capital Group, Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation (filed herewith). | |
31.1 | Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (filed herewith). | |
31.2 | Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (filed herewith). | |
32.1 | Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith). | |
101 | The following financial information from the Encore Capital Group, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.* |
+ | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
* | Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections. |
Exhibit 10.3
AMENDMENT NO. 1 AND LIMITED WAIVER TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
This AMENDMENT NO. 1 AND LIMITED WAIVER TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this Amendment), dated as of May 9, 2013, is entered into by and among ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), the Guarantors indentified on the signature pages hereto, certain Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement (as defined below)) party hereto, and SUNTRUST BANK, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the Administrative Agent), Collateral Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Lender.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 5, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement), pursuant to which the Lenders have extended revolving credit and term loan facilities to the Borrower; and
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested certain amendments to the Credit Agreement set forth herein, and the Administrative Agent and each of the undersigned Lenders (the Consenting Lenders) have agreed to such requests, subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment;
WHEREAS, Sections 5.10 and 5.11 of the Credit Agreement require the Loan Parties to deliver certain collateral documents with respect to new Subsidiaries formed or acquired after the Closing Date; and
WHEREAS, Midland Credit Management, Inc., a Loan Party, has established two Immaterial Subsidiaries previously identified to the Administrative Agent (each, a New Subsidiary and collectively, the New Subsidiaries) and, in each case, has not been able to complete the requirements of Sections 5.10 and 5.11 of the Credit Agreement regarding the delivery of such collateral documents resulting in an Event of Default (collectively, the Specified Events of Default).
NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment.
2. Amendments to Credit Agreement and Guaranty Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and with effect from and after the Amendment Effective Date (as defined below) the Credit Agreement (including Exhibits and Schedules thereto (after giving effect to clause (b) below)) shall be amended so that, after giving effect to all such amendments, it reads in its entirety as set forth in Exhibit A as attached hereto. The parties hereto (including the Guarantors) further agree that the defined term Guaranteed Obligations in the Guaranty Agreement shall be deemed to exclude any and all Excluded Swap Obligations (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment).
3. Waiver. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in reliance on the representations and warranties of the Loan Parties made herein, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders signatory hereto hereby (i) waive the Specified Events of Default, and (ii) consent to the delivery of the relevant collateral documents with respect to each New Subsidiary on or before the date that is forty-five (45) days following the Amendment Effective Date (which time period may be extended by the Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion).
The waiver set forth in this Section 3 is a one time waiver and is limited to the extent specifically set forth above and no other terms, covenants or provisions of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document are intended to be affected hereby all of which remain in full force and effect. The Loan Parties acknowledge and agree that the waiver contained above in this Section 3 shall not waive (or be deemed to be or constitute a waiver of) any other covenant, term or provision in the Credit Agreement or hinder, restrict or otherwise modify the rights and remedies of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent following the occurrence of any other present or future Default or Event of Default (whether or not related to the Specified Events of Default) under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.
4. Representations and Warranties. The Borrowers and the Guarantors hereby represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as follows:
(a) Except for the Specified Events of Default, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof, nor will any Default or Event of Default exist immediately after giving effect to this Amendment.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of this Amendment are within such Loan Partys organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational, and if required, shareholder, partner or member, action. This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party. Each of this Amendment and the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Loan Parties, enforceable against them in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and by general principles of equity.
(c) The execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of this Amendment (i) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any action by, any Governmental Authority, except those as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) will not violate any organizational documents of, or any law applicable to, any Loan Party or any judgment, order or ruling of any Governmental Authority, (iii) will not violate or result in a default under the Credit Agreement, the Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement, any Material Indebtedness Agreement, any other material agreement or other material instrument binding on any Loan Party or any of their assets or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Loan Party, (iv) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party, except Liens (if any) created under the Loan Documents and/or (v) will not result in a material limitation on any licenses, permits or other governmental approvals applicable to the business, operations or properties of the Loan Parties.
(d) The execution, delivery, performance and effectiveness of this Amendment will not: (i) impair the validity, effectiveness or priority of the Liens granted pursuant to any Loan Document, and such Liens continue unimpaired with the same priority to secure repayment of all of the applicable Obligations, whether heretofore or hereafter incurred and (ii) require that any new filings be made or other action taken to perfect or to maintain the perfection of such Liens.
- 2 -
5. Effective Date.
(a) This Amendment will become effective on the date on which each of the following conditions has been satisfied (the Amendment Effective Date) to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:
(i) the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts of this Amendment duly executed by the Loan Parties and the Required Lenders;
(ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer, in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent, certifying that (1) before and immediately after giving effect to this Amendment, except with respect to the Specified Events of Default, (a) the representations and warranties contained in Article IV of the Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects (or, if qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the Amendment Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such earlier date and (b) no Default or Event of Default exists and is continuing and (2) attached thereto is a revised Schedule 4.14 to the Credit Agreement setting forth the information required under Section 4.14 of the Credit Agreement, which is a true and correct listing thereof as of the Amendment Effective Date;
(iii) the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer, in form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent, certifying that attached thereto are true and complete copies of (A) the resolutions adopted by Borrower approving this Amendment and (B) such certificates, documents or other action as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that Loan Parties are duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing;
(iv) favorable opinion of, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and as to such matters as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request (including enforceability of this Amendment and the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby) attached hereto under New York law);
(v) the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that an amendment fee in the amount of $10,000 for each Consenting Lender has been paid to the Administrative Agent for distribution to those Consenting Lenders for whom the Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received an executed signature page to this Amendment (which signature pages shall be released without condition or restriction) on or before 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 3, 2013;
(vi) the Borrower shall have paid all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced at least two (2) Business Days prior to or on the Amendment Effective Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings;
(vii) the Administrative Agent shall have received certified copies of all consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations and filings and orders required or advisable to be made or obtained under applicable laws in connection with the execution, delivery,
- 3 -
performance, validity and enforceability of this Amendment, and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations, filings and orders shall be in full force and effect and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired;
(viii) the Administrative Agent shall have received a certified copy of an amendment to, or an amendment and restatement of, the Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement duly executed by each party thereto, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent; and
(ix) the Administrative Agent shall have received such other instruments, documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the execution of this Amendment.
(b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4, each Lender that has executed this Amendment and delivered it to the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted, or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required under Section 4 to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Amendment Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.
(c) From and after the Amendment Effective Date, the Credit Agreement is amended as set forth herein. Except as expressly amended pursuant hereto, the Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.
(d) The Administrative Agent will notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the occurrence of the Amendment Effective Date.
6. Miscellaneous.
(a) Except as herein expressly amended, all terms, covenants and provisions of the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document are and shall remain in full force and effect and all references in any Loan Document to the Credit Agreement shall henceforth refer to the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment. Nothing in this Amendment or in any of the transactions contemplated hereby is intended, or shall be construed, to constitute a novation or an accord and satisfaction of any of the Obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement or to modify, affect or impair the perfection, priority or continuation of the security interests in, security titles to or other Liens on any Collateral for the Obligations.
(b) This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and assigns.
(c) THIS AMENDMENT IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 10.6 AND 10.7 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT (AS AMENDED HEREBY) RELATING TO GOVERNING LAW, JURISIDICTION AND WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY, THE PROVISIONS OF WHICH ARE BY THIS REFERENCE INCORPORATED HEREIN IN FULL.
(d) This Amendment may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Amendment and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided
- 4 -
in Section 4, this Amendment shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties required to be a party hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment. This Amendment may not be amended except in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement.
(e) If any provision of this Amendment or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Amendment and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of compliance with any term or condition contained in the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or constitute a course of conduct or dealing among the parties. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders reserve all rights, privileges and remedies under the Loan Documents.
(f) The Borrower shall reimburse the Administrative Agent upon demand for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Amendment and the other agreements and documents executed and delivered in connection herewith.
(g) In consideration of the amendments contained herein, each of the Loan Parties hereby waives and releases each of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent from any and all claims and defenses, known or unknown as of the date hereof, with respect to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(h) This Amendment shall constitute a Loan Document under and as defined in the Credit Agreement.
[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]
- 5 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Brandon Black |
Name: | J. Brandon Black |
Title: | President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
SUNTRUST BANK, | ||
as Administrative Agent and as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Peter Wesemeier |
Name: | Peter Wesemeier |
Title: | Vice President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | ||
as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Christopher D. Pannacciulli |
Name: | Christopher D. Pannacciulli |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
FIFTH THIRD BANK, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Gregory J. Vollmer |
Name: | Gregory J. Vollmer |
Title: | Vice President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
ING CAPITAL LLC, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Mary Forstner |
Name: | Mary Forstner |
Title: | Director |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A., as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Penny Tsekouras |
Name: | Penny Tsekouras |
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Roey Eyal |
Name: | Roey Eyal |
Title: | Director | |
By: | /s/ DENISE CHEN |
Name: | DENISE CHEN |
Title: | VICE PRESIDENT |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
CALIFORNIA BANK & TRUST, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Michael Powell |
Name: | Michael Powell |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
CITIBANK, N.A., as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ RITA RAYCHAUDHURI |
Name: | RITA RAYCHAUDHURI |
Title: | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
BANK LEUMI USA, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ ALEX MENACHE |
Name: | ALEX MENACHE |
Title: | A.T. |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
FIRST BANK, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Susan J. Pepping |
Name: | Susan J. Pepping |
Title: | Senior Vice President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
AMALGAMATED BANK, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Jackson Eng |
Name: | Jackson Eng |
Title: | First Vice President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
UNION BANK, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Edmund Ozorio |
Name: | Edmund Ozorio |
Title: | Vice President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
CATHAY BANK, CALIFORNIA BANKING CORPORATION, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Shahid Kathrada |
Name: | Shahid Kathrada |
Title: | Vice President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
CHANG HWA COMMERCIAL BANK, LTD., NEW YORK BRANCH, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Eric Y.S. Tsai |
Name: | Eric Y.S. Tsai |
Title: | V.P. & General Manager |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
MANUFACTURERS BANK, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Sandy Lee |
Name: | Sandy Lee |
Title: | Vice President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Patrick Kerner |
Name: | Patrick Kerner |
Title: | Assistant Vice President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
Each of the undersigned hereby makes the representations and warranties set forth above in this Amendment, consents to this Amendment and the terms and provisions hereof and hereby (a) confirms and agrees that notwithstanding the effectiveness of such Amendment, each Loan Document to which it is a party is, and shall continue to be, in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects, except that, on and after the effectiveness of such 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, (b) confirms and agrees that the pledge and security interest in the Collateral granted by it pursuant to the Collateral Documents to which it is a party shall continue in full force and effect, and (c) acknowledges and agrees that such pledge and security interest in the Collateral granted by it pursuant to such Collateral Documents shall continue to secure the Obligations purported to be secured thereby, as amended or otherwise affected hereby.
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Brandon Black |
Name: | J. Brandon Black |
Title: | President | |
MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Brandon Black |
Name: | J. Brandon Black |
Title: | President | |
MIDLAND FUNDING LLC | ||
By: | /s/ J. Brandon Black |
Name: | J. Brandon Black |
Title: | President | |
MIDLAND FUNDING NCC-2 CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ J. Brandon Black |
Name: | J. Brandon Black |
Title: | President | |
MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL LLC | ||
By: | /s/ J. Brandon Black |
Name: | J. Brandon Black |
Title: | President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
MIDLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ J. Brandon Black |
Name: | J. Brandon Black |
Title: | President | |
MRC RECEIVABLES CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ J. Brandon Black |
Name: | J. Brandon Black |
Title: | President | |
MIDLAND INDIA LLC | ||
By: | /s/ James A. Syran |
Name: | James A. Syran |
Title: | President | |
PROPEL ACQUISITION, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ J. Brandon Black |
Name: | J. Brandon Black |
Title: | President |
Encore Capital Group, Inc.
Signature Pages
Exhibit A
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
See attached.
Exhibit A to Amendment No. 1
Exhibit A
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of November 5, 2012
among
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
as Borrower
THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO
and
SUNTRUST BANK
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
as Syndication Agent
FIFTH THIRD BANK
ING CAPITAL LLC
and
MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.
as Co-Documentation Agents
SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||||
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT |
1 | |||||||
ARTICLE I |
DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION |
1 | ||||||
Section 1.1. |
Definitions. |
1 | ||||||
Section 1.2. |
Classifications of Loans and Borrowings. |
37 | ||||||
Section 1.3. |
Accounting Terms and Determination. |
37 | ||||||
Section 1.4. |
Terms Generally. |
38 | ||||||
ARTICLE II |
AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE COMMITMENTS |
39 | ||||||
Section 2.1. |
General Description of Facilities. |
39 | ||||||
Section 2.2. |
Revolving Loans. |
39 | ||||||
Section 2.3. |
Procedure for Revolving Borrowings. |
39 | ||||||
Section 2.4. |
Swingline Commitment. |
40 | ||||||
Section 2.5. |
Term Loan Commitments. |
41 | ||||||
Section 2.6. |
Funding of Borrowings. |
42 | ||||||
Section 2.7. |
Interest Elections. |
43 | ||||||
Section 2.8. |
Optional Reduction and Termination of Commitments. |
44 | ||||||
Section 2.9. |
Repayment of Loans. |
44 | ||||||
Section 2.10. |
Evidence of Indebtedness. |
45 | ||||||
Section 2.11. |
Optional Prepayments. |
46 | ||||||
Section 2.12. |
Mandatory Prepayments. |
46 | ||||||
Section 2.13. |
Interest on Loans. |
48 | ||||||
Section 2.14. |
Fees. |
49 | ||||||
Section 2.15. |
Computation of Interest and Fees. |
50 | ||||||
Section 2.16. |
Inability to Determine Interest Rates. |
50 | ||||||
Section 2.17. |
Illegality. |
51 | ||||||
Section 2.18. |
Increased Costs. |
51 | ||||||
Section 2.19. |
Funding Indemnity. |
53 | ||||||
Section 2.20. |
Taxes. |
53 | ||||||
Section 2.21. |
Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs. |
57 | ||||||
Section 2.22. |
Letters of Credit. |
58 | ||||||
Section 2.23. |
Defaulting Lenders. |
62 | ||||||
Section 2.24. |
Incremental Credit Extensions. |
65 | ||||||
Section 2.25. |
Maturity Extensions. |
67 | ||||||
Section 2.26. |
Mitigation of Obligations. |
70 | ||||||
Section 2.27. |
Replacement of Lenders. |
71 | ||||||
Section 2.28. |
Cash Collateral For Defaulting Lenders. |
71 | ||||||
ARTICLE III |
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT |
72 | ||||||
Section 3.1. |
Conditions To Effectiveness. |
72 | ||||||
Section 3.2. |
Each Credit Event. |
76 | ||||||
Section 3.3. |
Delivery of Documents. |
76 | ||||||
Section 3.4. |
Effect of Amendment and Restatement. |
76 |
i
ARTICLE IV |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
78 | ||||||
Section 4.1. |
Existence and Standing. |
78 | ||||||
Section 4.2. |
Authorization and Validity. |
78 | ||||||
Section 4.3. |
No Conflict; Government Consent. |
79 | ||||||
Section 4.4. |
Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Change. |
79 | ||||||
Section 4.5. |
Litigation and Contingent Obligations. |
79 | ||||||
Section 4.6. |
Compliance with Laws. |
80 | ||||||
Section 4.7. |
Investment Company Act. |
80 | ||||||
Section 4.8. |
Taxes. |
80 | ||||||
Section 4.9. |
Regulation U. |
80 | ||||||
Section 4.10. |
ERISA. |
80 | ||||||
Section 4.11. |
Ownership of Property. |
81 | ||||||
Section 4.12. |
Accuracy of Information. |
81 | ||||||
Section 4.13. |
Environmental Matters. |
81 | ||||||
Section 4.14. |
Subsidiaries. |
82 | ||||||
Section 4.15. |
Solvency. |
82 | ||||||
Section 4.16. |
Insurance. |
82 | ||||||
Section 4.17. |
SDN List Designation. |
82 | ||||||
Section 4.18. |
Patriot Act. |
82 | ||||||
Section 4.19. |
Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions. |
83 | ||||||
Section 4.20. |
Material Agreements. |
83 | ||||||
Section 4.21. |
No Default or Event of Default. |
83 | ||||||
ARTICLE V |
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
83 | ||||||
Section 5.1. |
Financial Statements and Other Information. |
83 | ||||||
Section 5.2. |
Notices of Default and Material Events. |
86 | ||||||
Section 5.3. |
Conduct of Business. |
86 | ||||||
Section 5.4. |
Compliance with Laws. |
87 | ||||||
Section 5.5. |
Taxes. |
87 | ||||||
Section 5.6. |
Maintenance of Properties. |
87 | ||||||
Section 5.7. |
Inspection; Keeping of Books and Records. |
87 | ||||||
Section 5.8. |
Insurance. |
88 | ||||||
Section 5.9. |
Use of Proceeds. |
88 | ||||||
Section 5.10. |
Guarantors. |
88 | ||||||
Section 5.11. |
Collateral. |
89 | ||||||
Section 5.12. |
Post-Closing Obligations. |
90 | ||||||
ARTICLE VI |
FINANCIAL COVENANTS |
90 | ||||||
Section 6.1. |
Cash Flow Leverage Ratio. |
90 | ||||||
Section 6.2. |
Minimum Net Worth. |
90 | ||||||
Section 6.3. |
Interest Coverage Ratio. |
91 |
ii
ARTICLE VII |
NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
91 | ||||||
Section 7.1. |
Indebtedness. |
91 | ||||||
Section 7.2. |
Liens. |
93 | ||||||
Section 7.3. |
Merger or Dissolution. |
95 | ||||||
Section 7.4. |
Investments and Acquisitions. |
95 | ||||||
Section 7.5. |
Restricted Payments. |
98 | ||||||
Section 7.6. |
Sale of Assets. |
98 | ||||||
Section 7.7. |
Transactions with Affiliates. |
99 | ||||||
Section 7.8. |
Subsidiary Covenants. |
99 | ||||||
Section 7.9. |
Sale and Leaseback Transactions. |
99 | ||||||
Section 7.10. |
Financial Contracts. |
100 | ||||||
Section 7.11. |
Acquisition of Receivables Portfolios. |
100 | ||||||
Section 7.12. |
Subordinated Indebtedness and Amendments to Subordinated Note Documents. |
100 | ||||||
Section 7.13. |
Government Regulation. |
101 | ||||||
Section 7.14. |
Rentals. |
101 | ||||||
Section 7.15. |
Contingent Obligations. |
101 | ||||||
Section 7.16. |
Capital Expenditures. |
102 | ||||||
Section 7.17. |
Most Favored Lender Status. |
102 | ||||||
Section 7.18. |
Use of Proceeds. |
102 | ||||||
ARTICLE VIII |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
102 | ||||||
Section 8.1. |
Events of Default. |
102 | ||||||
Section 8.2. |
Acceleration. |
105 | ||||||
ARTICLE IX |
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT |
106 | ||||||
Section 9.1. |
Appointment; Nature of Relationship. |
106 | ||||||
Section 9.2. |
Powers. |
107 | ||||||
Section 9.3. |
General Immunity. |
107 | ||||||
Section 9.4. |
No Responsibility for Loans, Recitals, Etc. |
108 | ||||||
Section 9.5. |
Action on Instructions of Lenders. |
108 | ||||||
Section 9.6. |
Employment of Agents and Counsel. |
108 | ||||||
Section 9.7. |
Reliance on Documents; Counsel. |
108 | ||||||
Section 9.8. |
Agents Reimbursement and Indemnification. |
109 | ||||||
Section 9.9. |
Notice of Default. |
109 | ||||||
Section 9.10. |
Rights as a Lender. |
110 | ||||||
Section 9.11. |
Lender Credit Decision. |
110 | ||||||
Section 9.12. |
Successor Administrative Agent. |
110 | ||||||
Section 9.13. |
Delegation to Affiliates. |
111 | ||||||
Section 9.14. |
Co-Agents, Documentation Agent, Syndication Agent. |
111 | ||||||
Section 9.15. |
Collateral Documents. |
111 | ||||||
Section 9.16. |
Reports. |
113 | ||||||
Section 9.17. |
Withholding Tax. |
113 | ||||||
Section 9.18. |
Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. |
114 |
iii
ARTICLE X |
MISCELLANEOUS |
114 | ||||||
Section 10.1. |
Notices. |
114 | ||||||
Section 10.2. |
Waiver; Amendments. |
117 | ||||||
Section 10.3. |
Expenses; Indemnification. |
118 | ||||||
Section 10.4. |
Successors and Assigns. |
120 | ||||||
Section 10.5. |
Performance of Obligations. |
125 | ||||||
Section 10.6. |
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process. |
125 | ||||||
Section 10.7. |
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. |
126 | ||||||
Section 10.8. |
Right of Setoff. |
127 | ||||||
Section 10.9. |
Counterparts; Integration. |
127 | ||||||
Section 10.10. |
Survival. |
127 | ||||||
Section 10.11. |
Severability. |
128 | ||||||
Section 10.12. |
Confidentiality. |
128 | ||||||
Section 10.13. |
Interest Rate Limitation. |
129 | ||||||
Section 10.14. |
Waiver of Effect of Corporate Seal. |
130 | ||||||
Section 10.15. |
Patriot Act. |
130 | ||||||
Section 10.16. |
Independence of Covenants. |
130 | ||||||
Section 10.17. |
No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship. |
130 |
Schedules
Schedule I-A |
- | Applicable Margin and Applicable Percentage | ||||
Schedule I-B |
- | Applicable Margin (Term Loan A-1) | ||||
Schedule II-A |
- | Revolving Commitment and Term Loan A Commitment Amounts | ||||
Schedule II-B |
- | Term Loan A-1 Commitment Amount | ||||
Schedule 2.22 |
- | Existing Letters of Credit | ||||
Schedule 4.8 |
- | Taxes | ||||
Schedule 4.14 |
- | Subsidiaries | ||||
Schedule 4.20 |
- | Material Agreements | ||||
Schedule 5.12 |
- | Post-Closing Obligations | ||||
Schedule 7.1(a) |
- | Equipment Financing Transactions | ||||
Schedule 7.1(b) |
- | Outstanding Indebtedness | ||||
Schedule 7.2 |
- | Liens | ||||
Schedule 7.4(a) |
- | Permitted Investments | ||||
Schedule 7.4(b) |
- | Existing Investments | ||||
Exhibits | ||||||
Exhibit A |
- | Form of Assignment and Acceptance | ||||
Exhibit B |
- | Form of Borrowing Base Certificate | ||||
Exhibit C |
- | Form of Revolving Credit Note | ||||
Exhibit D |
- | Form of Swingline Note | ||||
Exhibit E-1 |
- | Form of Term Note A | ||||
Exhibit E-2 |
- | Form of Term Note A-1 |
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Exhibit F-1 |
- | Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate | ||||
Exhibit F-2 |
- | Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate | ||||
Exhibit F-3 |
- | Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate | ||||
Exhibit F-4 |
- | Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate | ||||
Exhibit 2.3 |
- | Form of Notice of Revolving Borrowing | ||||
Exhibit 2.4 |
- | Form of Notice of Swingline Borrowing | ||||
Exhibit 2.7 |
- | Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation | ||||
Exhibit 3.1(b)(vi) |
Form of Intercreditor Agreement | |||||
Exhibit 3.1(b)(vii) |
- | Form of Secretarys Certificate | ||||
Exhibit 3.1(b)(x) |
- | Form of Officers Certificate | ||||
Exhibit 5.1(c) |
- | Form of Compliance Certificate |
v
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made and entered into as of November 5, 2012, by and among ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), the several banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party hereto (the Lenders), and SUNTRUST BANK, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (the Administrative Agent), as collateral agent for the Secured Parties, as issuing bank (the Issuing Bank) and as swingline lender (the Swingline Lender).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrower, certain financial institutions and SunTrust Bank, as the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, were parties to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 8, 2010 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the Existing Credit Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Existing Credit Agreement was amended and restated as of November 5, 2012 (the Amended Credit Agreement); and
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders amend and restate the Amended Credit Agreement to: (a) provide for a restricted/unrestricted subsidiary group structure with respect to the Borrower and its subsidiaries; and (b) modify the Amended Credit Agreement in certain other respects; and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, are willing to do so;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION
Section 1.1. Definitions.
In addition to the other terms defined herein, the following terms used herein shall have the meanings herein specified (to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
2010 Prudential Senior Secured Notes means the 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due September 17, 2017 issued by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of the Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement in connection with the Prudential Financing described in clause (i) of the definition thereof, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
2011 Prudential Senior Secured Notes means the 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due February 10, 2018 issued by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of the Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement in connection with the Prudential Financing described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Accounts means and includes all of the Borrowers and each Restricted Subsidiarys presently existing and hereafter arising or acquired accounts, accounts receivable, and all present and future rights of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered (except those evidenced by instruments or chattel paper), whether or not they have been earned by performance, and all rights in any merchandise or goods which any of the same may represent, and all rights, title, security and guarantees with respect to each of the foregoing, including, without limitation, any right of stoppage in transit.
Acquisition means any transaction or any series of related transactions, other than a Permitted Restructuring or purchases or acquisitions of Receivables Portfolios in the ordinary course of business, consummated on or after the Closing Date, by which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any firm, corporation or limited liability company, or division thereof, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or (ii) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the securities of a corporation which have ordinary voting power for the election of directors (other than securities having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority (by percentage of voting power) of the outstanding ownership interests of a partnership or limited liability company of any Person; provided, however, that the following shall not be considered Acquisitions: (a) any asset purchase consisting solely of Receivables Portfolios and (b) the purchase of stock of an entity (1) the assets of which consist solely of Receivables, (2) which has not engaged in the conduct of business and (3) which has no Indebtedness.
Additional Lender shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 2.24(d).
Adjusted LIBO Rate shall mean, with respect to each Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing, the greater of (a) the rate per annum obtained by dividing (i) LIBOR for such Interest Period by (ii) a percentage equal to 1.00 minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage and (b) 0%.
Administrative Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the opening paragraph hereof, and any successor Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Administrative Questionnaire shall mean, with respect to each Lender, an administrative questionnaire in the form prepared by the Administrative Agent and submitted to the Administrative Agent duly completed by such Lender.
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Advance Rate means, for the period commencing on the Closing Date to the first Advance Rate Measurement Date, 33%, and, thereafter, for the period from (but not including) each Advance Rate Measurement Date to the immediately succeeding Advance Rate Measurement Date, the percentage obtained by subtracting from the Advance Rate in effect immediately prior to the first day of such period the difference (the Cost Differential, and which may be a positive or negative number) between:
(a) the average Cost Per Total Dollar Collected percentage as shown on the Borrowers consolidated financial statements for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters (for which financial statements have been delivered in accordance with Section 5.1(a) or Section 5.1(b)) ending on or before such Advance Rate Measurement Date; and
(b) the average Cost Per Total Dollar Collected percentage as shown on the Borrowers consolidated financial statements for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters (for which financial statements have been delivered in accordance with Section 5.1(a) or Section 5.1(b)) ending on or before the Advance Rate Measurement Date immediately preceding such Advance Rate Measurement Date;
;provided that if the resulting Cost Differential includes a fractional amount, the fractional portion thereof shall be ignored when determining the Cost Differential on the applicable Advance Rate Measurement Date but shall be added (or subtracted, as applicable) to the Cost Differential obtained on the following Advance Rate Measurement Date (with any resulting fractional portion again being ignored and added (or subtracted, as applicable) subsequently); provided further that, except as set forth in the immediately following proviso, in no event shall the Advance Rate ever be lower than 30% or higher than 35% and provided further that the Advance Rate to be applied with respect to the Estimated Remaining Collections from Debtor Receivables shall in all events be 55%. The Borrower shall set forth in reasonable detail the calculations of the Advance Rate on the Borrowing Base Certificate when delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Advance Rate Measurement Date means each date on which the Borrowers financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or Section 5.1(b) have been delivered.
Affiliate of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if the controlling Person is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 10% or more of any class of voting securities (or other ownership interests) of the controlled Person or possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Agents means the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.
Aggregate Revolving Commitment means the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Commitments of all the Lenders, as may be increased or reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The Aggregate Revolving Commitment as of the Closing Date is $425,000,000.
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Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure means, at any time, the aggregate of the outstanding Revolving Credit Exposure of all the Lenders.
Agreement means this Credit Agreement, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified and as in effect from time to time.
Agreement Accounting Principles means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the financial statements of the Borrower referred to in Section 4.4.
Amended Credit Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the second recital hereof.
Amendment Effective Date means May 9, 2013.
Amortized Collections means, for any period, the aggregate amount of collections from receivable portfolios (including that portion attributable to sales of receivables) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period, in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles, that are not included in consolidated revenues by reason of the application of such collections to principal of such receivable portfolios (for purposes of illustration only, the Amortized Collections have been most recently identified in the amount of $312,297,000 as the aggregate of Collections applied to investment in receivable portfolios, net and Provision for allowances on receivable portfolios, net in the Borrowers consolidated statement of cash flows for the period ended December 31, 2011 as reflected in the Borrowers Form 10-K for such period).
Applicable Lending Office shall mean, for each Lender and for each Type of Loan, the lending office of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) designated for such Type of Loan in the Administrative Questionnaire submitted by such Lender or such other office of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the office by which its Loans of such Type are to be made and maintained.
Applicable Margin shall mean (a) with respect to interest on all Revolving Loans and Term Loan A outstanding on such date, a percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Cash Flow Leverage Ratio in effect on such date as set forth on Schedule I-A and (b) with respect to interest on Term Loan A-1 outstanding on such date, a percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Cash Flow Leverage Ratio in effect on such date as set forth on Schedule I-B; provided, that a change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Cash Flow Leverage Ratio shall be effective on the second Business Day after the date on which the Borrower delivers the financial statements required by Section 5.1(a) or (b) and the Compliance Certificate required by Section 5.1(c); provided further, that if at any time the Borrower shall have failed to deliver such financial statements and such Compliance Certificate when so required, the Applicable Margin shall be at Level III as set forth on Schedule I-A and Schedule I-B, respectively, until such time as such financial statements and
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Compliance Certificate are delivered, at which time the Applicable Margin shall be determined as provided above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Margin from the Closing Date until the financial statements and Compliance Certificate for the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2012 are required to be delivered shall be at Level II as set forth on Schedule I-A and Schedule I-B, respectively.
Applicable Percentage shall mean, as of any date, with respect to the commitment fee as of such date, the percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Cash Flow Leverage Ratio in effect on such date as set forth on Schedule I-A; provided, that a change in the Applicable Percentage resulting from a change in the Cash Flow Leverage Ratio shall be effective on the second Business Day after the date on which the Borrower delivers the financial statements required by Section 5.1(a) or (b) and the Compliance Certificate required by Section 5.1(c); provided further, that if at any time the Borrower shall have failed to deliver such financial statements and such Compliance Certificate when so required, the Applicable Percentage shall be at Level III as set forth on Schedule I-A until such time as such financial statements and Compliance Certificate are delivered, at which time the Applicable Percentage shall be determined as provided above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Percentage for the commitment fee from the Closing Date until the financial statements and Compliance Certificate for the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2012 are required to be delivered shall be at Level II as set forth on Schedule I-A.
Applicable Pledge Percentage means 100%, but 65% in the case of a pledge of capital stock of a Foreign Subsidiary to the extent a 100% pledge would cause a Deemed Dividend Problem or a Financial Assistance Problem.
Applicable Revolver Percentage means with respect to any Lender holding Revolving Commitments, the percentage of the total Revolving Commitments represented by such Lenders Revolving Commitment. If the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Revolver Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.
Approved Fund shall mean any Person (other than a natural Person) that (a) is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and (b) is administered or managed by (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender or (iii) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
Arrangers shall mean, collectively, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, in their capacities as joint lead arrangers.
Asset Acceptance Acquisition means the acquisition by the Borrower of Asset Acceptance Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation, for a Purchase Price in an amount not to exceed $480,000,000.
Asset Acceptance Merger Agreement means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 6, 2013 among the Borrower, Pinnacle Sub, Inc. and Asset Acceptance Capital Corp, together with all schedules and exhibits thereto.
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Asset Sale means, with respect to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, the sale, lease, conveyance, disposition or other transfer by such Person of any of its assets (including by way of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, and including the sale or other transfer of any of the capital stock or other equity interests of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person) to any Person other than the Borrower or any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries other than (i) the sale of Receivables in the ordinary course of business (so long as, after giving effect to each such sale, the Borrower makes the required prepayments and/or reinvestment of proceeds required under Section 2.12(a)), (ii) the sale or other disposition of any obsolete, excess, damaged or worn-out Equipment disposed of in the ordinary course of business, (iii) leases of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (iv) sales or dispositions of assets outside the ordinary course of business with an aggregate fair market value not to exceed, during the term of this Agreement, $20,000,000.
Assignment and Acceptance shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.4(b)) and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Authorized Officer means any of the President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or Controller of the Borrower, or such other officer of the Borrower as may be designated by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent from time to time, acting singly.
Availability Period shall mean the period from the Closing Date to the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
Banking Services means each and any of the following bank services provided to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by any Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) commercial credit cards, (b) stored value cards and (c) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).
Banking Services Agreement means any agreement entered into by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with Banking Services.
Banking Services Obligations means any and all obligations of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.
Base Rate shall mean the highest of (i) the per annum rate which the Administrative Agent publicly announces from time to time as its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate, as in effect from time to time, plus one-half of one percent (0.50%) per annum, (iii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate determined on a daily basis for an Interest Period of one (1) month, plus one percent (1.00%) per annum and (iv) zero. The Administrative Agents prime lending rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer. The Administrative Agent may make
6
commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Administrative Agents prime lending rate. Each change in the any of the rates described above in this definition shall be effective from and including the date such change is announced as being effective.
Blocked Propel Subsidiary shall mean any Subsidiary of Propel Acquisition LLC which is subject to any of the encumbrances or restrictions described in Section 7.8.
Borrower shall have the meaning in the introductory paragraph hereof.
Borrowing shall mean a borrowing consisting of (i) 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, or (ii) a Swingline Loan.
Borrowing Base means, as of any date of calculation, an amount, as set forth on the most current Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent on or prior to such date, equal to (i) the lesser of (1) the Advance Rate of Estimated Remaining Collections (exclusive of any Receivables in any Receivables Portfolio that are not Eligible Receivables) as of the last day of the month for which such Borrowing Base Certificate was provided and (2) the product of the net book value of all Receivables Portfolios acquired by any Loan Party on or after January 1, 2005 multiplied by 95%, minus (ii) the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount outstanding in respect of the Prudential Senior Secured Notes plus (y) the aggregate principal amount outstanding in respect of the Term Loans (it being understood that the Borrowing Base Certificate provided on the date of any Credit Extension may include, on a pro forma basis, the Receivables Portfolio(s) being acquired in connection with such Credit Extension); provided, however, that, for purposes of calculating the amount specified in clause (1) above (the Total ERC Amount), the Advance Rate of Estimated Remaining Collections attributable to Debtor Receivables shall not at any time exceed an amount equal 35% of the Total ERC Amount (without regard to this proviso).
Borrowing Base Certificate means a certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit B, setting forth the Borrowing Base and the component calculations thereof.
Business Day shall mean (i) any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Atlanta, Georgia are authorized or required by law to close and (ii) if such day relates to a Borrowing of, a payment or prepayment of principal or interest on, a conversion of or into, or an Interest Period for, a Eurodollar Loan or a notice with respect to any of the foregoing, any day on which banks are open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.
Capital Expenditures means, without duplication, any expenditures for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles, but excluding, solely for the fiscal year in which each Acquisition is consummated, any such expenditures of any Person or business acquired pursuant to such Acquisition.
7
Capital Lease of a Person means any lease of Property by such Person as lessee which would be capitalized on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
Capitalized Lease Obligations of a Person means the amount of the obligations of such Person under Capital Leases which would be shown as a liability on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
Cash Collateralize shall mean, in respect of any obligations, to provide and pledge (as a first priority perfected security interest) to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the holder or beneficiary of such obligations cash collateral for such obligations in Dollars (in amounts, unless otherwise specified herein, equal to 100% of face amount or stated amount such obligations), with a depository institution (which may include the Administrative Agent), and pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
Cash Equivalent Investments means (i) short-term obligations of, or fully guaranteed by, the United States of America, (ii) commercial paper rated A-1 or better by S&P or P-1 or better by Moodys, (iii) demand deposit accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business and (iv) certificates of deposit issued by and time deposits with commercial banks (whether domestic or foreign) having capital and surplus in excess of $100,000,000; provided in each case that the same provides for payment of both principal and interest (and not principal alone or interest alone) and is not subject to any contingency regarding the payment of principal or interest.
Cash Flow Leverage Ratio shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1.
Change in Law shall mean (i) the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (ii) any change in any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change in the interpretation or application thereof, by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement, or (iii) compliance by any Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) or the Issuing Bank (or for purposes of Section 2.18, by the parent corporation of such Lender or the Issuing Bank, if applicable) 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, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a Change in Law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
Change of Control means: (i) the acquisition by any Person, or two or more Persons acting in concert (other than Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC, JCF FPK I LP or any affiliate thereof), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States (the SEC) under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of the outstanding shares of voting stock of the Borrower; (ii) other than pursuant to a
8
transaction permitted hereunder, the Borrower shall cease to own, directly or indirectly and free and clear of all Liens or other encumbrances, all of the outstanding shares of voting stock of the Guarantors on a fully diluted basis; (iii) the majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower fails to consist of Continuing Directors; or (iv) the acquisition by Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC, JCF FPK I LP and/or any affiliate of either of them and/or any other Persons acting in concert with any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (iv) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the SEC under the Exchange Act) of greater than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of the Borrower. No Permitted Restructuring shall constitute a Change of Control.
Class, when used in reference to (a) any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Extended Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans, Term Loan A, Term Loan A-1, Incremental Term Loans or Extended Term Loans and (b) any Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving Commitment, Incremental Revolving Commitment, Extended Revolving Commitment, a Swingline Commitment, a Term Loan A Commitment or Term Loan A-1 Commitment.
Closing Date shall mean the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.2.
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, reformed or otherwise modified from time to time, and any rule or regulation issued thereunder.
Collateral means all Property and interests in Property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in or upon which a security interest, lien or mortgage is granted (or is required to be granted pursuant to the terms hereof) in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Collateral Documents, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations.
Collateral Agent means SunTrust Bank in its capacity as Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties and any successor Collateral Agent appointed pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.
Collateral Documents means all agreements, instruments and documents executed in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create or evidence Liens to secure the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation, the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, the Mortgages and all other security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan agreements, notes, guarantees, subordination agreements, pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, fee letters, notices, leases, financing statements and all other written matter whether heretofore, now, or hereafter executed by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and delivered to the Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations.
Collateral Shortfall Amount is defined in Section 8.2.
Commitment shall mean a Revolving Commitment, an Extended Revolving Commitment, an Incremental Revolving Commitment, a Swingline Commitment or a Term Loan A Commitment, a Term Loan A-1 Commitment or any combination thereof (as the context shall permit or require).
9
Commodity Exchange Act means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
Compliance Certificate shall mean a certificate from the chief financial officer or treasurer of the Borrower and containing the certifications set forth in Section 5.1(c).
Connection Income Taxes means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
Consolidated EBIT means Consolidated Net Income plus, to the extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense (whether actual or contingent), (ii) expense for taxes paid or accrued and (iii) any extraordinary losses minus, to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, (a) interest income, (b) any extraordinary gains, (c) the income of any Person (1) in which any Person other than the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has a joint interest or a partnership interest or other ownership interest and (2) to the extent the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries does not control the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Person or otherwise does not control the declaration of a dividend or other distribution by such Person, except in each case to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such Person during the relevant period and (d) the income of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or distributions (including via intercompany advances or other intercompany transactions but in each case up to and not exceeding the amount of such income) by that Restricted Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary, all calculated for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
Consolidated EBITDA means Consolidated Net Income plus, (1) to the extent not included in such revenue, Amortized Collections, and (2) to the extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense (whether actual or contingent), (ii) expense for taxes paid or accrued, (iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense, (v) any extraordinary losses, and (vi) non-cash charges arising from compensation expense as a result of the adoption of amendments to Agreement Accounting Principles requiring certain stock based compensation to be recorded as an expense within the Borrowers consolidated statement of operations, minus, to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, (a) interest income, (b) any extraordinary gains, (c) the income of any Person (1) in which any Person other than the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has a joint interest or a partnership interest or other ownership interest and (2) to the extent the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries does not control the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Person or otherwise does not control the declaration of a dividend or other distribution by such Person, except in each case to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such Person during the relevant period and (d) the income of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent that
10
the declaration or payment of dividends or distributions (including via intercompany advances or other intercompany transactions but in each case up to and not exceeding the amount of such income) by that Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary, all calculated for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
Consolidated Funded Indebtedness means at any time the aggregate dollar amount of Consolidated Indebtedness which has actually been funded and is outstanding at such time, whether or not such amount is due or payable at such time.
Consolidated Indebtedness means, at any time, the Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles as of such time.
Consolidated Interest Expense means, with reference to any period, the interest expense and contingent interest expense of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including that portion attributable to Capital Leases) calculated on a consolidated basis for such period, in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
Consolidated Net Income means, with reference to any period, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles. For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Net Income shall exclude any and all income and other amounts attributable to any Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than the amount of any cash dividends or other cash distributions actually paid during the reference period to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by an Unrestricted Subsidiary).
Consolidated Net Worth means at any time, with respect to any Person, the consolidated stockholders equity of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
Consolidated Rentals means, with reference to any period, the Rentals of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
Consolidated Tangible Assets means Consolidated Total Assets minus any Intangible Assets.
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth means at any time, with respect to any Person, the consolidated stockholders equity of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles minus any Intangible Assets.
Consolidated Total Assets means the total assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
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Contingent Obligation of a Person means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which such Person assumes, guarantees, endorses, contingently agrees to purchase or provide funds for the payment of, or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon, the obligation or liability of any other Person, or agrees to maintain the net worth or working capital or other financial condition of any other Person, or otherwise assures any creditor of such other Person against loss, including, without limitation, any comfort letter, operating agreement, take-or-pay contract or the obligations of any such Person as general partner of a partnership with respect to the liabilities of the partnership.
Continuing Director means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, any member of the board of directors of such Person who (i) was a member of such board of directors on the Closing Date, or (ii) was nominated for election or elected to such board of directors with the approval of the required majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board at the time of such nomination or election.
Controlled Group means all members of a controlled group of corporations or other business entities and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
Credit Extension means the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit hereunder (including the deemed issuance of Existing Letters of Credit on the Closing Date).
Debtor Receivable means a Receivable the obligor on which is subject to a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America.
Debtor Relief Laws means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
Deemed Dividend Problem means, with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, such Foreign Subsidiarys accumulated and undistributed earnings and profits being deemed to be repatriated to the Borrower or the applicable parent Domestic Subsidiary for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the effect of such repatriation causing adverse tax consequences to the Borrower or such parent Domestic Subsidiary, in each case as determined by the Borrower in its commercially reasonable judgment acting in good faith and in consultation with its legal and tax advisors.
Default shall mean any condition or event that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
Default Interest shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(c).
Defaulting Lender shall mean, subject to Section 2.23(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative
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Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lenders determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lenders obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lenders determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of (i) the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority or (ii) in the case of a solvent Person, the precautionary appointment of an administrator, guardian, custodian or other similar official by a Governmental Authority under or based on the law of the country where such Person is subject to home jurisdiction supervision if applicable law requires that such appointment not be publicly disclosed in any such case, where such ownership or action does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.23(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, the Issuing Bank, each Swingline Lender and each Lender.
Disqualified Stock means any capital stock or other 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, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the Revolving Loan Termination Date.
Dollar(s) and the sign $ shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.
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Domestic Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary of any Person organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America.
Eligible Assignee means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.4(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.4(b)(iii)).
Eligible Receivables of any Loan Party shall mean, as of any date of determination, (i) Receivables owned by a Loan Party as of the Closing Date, which Receivables were included in the Borrowing Base under the Existing Credit Agreement as of the Closing Date and (ii) Receivables purchased by a Loan Party on or after the Closing Date to the extent such Receivable is owned, or to be purchased by such Loan Party by applying the proceeds of a Credit Extension within five (5) Business Days of the making of such Credit Extension, and in the case of both (i) and (ii) that is payable in Dollars and in which the Collateral Agent has, or upon purchase by such Loan Party, will have, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a first-priority perfected security interest pursuant to the Collateral Documents, other than any such Receivable:
(a) that is not an existing obligation for which sufficient consideration has been given;
(b) with respect to which such Loan Party does not (or will not, upon the closing of the relevant purchase thereof) have good and marketable title pursuant to a legal, valid and binding bill of sale or purchase agreement entered into by such Loan Party or assignment to such Loan Party;
(c) that has been repurchased by, or returned or put-back to, the Person from whom such Loan Party acquired such Receivable and such Receivable has not subsequently been replaced with a new Receivable of at least comparable value acquired from such Person;
(d) all or any portion of which is subject to any Lien (except the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents);
(e) that is due from or has been originated by any Restricted Subsidiary or Encore Affiliate;
(f) that is not a type of collateral for which a security interest can be perfected by filing pursuant to Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as then in effect in the State of New York; and
(g) that is owed by (i) the government (or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof) of any country other than the United States of America unless such Receivable is backed by a Letter of Credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of the Collateral Agent or (ii) the government of the United States of America, or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality or any agency or instrumentality thereof, including any agency or instrumentality which is obligated to make payment with respect to Medicare, Medicaid or other Receivables representing amounts owing under any other program established by federal, State, county, municipal or other local law
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which requires that payments for healthcare services be made to the provider of such services in order to comply with any applicable anti-assignment provisions, provider agreement or federal, State, county, municipal or other local law, rule or regulation.
Encore Affiliate means any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Borrower. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if the controlling Person is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 10% or more of any class of voting securities (or other ownership interests) of the controlled Person and possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Environmental Laws means any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, judicial decisions, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, plans, injunctions, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements and other governmental restrictions relating to (i) the protection of the environment, (ii) the effect of the environment on human health, (iii) emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants, hazardous substances or wastes into surface water, ground water or land, or (iv) the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, hazardous substances or wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof.
Equipment means all of the Borrowers and each Restricted Subsidiarys present and future (i) equipment, including, without limitation, machinery, manufacturing, distribution, data processing and office equipment, assembly systems, tools, molds, dies, fixtures, appliances, furniture, furnishings, vehicles, vessels, aircraft, aircraft engines, and trade fixtures, (ii) other tangible personal property (other than inventory), and (iii) any and all accessions, parts and appurtenances attached to any of the foregoing or used in connection therewith, and any substitutions therefor and replacements, products and proceeds thereof.
Equipment Financing Transactions means the secured equipment financing arrangements of the Loan Parties set forth on Schedule 7.1(a).
ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute including any regulations promulgated thereunder.
Estimated Remaining Collections means, as of any date, the aggregate amount of gross remaining cash collections which any Loan Party anticipates to receive from a Receivables Portfolio of a Loan Party or as otherwise referred to by the Borrower as the total amount of Estimated Remaining Gross Collections, determined and reported by the Borrower pursuant to its financial statements and other reporting to the Lenders as described in Section 5.1 (it being understood and agreed that (i) such amount shall be calculated by the Borrower in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles and in a manner consistent with the Borrowers past practice and with the methodology used in the reporting of Estimated Remaining Collections in the Borrowers public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (ii) the manner and method of computing Estimated Remaining Collections and all assumptions made in connection therewith shall be explained to each Lender in reasonably full
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detail upon such Lenders request and (iii) any deviation from the current method and assumptions used in computing Estimated Remaining Collections are subject to approval by the Supermajority Lenders in their discretion).
Eurodollar when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
Eurodollar Reserve Percentage shall mean the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental, special or other marginal reserves) expressed as a decimal (rounded upwards to the next 1/100th of 1%) in effect on any day to which the Administrative Agent is subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate pursuant to regulations issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as eurocurrency liabilities under Regulation D). Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding 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 Regulation D. The Eurodollar Reserve Percentage shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
Event of Default shall have the meaning provided in ARTICLE VIII.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
Excluded Subsidiaries means each Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Excluded Swap Obligation means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guaranty obligations under the Guaranty Agreement of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantors failure for any reason to constitute an eligible contract participant as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act at the time the guarantee obligations of such Guarantor, or the grant by such Guarantor of the security interest under the Pledge and Security Agreement, becomes effective with respect to such related 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 guaranty obligation or security interest is or becomes illegal.
Excluded Taxes shall mean any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Applicable
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Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.27) or (ii) such Lender changes its Applicable Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.20, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lenders assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Applicable Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipients failure to comply with Section 2.20(g) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.
Existing Credit Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the first recital hereof.
Existing Financing Arrangements means financing arrangements of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the transactions under the Loan Documents and the Equipment Financing Transactions) in effect on the Closing Date, including without limitation under the Existing Credit Agreement.
Existing Letters of Credit means the letters of credit issued and outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement as set forth on Schedule 2.22.
Extended Revolving Commitment has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.25(a).
Extended Revolving Loan shall mean the Revolving Loans of any Lender that agrees to an extension of such Revolving Loans pursuant to an Extension.
Extended Term Loans has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.25(a).
Extending Term Lender has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.25(a).
Extension has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.25(a).
Extension Offer has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.25(a).
Facility shall mean, individually, each of the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Facility and the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Facility are collectively referred to herein as the Facilities.
Fair Market Value shall mean, with respect to any asset or group of assets on any date of determination, the price in cash obtainable in a sale of such asset at such date of determination assuming a sale by a willing seller to a willing purchaser dealing at arms length and arranged in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time having regard to the nature and characteristics of such asset, as reasonably determined in good faith by the Borrower.
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FATCA means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 147(b)(1) of the Code.
Fee Letter shall mean that certain fee letter, dated as of September 7, 2012, executed by SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and SunTrust Bank and accepted by the Borrower.
Federal Funds Rate shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with member banks of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the next succeeding Business Day or if such rate is not so published for any Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1% of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.
Financial Assistance Problem means, with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, the inability of such Foreign Subsidiary to become a Guarantor or to permit its capital stock from being pledged pursuant to a pledge agreement on account of legal or financial limitations imposed by the jurisdiction of organization of such Foreign Subsidiary or other relevant jurisdictions having authority over such Foreign Subsidiary, in each case as determined by the Borrower in its commercially reasonable judgment acting in good faith and in consultation with its legal and tax advisors.
Financial Contract of a Person means (i) any exchange-traded or over-the-counter futures, forward, swap or option contract or other financial instrument with similar characteristics or (ii) any Rate Management Transaction; provided that any Permitted Indebtedness Hedge shall not be a Financial Contract so long as such Permitted Indebtedness Hedge relates to capital stock of Borrower.
First Tier Foreign Subsidiary means each Foreign Subsidiary with respect to which any one or more of the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries directly owns or controls more than 50% of such Foreign Subsidiarys issued and outstanding equity interests.
Foreign Lender shall mean (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.
Foreign Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary of any Person which is not a Domestic Subsidiary of such Person.
Fronting Exposure shall mean, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lenders LC Exposure with respect to Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank other than LC Exposure as to which such Defaulting Lenders
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participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lenders Swingline Exposure other than Swingline Exposure as to which such Defaulting Lenders participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders.
Governmental Authority means any nation or government, any foreign, federal, state, local or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government including any central bank or any supra-national body exercising such powers or functions, such as the European Union or the European Central Bank.
Guarantor means each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower which is a party to the Guaranty Agreement, including each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower which becomes a party to the Guaranty Agreement pursuant to a joinder or other supplement thereto, including in connection with a requirement to become a Guarantor pursuant to the terms hereof.
Guaranty Agreement means the Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, made by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Holders of Obligations, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Holders of Obligations means the holders of the Obligations from time to time and shall refer to (i) each Lender in respect of its Loans, (ii) the Issuing Bank in respect of Reimbursement Obligations, (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank in respect of all other present and future obligations and liabilities of the Borrower or any of its Domestic Subsidiaries of every type and description arising under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iv) each Lender (or affiliate thereof), in respect of all Rate Management Obligations and Banking Services Obligations of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to such Lender (or such affiliate) as exchange party or counterparty under any Rate Management Transaction or in connection with any Banking Services Agreements, as applicable, and (v) their respective successors, transferees and assigns.
Holders of Prudential Note Obligations means the holders of the Prudential Note Obligations from time to time and shall include their respective successors, transferees and assigns.
Immaterial Subsidiary means, as of any date of determination, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (x) whose consolidated tangible assets (as set forth in the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries delivered to the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement and computed in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles), when added to the consolidated tangible assets of all other Immaterial Subsidiaries (as set forth in the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries delivered to the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement and computed in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles), do not constitute more than 5.0% of the Consolidated Tangible Assets and (y) whose consolidated net revenue, when added to the consolidated net revenue attributable to all other Immaterial Subsidiaries, does not constitute more than 5.0% of consolidated net revenue of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case, as determined for the four fiscal quarter period most recently ended for which financial statements have been delivered to the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement).
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Incremental Facilities shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.24(a).
Incremental Facility Amendment shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.24(d).
Incremental Revolving Commitments shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.24(a).
Incremental Revolving Lender shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.24(d).
Incremental Term Loans shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.24(a).
Indebtedness of a Person means, at any time, without duplication, such Persons (i) obligations for borrowed money, (ii) obligations representing the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than current accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of such Persons business payable on terms customary in the trade), (iii) obligations, whether or not assumed, secured by Liens or payable out of the proceeds or production from Property now or hereafter owned or acquired by such Person, (iv) obligations which are evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures, acceptances, or other instruments, (v) obligations to purchase securities or other Property arising out of or in connection with the sale of the same or substantially similar securities or Property, (vi) Capitalized Lease Obligations, (vii) Contingent Obligations of such Person, (viii) reimbursement obligations under Letters of Credit, bankers acceptances, surety bonds and similar instruments, (ix) Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities, (x) obligations under Sale and Leaseback Transactions, (xi) Net Mark-to-Market Exposure under Rate Management Transactions and other Financial Contracts, (xii) Rate Management Obligations and (xiii) any other obligation for borrowed money which in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles would be shown as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person.
Indemnified Taxes shall mean (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.
Intangible Assets means the aggregate amount, for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, of: (1) all assets classified as intangible assets under Agreement Accounting Principles, including, without limitation, goodwill, trademarks, patents, copyrights, organization expenses, franchises, licenses, trade names, brand names, mailing lists, catalogs, excess of cost over book value of assets acquired, and bond discount and underwriting expenses; (2) loans or advances to, investments in, or receivables from (i) Encore Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or shareholders of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) any Person if such loan, advance, investment or receivable is outside the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiarys normal course of business; and (3) prepaid expenses; provided that Intangible Assets shall not include deferred court costs, deferred tax assets, deposits under state workers compensation programs and assets of the Borrowers excess deferred compensation plan.
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Intellectual Property Security Agreements means the amended and restated intellectual property security agreements executed by the applicable Loan Parties on the Closing Date and the intellectual property security agreements as any Loan Party may from time to time after the Closing Date make in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in each case as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Intercreditor Agreement means the Amended and Restated Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Holders of Prudential Note Obligations, substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.1(b)(vi) attached hereto, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Interest Period shall mean with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, a period of one, two, three or six months; provided, that:
(i) the initial Interest Period for such Borrowing shall commence on the date of such Borrowing (including the date of any conversion from a Borrowing of another Type), and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;
(ii) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period would end on the next preceding Business Day;
(iii) any Interest Period which 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 such calendar month;
(iv) each principal installment of the Term Loans shall have an Interest Period ending on each installment payment date and the remaining principal balance (if any) of the Term Loans shall have an Interest Period determined as set forth above; and
(v) no Interest Period may extend beyond the Revolving Commitment Termination Date (in the case of Revolving Loans), the Term Loan A Maturity Date (in the case of Term Loan A) or Term Loan A-1 Maturity Date (in the case of Term Loan A-1).
Investment of a Person means any loan, advance (other than commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees made in the ordinary course of business), extension of credit (other than Accounts arising in the ordinary course of business, but including Contingent Obligations with respect to any obligation or liability of another Person) or contribution of capital by such Person; stocks, bonds, mutual funds, partnership interests, notes,
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debentures or other securities owned by such Person; any deposit accounts and certificate of deposit owned by such Person; and structured notes, derivative financial instruments and other similar instruments or contracts owned by such Person. No Permitted Restructuring shall constitute an Investment.
Issuing Bank shall mean SunTrust Bank, in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.22.
Latest Maturity Date means, at any date of determination, the latest maturity or expiration date applicable to any Loan or Commitment (or applicable Class of Loan or Commitment) hereunder at such time, including the latest maturity or expiration date of any Incremental Term Loan, any Extended Term Loan, any Incremental Revolving Commitment, any Extended Revolving Loan, or any Extended Revolving Commitment, in each case as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time.
LC Collateral Account shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(c).
LC Commitment shall mean that portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment that may be used by the Borrower for the issuance of Letters of Credit in an aggregate face amount equal to $0.
LC Disbursement shall mean a payment made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
LC Documents shall mean all applications, agreements and instruments relating to the Letters of Credit (but excluding the Letters of Credit).
LC Exposure shall mean, at any time, the sum of (i) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender shall be its Pro Rata Share of the total LC Exposure at such time.
Lenders shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the opening paragraph of this Agreement and shall include, where appropriate, the Swingline Lender and each Additional Lender that joins this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.24(a).
Letter of Credit shall mean any stand-by letter of credit issued pursuant to Section 2.22 by the Issuing Bank for the account of the Borrower pursuant to the LC Commitment and the Existing Letters of Credit.
LIBOR shall mean, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period. If for any reason such rate is not available, LIBOR shall be, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent as the rate of interest at which Dollar
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deposits in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Loan comprising part of such borrowing would be offered by the Administrative Agent to major banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market at their request at or about 10:00 a.m. two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period.
Lien shall mean any lien (statutory or other), mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale, Capital Lease or other title retention agreement, and, in the case of stock, stockholders agreements, voting trust agreements and all similar arrangements).
Loan Documents shall mean, collectively, means this Agreement, the LC Documents, the Collateral Documents, the Guaranty Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement and all other documents, instruments, notes (including any Notes issued to any Lender (if requested)) and agreements executed in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time.
Loan Party means, at any time, any of the Borrower and any Person which is a Guarantor at such time; Loan Parties means each Loan Party, collectively.
Loans shall mean all Revolving Loans, all Swingline Loans, the Term Loan A and Term Loan A-1 in the aggregate or any of them, as the context shall require.
Material Adverse Effect shall mean a material adverse effect on (i) the business, Property, condition (financial or otherwise), operations or results of operations of the Borrower, or the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, or (iii) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders thereunder or their rights with respect to the Collateral.
Material Indebtedness means any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in an outstanding principal amount of $10,000,000 or more in the aggregate (or the equivalent thereof in any currency other than Dollars).
Material Indebtedness Agreement means any agreement under which any Material Indebtedness was created or is governed or which provides for the incurrence of Indebtedness in an amount which would constitute Material Indebtedness (whether or not an amount of Indebtedness constituting Material Indebtedness is outstanding thereunder).
Medicaid means the medical assistance program established by Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42. U.S.C. ss. 1396 ET SEQ.) and any successor or similar statutes, as in effect from time to time.
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Medicare means the health insurance program for the aged and disabled established by Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. ss. 1395 ET SEQ.) and any successor or similar statutes as in effect from time to time.
Minority Investment of a Person (the investing person) means an Investment by the investing person in capital stock of another Person (the target person) where the target person is not, and immediately following such Investment does not become, a Subsidiary of the investing person.
Moodys shall mean Moodys Investors Service, Inc., and any successor thereto.
Mortgage means each of those certain mortgages and deeds of trust as are entered into by the Loan Parties pursuant hereto or in connection herewith, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Mortgage Instruments means such title reports, title insurance, opinions of counsel, surveys, appraisals and environmental reports as are requested by, and in form and substance reasonably acceptable to, the Administrative Agent from time to time.
Mortgaged Properties means each Loan Partys real Property with a book value equal to or in excess of $1,000,000.
Multiemployer Plan means a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, which is covered by Title IV of ERISA and to which the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group is obligated or has been obligated within the past six years to make contributions.
Net Cash Proceeds means, with respect to any sale or other disposition of Property of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary by any Person, cash (freely convertible into Dollars) received by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person from such disposition of Property (including cash received as consideration for the assumption or incurrence of liabilities incurred in connection with or in anticipation of such disposition of Property), or conversion to cash of non-cash proceeds (whether principal or interest, release of escrow arrangements or otherwise) received from any such disposition of Property, in each case after (i) provision for all income or other taxes measured by or resulting from such disposition of Property, (ii) cash payment of all reasonable brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses related to such disposition of Property, and (iii) taking into account all amounts in cash used to repay Indebtedness secured by a Lien on any Property disposed of in such disposition of Property.
Net Mark-to-Market Exposure of a Person means, as of any date of determination, the excess (if any) of all unrealized losses over all unrealized profits of such Person arising from Rate Management Transactions. Unrealized losses means the fair market value of the cost to such Person of replacing such Rate Management Transaction as of the date of determination (assuming the Rate Management Transaction were to be terminated as of that date), and unrealized profits means the fair market value of the gain to such Person of replacing such Rate Management Transaction as of the date of determination (assuming such Rate Management Transaction were to be terminated as of that date).
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Non-Defaulting Lender shall mean, at any time, a Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender.
Notes shall mean, collectively, the Revolving Credit Notes, the Swingline Note each Term Note A and each Term Note A-1.
Notice of Borrowing shall mean, collectively, the Notices of Revolving Borrowing, and the Notices of Swingline Borrowing.
Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall mean the notice given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent in respect of the conversion or continuation of an outstanding Borrowing as provided in Section 2.7(b).
Notice of Revolving Borrowing shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.3.
Notice of Swingline Borrowing shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.4.
Obligations shall mean all Loans, all Reimbursement Obligations, advances, debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties owing by the Borrower or any other Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Swing Line Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Arrangers, any affiliate of the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Swing Line Lender, the Issuing Bank or the Arrangers, or any indemnitee under the provisions of Section 10.3 or any other provisions of the Loan Documents, in each case of any kind or nature, present or future, arising under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether or not evidenced by any note, guaranty or other instrument, whether or not for the payment of money, whether arising by reason of an extension of credit, loan, foreign exchange risk, guaranty, indemnification, or in any other manner, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and however acquired. The term includes, without limitation, all interest (including any interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), charges, expenses, fees, attorneys fees and disbursements, paralegals fees (in each case whether or not allowed), and any other sum chargeable to the Borrower or any other Loan Party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities of a Person means the principal component of (i) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person (excluding any such obligation or liability for disposition of Receivables), with respect to Accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person, (ii) any liability under any so-called synthetic lease or tax ownership operating lease transaction entered into by such Person, or (iii) any obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the consolidated balance sheets of such Person, but excluding from this clause (iii) all Operating Leases.
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Officers Certificate means a certificate of an Authorized Officer or of any other officer of the Borrower whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.
Operating Lease of a Person means any lease of Property (other than a Capital Lease) by such Person as lessee which has an original term (including any required renewals and any renewals effective at the option of the lessor) of one year or more.
Other Connection Taxes means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
Other Taxes means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.27.
Participant shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(d).
Participant Register has the meaning specified in clause (d) of Section 10.4.
Patriot Act shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.15.
Payment Office shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent located at 303 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30308, or such other location as to which the Administrative Agent shall have given written notice to the Borrower and the other Lenders.
PBGC shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA, and any successor entity performing similar functions.
Permitted Acquisition is defined in Section 7.4.
Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Investments/Loans means (i) Investments by any Loan Party in any Foreign Subsidiary and (ii) Indebtedness arising from intercompany loans and advances made by any Loan Party to any Foreign Subsidiary, provided, that the purpose of such Investment or Indebtedness is the acquisition of Receivables.
Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Non-Recourse Indebtedness means Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries, provided that (a) no Default exists at the time of or immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, (b) such Indebtedness is non-recourse at all
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times to the Borrower, the Guarantors and the Domestic Subsidiaries, (c) such Indebtedness does not benefit at any time from any direct or indirect guaranties or other credit support from the Borrower, any Guarantor or any Domestic Subsidiary, and (d) the total principal amount outstanding of such Indebtedness does not exceed 40% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at any time.
Permitted Indebtedness means Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1(n).
Permitted Indebtedness Hedge means any one or more derivative transactions (including the issuance by Borrower of warrants on its capital stock and the purchase by Borrower of an option on its capital stock) entered into concurrently with Permitted Indebtedness on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
Permitted Restructuring means a transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary sells, assigns or otherwise transfers Receivables and/or other assets between or among themselves, including transfers to or mergers or consolidations with, or voluntary dissolutions or liquidations into, newly created Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries, subject to compliance with Section 5.10 and Section 5.11; provided that (i) no Receivables or other assets of Excluded Subsidiaries shall be commingled with the assets of a Loan Party as a result of such Permitted Restructuring, (ii) no such transfers shall take place from a Loan Party to an Excluded Subsidiary or to any other Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (iii) such transactions are effected for tax planning and related general corporate purposes.
Person shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other entity, or any Governmental Authority.
Plan shall mean an employee pension benefit plan, excluding any Multiemployer Plan, which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code as to which the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group may have any liability.
Pledge and Security Agreement means that certain Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, by and between the Loan Parties and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.
Pledge Subsidiary means each Domestic Subsidiary and First Tier Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.
Principal Credit Facility means any loan agreement, credit agreement, note purchase agreement, indenture or similar document under which credit facilities in the aggregate original principal or commitment amount of at least $20,000,000 are provided for.
Pro Rata Share shall mean, at any time of determination: (i) with respect to all payments, prepayments, computations and other matters relating to the Term Loan A of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the outstanding principal amount of Term Loan A of such Lender at such time by (b) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loan A of all
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Lenders outstanding at such time; (ii) with respect to all payments, prepayments, computations and other matters relating to the Term Loan A-1 of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the outstanding principal amount of Term Loan A-1 of such Lender at such time by (b) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loan A-1 of all Lenders outstanding at such time (iii) with respect to all payments, prepayments, computations and other matters relating to the Revolving Commitment or Revolving Loans of any Lender or any Letters of Credit issued or participations purchased (or to be purchased) therein by any Lender or any participations in any Swingline Loans purchased (or to be purchased) by any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the Revolving Credit Exposure of such Lender at such time by (b) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders at such time; (iv) with respect to all payments, prepayments, computations and other matters relating to Incremental Term Loans of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the outstanding principal amount of Incremental Term Loans of such Lender at such time by (b) the aggregate principal amount of Incremental all Term Loans outstanding at such time and (v) with respect to the LC Exposure or the Swingline Exposure of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) such Lenders Revolving Commitment in effect at such time (or if such Revolving Commitment has been terminated or expired in accordance with the terms hereof, the amount of such Revolving Commitment as in effect immediately prior to such termination or expiration) by (b) the aggregate Revolving Commitment of all Lenders (or if the Revolving Commitments of all Lenders have been terminated or expired in accordance with the term hereof, the aggregate Revolving Commitment of all Lenders as in effect immediately prior to such termination or expiration). For all other purposes with respect to each Lender, including indemnification and/or reimbursement obligations under Section 9.8 and Section 10.3(d), Pro Rata Share shall mean, as of any date of determination, the percentage obtained by dividing (A) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the then outstanding principal amount of all Term Loans and Incremental Term Loans of such Lender and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of such Lender at such time by (B) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans and all Incremental Term Loans outstanding at such time and (ii) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders at such time. The foregoing shall be subject to any adjustments necessary to give effect to the requirements of Section 2.24.
Propel means Propel Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company.
Propel Acquisition means the acquisition by Propel Acquisition LLC of the Propel Group.
Propel Acquisition LLC means a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Delaware limited liability company formed for the purpose of acquiring the Propel Group.
Propel Group means Propel and its Subsidiaries and each other entity acquired by Propel Acquisition LLC as part of the same transaction as the acquisition of Propel.
Propel Indebtedness means the Indebtedness incurred by one or more Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC in connection with the Propel Acquisition and the on-going financing of the operations and business of such Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC.
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Propel Principal Collections means the aggregate amount of collections of the Propel Group (but not constituting Amortized Collections) which are not included in the revenues of any member of the Propel Group by reason of the application of such collections to the principal of such receivables.
Property of a Person means any and all property, whether real, personal, tangible, intangible, or mixed, of such Person, or other assets owned, leased or operated by such Person.
Prudential Financing means, collectively (i) the issuance of Indebtedness of the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000 pursuant to the Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement, evidenced by the 2010 Prudential Senior Secured Notes, together with the Indebtedness under the guaranties in respect thereof, secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement, with a maturity date of September 17, 2017 and with the same (or no more onerous) terms relating to amortization and other scheduled principal payments in respect of the 2010 Prudential Senior Secured Notes as in effect on September 20, 2010 and (ii) the issuance of Indebtedness of the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000 pursuant to the Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement, evidenced by the 2011 Prudential Senior Secured Notes, together with the Indebtedness under the guaranties in respect thereof, secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement, with a maturity date of February 10, 2018, and with the same (or no more onerous) terms relating to amortization and other scheduled principal payments in respect of the 2011 Prudential Senior Secured Notes as in effect on February 10, 2011.
Prudential Note Obligations means the Prudential Senior Secured Notes and other obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors under the Prudential Financing, secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement.
Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement means that certain Amended and Restated Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2011, by and between the Borrower, on the one hand, and the purchasers named therein, on the other hand, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Prudential Senior Secured Notes means, collectively, the 2010 Prudential Senior Secured Notes and the 2011 Prudential Senior Secured Notes.
Purchase Price means the total consideration and other amounts payable in connection with any Acquisition, including, without limitation, any portion of the consideration payable in cash, all Indebtedness, liabilities and contingent obligations incurred or assumed in connection with such Acquisition and all transaction costs and expenses incurred in connection with such Acquisition.
Ratable Share means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding at such time as a percentage of the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding at such time plus (y) the aggregate principal amount outstanding in respect of the Prudential Senior Secured Notes.
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Rate Management Obligations of a Person means any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i) any and all Rate Management Transactions, and (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Rate Management Transactions.
Rate Management Transaction means any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary which is a rate swap, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, forward transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or any combination thereof, whether linked to one or more interest rates, foreign currencies, commodity prices, equity prices or other financial measures; provided that any Permitted Indebtedness Hedge shall not be a Rate Management Transaction so long as such Permitted Indebtedness Hedge relates to capital stock of Borrower.
Recipient means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) the Issuing Bank, as applicable.
Receivable of any Person shall mean a right of such Person to the payment of money arising out of a consumer transaction, and which right was acquired by such Person with a group of similar rights.
Receivables Portfolio of any Person means any group of Receivables acquired by such Person as part of a single transaction.
Regulation D means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor thereto or other regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to reserve requirements applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve System.
Regulation U means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor or other regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to the extension of credit by banks, non-banks and non-broker lenders for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stocks applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve System.
Regulation X means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor or other regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to the extension of credit by foreign lenders for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (as defined therein).
Related Parties shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Persons Affiliates and the respective managers, administrators, trustees, partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors or other representatives of such Person and such Persons Affiliates.
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Rentals of a Person means the aggregate rent expense incurred by such Person under any Operating Lease.
Reportable Event means a reportable event as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued under such section, with respect to a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, excluding, however, such events as to which the PBGC has by regulation waived the requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified within 30 days of the occurrence of such event, provided, however, that a failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code and of Section 302 of ERISA shall be a Reportable Event regardless of the issuance of any such waiver of the notice requirement in accordance with either Section 4043(a) of ERISA or variance from the minimum funding standard allowed under Section 412(c) of the Code.
Reports is defined in Section 10.3(a).
Required Lenders shall mean, at any time, Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Revolving Commitments and Term Loans at such time or if the Lenders have no Commitments outstanding, then Lenders holding more than 50% of the Revolving Credit Exposure and Term Loans; provided, however, that to the extent that any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender and all of its unused Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure and outstanding Term Loans shall be excluded for purposes of determining Required Lenders.
Responsible Officer shall mean any of the president, the chief executive officer, the chief operating officer, the chief financial officer, the treasurer, the assistant treasurer or a vice president of the Borrower or such other representative of the Borrower as may be designated in writing by any one of the foregoing with the consent of the Administrative Agent; provided, that, with respect to the financial covenants and Compliance Certificate, Responsible Officer shall mean only the chief financial officer or the treasurer of the Borrower.
Restricted Payment means (i) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any equity interests of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in the Borrowers capital stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase such capital stock, (ii) any redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any equity interests of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding, other than in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower) of other equity interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Stock) and (iii) any redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, prepayment or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any Indebtedness prior to the stated maturity thereof, other than the Obligations, the Prudential Note Obligations and the Equipment Financing Transactions.
Restricted Subsidiary shall mean any Subsidiary that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unless explicitly set forth to the contrary, a reference to a Restricted Subsidiary means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower.
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Revolving Commitment shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower and to participate in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the amount set forth with respect to such Lender on Schedule II-A, as such schedule may be amended pursuant to Section 2.24(a), and shall include an Extended Revolving Commitment of such Lender, as the context may require, or in the case of a Person becoming a Lender after the Closing Date through an assignment of an existing Revolving Commitment, the amount of the assigned Revolving Commitment as provided in the Assignment and Acceptance executed by such Person as an assignee, as the same may be increased or decreased pursuant to terms hereof.
Revolving Commitment Termination Date shall mean the earliest of (i) November 3, 2017, (ii) the date on which the Revolving Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section 2.9 and (iii) the date on which all amounts outstanding under this Agreement have been declared or have automatically become due and payable (whether by acceleration or otherwise); provided, that, with respect to any Extended Revolving Commitment (and the Extended Revolving Loans made pursuant thereto), the termination date set forth in the Extension Offer with respect thereto.
Revolving Credit Exposure shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lenders Revolving Loans, LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure.
Revolving Credit Note shall mean a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of a requesting Lender in the principal amount of such Lenders Revolving Commitment, in substantially the form of Exhibit C.
Revolving Facility shall mean the extensions of credit made hereunder by Lenders holding a Revolving Commitment.
Revolving Loan shall mean a loan made by a Lender (other than the Swingline Lender) to the Borrower under its Revolving Commitment, which may either be a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.
S&P shall mean Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.
Sale and Leaseback Transaction means any sale or other transfer of Property by any Person with the intent to lease such Property as lessee.
Secured Obligations means, collectively, (i) the Obligations, (ii) all Rate Management Obligations owing in connection with Rate Management Transactions to any Lender or any affiliate of any Lender, (iii) all Banking Services Obligations owing to any Lender or any affiliate of any Lender and (iv) the Prudential Note Obligations; provided, that Secured Obligations shall not include any Excluded Swap Obligations.
Secured Parties means the Holders of Obligations and the Holders of Prudential Note Obligations, if any.
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Single Employer Plan means a Plan maintained by the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group.
Subordinated Indebtedness of a Person means any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness arising from intercompany loans and advances) of such Person the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the Secured Obligations.
Subordinated Indebtedness Documents means any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Subordinated Indebtedness or entered into in connection with any Subordinated Indebtedness.
Subsidiary of a Person means (i) any corporation more than 50% of the outstanding securities having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or similar business organization more than 50% of the ownership interests having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time be so owned or controlled. Unless otherwise expressly provided, all references herein to a Subsidiary shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower.
Subsidiary Redesignation shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary below.
Substantial Portion means, with respect to the Property of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, Property which represents more than 5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets or Property which is responsible for more than 5% of the consolidated net revenues of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, as would be shown in the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as at the beginning of the twelve-month period ending with the month in which such determination is made (or if financial statements have not been delivered hereunder for that month which begins the twelve-month period, then the financial statements delivered hereunder for the quarter ending immediately prior to that month).
Supermajority Lenders means Lenders in the aggregate having at least 66 2/3% of the sum of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment (or, if all of the Revolving Commitments are terminated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure at such time).
Swap Obligation means, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a swap within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Swingline Commitment shall mean the commitment of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to $0.
Swingline Exposure shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the principal amount of the Swingline Loans in which such Lender is legally obligated either to make a Base Rate Loan or to purchase a participation in accordance with Section 2.4, which shall equal such Lenders Pro Rata Share of all outstanding Swingline Loans.
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Swingline Lender shall mean SunTrust Bank.
Swingline Loan shall mean a loan made to the Borrower by the Swingline Lender under the Swingline Commitment.
Swingline Note shall mean the promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of the Swingline Lender in the principal amount of the Swingline Commitment, in substantially the form of Exhibit D.
Taxes shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges, assessments or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Term Loan Facility shall mean the extensions of credit made hereunder by Lenders holding a Term Loan Commitment.
Term Loan shall mean (i) individually, Term Loan A or Term Loan A-1 and (ii) collectively, Term Loan A and Term Loan A-1, and shall include Extended Term Loans, as the context may require.
Term Loan A shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
Term Loan A-1 shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
Term Loan A Maturity Date shall mean, the earlier of (i) November 3, 2017 or (ii) the date on which the principal amount of all outstanding Term Loans have been declared or automatically have become due and payable (whether by acceleration or otherwise); provided, that, with respect to any Extended Term Loans, the maturity date set forth in the Extension Offer with respect thereto.
Term Loan A-1 Maturity Date shall mean, the earlier of (i) November 4, 2015 or (ii) the date on which the principal amount of all outstanding Term Loans have been declared or automatically have become due and payable (whether by acceleration or otherwise); provided, that, with respect to any Extended Term Loans, the maturity date set forth in the Extension Offer with respect thereto.
Term Loan Commitment shall mean (i) individually, the Term Loan A Commitment or the Term Loan A-1 Commitment and (ii) collectively, the Term Loan A Commitment and the Term Loan a-1 Commitment.
Term Loan A Commitment shall mean, with respect to a Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make a Term Loan A hereunder on the Closing Date in a principal amount not exceeding the amount set forth with respect to such Lender on Schedule II-A. As of the Closing Date, the aggregate principal amount of all Lenders Term Loan A Commitments is $100,000,000.
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Term Loan A-1 Commitment shall mean, with respect to a Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make a Term Loan A-1 hereunder on the Closing Date in a principal amount not exceeding the amount set forth with respect to such Lender on Schedule II-B. As of the Closing Date, the aggregate principal amount of all Lenders Term Loan A-1 Commitments is $50,000,000.
Term Note A shall mean a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of a requesting Lender in the principal amount of such Lenders Term Loan A Commitment, in substantially the form of Exhibit E-1.
Term Note A-1 shall mean a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of a requesting Lender in the principal amount of such Lenders Term Loan A-1 Commitment, in substantially the form of Exhibit E-2.
Type, when used in reference to a Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Base Rate.
U.S. Person means any Person that is a United States Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate has the meaning assigned to such term in paragraph (f) of Section 2.20.
Unfunded Liabilities means the amount (if any) by which the present value of all vested and unvested accrued benefits under each Single Employer Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA exceeds the fair market value of all such Plans assets allocable to such benefits, all determined as of the then most recent valuation date for such Plan for which a valuation report is available, using actuarial assumptions for funding purposes as set forth in such report.
Unrestricted Subsidiary shall mean (a) any Subsidiary designated by the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary hereunder by written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided that the Borrower shall only be permitted to so designate a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if each of the following conditions are satisfied: (i) immediately before and after giving effect to such designation, (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall exist and (y) the Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with each of the covenants set forth in ARTICLE VI as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b), as applicable, together with the consolidating financial statements relating thereto required under Section 5.1(d) (after giving effect to such designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary), (ii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if, after giving effect to such designation, it (or any of its Subsidiaries) (x) would be a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of the Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement, any Incremental Facility or any other Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to which a Subsidiary may be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or (y) would be a co-borrower or guarantor (or provide security or any other form of credit enhancement) for the purpose of the Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement, any Incremental Facility or any other
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Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) the designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Borrower therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the greater of (I) the portion (proportionate to the Borrowers direct or indirect equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary (and any Subsidiaries thereof) and (II) the Fair Market Value of the Borrowers direct or indirect equity interest in such Subsidiary, in each case, at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary and the Borrower shall be permitted to make such Investment under Section 7.4(k), (iv) neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall at any time be directly, indirectly or contingently liable for any Indebtedness or other liability of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, except to the extent the same would constitute a permitted Investment under Section 7.4(k), (v) any Subsidiary to be so designated does not (directly, or indirectly through its own Subsidiaries or otherwise) own any capital stock of, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, (vi) such designation shall have occurred after the Amendment Effective Date (and, for the avoidance of doubt, each of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower shall initially be Restricted Subsidiaries, regardless of whether it is existing as of the Amendment Effective Date or is thereafter formed or acquired, and shall remain a Restricted Subsidiary until designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with this definition) and (vii) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officers certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, certifying compliance with each of the requirements of the preceding clauses (i) through (vi) and (b) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Borrower may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement (each, a Subsidiary Redesignation); provided that (A) immediately before and after such Subsidiary Redesignation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall exist, (B) the designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of such designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time, (C) the Borrower shall be in pro forma compliance with each of the covenants set forth in ARTICLE VI as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b), as applicable, together with the consolidating financial statements relating thereto required under Section 5.1(d) (after giving effect to such Subsidiary Redesignation), (D) all representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the date of such Subsidiary Redesignation (both before and after giving effect thereto), unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (E) such Subsidiary Redesignation shall constitute a return on any Investment by the Borrower in Unrestricted Subsidiaries that are subject to such Subsidiary Redesignation in an amount equal to the greater of (i) the portion (proportionate to the Borrowers direct or indirect equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary (and any Subsidiaries thereof) and (ii) the Fair Market Value of the Borrowers direct or indirect equity interest in such Subsidiary, in each case, at the date of such Subsidiary Redesignation of the Borrowers or its Subsidiarys (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary), (F) the Borrower shall cause the Subsidiary that is the subject of such Subsidiary Redesignation to comply with, to the extent applicable, Section 5.10 and Section 5.11 and (G) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officers certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the
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Borrower, certifying compliance with the requirements of the preceding clauses (A) through (E); provided, further, that no Unrestricted Subsidiary that has been designated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Subsidiary Redesignation may again be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. For the avoidance of doubt, the results of operations, cash flows, assets and indebtedness or other liabilities of Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be taken into account or consolidated with the accounts of any Loan Party or Restricted Subsidiary for any purpose under this Agreement (other than for the financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 5.1(a) and (b)) or the other Loan Documents, including for the purposes of determining any financial calculation contained in this Agreement.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (a) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary means (i) any Restricted Subsidiary all of the outstanding voting securities of which shall at the time be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower or one or more wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower, or by the Borrower and one or more wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower, or (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or similar business organization 100% of the ownership interests having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time be so owned or controlled by a Person referred to in clause (i) above.
Withholding Agent means the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
Section 1.2. Classifications of Loans and Borrowings.
For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g. a Revolving Loan, Term Loan A or Term Loan A-1) or by Type (e.g. a Eurodollar Loan or Base Rate Loan) or by Class and Type (e.g. Revolving Eurodollar Loan). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g. Revolving Borrowing) or by Type (e.g. Eurodollar Borrowing) or by Class and Type (e.g. Revolving Eurodollar Borrowing).
Section 1.3. Accounting Terms and Determination.
If any changes in generally accepted accounting principles are hereafter required or permitted and are adopted by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with the agreement of its independent certified public accountants and such changes result in a change in the method of calculation of any of the financial covenants, tests, restrictions or standards herein or in the related definitions or terms used therein (Accounting Changes), the parties hereto agree, at the Borrowers request or the Administrative Agents request, to enter into negotiations, in good faith, in order to amend such provisions in a credit neutral manner so as to reflect equitably such changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrowers and
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its Restricted Subsidiaries financial condition shall be the same after such changes as if such changes had not been made; provided, however, until such provisions are amended in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, no Accounting Change shall be given effect in such calculations. The parties hereto agree that any such amendment entered into as a result of a change in the accounting principles relating to the treatment of operating leases, including the capitalization thereof, would be effected at no cost to the Borrower (other than the reasonable attorneys fees of the Administrative Agent). In the event such amendment is entered into, all references in this Agreement to Agreement Accounting Principles shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as of the date of such amendment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all financial statements to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.1 shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in effect at such time. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (previously referred to as Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159) (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at fair value, as defined therein.
Section 1.4. Terms Generally.
The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word from means from and including and the word to means to but excluding. Unless the context requires otherwise (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as it was originally executed or as it may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and permitted assigns (including, without limitation, a debtor in possession on its behalf), (iii) the words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of similar import shall be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement; (v) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and (vi) the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. To the extent that any of the representations and warranties contained in ARTICLE IV under this Agreement is qualified by Material Adverse Effect, then the qualifier in all material respects contained in Section 3.2(b) and the qualifier in any material respect contained in Section 8.1(b) shall not apply. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to time are references to Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Savings Time, as the case may be.
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Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all references to dollar amounts shall mean Dollars. In determining whether any individual event, act, condition or occurrence of the foregoing types could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, notwithstanding that a particular event, act, condition or occurrence does not itself have such effect, a Material Adverse Effect shall be deemed to have occurred if the cumulative effect of such event, act, condition or occurrence and all other such events, acts, conditions or occurrences of the foregoing types which have occurred could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE II
AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE COMMITMENTS
Section 2.1. General Description of Facilities.
Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, (i) the Lenders hereby establish in favor of the Borrower a revolving credit facility pursuant to which each Lender severally agrees (to the extent of such Lenders Revolving Commitment) to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.2, (ii) the Issuing Bank agrees to issue Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 2.22, (iii) the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans in accordance with Section 2.4, (iv) each Lender agrees to purchase a participation interest in the Letters of Credit and the Swingline Loans pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof; provided, that in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and outstanding LC Exposure exceed at any time the Aggregate Revolving Commitment from time to time in effect; and (v) each Lender severally agrees to make a Term Loan to the Borrower in a principal amount not exceeding such Lenders Term Loan Commitment on the Closing Date.
Section 2.2. Revolving Loans.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally (and not jointly) agrees to make Revolving Loans, ratably in proportion to its Pro Rata Share, to the Borrower, from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time that will not result in (a) such Lenders Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lenders Revolving Commitment or (b) the sum of the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders exceeding the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base, in each case, then in effect. During the Availability Period, the Borrower shall be entitled to borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; provided, that the Borrower may not borrow or reborrow should there exist a Default or Event of Default.
Section 2.3. Procedure for Revolving Borrowings.
The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Revolving Borrowing substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.3 (a Notice of Revolving Borrowing) (x) prior to 2:00 p.m. one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of each Base Rate Borrowing and (y) prior to 2:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of each Eurodollar Borrowing. Each Notice of
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Revolving Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify: (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Borrowing, (ii) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the Type of such Revolving Loan comprising such Borrowing and (iv) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the duration of the initial Interest Period applicable thereto (subject to the provisions of the definition of Interest Period). Each Revolving Borrowing shall consist entirely of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, as the Borrower may request. The aggregate principal amount of each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be not less than $250,000 or a larger multiple of $50,000, and the aggregate principal amount of each Base Rate Borrowing shall not be less than $250,000 or a larger multiple of $50,000; provided, that Base Rate Loans made pursuant to Section 2.4 or Section 2.22(d) may be made in lesser amounts as provided therein. At no time shall the total number of Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding at any time exceed 20. Promptly following the receipt of a Notice of Revolving Borrowing in accordance herewith, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and the amount of such Lenders Revolving Loan to be made as part of the requested Revolving Borrowing.
Section 2.4. Swingline Commitment.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrower, from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time not to exceed the lesser of (i) the Swingline Commitment then in effect and (ii) the difference between (x) the lesser of (1) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (2) the Borrowing Base in effect at such time minus (y) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders; provided, that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. The Borrower shall be entitled to borrow, repay and reborrow Swingline Loans in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
(b) The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Swingline Borrowing substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.4 attached hereto (Notice of Swingline Borrowing) prior to 10:00 a.m. on the requested date of each Swingline Borrowing. Each Notice of Swingline Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify: (i) the principal amount of such Swingline Loan, (ii) the date of such Swingline Loan (which shall be a Business Day) and (iii) the account of the Borrower to which the proceeds of such Swingline Loan should be credited. The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of each Notice of Swingline Borrowing. Each Swingline Loan shall accrue interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin. The aggregate principal amount of each Swingline Loan shall be not less than $100,000 or a larger multiple of $50,000, or such other minimum amounts agreed to by the Swingline Lender and the Borrower. The Swingline Lender will make the proceeds of each Swingline Loan available to the Borrower in Dollars in immediately available funds at the account specified by the Borrower in the applicable Notice of Swingline Borrowing not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.
(c) The Swingline Lender, at any time and from time to time in its sole discretion, may, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Swingline Lender to act on its behalf), and shall, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Swingline Lender to act on its behalf) on the fifth (5th)
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Business Day following each Swingline Borrowing give a Notice of Revolving Borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender) to make Base Rate Loans in an amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of any Swingline Loan. Each Lender will make the proceeds of its Base Rate Loan included in such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender in accordance with Section 2.7, which will be used solely for the repayment of such Swingline Loan.
(d) If for any reason a Base Rate Borrowing may not be (as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), or is not, made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, then each Lender (other than the Swingline Lender) shall purchase an undivided participating interest in such Swingline Loan in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share thereof on the date that such Base Rate Borrowing should have occurred. On the date of such required purchase, each Lender shall promptly transfer, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participating interest to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender.
(e) Each Lenders obligation to make a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.4(c) or to purchase the participating interests pursuant to Section 2.4(d) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including without limitation (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender or any other Person may have or claim against the Swingline Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default or the termination of any Lenders Revolving Commitment, (iii) the existence (or alleged existence) of any event or condition which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. If such amount is not in fact made available to the Swingline Lender by any Lender, the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender, together with accrued interest thereon for each day from the date of demand thereof (i) at the Federal Funds Rate until the second Business Day after such demand and (ii) at the Base Rate at all times thereafter. Until such time as such Lender makes its required payment, the Swingline Lender shall be deemed to continue to have outstanding Swingline Loans in the amount of the unpaid participation for all purposes of the Loan Documents. In addition, such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments made of principal and interest on its Loans and any other amounts due to it hereunder, to the Swingline Lender to fund the amount of such Lenders participation interest in such Swingline Loans that such Lender failed to fund pursuant to this Section 2.4, until such amount has been purchased in full.
(f) If the Revolving Commitment Termination Date shall have occurred in respect of any tranche of Revolving Commitments at a time when another tranche of Revolving Commitments is in effect with a longer Revolving Commitment Termination Date as a result of an Extension, then on the earlier occurring Revolving Commitment Termination Date all then outstanding Swingline Loans shall be repaid in full on such date.
Section 2.5. Term Loan Commitments.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make (or be deemed to make) on the Closing Date (i) a single term loan to the Borrower (the
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Term Loan A) in a principal amount equal to the Term Loan A Commitment of such Lender and (ii) subject to Section 2.24(e), a single term loan to the Borrower (the Term Loan A-1) in a principal amount equal to the Term Loan A-1 Commitment of such Lender; provided, that if for any reason the full amount of any such Lenders Term Loan Commitment is not fully drawn on the Closing Date, the undrawn portion thereof shall automatically be cancelled. The Term Loans may be, from time to time, Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans or a combination thereof; provided, that on the Closing Date all Term Loans shall be Base Rate Loans. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Borrower and the satisfaction of all conditions precedent pursuant to Section 3.1 shall be deemed to constitute the Borrowers request to borrow the Term Loans on the Closing Date.
Section 2.6. Funding of Borrowings.
(a) Each Lender will make available each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer in immediately available funds by 11:00 a.m. to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office; provided, that the Swingline Loans will be made as set forth in Section 2.4. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts that it receives, in like funds by the close of business on such proposed date, to an account maintained by the Borrower with the Administrative Agent or at the Borrowers option, by effecting a wire transfer of such amounts to an account designated by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.
(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to 5:00 p.m. one (1) Business Day prior to the date of a Borrowing in which such Lender is to participate that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such date, and the Administrative Agent, in reliance on such assumption, may make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender on the date of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest at the Federal Funds Rate until the second Business Day after such demand and thereafter at the Base Rate. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agents demand therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent together with interest at the rate specified for such Borrowing. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Borrowing hereunder or to prejudice any rights which the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.
(c) All Revolving Borrowings shall be made by the Lenders on the basis of their respective Pro Rata Shares. No Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in its obligations hereunder, and each Lender shall be obligated to make its Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to make its Loans hereunder.
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Section 2.7. Interest Elections.
(a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing, and in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Notice of Borrowing. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing into a different Type or to continue such Borrowing, and in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.7. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall NOT apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.
(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.7, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.7 attached hereto (a Notice of Conversion/Continuation) that is to be converted or continued, as the case may be, (x) prior to 10:00 a.m. one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of a conversion into a Base Rate Borrowing and (y) prior to 11:00 a.m. three (3) Business Days prior to a continuation of or conversion into a Eurodollar Borrowing. Each such Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the Borrowing to which such Notice of Conversion/Continuation applies and if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof that are to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing); (ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Notice of Conversion/Continuation, which shall be a Business Day, (iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be a Base Rate Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and (iv) if the resulting Borrowing is to be a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of Interest Period. If any such Notice of Conversion/Continuation requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one (1) month. The principal amount of any resulting Borrowing shall satisfy the minimum borrowing amount for Eurodollar Borrowings and Base Rate Borrowings set forth in Section 2.3.
(c) If, on the expiration of any Interest Period in respect of any Eurodollar Borrowing, the Borrower shall have failed to deliver a Notice of Conversion/ Continuation, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Borrowing to a Base Rate Borrowing. No Borrowing may be converted into, or continued as, a Eurodollar Borrowing if a Default or an Event of Default exists, unless the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall have otherwise consented in writing. No conversion of any Eurodollar Loans shall be permitted except on the last day of the Interest Period in respect thereof.
(d) Upon receipt of any Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lenders portion of each resulting Borrowing.
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Section 2.8. Optional Reduction and Termination of Commitments.
(a) Unless previously terminated, all Revolving Commitments, Swingline Commitments and LC Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date. The Term Loan Commitments shall terminate on the Closing Date upon the making of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.6.
(b) Upon at least three (3) Business Days prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be irrevocable; provided that any notice of prepayment delivered by the Borrower under this Section 2.8 may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other transactions, in which case such notice may be revoked or delayed by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied), the Borrower may reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in part or terminate the Aggregate Revolving Commitments in whole; provided, that (i) any partial reduction shall apply to reduce proportionately and permanently the Revolving Commitment of each Lender, (ii) any partial reduction pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall be in an amount of at least $5,000,000 and any larger multiple of $1,000,000, and (iii) no such reduction shall be permitted which would reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitment to an amount less than the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure. Any such reduction in the Aggregate Revolving Commitment below the principal amount of the Swingline Commitment or the LC Commitment shall result in a dollar-for-dollar reduction (rounded to the next lowest integral multiple of $100,000) in the Swingline Commitment and the LC Commitment. Any reduction or termination of Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section shall not be subject to reinstatement (other than increases pursuant to Section 2.24(a). The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders upon receipt of any written request by the Borrower to reduce or terminate the Aggregate Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section.
(c) The Borrower may terminate the unused amount of the Revolving Commitment of any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender upon not less than five (5) Business Days prior notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders thereof), and in such event the provisions of Section 2.23(a)(ii) will apply to all amounts thereafter paid by the Borrower for the account of such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement (whether on account of principal, interest, fees, indemnity or other amounts); provided that (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (ii) such termination shall not be deemed to be a waiver or release of any claim the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Bank or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender.
Section 2.9. Repayment of Loans.
(a) The outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Loans shall be due and payable (together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon) on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
(b) The principal amount of each Swingline Borrowing shall be due and payable (together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon) on the earlier of (i) the fifth Business Day following each Swingline Borrowing and (ii) the Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
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(c) The Borrower unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender, based on each Lenders Pro Rata Share, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans in consecutive quarterly installments on the last Business Day of each of March, June, September and December commencing on December 31, 2012 in the principal amount equal to the aggregate Term Loans outstanding immediately after closing on the Closing Date (subject to Section 2.24(e); it being understood that if any portion of the Term Loan A-1 if funded after the Closing Date, such portion of the Term Loan A-1 funded after the Closing Date shall nonetheless be included for purposes of determining the amortization payment schedule under this clause (c)) multiplied by (i) 1.25%, for the first eight (8) such quarterly installments, (ii) 1.875%, for the next four (4) quarterly installments thereafter and (iii) 2.5%, for the next eight (8) quarterly installments thereafter; provided, that, to the extent not previously paid, the aggregate unpaid principal balance of (x) the Term Loan A-1 shall be due and payable on the Term Loan A-1 Maturity Date and (y) the Term Loan A shall be due and payable on the Term Loan A Maturity Date; provided, further, in the event the entire outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan A-1 is repaid on the Term Loan A-1 Maturity Date, the principal payments required to be made under clause (iii) immediately above will be multiplied by the aggregate Term Loan A outstanding immediately after closing on the Closing Date rather than the aggregate Term Loans.
(d) Not later than six (6) months prior to the initial Term Loan A-1 Maturity Date, any Lender holding all or any portion of Term Loan A-1 shall provide written notice to the Borrower of its election whether or not to extend the Term Loan A-1 Maturity Date in accordance with Section 2.25 for a period of two (2) years (it being agreed that any Extension with respect to Term Loan A-1 shall be for a minimum of two (2) years).
Section 2.10. Evidence of Indebtedness.
(a) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice appropriate records 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 thereon and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall maintain appropriate records in which shall be recorded (i) the Revolving Commitment and Term Loan Commitment of each Lender, (ii) the amount of each Loan made hereunder by each Lender, the Class and Type thereof and, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (iii) the date of each continuation thereof pursuant to Section 2.8, (iv) the date of each conversion of all or a portion thereof to another Type pursuant to Section 2.8, (v) the date and amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder in respect of such Loans and (vi) both the date and amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower in respect of the Loans and each Lenders Pro Rata Share thereof. The entries made in such records shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, that the failure or delay of any Lender or the Administrative Agent in maintaining or making entries into any such record or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans (both principal and unpaid accrued interest) of such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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(b) At the request of any Lender at any time, the Borrower agrees that it will execute and deliver to such Lender a Revolving Credit Note, a Term Note A, a Term Note A-1 and/or a Swingline Note, payable to the order of such Lender.
Section 2.11. Optional Prepayments.
The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, by giving irrevocable written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent no later than (i) in the case of prepayment of any Eurodollar Borrowing, 11:00 a.m. not less than three (3) Business Days prior to any such prepayment, (ii) in the case of any prepayment of any Base Rate Borrowing, not less than one Business Day prior to the date of such prepayment, and (iii) in the case of Swingline Borrowings, prior to 11:00 a.m. on the date of such prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the proposed date of such prepayment and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender of the contents thereof and of such Lenders Pro Rata Share of any such prepayment. If such notice is given, the aggregate amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date designated in such notice, together with accrued interest to such date on the amount so prepaid in accordance with Section 2.14(e); provided, that if a Eurodollar Borrowing is prepaid on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also pay all amounts required pursuant to Section 2.19. Each partial prepayment of any Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Revolving Borrowing of the same Type pursuant to Section 2.2 or in the case of a Swingline Loan pursuant to Section 2.4. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans comprising such Borrowing; provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any prepayment of any Term Loan pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be made on a pro rata basis to each of Term Loan A and Term Loan A-1 (with the application of such prepayment to be, as to each of Term Loan A and Term Loan A-1, to principal installments thereof in inverse order of maturity).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any notice of prepayment delivered by the Borrower under this Section 2.11 may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other transactions, in which case such notice may be revoked or delayed by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.
Section 2.12. Mandatory Prepayments.
(a) Within 10 Business Days after the consummation of any sale or other disposition of Property (including the sale or other disposition of Receivables) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary if the aggregate fair market value of the consideration received by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries for such sale or other disposition, together with the aggregate fair market value of the consideration received by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries for all other such sales or other dispositions consummated during the period of twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the consummation of such sale or other disposition, exceeds $25,000,000, the Borrower shall deliver an Officers Certificate to the
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Administrative Agent and the Lenders (notifying the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereof and certifying the amount of Net Cash Proceeds received from such sales or other dispositions during such period). Unless within 5 Business Days after receipt of such Officers Certificate the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Required Lenders, shall have notified the Borrower of the Required Lenders election to forego prepayment, then on the date that is 7 Business Days after the date on which the Borrower shall have delivered such Officers Certificate to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Borrower shall make a prepayment of the Loans in an amount equal to the Ratable Share of the amount of Net Cash Proceeds certified in such Officers Certificate (or such lesser principal amount as shall then be outstanding), at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) up to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of such sales or other dispositions with respect to which the Borrower shall have given the Administrative Agent written notice (set forth in the applicable Officers Certificate delivered pursuant to the first sentence of this clause (a)) of its intention to repair or replace the Property subject to any such sale or other disposition or invest such Net Cash Proceeds in the purchase of Property (other than securities, unless those securities represent equity interests in an entity that becomes a Guarantor or an Unrestricted Subsidiary permitted hereunder (and provided that if such Guarantor or Unrestricted Subsidiary is a newly formed Person, such Person shall promptly use the portion of the Net Cash Proceeds received by it for the sale of its equity interests in order to purchase Property to be used by it in its business)) to be used by one or more of the Borrower or the Guarantors in their businesses (such repair, replacement or investment referred to as a Reinvestment) within six (6) months following such sale or other disposition, shall not be subject to the provisions of the first two sentences of this clause (a) unless and to the extent that such applicable period shall have expired without such repair, replacement or investment having been made, and (ii) only the Net Cash Proceeds from sales or other dispositions of Property (including the sale or other disposition of Receivables) with a fair market value of the consideration received therefor in excess of $25,000,000 (above and beyond the fair market value of the consideration of the dispositions of the Property with respect to which the Net Cash Proceeds shall have been subject to Reinvestment) shall be subject to the provisions of the first two sentences of this clause (a).
(b) Any prepayments made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.12(a) above shall be applied by the Administrative Agent as follows: first to repay Term Loans on a pro rata basis as to each of Term Loan A, Term Loan A-1 and, unless otherwise provided in the Incremental Facility Amendment applicable to the related Incremental Term Loan, each Incremental Term Loan (with the application of such prepayment to be, as to each of Term Loan A, Term Loan A-1 and Incremental Term Loan, to the remaining scheduled principal installments owing in respect of such Term Loan under Section 2.9(c) (or, in the case of Incremental Term Loans, as set forth in the Incremental Facility Amendment applicable to the related Incremental Term Loan) on a pro rata basis (including the final installment due and payable on each such Term Loan)), second, to repay outstanding Swingline Loans and third to repay outstanding Revolving Loans. All prepayments in respect of Revolving Loans required under clause (b) shall be accompanied by a concurrent, automatic, irrevocable reduction and partial termination of the Revolving Commitments in an amount equal to such required prepayment, with such reduction and partial termination allocated ratably among the Lenders in proportion to their respective Pro Rata Share.
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(c) If at any time the Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders exceeds the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base, in each case, then in effect, the Borrower shall immediately repay Revolving Loans in an amount equal to such excess (or, if such excess exceeds $10,000,000, the Ratable Share of such excess), together with all accrued and unpaid interest on such excess amount and any amounts due under Section 2.20. Each prepayment shall be applied first to the Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof, and next to Eurodollar Loans to the full extent thereof. If such excess (or if the excess is greater than $10,000,000, the Ratable Share of such excess) is greater than the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans, the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize its reimbursement obligations with respect to the Letters of Credit by depositing cash collateral in an amount equal to such excess (or, if the excess is greater than $10,000,000, the Ratable Share of the remaining excess) plus any accrued and unpaid fees thereon into a special collateral account pursuant to arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (the LC Collateral Account) at the Payment Office, in the name of the Borrower but under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders and in which the Borrower shall have no interest other than as set forth in Section 8.2. The Borrower hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of and for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, a Lien in all of the Borrowers right, title and interest in and to all funds which may from time to time be on deposit in the LC Collateral Account to secure the prompt and complete payment and performance of the Obligations. The Administrative Agent will invest any funds on deposit from time to time in the LC Collateral Account in certificates of deposit of SunTrust Bank having a maturity not exceeding 30 days. The LC Collateral Account shall be administered in accordance with Section 2.22(g) hereof. If, after the date that the Borrower Cash Collateralizes its reimbursement obligations pursuant to this Section, (x) the Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders is less than the lesser of the (i) Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base, in each case, then in effect, for a period of at least ten (10) consecutive Business Days, and (y) no Default or Event of Default then exists, the funds in the LC Collateral Account shall be released by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower.
Section 2.13. Interest on Loans.
(a) The Borrower shall pay interest on each Base Rate Loan at the Base Rate in effect from time to time and on each Eurodollar Loan at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the applicable Interest Period in effect for such Loan, plus, in each case, the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time.
(b) The Borrower shall pay interest on each Swingline Loan at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time.
(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, at the option of the Required Lenders, and after acceleration (in which case, such increase shall be automatic), the Borrower shall pay interest (Default Interest) with respect to all Eurodollar Loans at the rate per annum equal to 2.0% above the otherwise applicable interest rate for such Eurodollar Loans for the then-current Interest Period until the last day of such Interest Period, and thereafter, and with respect to all Base Rate Loans and all other Obligations hereunder (other than Loans), at the rate per annum equal to 2.0% above the otherwise applicable interest rate for Base Rate Loans.
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(d) Interest on the principal amount of all Loans shall accrue from and including the date such Loans are made to but excluding the date of any repayment thereof. Interest on all outstanding Base Rate Loans shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date, the Term Loan A Maturity Date or the Term Loan A-1 Maturity Date, as the case may be. Interest on all outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be payable on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto, and, in the case of any Eurodollar Loans having an Interest Period in excess of three months or 90 days, respectively, on each day which occurs every three months or 90 days, as the case may be, after the initial date of such Interest Period, and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date the Term Loan A Maturity Date or the Term Loan A-1 Maturity Date, as the case may be. Interest on each Swingline Loan shall be payable on the maturity date of such Loan, which shall be the fifth Business Day following such Swingline Borrowing, and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date. Interest on any Loan which is converted into a Loan of another Type or which is repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such conversion or on the date of any such repayment or prepayment (on the amount repaid or prepaid) thereof. All Default Interest shall be payable on demand.
(e) The Administrative Agent shall determine each interest rate applicable to the Loans hereunder and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of such rate in writing (or by telephone, promptly confirmed in writing). Any such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
Section 2.14. Fees.
(a) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account fees in the amounts and at the times previously agreed upon in writing by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
(b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Percentage per annum (determined daily in accordance with Schedule I-A) on the daily amount of the unused Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the Availability Period. For purposes of computing commitment fees with respect to the Revolving Commitments, the Revolving Commitment of each Lender shall be deemed used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure, but not Swingline Exposure, of such Lender.
(c) The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, a letter of credit fee with respect to its participation in each Letter of Credit, which shall accrue at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans then in effect on the average daily amount of such Lenders LC Exposure attributable to such Letter of Credit during the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to but excluding the date on which such Letter of Credit expires or is drawn in full (including without limitation any LC Exposure that remains outstanding after the Revolving Commitment Termination Date) and (ii) to the Issuing Bank for its own account a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the Availability Period (or until the date that such Letter of Credit is irrevocably cancelled,
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whichever is later), as well as the Issuing Banks standard fees with respect to issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Required Lenders elect to increase the interest rate on the Loans to the Default Interest pursuant to Section 2.13(c), the rate per annum used to calculate the letter of credit fee pursuant to clause (i) above shall automatically be increased by an additional 2% per annum.
(d) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of each Lender, the upfront fee previously agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, if any, which shall be due and payable on the Closing Date.
(e) Accrued fees under paragraphs (b) and (c) above shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on December 31, 2012 and on the Revolving Commitment Termination Date (and if later, the date the Loans and LC Exposure shall be repaid in their entirety); provided further, that any such fees accruing after the Revolving Commitment Termination Date shall be payable on demand.
Section 2.15. Computation of Interest and Fees.
Interest hereunder based on the Administrative Agents prime lending rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year) and paid for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). All other computations of interest and fees hereunder shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest or fees are payable (to the extent computed on the basis of days elapsed). Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest amount or fee hereunder shall be made in good faith and, except for manifest error, shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.
Section 2.16. Inability to Determine Interest Rates.
If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing,
(i) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant interbank market, adequate means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR for such Interest Period, or
(ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making, funding or maintaining their (or its, as the case may be) Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period,
the Administrative Agent shall give written notice (or telephonic notice, promptly confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and to the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. Until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) the obligations of the Lenders to make Eurodollar
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Revolving Loans or to continue or convert outstanding Loans as or into Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended and (ii) all such affected Loans shall be converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto unless the Borrower prepays such Loans in accordance with this Agreement. Unless the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day before the date of any Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing for which a Notice of Revolving Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation has previously been given that it elects not to borrow on such date, then such Revolving Borrowing shall be made as a Base Rate Borrowing.
Section 2.17. Illegality.
If any Change in Law shall make it unlawful or impossible for any Lender to make, maintain or fund any Eurodollar Loan and such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Borrower and the other Lenders, whereupon until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, the obligation of such Lender to make Eurodollar Revolving Loans, or to continue or convert outstanding Loans as or into Eurodollar Loans, shall be suspended. In the case of the making of a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, such Lenders Revolving Loan shall be made as a Base Rate Loan as part of the same Revolving Borrowing for the same Interest Period and if the affected Eurodollar Loan is then outstanding, such Loan shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan either (i) on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Loan to such date or (ii) immediately if such Lender shall determine that it may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loan to such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the affected Lender shall, prior to giving such notice to the Administrative Agent, designate a different Applicable Lending Office if such designation would avoid the need for giving such notice and if such designation would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in the good faith exercise of its discretion.
Section 2.18. Increased Costs.
(a) If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or the Issuing Bank; or
(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iii) impose on any Lender or on the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or any Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or any participation therein;
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and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan, or to increase the cost to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, the Issuing Bank or other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender, the Issuing Bank or other Recipient, the Borrower will pay to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, the Issuing Bank or other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the Issuing Bank or any lending office of such Lender or such Lenders or the Issuing Banks holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or the Issuing Banks capital or on the capital of such Lenders or the Issuing Banks holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lenders or the Issuing Banks holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or the Issuing Banks policies and the policies of such Lenders or the Issuing Banks holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lenders or the Issuing Banks holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.18 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders or the Issuing Banks right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 2.18 for any increased cost or reduction in respect of a period occurring more than six (6) months prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank notifies the Borrower of such intention to claim compensation therefor unless the circumstances giving rise to such increased cost or reduction became applicable retroactively, in which case no such time limitation shall apply so long as such Lender or the Issuing Bank requests compensation within six (6) months from the date such circumstances became applicable.
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Section 2.19. Funding Indemnity.
In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of a Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion or continuation of a Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (c) the failure by the Borrower to borrow, prepay, convert or continue any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any applicable notice (regardless of whether such notice is withdrawn or revoked), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender, within five (5) Business Days after written demand from such Lender, for any loss, cost or expense attributable to such event. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (A) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan if such event had not occurred at the Adjusted LIBO Rate applicable to such Eurodollar Loan for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan) over (B) the amount of interest that would accrue on the principal amount of such Eurodollar Loan for the same period if the Adjusted LIBO Rate were set on the date such Eurodollar Loan was prepaid or converted or the date on which the Borrower failed to borrow, convert or continue such Eurodollar Loan. A certificate as to any additional amount payable under this Section 2.19 submitted to the Borrower by any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
Section 2.20. Taxes.
(a) For purposes of this Section, the term Lender includes the Issuing Bank and the term applicable law includes FATCA.
(b) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(c) The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(d) The Borrower shall indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any
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reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(e) Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lenders failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.4(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (e).
(f) As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section, 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.
(g) (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in clauses (ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lenders reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
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(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is U.S. Person:
(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(i) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the interest article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the business profits or other income article of such tax treaty;
(ii) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a 10 percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a controlled foreign corporation described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN; or
(iv) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F)-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall
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be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lenders obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), FATCA shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the Closing Date.
(h) If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this Section 2.20(h)(plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.20(h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 2.20(h) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This Section 2.20(h) shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
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Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
Section 2.21. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.
(a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.18, Section 2.19 or Section 2.20, or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon on the date when due, in immediately available funds, free and clear of any defenses, rights of set-off, counterclaim, or withholding or deduction of taxes. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office, except payments to be made directly to the Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Section 2.18, Section 2.19 and Section 2.20 and Section 10.3 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be made payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars.
(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, to the fees and reimbursable expenses of the Administrative Agent then due and payable pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, (ii) second, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, (iii) third, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties, and (iv) fourth, towards payment of all other Obligations then due, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of such Obligations then due to such parties.
(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations greater than its Pro Rata Share, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (x) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (y) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided that: (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be
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rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (1) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender) or (2) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
(d) The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute amounts due hereunder to the Lenders from the Borrower only after such amounts have been paid by the Borrower to, and receipt thereof has been confirmed by, the Administrative Agent.
Section 2.22. Letters of Credit.
(a) During the Availability Period, the Issuing Bank, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders pursuant to Section 2.22(e), agrees to issue, at the request of the Borrower, Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; provided, that (i) each Letter of Credit shall expire on the earlier of (A) the date one year after the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit (or in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (B) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Revolving Commitment Termination Date; (ii) each Letter of Credit shall be in a stated amount of at least $100,000; and (iii) the Borrower may not request any Letter of Credit, if, after giving effect to such issuance (A) the aggregate LC Exposure would exceed the LC Commitment or (B) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders would exceed the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (ii) the Borrowing Base, in each case, then in effect. Each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Issuing Bank without recourse a participation in each Letter of Credit equal to such Lenders Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit (i) on the Closing Date with respect to all Existing Letters of Credit and (ii) on the date of issuance with respect to all other Letters of Credit. Each issuance of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to utilize the Revolving Commitment of each Lender by an amount equal to the amount of such participation.
(b) To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or any amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall give the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent irrevocable written notice at least three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of such issuance specifying the date (which shall be a Business Day) such Letter of Credit is to be issued (or amended, extended or renewed, as the case may be), the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit. In addition to the satisfaction of the conditions in ARTICLE III, the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or any amendment which increases the amount of such
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Letter of Credit) will be subject to the further conditions that such Letter of Credit shall be in such form and contain such terms as the Issuing Bank shall approve and that the Borrower shall have executed and delivered any additional applications, agreements and instruments relating to such Letter of Credit as the Issuing Bank shall reasonably require; provided, that in the event of any conflict between such applications, agreements or instruments and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.
(c) At least two Business Days prior to the issuance of any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received such notice and if not, the Issuing Bank will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the Issuing Bank has received notice from the Administrative Agent on or before the Business Day immediately preceding the date the Issuing Bank is to issue the requested Letter of Credit (1) directing the Issuing Bank not to issue the Letter of Credit because such issuance is not then permitted hereunder because of the limitations set forth in Section 3.2 or that one or more conditions specified in ARTICLE III are not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Bank shall, on the requested date, issue such Letter of Credit in accordance with the Issuing Banks usual and customary business practices.
(d) The Issuing Bank shall examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit promptly following its receipt thereof. The Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make a LC Disbursement thereunder; provided, that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to such LC Disbursement. The Borrower shall be irrevocably and unconditionally obligated to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursements paid by the Issuing Bank in respect of such drawing, without presentment, demand or other formalities of any kind. Unless the Borrower shall have notified the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day immediately prior to the date on which such drawing is honored that the Borrower intends to reimburse the Issuing Bank for the amount of such drawing in funds other than from the proceeds of Revolving Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a Notice of Revolving Borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting the Lenders to make a Base Rate Borrowing on the date on which such drawing is honored in an exact amount due to the Issuing Bank; provided, that for purposes solely of such Borrowing, the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.2 hereof shall not be applicable. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of such Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.3, and each Lender shall make the proceeds of its Base Rate Loan included in such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank in accordance with Section 2.7. The proceeds of such Borrowing shall be applied directly by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for such LC Disbursement.
(e) If for any reason a Base Rate Borrowing may not be (as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), or is not, made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, then each Lender (other than the Issuing Bank) shall be obligated to fund the participation that such Lender purchased pursuant to subsection (a) in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of such LC Disbursement on and as of the date which such Base Rate Borrowing
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should have occurred. Each Lenders obligation to fund its participation shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including without limitation (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Lender or any other Person may have against the Issuing Bank or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the existence of a Default or an Event of Default or the termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) any breach of this Agreement by the Borrower or any other Lender, (v) any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or (vi) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. On the date that such participation is required to be funded, each Lender shall promptly transfer, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank. Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Bank has received from any such Lender the funds for its participation in a LC Disbursement, the Issuing Bank (or the Administrative Agent on its behalf) receives any payment on account thereof, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, will distribute to such Lender its Pro Rata Share of such payment; provided, that if such payment is required to be returned for any reason to the Borrower or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or similar official in any bankruptcy proceeding, such Lender will return to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank any portion thereof previously distributed by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank to it.
(f) To the extent that any Lender shall fail to pay any amount required to be paid pursuant to paragraphs (d) or (e) of this Section on the due date therefor, such Lender shall pay interest to the Issuing Bank (through the Administrative Agent) on such amount from such due date to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate; provided, that if such Lender shall fail to make such payment to the Issuing Bank within three (3) Business Days of such due date, then, retroactively to the due date, such Lender shall be obligated to pay interest on such amount at the rate set forth in Section 2.14(d).
(g) If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders demanding that its reimbursement obligations with respect to the Letters of Credit be Cash Collateralized pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, an amount in cash equal to the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid fees thereon; provided, that such obligation to Cash Collateralize the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower with respect to Letters of Credit shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Section 8.1. Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Borrower agrees to execute any documents and/or certificates to effectuate the intent of this paragraph. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrowers risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest and profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative
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Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it had not been reimbursed and to the extent so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, with the consent of the Required Lenders, be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. If the Borrower is required to Cash Collateralize the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower with respect to Letters of Credit as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such cash collateral so posted (to the extent not so applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.
(h) Promptly following the end of each calendar quarter, the Issuing Bank shall deliver (through the Administrative Agent) to each Lender and the Borrower a report describing the aggregate Letters of Credit outstanding at the end of such calendar quarter. Upon the request of any Lender from time to time, the Issuing Bank shall deliver to such Lender any other information reasonably requested by such Lender with respect to each Letter of Credit then outstanding.
(i) The Borrowers obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements hereunder shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of any of the following circumstances:
(i) Any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement;
(ii) The existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Borrower may have at any time against a beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons or entities for whom any such beneficiary or transferee may be acting), any Lender (including the Issuing Bank) or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement or the Letter of Credit or any document related hereto or thereto or any unrelated transaction;
(iii) Any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;
(iv) Payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document to the Issuing Bank that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;
(v) Any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.22, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrowers obligations hereunder; or
(vi) The existence of a Default or an Event of Default.
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Neither the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Lenders nor any Related Party of any of the foregoing shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to above), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank; provided, that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any actual direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect (including claims for lost profits or other consequential damages), or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Banks failure to exercise due care when determining whether drafts or other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree, that in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised due care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.
(j) Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Issuing Bank and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued and subject to applicable laws, (i) each standby Letter of Credit shall be governed by the International Standby Practices 1998 (ISP98) (or such later revision as may be published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice on any date any Letter of Credit may be issued), (ii) each documentary Letter of Credit shall be governed by the Uniform Customs and Practices for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600 (or such later revision as may be published by the International Chamber of Commerce on any date any Letter of Credit may be issued) and (iii) the Borrower shall specify the foregoing in each letter of credit application submitted for the issuance of a Letter of Credit.
Section 2.23. Defaulting Lenders.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:
(i) Such Defaulting Lenders right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Required Lenders;
(ii) Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or
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mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to ARTICLE VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.8 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.28; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lenders potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.28; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments under the applicable Facility without giving effect to Section 2.23(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.23(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto;
(iii) (A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee described in Section 2.14(b) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).
(B) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive a fee described in Section 2.14(c)(i) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Revolver Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.28.
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(C) With respect to any fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lenders LC Exposure or Swingline Exposure that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lenders Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.
(iv) All or any part of such Defaulting Lenders LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Revolver Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lenders Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrower shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lenders Revolving Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lenders increased exposure following such reallocation.
(v) If the reallocation described in clause (iv) immediately above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, (x) first, prepay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lenders Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.28.
(b) If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the each Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and the LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments under the applicable Facility (without giving effect to Section 2.23(a)(ii), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the
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Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender.
(c) So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swingline Loan and (ii) the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.
Section 2.24. Incremental Credit Extensions.
(a) From time to time on or after the Closing Date, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may, upon ten (10) Business Days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent (whereupon the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver a copy to each of the Lenders), request to add one or more additional tranches of term loans (the Incremental Term Loans) or one or more increases in the Revolving Commitments (the Incremental Revolving Commitments; together with the Incremental Term Loans, the Incremental Facilities), provided that at the time of the effectiveness of each Incremental Facility Amendment (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or shall result therefrom, (ii) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be in pro forma compliance with each of the covenants set forth in ARTICLE VI as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter after giving effect to such Incremental Revolving Commitments (assuming for such purpose that such Incremental Revolving Commitments are fully drawn at such time) or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, (iii) each of the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 shall have been satisfied and (iv) the Administrative Agent shall have received from the Borrower such legal opinions, resolutions, certificates and other documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request. Notwithstanding anything to contrary herein, but subject to clause (e) immediately below, the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Facilities shall not exceed the sum of $380,000,000. Each Incremental Facility shall be in an integral multiple of $5,000,000 and be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $10,000,000 in case of Incremental Term Loans or $10,000,000 in case of Incremental Revolving Commitments, provided that such amount may be less than the applicable minimum amount if such amount represents all the remaining availability hereunder as set forth above or if the Administrative Agent agrees in writing to a lesser minimum amount. Each Incremental Facility shall rank pari passu in right of payment, and shall have the same guarantees as, and be secured by the same Collateral securing, all of the other Obligations hereunder.
(b) Except with respect to the Term Loan A-1, any Incremental Term Loans (i) for purposes of prepayments, shall be treated substantially the same as (and in any event no more favorably than) the Term Loan A and (ii) other than amortization, pricing or maturity date, shall have the same terms as the Term Loans or such other terms as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that, except as provided in clause (f) below (A) any Incremental Term Loan shall not have a final maturity date earlier than the Term Loan A Maturity Date and (B) any Incremental Term Loan shall not have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity that is shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the then-remaining Term Loan A.
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(c) Any Incremental Revolving Commitment shall be on the same terms and conditions as, and pursuant to the same documentation as applicable to, the Revolving Commitments. From and after the making of an Incremental Term Loan or the addition of any Incremental Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section, such Incremental Term Loan and such revolving loan funded pursuant to an Incremental Revolving Commitment shall be deemed a Loan, Term Loan and/or Revolving Loan, as applicable, hereunder for all purposes hereof, and, except as set forth in clause (b) immediately above with respect to Incremental Term Loans, shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as each other Term Loan or Revolving Loan made pursuant to this Agreement.
(d) Each notice from the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall set forth the requested amount and proposed terms of the relevant Incremental Term Loans and/or Incremental Revolving Commitments. Except with respect to the Term Loan A-1, each Lender shall have the right for a period of ten (10) days following receipt of such notice, to elect by written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to provide the requested Incremental Facility by a principal amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of such Incremental Facility. Any Lender who does not respond within such 10 day period shall be deemed to have elected not to provide such Incremental Facility. If any Lender shall elect not to provide such Incremental Facility pursuant to this Section 2.24, the Borrower may designate any other bank or other financial institution (which may be, but need not be, one or more of the existing Lenders), which agrees to provide such Incremental Facility (any such other bank or other financial institution being called an Additional Lender) and in the case of any Additional Lender, agrees to become a party to this Agreement, provided that the Issuing Bank (in the case of an increase through an Incremental Revolving Commitment) and the Administrative Agent shall have consented (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) to such Lenders or Additional Lenders making such Incremental Term Loans or providing such Incremental Revolving Commitment if such consent would be required under Section 10.4(b) for an assignment of Loans or Revolving Commitments, as applicable, to such Lender or Additional Lender. Any Additional Lender shall become a Lender under this Agreement pursuant to an amendment (an Incremental Facility Amendment) to this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrower, such Additional Lender and the Administrative Agent; provided, that no Incremental Facility Amendment shall be required for the Term Loan A-1 if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower so determine. No Incremental Facility Amendment shall require the consent of any Lenders other than the Additional Lenders and/or any existing Lender who has elected to provide any Incremental Term Loans or increase its Revolving Commitment with respect to such Incremental Facility Amendment. No Lender shall be obligated to provide any Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Commitments, unless it so agrees. Commitments in respect of any Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Commitments shall become Commitments under this Agreement. An Incremental Facility Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to any Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section. Upon each increase in the Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section, (a) each Lender holding a Revolving Commitment immediately prior to such increase will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assigned to each
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Lender providing a portion of the Incremental Revolving Commitment (each a Incremental Revolving Lender) in respect of such increase, and each such Incremental Revolving Lender will automatically and without further act be deemed to have assumed, a portion of such Lenders participations hereunder in outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans such that, after giving effect to each such deemed assignment and assumption of participations, the percentage of the aggregate outstanding (i) participations hereunder in Letters of Credit and (ii) participations hereunder in Swingline Loans held by each Lender holding a Revolving Commitment (including each such Incremental Revolving Lender) will equal its Pro Rata Share and (b) if, on the date of such increase, there are any Revolving Loans outstanding, such Revolving Loans shall on or prior to the effectiveness of such increase of the Revolving Commitments be prepaid from the proceeds of additional Revolving Loans made hereunder (reflecting such increase in Revolving Commitments), which prepayment shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the Revolving Loans being prepaid and any costs incurred by any Lender in accordance with Section 2.19. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that the minimum borrowing, pro rata borrowing and pro rata payment requirements contained elsewhere in this Agreement shall not apply to the transactions effected pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence. This Section 2.24(d) shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.21(a) and Section 10.2 to the contrary.
(e) If the Term Loan A-1 Commitment provided on the Closing Date is less than $50,000,000, the Borrower shall have the right for a period of 30 days following the Closing Date to obtain an Incremental Term Loan in accordance with this Section 2.24, and the principal amount of such Incremental Term Loan shall be excluded for purposes of determining the limitations set forth in clause (a) of this Section 2.24; provided, that (i) such Incremental Term Loan shall for all purposes be deemed to be the Term Loan A-1 and shall be subject to the terms, conditions and provisions herein related to the Term Loan A-1 and (ii) in no event shall such Incremental Term Loan, together with any portion of the Term Loan A-1 funded on the Closing Date, if any, exceed $50,000,000.
(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no more than $180,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Incremental Facilities that are incurred after the Amendment Effective Date shall have either (i) a final maturity date earlier than the Term Loan A Maturity Date or (ii) a Weighted Average Life to Maturity that is shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the then-remaining Term Loan A. Any Incremental Facilities incurred pursuant to this clause (f) shall be incurred, if at all, (x) on no more than one occasion and in no more than one tranche in the aggregate of Incremental Term Loans and (y) on or before August 7, 2013.
Section 2.25. Maturity Extensions.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (but subject to Section 2.9(d)), pursuant to one or more offers (each, an Extension Offer) made from time to time by the Borrower to all Lenders of Term Loans with a like maturity date or Revolving Commitments with a like maturity date, in each case on a pro rata basis (based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the respective Term Loans or Revolving Commitments with a like maturity date, as the case may be) and on the same terms to each such Lender, the Borrower is hereby permitted to consummate from time to time transactions with individual Lenders that
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accept the terms contained in such Extension Offers to extend the maturity date of each such Lenders Term Loans and/or Revolving Commitments and otherwise modify the terms of such Term Loans and/or Revolving Commitments pursuant to the terms of the relevant Extension Offer (including, without limitation, by increasing or decreasing the interest rate or fees payable in respect of such Term Loans and/or Revolving Commitments (and related outstandings) and/or modifying the amortization schedule in respect of such Lenders Term Loans) (each, an Extension), so long as the following terms are satisfied: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time the offering document in respect of an Extension Offer is delivered to the Lenders or after giving effect to such Extension, (ii) except as to interest rates, fees and final maturity (which shall be determined by the Borrower and set forth in the relevant Extension Offer), the Revolving Commitment of any Lender that agrees to an Extension with respect to such Revolving Commitment extended pursuant to an Extension (an Extended Revolving Commitment), and the related outstandings, shall be a Revolving Commitment (or related outstandings, as the case may be) with the same terms as the original Revolving Commitments being extended (and related outstandings); provided that (1) the borrowing and repayment (except for (A) payments of interest and fees at different rates on Extended Revolving Commitments (and related outstandings), (B) repayments required upon the maturity date of the non-extending Revolving Commitments and (C) repayment made in connection with a permanent repayment and termination of commitments) of Loans with respect to Extended Revolving Commitments after the applicable Extension date shall be made on a pro rata basis with all other Revolving Commitments, (2) the permanent repayment of Revolving Loans with respect to, and termination of, Extended Revolving Commitments after the applicable Extension date shall be made on a pro rata basis with all other Revolving Commitments, except that the Borrower shall be permitted to permanently repay and terminate commitments of any such Class on a better than a pro rata basis as compared to any other Class with a later maturity date than such Class and (3) assignments and participations of Extended Revolving Commitments and Extended Revolving Loans shall be governed by the same assignment and participation provisions applicable to Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans so extended, (iii) except as to interest rates, fees, amortization, final maturity date, premium, required prepayment dates and participation in prepayments (which shall, subject to immediately succeeding clauses (iv), (v) and (vi), be determined between the Borrower and the Extending Term Lenders and be set forth in the relevant Extension Offer), the Term Loans of any Lender that agrees to an Extension with respect to such Term Loans (an Extending Term Lender) extended pursuant to any Extension (Extended Term Loans) shall have the same terms as the tranche of Term Loans subject to such Extension Offer, (iv) the final maturity date of any Extended Term Loans shall be no earlier than the Latest Maturity Date, (v) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any Extended Term Loans shall be no shorter than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Term Loans extended thereby, (vi) any Extended Term Loans may participate on a pro rata basis or a less than pro rata basis (but not greater than a pro rata basis) in any voluntary or mandatory repayments or prepayments hereunder, in each case as specified in the respective Extension Offer, (vii) if the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans (calculated on the face amount thereof) or Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, in respect of which relevant Lenders shall have accepted the relevant Extension Offer shall exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount of Term Loans or Revolving Commitments, as the case may be, offered to be extended by the Borrower pursuant to such Extension Offer, then the Term Loans or Revolving Loans, as the case may be, of such Lenders shall be extended ratably up to such maximum
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amount based on the respective principal amounts (but not to exceed actual holdings of record) with respect to which such Lenders have accepted such Extension Offer, (viii) all documentation in respect of such Extension shall be consistent with the foregoing, (ix) any applicable Minimum Extension Condition (as defined in clause (b) below) shall be satisfied unless waived by the Borrower and (x) at no time shall there be (A) Revolving Commitments hereunder which have more than two different maturity dates and (B) Term Loans hereunder which have more than two different maturity dates, unless, in either case, the Administrative Agent agrees to permit additional maturity dates. For the avoidance of doubt, no Lender shall be obligated or otherwise required to participate in any Extension without its express consent.
(b) With respect to all Extensions consummated by the Borrower pursuant to this Section, (i) such Extensions shall not constitute voluntary or mandatory payments or prepayments for purposes of Section 2.11 or Section 2.12 and (ii) each Extension Offer is required to be in a minimum amount of $10,000,000; provided that the Borrower may at its election specify as a condition (a Minimum Extension Condition) to consummating any such Extension that a minimum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Extension Offer in the Borrowers sole discretion and may be waived by the Borrower) of Term Loans or Revolving Commitments (as applicable) of any or all applicable tranches be tendered. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby consent to the transactions contemplated by this Section (including, for the avoidance of doubt, payment of any interest, fees or premium in respect of any Extended Term Loans and/or Extended Revolving Commitments on the such terms as may be set forth in the relevant Extension Offer) and hereby waive the requirements of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that may otherwise prohibit any such Extension or any other transaction contemplated by this Section.
(c) No consent of any Lender or the Administrative Agent shall be required to effectuate any Extension, other than (A) the consent of each Lender agreeing to such Extension with respect to one or more of its Term Loans and/or Revolving Commitments (or a portion thereof) and (B) with respect to any Extension of the Revolving Commitments, the consent of the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender. All Extended Term Loans, Extended Revolving Loans, Extended Revolving Commitments and all obligations in respect thereof shall be Obligations under the Loan Documents that are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with all other applicable Obligations under the Loan Documents. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may, without the consent of any Lender, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section and any Extension (including any amendments necessary to treat the Loans and Commitments subject thereto as Extended Term Loans, Extended Revolving Loans and/or Extended Revolving Commitments and as a separate Tranche and Class hereunder of Loans and Commitments, as the case may be). In addition, if so provided in such amendment and with the consent of the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, as applicable, participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans expiring on or after the Revolving Commitment Termination Date in respect of Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments shall be re-allocated from Lenders holding Revolving Commitments to Lenders holding Extended Revolving Commitments in accordance with the terms of such amendment; provided that such participation interests shall, upon receipt thereof by the relevant Lenders holding Revolving Commitments, be deemed to be participation interests in respect of such Revolving Commitments and the terms of such participation interests (including, without limitation, the commission applicable thereto) shall be adjusted accordingly.
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(d) In connection with any Extension, the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent at least 10 Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent) prior written notice thereof, and shall agree to such procedures (including, without limitation, regarding timing, rounding and other adjustments and to ensure reasonable administrative management of the credit facilities hereunder after such Extension), if any, as may be established by, or acceptable to, the Administrative Agent, in each case acting reasonably to accomplish the purposes of this Section.
(e) If the Revolving Commitment Termination Date in respect of any tranche of Revolving Commitments occurs prior to the expiration of any Letter of Credit, then (i) if another tranche of Revolving Commitments in respect of which the Revolving Commitment Termination Date shall not have occurred is then in effect, such Letters of Credit shall automatically be deemed to have been issued (including for purposes of the obligations of the Lenders to purchase participations therein and to make Revolving Loans and payments in respect thereof pursuant to Section 2.22.) under (and ratably participated in by Lenders pursuant to) the Revolving Commitments in respect of such non-terminating tranches up to an aggregate amount not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of the unutilized Revolving Commitments thereunder at such time (it being understood that no partial face amount of any Letter of Credit may be so reallocated) and (ii) to the extent not reallocated pursuant to immediately preceding clause (i), the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize any such Letter of Credit in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank but only up to the amount of such Letter of Credit not so reallocated. Except to the extent of reallocations of participations pursuant to clause (i) of the immediately preceding sentence, the occurrence of a Revolving Commitment Termination Date with respect to a given tranche of Revolving Commitments shall have no effect upon (and shall not diminish) the percentage participations of the Lenders in any Letter of Credit issued before such Revolving Commitment Termination Date.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent on its behalf, and without further consent, to enter into amendments or modifications to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to enter into additional Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems appropriate in order to effectuate the terms of this Section 2.25; provided that no amendment or modification shall result in any increase in the amount of any Lenders Commitment or any increase in any Lenders Pro Rata Share, in each case, without the written consent of such affected Lender.
Section 2.26. Mitigation of Obligations.
If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.18, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.20, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the sole judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts
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payable under Section 2.18 or Section 2.20, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with such designation or assignment.
Section 2.27. Replacement of Lenders.
If (a) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.18, (b) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.20, (c) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, or (d) in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver, or consent, the consent of all of the Lenders, or all of the Lenders directly affected thereby, is required pursuant to Section 10.2, and any such Lender refuses to consent to such amendment, waiver or consent as to which the Required Lenders have consented, then, in each case, the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort (but without prejudice to any rights or remedies the Borrower may have against such Defaulting Lender), upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 10.4(b)) all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender but excluding any Defaulting Lender); provided, that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, (ii) prior to, or contemporaneous with, the replacement of such Lender, such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of all Loans owed to it, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (in the case of such outstanding principal and accrued interest) and from the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) in the case of a claim for compensation under Section 2.18 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.20, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments and (iv) in the case of clause (d) above, the assignee Lender shall have agreed to provide its consent to the requested amendment, waiver or consent.
Section 2.28. Cash Collateral For Defaulting Lenders.
At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 2.23(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by or in respect of such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than 103% of the Fronting Exposure in respect of all Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time.
(a) The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lenders obligations in respect of LC Exposure, to be applied pursuant to clause (b) immediately below. If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral
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is less than 103% of the Fronting Exposure in respect of all Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by or in respect of the Defaulting Lender).
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Section or Section 2.23 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lenders obligation in respect of its LC Exposure (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.
(c) Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce the Issuing Banks Fronting Exposure shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender), or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided that, subject to Section 2.23, the Borrower or other Person providing Cash Collateral and the Issuing Bank may agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations and provided further that to the extent that such Cash Collateral to be so held was provided by the Borrower, such Cash Collateral shall remain subject to the security interest granted pursuant to the Loan Documents.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT
Section 3.1. Conditions To Effectiveness.
The obligations of the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender) to make the initial Loans and the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue any initial Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.2).
(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received payment of all fees, expenses and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder, under any other Loan Document and under any agreement with the Administrative Agent or the Arrangers (including the Fee Letter).
(b) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received the following, each to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders:
(i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed by or on behalf of each party hereto or written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement;
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(ii) duly executed Notes payable to any Lender requesting a Note, if so requested;
(iii) the Guaranty Agreement duly executed by each Subsidiary required to execute the Guaranty Agreement in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement or otherwise required pursuant to Section 5.10;
(iv) the Pledge and Security Agreement duly executed by each of the Loan Parties and the Intellectual Property Security Agreements duly executed by the applicable Loan Parties having rights in intellectual property subject to such agreements;
(v) an amendment to, or an amendment and restatement of, the Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement duly executed by each party thereto;
(vi) the Intercreditor Agreement;
(vii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party in the form of Exhibit 3.1(b)(vii), (a) attaching and certifying copies of (w) its bylaws, partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement, or comparable organizational documents, as applicable, and (x) resolutions of its board of directors, board of members or general partner, as applicable, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (y) its articles or certificate of incorporation, certificate of organization or limited partnership, or other registered organizational documents, as applicable, and (z) evidence of good standing or existence, as may be available from the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party and each other jurisdiction where such Loan Party is required to be qualified to do business as a foreign entity and (b) certifying the name, title and true signature of each officer of such Loan Party executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party;
(viii) a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower that, after giving effect to the Credit Extensions made on the Closing Date, neither the Borrower nor its Subsidiaries will be insolvent, within the meaning of such term as defined in § 101 of Title 11 of the United States Code, or be unable to pay its debts generally as such debts become due, or have an unreasonably small capital to engage in any business or transaction, whether current or contemplated;
(ix) a favorable written opinion of (x) Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLC, counsel to the Loan Parties, and (y) Polsinelli Shughart PC, special Kansas counsel to Midland Credit Management, Inc., each addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders, and covering such matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated therein as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall reasonably request;
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(x) a certificate in the form of Exhibit 3.1(b)(x), dated the Closing Date and signed by a Responsible Officer:
(a) certifying that, after giving effect to the funding of any initial Loan or initial issuance of a Letter of Credit (x) no Default or Event of Default exists, (y) all representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents are true and correct and (z) since the date of the financial statements of the Borrower described in Section 4.4, there shall have been no change which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) certifying that no litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrators or Governmental Authorities is pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that (y) purports to enjoin or restrain any Lender from making a Credit Extension hereunder or (z) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) attaching certified copies of all consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations and filings and orders required or advisable to be made or obtained under any Requirement of Law, or by any contractual obligation of each Loan Party, in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity and enforceability of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated thereby, and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations, filings and orders shall be in full force and effect and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired, and no investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority regarding this Agreement or any transaction being financed with the proceeds hereof shall be ongoing; and
(d) attaching certified copies of all agreements, indentures or notes governing the terms of any Material Indebtedness and all other material agreements, documents and instruments to which any Loan Party or any of its assets are bound.
(xi) a duly executed Notice of Borrowing;
(xii) the results of a Lien search (including a search as to judgments, pending litigation, tax and intellectual property matters), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, made against the Loan Parties under the Uniform Commercial Code (or applicable judicial docket) as in effect in each jurisdiction in which filings or recordations under the Uniform Commercial Code should be made to evidence or perfect security interests in all assets of such Loan Party, indicating among other things that the assets of each such Loan Party are free and clear of any Lien (except for Permitted Liens);
(xiii) evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that at least sixty percent (60%) of all cash collections and other Receivables acquired by any Loan Party have, prior to the Closing Date, been deposited in collection accounts maintained with one or more of the Lenders;
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(xiv) (a) copies of audited consolidated financial statements for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the three fiscal years most recently ended for which financial statements are available and interim unaudited financial statements for each quarterly period ended since the last audited financial statements for which financial statements are available and (b) projections prepared by management of the Borrower of balance sheets and income statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which will be quarterly for the first year after the Closing Date, and balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, annually thereafter for the term of this Agreement;
(xv) a duly completed and executed Compliance Certificate of the Borrower including pro forma calculations establishing compliance with the financial covenants set forth in ARTICLE VI hereof as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements are available;
(xvi) all information the Administrative Agent and each Lender may request with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in order to comply with the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) and any other know your customer or similar laws or regulations; and
(xvii) certificates of insurance issued on behalf of insurers of the Loan Parties, describing in reasonable detail the types and amounts of insurance (property and liability) maintained by the Loan Parties, naming the Collateral Agent as additional insured on liability policies and lender loss payee endorsements for property and casualty policies.
(c) The Collateral Agent shall have received (i) the certificates, if any, evidencing the capital stock or other equity interests pledged pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof, subject to Section 5.12 and (ii) each instrument pledged to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement endorsed in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent) by the pledgor thereof.
(d) Each document (including, without limitation, any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by the Collateral Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to be executed, filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than Permitted Liens), shall have been duly executed and delivered and/or be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.
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Section 3.2. Each Credit Event.
The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing and of the Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default or Event of Default shall exist;
(b) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, all representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of such Letter of Credit, in each case before and after giving effect thereto;
(c) No order, judgment or decree of any arbitrator or Governmental Authority shall purport to enjoin or restrain any Lender from making such Credit Extension;
(d) If, after giving to effect to such Credit Extension and any repayment of Loans to be made on the date such Credit Extension is made, the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure will be increased above the amount of the Borrowing Base as shown on the then most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received an updated Borrowing Base Certificate as of a later date demonstrating Borrowing Base availability to support such increased Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure; and
(e) the Borrower shall have delivered a Notice of Borrowing (if applicable).
Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of any Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 3.2.
Section 3.3. Delivery of Documents.
All of the Loan Documents, certificates, legal opinions and other documents and papers referred to in this ARTICLE III, unless otherwise specified, shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent for the account of each of the Lenders and, except for the Notes, in sufficient counterparts or copies for each of the Lenders and shall be in form and substance satisfactory in all respects to the Administrative Agent.
Section 3.4. Effect of Amendment and Restatement.
(a) Upon this Agreement becoming effective pursuant to Section 3.1, from and after the Closing Date: (a)(i) all outstanding Revolving Loans (as such term is defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), if any, shall be deemed to be Revolving Loans outstanding hereunder, (ii) all outstanding Swing Line Loans (as such term is defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), if any, shall be deemed to be Swingline Loans outstanding hereunder and (iii) each outstanding Letter of Credit (as such term is defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), if any, shall be deemed to be a Letter of Credit issued and outstanding hereunder; (b) all terms and
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conditions of the Existing Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document as defined therein, as amended and restated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents being executed and delivered on the Closing Date, shall be and remain in full force and effect, as so amended, and shall constitute the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Loan Parties to the Lenders and the Agents; (c) the terms and conditions of the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended as set forth herein and, as so amended and restated, shall be restated in their entirety, but shall be amended only with respect to the rights, duties and obligations among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agents accruing from and after the Closing Date; (d) this Agreement shall not in any way release or impair the rights, duties, Obligations or Liens created pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document as defined therein or affect the relative priorities thereof, in each case to the extent in force and effect thereunder as of the Closing Date, except as modified hereby or by documents, instruments and agreements executed and delivered in connection herewith, and all of such rights, duties, Obligations and Liens are assumed, ratified and affirmed by the Borrower; (e) all indemnification obligations of the Loan Parties under the Existing Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document as defined therein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect for the benefit of the Lenders, the Agents, and any other Person indemnified under the Existing Credit Agreement or such other Loan Document at any time prior to the Closing Date; (f) the Obligations incurred under the Existing Credit Agreement shall, to the extent outstanding on the Closing Date, continue outstanding under this Agreement and shall not be deemed to be paid, released, discharged or otherwise satisfied by the execution of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall not constitute a substitution or novation of such Obligations or any of the other rights, duties and obligations of the parties hereunder (it being understood and agreed by the parties hereto that the Term Loans will be used to replace and refinance (but not repay or otherwise satisfy) a portion of the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans (under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) in an aggregate amount of $150,000,00); (g) the execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Lenders or the Agents under the Existing Credit Agreement, nor constitute a waiver of any covenant, agreement or obligation under the Existing Credit Agreement, except to the extent that any such covenant, agreement or obligation is no longer set forth herein or is modified hereby; and (h) any and all references in the Loan Documents to the Existing Credit Agreement shall, without further action of the parties, be deemed a reference to the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended and restated by this Agreement, and as this Agreement shall be further amended, modified, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time hereafter.
(b) The Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower agree that the Revolving Loan Commitment (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) of each of the Lenders immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Amendment shall be reallocated among the Lenders such that, immediately after the effectiveness of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Revolving Commitment and the Term Loan Commitment of each Lender shall be as set forth on Schedule II-A and Schedule II-B, respectively. In order to effect such reallocations, assignments shall be deemed to be made among the Lenders in such amounts as may be necessary, and with the same force and effect as if such assignments were evidenced by the applicable Assignment and Acceptance (but without the payment of any related assignment fee), and no other documents or instruments shall be required to be executed in connection with such assignments (all of which such requirements are hereby waived). Further, to effect the
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foregoing, each Lender agrees to make cash settlements in respect of any outstanding Revolving Loans (including cash settlements to those lenders party to the Existing Credit Agreement who have elected not to be a Lender under this Agreement on the Closing Date), either directly or through the Administrative Agent, as the Administrative Agent may direct or approve, such that after giving effect to this Agreement, each Lender holds Revolving Loans equal to its Applicable Revolver Percentage (based on the Revolving Commitment of each Lender as set forth on Schedule II-A) and each Lender holds Term Loans equal to the amount set forth on Schedule II-A and Schedule II-B, respectively, in an amount equal to the Term Loan Commitment of such Lender, if any.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender as follows:
Section 4.1. Existence and Standing.
Each of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries is a corporation, partnership (in the case of Subsidiaries only) or limited liability company (a) duly and properly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, (b) validly existing and (c) (to the extent such concept applies to such entity) in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and has all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except in the case of this clause (c) where failure to be in good standing or to be so authorized could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (it being understood and agreed, for purposes of this Section, that the failure of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries to be in good standing or to be authorized to conduct its business in any jurisdiction where such failure could have a material and adverse impact on the ability of such Person to enforce or otherwise collect in the Receivables of such Person in any such jurisdiction shall be deemed to have a Material Adverse Effect).
Section 4.2. Authorization and Validity.
The Borrower has the power and authority and legal right to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder. The execution and delivery by the Borrower of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the performance of its obligations thereunder have been duly authorized by proper proceedings, and the Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyances, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally; (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and (iii) requirements of reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing.
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Section 4.3. No Conflict; Government Consent.
Neither the execution and delivery by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party, nor the consummation of the transactions therein contemplated, nor compliance with the provisions thereof will violate (i) any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or award binding on the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiarys articles or certificate of incorporation, partnership agreement, certificate of partnership, articles or certificate of organization, by-laws, or operating agreement or other management agreement, as the case may be, or (iii) the provisions of any material indenture, instrument or agreement to which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or is subject, or by which it, or its Property, is bound, or conflict with, or constitute a default thereunder, or result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien in, of or on the Property of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of, any such indenture, instrument or agreement, except, in the case of clause (i), for any such violation which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No order, consent, adjudication, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, or other action in respect of any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, which has not been obtained by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, is required to be obtained by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, the borrowings under this Agreement, the payment and performance by the Borrower of the Obligations or the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents.
Section 4.4. Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Change.
The December 31, 2012 audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries heretofore delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in effect on the date such statements were prepared and fairly present the consolidated financial condition and operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date and the consolidated results of their operations for the period then ended. Since December 31, 2012, there has been no change in the business, Property, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Borrower, any Guarantor, or the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken together, in each case which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
Section 4.5. Litigation and Contingent Obligations.
There is no litigation, arbitration, governmental investigation, proceeding or inquiry pending or, to the knowledge of any of their officers, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which seeks to prevent, enjoin or delay the making of any Credit Extensions. Other than liabilities incident to any litigation, arbitration or proceeding which could not reasonably be expected to be in an aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000, none of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries has any material contingent obligations not provided for or disclosed in the financial statements referred to in Section 4.4.
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Section 4.6. Compliance with Laws.
The Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions of any domestic or foreign government or any instrumentality or agency thereof having jurisdiction over the conduct of their respective businesses or the ownership of their respective Property, except for any failure to comply which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.7. Investment Company Act.
Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is an investment company or a company controlled by an investment company, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 4.8. Taxes.
Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.8, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries have filed all United States federal tax returns and all other tax returns which are required to be filed and have paid all taxes due pursuant to said returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except in respect of such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles and as to which no Lien exists (except as permitted by Section 7.2(a)). Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.8 as of the Closing Date, none of the United States income tax returns of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries are being audited by the Internal Revenue Service. To the knowledge of any of the Borrowers officers, no Liens have been filed, and no claims are being asserted with respect to such taxes. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any taxes or other governmental charges are adequate.
Section 4.9. Regulation U.
Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate of buying or carrying margin stock (as defined in Regulation U), and after applying the proceeds of each Credit Extension, margin stock (as defined in Regulation U) constitutes less than 25% of the value of those assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries which are subject to any limitation on sale, pledge, or any other restriction hereunder.
Section 4.10. ERISA.
The Unfunded Liabilities of all Single Employer Plans and all nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements do not in the aggregate exceed $5,000,000. Neither the Borrower nor any other member of the Controlled Group has incurred, or is reasonably expected to incur, within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA, any withdrawal liability to Multiemployer Plans in excess of an amount that would have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Plan complies in all material respects with all applicable requirements of law and regulations. No Reportable Event has occurred with respect to any Plan. Neither the Borrower nor any other member of the Controlled Group has withdrawn from any Multiemployer Plan within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or initiated steps to do so, and no steps have been taken to reorganize or terminate, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, any Multiemployer Plan.
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Section 4.11. Ownership of Property.
The Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries have good title, free of all Liens other than those permitted by Section 7.2, to all of the Property and assets reflected in the Borrowers most recent consolidated financial statements provided to the Administrative Agent, as owned by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except for minor irregularities in title that (i) do not materially interfere with the business or operations of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries as presently conducted and (ii) do not adversely affect the value of any of the Collateral in any material respect. Each of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed, or otherwise has the right, to use, all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and other intellectual property to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries does not infringe in any respect on the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringement which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.12. Accuracy of Information.
No Loan Document or written statement furnished by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Agents or to any Lender in connection with the negotiation of, or compliance with, the Loan Documents contained, on the date such Loan Document was entered into or such statements were made, any material misstatement of fact or omitted to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in their presentation of the Borrower, its Restricted Subsidiaries, their businesses and their Property. The Borrower makes no representation or warranty concerning the forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements as to anticipated future performance or conditions, and the assumptions on which they were based, except that as of the date made (i) such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements were based on good faith assumptions of the management of the Borrower and (ii) such assumptions were believed by such management to be reasonable; it being understood and agreed that such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements, and the assumptions on which they are based, may or may not prove to be correct. In addition, the information provided by or on behalf of the Loan Parties with respect to the Receivables owned or to be acquired by the Loan Parties (or the related purchase agreements) is, to the Borrowers knowledge and as of the date provided, true and correct in all material respects and, to the Borrowers knowledge, does not contain any material omissions which would cause such information to be materially misleading with respect to such Receivables, taken as a whole.
Section 4.13. Environmental Matters.
The Borrower is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, except for any noncompliance which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary has received any notice to the effect that its operations are not in material compliance with any of the requirements of applicable
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Environmental Laws or are the subject of any federal or state investigation evaluating whether any remedial action is needed to respond to a release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment, which non-compliance or remedial action could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.14. Subsidiaries.
Schedule 4.14 contains an accurate list of all Subsidiaries of the Borrower as of the Amendment Effective Date, setting forth their respective jurisdictions of organization and the percentage of their respective capital stock or other ownership interests owned by the Borrower or other Subsidiaries and whether such Subsidiary, as of the Amendment Effective Date, is an Immaterial Subsidiary. As of the Amendment Effective Date, there are no Excluded Subsidiaries. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other ownership interests of the Restricted Subsidiaries have been (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such ownership interests) duly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.
Section 4.15. Solvency.
After giving effect to the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, and the making of the Loans under this Agreement, neither the Borrower nor its Restricted Subsidiaries will be insolvent, within the meaning of such term as defined in § 101 of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended from time to time, or be unable to pay its debts generally as such debts become due, or have an unreasonably small capital to engage in any business or transaction, whether current or contemplated.
Section 4.16. Insurance.
The Borrower maintains, and has caused each Restricted Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on their Property as necessary to conduct their business in such amounts, subject to such deductibles and self-insurance retentions and covering such properties and risks as is consistent with sound business practice.
Section 4.17. SDN List Designation.
Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or Encore Affiliates is a country, individual or entity named on the Specifically Designated National and Blocked Persons (SDN) list issued by the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury of the United States of America.
Section 4.18. Patriot Act.
Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (ii) the Uniting And Strengthening America By Providing Appropriate Tools Required To Intercept And Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot
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Act of 2001). No part of the proceeds of any Loan, and no Letters of Credit, will 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 4.19. Plan Assets; Prohibited Transactions.
The Borrower is not an entity deemed to hold plan assets within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or 29 C.F.R. § 2510.3-101 of an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) which is subject to Title I of ERISA or any plan (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code), and neither the execution of this Agreement nor the making of Loans hereunder gives rise to a prohibited transaction within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.
Section 4.20. Material Agreements.
Except as described in Schedule 4.20, neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary is a party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any charter or other corporate or similar restriction which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any Restricted Subsidiary is in default in any respect in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained in any (i) agreement or instrument to which it is a party, which default could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) any agreement or instrument evidencing or governing Material Indebtedness.
Section 4.21. No Default or Event of Default.
No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
The Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any Lender has a Commitment hereunder or any Obligation remains unpaid or outstanding:
Section 5.1. Financial Statements and Other Information.
The Borrower will maintain, for itself and each Subsidiary, a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
(a) Within 90 days after the close of each of its fiscal years, financial statements prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles on a consolidated basis for itself and its Subsidiaries, including in each case balance sheets as of the end of such period, statements of income and statements of cash flows, accompanied by (a) in the case of such statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, an audit report, unqualified as to scope, of
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BDO USA LLP or another nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or other independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders (provided that so long as the Borrower is a reporting company, filing of the Form 10-K by the Borrower with respect to a fiscal year within such 90-day period on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov shall satisfy the requirement for the annual audit report and consolidated financial statements for such fiscal year under this clause (a) with respect to the statements of the Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries) and (b) any management letter prepared by said accountants;
(b) Within 45 days after the close of the first three quarterly periods (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2012) of each of its fiscal years, for itself and its Subsidiaries, consolidated unaudited balance sheets as at the close of each such period and consolidated statements of income and a statement of cash flows for the period from the beginning of such fiscal year to the end of such quarter, all certified as to fairness of presentation, compliance with Agreement Accounting Principles and consistency by its chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer (provided that so long as the Borrower is a reporting company, filing of the Form 10-Q by the Borrower with respect to a fiscal quarter within such 45-day period on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov shall satisfy the requirement for certified quarterly consolidated financial statements for such fiscal quarter under this clause (b) with respect to the statements of the Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries);
(c) together with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, a Compliance Certificate signed by its chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer showing (i) the calculations necessary to determine compliance with the relevant provisions of this Agreement, an officers certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit 5.1(c) stating that no Default or Event Default exists, or if any Default or Event of Default exists, stating the nature and status thereof, and a certificate executed and delivered by the chief executive officer or chief financial officer stating that the Borrower and each of its principal officers are in compliance with all requirements of Section 302 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations related thereto (provided that so long as the Borrower is a reporting company, delivery of the certificates required pursuant to Section 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as contained in the form 10-K or Form 10-Q filed by the Borrower and delivered pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above shall satisfy the requirement for such certification of compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act under this clause (c)) and (ii) each of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries as of the last day of the applicable reporting period and of any new Subsidiary of the Borrower formed or acquired during such reporting period;
(d) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of consolidated financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, the related consolidating financial statements of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflecting all adjustments necessary to eliminate the results of operations, cash flows, accounts and other assets and Indebtedness or other liabilities of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements;
(e) As soon as possible and in any event within 10 days after the Borrower knows that any Reportable Event has occurred with respect to any Plan, a statement, signed by the chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of the Borrower, describing said Reportable Event and the action which the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto;
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(f) As soon as possible and in any event within 10 days after receipt by the Borrower, a copy of (a) any notice or claim to the effect that the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is or may be liable to any Person as a result of the release by the Borrower, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or any other Person of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment, and (b) any notice alleging any violation of any federal, state or local environmental, health or safety law or regulation by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, which, in either case, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(g) Promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements and annual, quarterly, monthly or other regular reports which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, all certifications and other filings required by Section 302 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations related thereto;
(h) As soon as practicable, and in any event within 90 days after the beginning of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the plan and forecast (including a projected consolidated balance sheet, income statement and funds flow statement) of the Borrower for such fiscal year;
(i) As soon as possible, and in any event within 3 Business Days (in the case of the Borrower) and 15 days (in the case of any Guarantor) after the occurrence thereof, a reasonably detailed notification to the Administrative Agent and its counsel of any change in the jurisdiction of organization of the Borrower or any Guarantor;
(j) As soon as practicable, and in any event within thirty (30) days after the close of each calendar month, the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with a Borrowing Base Certificate (containing a certification by an Authorized Officer that the Receivables Portfolios included in the Borrowing Base referenced in such Borrowing Base Certificate are performing, in the aggregate, at a sufficient level to support the amount of such Borrowing Base), together with such supporting documents (including without limitation (i) to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, copies of all bills of sale and purchase agreements evidencing the acquisition of Receivables Portfolios included in the Borrowing Base and (ii) a copy of the most recent static pool report with respect to such Receivables Portfolios as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems desirable, all certified as being true and correct in all material respects by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower). The Borrower may update the Borrowing Base Certificate more frequently than monthly and the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate shall be the applicable Borrowing Base Certificate for purposes of determining the Borrowing Base at any time;
(k) Such other information (including non-financial information, and including the audit report with respect to the following reports and evaluations (but not the reports or evaluations themselves): the Commercial Finance Examination Reports and evaluations of the Bureau Enhanced Behavioral Liquidations Score and the Unified Collections Score) as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.
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If any information which is required to be furnished to the Lenders under this Section 6.1 is required by law or regulation to be filed by the Borrower with a government body on an earlier date, then the information required hereunder shall be furnished to the Lenders by no later than 5 Business Days after such earlier date.
In the event that any financial statement delivered pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) immediately above or any Compliance Certificate is shown to be inaccurate (regardless of whether this Agreement or any Commitment is in effect when such inaccuracy is discovered, but only to the extent such inaccuracy is discovered within twelve (12) months after any Obligations cease to be outstanding (other than any contingent Obligations)), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any period (an Applicable Period) than the Applicable Margin applied for such Applicable Period, then (i) the Borrower shall promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent a corrected Compliance Certificate for such Applicable Period, (ii) the Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period shall be determined in accordance with the corrected Compliance Certificate, and (iii) the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Administrative Agent the accrued additional interest owing, if any, as a result of such increased Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period, which payment shall be promptly applied by the Administrative Agent to the Obligations, net of any interest paid during the prior twelve (12) months as a result of any inaccuracy which, if corrected, would have led to the application of a lower Applicable Margin for any period. This Section 5.1 shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders with respect to Section 2.13(c) and ARTICLE VIII.
Section 5.2. Notices of Default and Material Events.
Within three (3) Business Days after an Authorized Officer becomes aware thereof, the Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, give notice in writing to the Lenders of the occurrence (i) of any Default or Event of Default and (ii) of any other development, financial or otherwise, which (solely with respect to this clause (ii)) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
Section 5.3. Conduct of Business.
The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to: (i) carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is conducted on the Closing Date; provided that in no event shall any member of the Propel Group engage in any business such that it would acquire any material amount of Receivables to the extent such Receivables could be Eligible Receivables if held by a Loan Party and (ii) do all things necessary to remain duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and (to the extent such concept applies to such entity) in good standing as a domestic corporation, partnership or limited liability company in its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as the case may be, as in effect on the Closing Date, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except (i) as permitted by Section 7.3 or (ii) to the extent that the failure to maintain any of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 5.4. Compliance with Laws.
The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations, orders, writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees or awards to which it may be subject including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws, ERISA and Section 302 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to which it may be subject where non-compliance with such laws, rules, regulations, orders, writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees or awards could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.5. Taxes.
The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, timely file complete and correct United States federal and applicable foreign, state and local tax returns required by law and pay when due all taxes, assessments and governmental charges and levies upon it or its income, profits or Property, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
Section 5.6. Maintenance of Properties.
Subject to Section 7.6, the Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, do all things necessary to maintain, preserve, protect and keep the tangible Property material to the operation of its business in good repair, working order and condition, (ordinary wear and tear excepted), and make all necessary and proper repairs, renewals and replacements so that its business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times.
Section 5.7. Inspection; Keeping of Books and Records.
The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, permit the Agents and the Lenders, by their respective representatives and agents (at reasonable times and upon reasonable advance written notice, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) to inspect (including without limitation to conduct an annual field examination of) any of its Property, including, without limitation, an audit by the Administrative Agent or professionals (including consultants and accountants) retained by the Administrative Agent of the Borrowers practices in the computation of the Borrowing Base, inspection and audit of the Collateral, books and financial records of the Borrower and each Loan Party, to examine and make copies of the books of accounts and other financial records of the Borrower and each Loan Party, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower and each Loan Party with, and to be advised as to the same by, their respective officers. The Borrower shall keep and maintain, and cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to keep and maintain, in all material respects, proper books of record and account in which entries in conformity with Agreement Accounting Principles shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to their respective businesses and activities. If a Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower, upon either Agents request, shall turn over copies of any such records to such Agent or its
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representatives. The Borrower shall pay the fees and expenses of the Administrative Agent and such professionals with respect to such examinations, audits and evaluations; provided, that, the Administrative Agent shall undertake only one (1) field examination/audit during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months at the Borrowers expense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in addition to the field examinations and audits described above, the Administrative Agent may have additional field examinations and audits done if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at the Borrowers expense.
Section 5.8. Insurance.
The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on their Property in such amounts, subject to such deductibles and self-insurance retentions, and covering such risks as is consistent with sound business practice. The Borrower shall deliver to the Collateral Agent endorsements in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent to all general liability and other liability policies name the Collateral Agent as an additional insured. The Borrower shall furnish to any Lender such additional information as such Lender may reasonably request regarding the insurance carried by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries. In the event the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at any time or times hereafter shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies or insurance required herein or to pay any premium in whole or in part relating thereto, then the Collateral Agent, without waiving or releasing any obligations or resulting Default hereunder, may at any time or times thereafter (but shall be under no obligation to do so) obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premiums and take any other action with respect thereto which the Collateral Agent deems advisable. All sums so disbursed by the Collateral Agent shall constitute part of the Obligations, payable as provided in this Agreement.
Section 5.9. Use of Proceeds.
The Borrower will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, use the proceeds of the Loans for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, purchases of Receivables Portfolios, Permitted Acquisitions, Acquisitions permitted pursuant to Sections 7.4(c) and repayment of Indebtedness under the Existing Financing Arrangements. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of Credit Extensions in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements and any such use shall not result in a violation of any such requirements, including, without limitation, Regulation U and X, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated under any of the foregoing.
Section 5.10. Guarantors.
The Borrower shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Subsidiaries, Immaterial Subsidiaries and each member of the Propel Group) to guarantee pursuant to the Guaranty Agreement or supplement thereto (or, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, any other guaranty agreement requested by the Administrative Agent) the Secured Obligations. In furtherance of the above, after the formation or acquisition of any Restricted Subsidiary or a Subsidiary Redesignation, the Borrower shall promptly (and in any event upon
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the earlier of (x) such time as such Restricted Subsidiary becomes a guarantor, co-borrower or other obligor under the Prudential Financing and (y) within 45 days after such formation or acquisition or Subsidiary Redesignation (with any such time limit permitted to be extended by the Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion)) (i) provide written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders upon any Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, setting forth information in reasonable detail describing all of the assets of such Person, (ii) cause such Person (other than any member of the Propel Group and any Immaterial Subsidiary) to execute a supplement to the Guaranty Agreement and such other Collateral Documents as are necessary for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to comply with Section 5.11, (iii) cause the Applicable Pledge Percentage of the issued and outstanding equity interests of such Person and each other Pledge Subsidiary to be delivered to the Collateral Agent (together with undated stock powers signed in blank, if applicable) and pledged to the Collateral Agent pursuant to an appropriate pledge agreement(s) in substantially the form of the Pledge and Security Agreement (or joinder or other supplement thereto) and otherwise in form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (iv) deliver such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing, including, without limitation, certified resolutions and other authority documents of such Person and, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, favorable opinions of counsel to such Person (which shall cover, among other things, the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation referred to above), all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to execute and deliver the Guaranty Agreement (or supplement thereto) or such other guaranty agreement if such execution and delivery would cause a Deemed Dividend Problem or a Financial Assistance Problem with respect to such Foreign Subsidiary and, in lieu thereof, the Borrower and the relevant Restricted Subsidiaries shall provide the pledge agreements required under this Section 5.10 or Section 5.11. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower will be required to comply with this Section (x) with respect to any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC to the extent that the provisions of the Propel Indebtedness no longer prohibits the guaranty of the Obligations or the granting of security in respect thereto and (y) with respect to any Immaterial Subsidiary if it ceases to be an Immaterial Subsidiary under the terms of the definition thereof.
Section 5.11. Collateral.
The Borrower will cause, and will cause each other Loan Party to cause, all of its owned Property to be subject at all times to first priority, perfected Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents, subject in any case to Liens permitted by Section 7.2 (it being understood and agreed that (a) no control agreements will be required hereunder in respect of bank accounts and (b) Mortgages and Mortgage Instruments will only be required hereunder in respect of Mortgaged Properties). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower will (i) cause the Applicable Pledge Percentage of the issued and outstanding equity interests of each Pledge Subsidiary directly owned by the Borrower or any other Loan Party to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent to secure the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents or such other security documents as the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request and (ii) will, and will cause each Guarantor to, deliver Mortgages and Mortgage Instruments with respect to real property owned by the
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Borrower or such Guarantor to the extent, and within such time period as is, reasonably required by the Collateral Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no pledge agreement in respect of the equity interests of a Foreign Subsidiary shall be required hereunder to the extent such pledge thereunder is prohibited by applicable law or the Administrative Agent reasonably determines that such pledge would not provide material credit support for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to legally valid, binding and enforceable pledge agreements.
Section 5.12. Post-Closing Obligations.
The Borrower shall execute and deliver the documents and complete the tasks set forth on Schedule 5.12, in each case as promptly as possible after the Closing Date and in any event within the time limits specified on such schedule (with any such time limit permitted to be extended by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion). The provisions of Schedule 5.12 shall be deemed incorporated by reference herein as fully as if set forth herein in its entirety.
ARTICLE VI
FINANCIAL COVENANTS
The Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any Lender has a Commitment hereunder or any Obligation remains unpaid or outstanding:
Section 6.1. Cash Flow Leverage Ratio.
The Borrower will not permit the ratio (the Cash Flow Leverage Ratio), determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2012), of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the then most-recently ended four fiscal quarters to be greater than 2.00:1.00 for each fiscal four-quarter period.
The Cash Flow Leverage Ratio shall be calculated (i) based upon (a) for Consolidated Funded Indebtedness, as of the last day of each such fiscal quarter and (b) for Consolidated EBITDA, the actual amount as of the last day of each fiscal quarter for the most recently ended four consecutive fiscal quarters and (ii) giving pro forma effect to any Material Acquisition and Material Disposition. For purposes of this Section 6.1, Material Acquisition means any Acquisition or series of related Acquisitions that involves the payment of consideration by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of $10,000,000; and Material Disposition means any Asset Sale or series of related Asset Sales that yields gross proceeds to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of $10,000,000.
Section 6.2. Minimum Net Worth.
The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Net Worth of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries to be less than the sum of (i) a dollar amount equal to $166,506,500, plus (ii) 50% of such Consolidated Net Income earned in each fiscal quarter beginning with the quarter ending March 31, 2009 (without deduction for losses), plus (iii) 100% of the amount by which the Borrowers total stockholders equity is increased after February 8, 2010 as a result of the issuance or sale by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of, or the conversion
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of any Indebtedness of such Person into, any equity interests (including warrants and similar investments) in such Person, minus (iv) amounts expended by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries to repurchase the Borrowers capital stock (x) for the period after February 8, 2010 through and including the Closing Date and (y) for the all periods after the Closing Date to the extent such repurchases are permitted under Section 7.5(iv)(A).
Section 6.3. Interest Coverage Ratio.
The Borrower will not permit the ratio, determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2012) for the then most-recently completed four fiscal quarters, of (i) Consolidated EBIT to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense, in each case as of the end of such period, to be less than 2.00:1.00.
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
The Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any Lender has a Commitment hereunder or any Obligation remains outstanding:
Section 7.1. Indebtedness.
The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) The Obligations and Rate Management Obligations and Banking Services Obligations constituting Secured Obligations;
(b) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and described in Schedule 7.1(b);
(c) Indebtedness arising under Rate Management Transactions (other than for speculative purposes);
(d) Secured or unsecured purchase money Indebtedness (including Capitalized Leases) incurred by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Closing Date to finance the acquisition of assets used in its business, if (1) the total of all such Indebtedness for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken together incurred on or after the Closing Date, when aggregated with the Indebtedness permitted under clause (i) immediately below, shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount of $15,000,000 at any one time outstanding, (2) such Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the purchase price of the asset(s) financed, (3) no such Indebtedness shall be refinanced for a principal amount in excess of the principal balance outstanding thereon at the time of such refinancing, and (4) any Lien securing such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 7.2 (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness);
(e) Indebtedness arising from intercompany loans and advances (i) made by any Subsidiary to any Loan Party; provided that the Borrower agrees (and will cause each of its
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Subsidiaries to agree) that all such Indebtedness owed to any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC, any Unrestricted Subsidiary, by any Loan Party shall be expressly subordinated to the Secured Obligations pursuant to subordination provisions reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, (ii) made by the Borrower to any Loan Party; (iii) made by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any other Restricted Subsidiary solely for the purpose of facilitating, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, the payment of fees and expenses in connection with collection actions or proceedings or (iv) made by the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary to any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC (other than a Blocked Propel Subsidiary) to the extent such loan would be permitted as an investment in compliance with the proviso of Section 7.4(f) or any Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent such loan would be permitted as an investment in compliance Section 7.4(k);
(f) Guaranty obligations of the Borrower of any Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary permitted under clause (b) of this Section 7.1 or of any Indebtedness of any Subsidiary permitted as an Investment under Section 7.4(i), (j) or (k);
(g) Guaranty obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Guarantor with respect to any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary permitted under this Section 7.1, other than the Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Non-Recourse Indebtedness;
(h) Indebtedness under the Prudential Financing in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000,000;
(i) Additional unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.1; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of such additional Indebtedness, when aggregated with the Indebtedness permitted under clause (d) immediately above shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(j) Bonds or other Indebtedness required by collections licensing laws in the ordinary course of the Loan Parties business;
(k) Indebtedness, liabilities and contingent obligations incurred or assumed in connection with a Permitted Acquisition; provided, however, that any such Indebtedness incurred or assumed by a Person that is a Foreign Subsidiary after giving effect to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition shall be permitted only to the extent such Indebtedness constitutes Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Non-Recourse Indebtedness;
(l) Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Non-Recourse Indebtedness;
(m) Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Investments/Loans, to the extent permitted as an Investment in compliance with the proviso of Section 7.4(j);
(n) Additional unsecured or subordinated Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.1; provided, however, that (i) the aggregate principal amount of such additional Indebtedness shall not exceed $300,000,000, (ii) such Indebtedness shall not mature, and shall not be subject to any
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scheduled mandatory prepayment, redemption or defeasance, in each case prior to five (5) years from the date of issuance of such Indebtedness and (iii) if such Indebtedness is subordinated, the terms of such subordination shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;
(o) The Propel Indebtedness; provided that the aggregate principal amount thereof does not exceed $300,000,000 (exclusive of intercompany loans), and the unsecured guaranty obligations of the Borrower of such Propel Indebtedness;
(p) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, Indebtedness of any Loan Party not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 7.1 in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided, that such Indebtedness shall be limited to a letter of credit facility provided to or for the benefit of the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(q) Indebtedness arising from intercompany loans and advances made by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party.
Section 7.2. Liens.
The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, or suffer to exist any Lien in, of or on the Property of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except:
(a) Liens securing Secured Obligations;
(b) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies on its Property if the same (i) shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty, (ii) are disclosed on Schedule 7.2 or (iii) are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles shall have been set aside on its books;
(c) Liens imposed by law, such as landlords, wage earners, carriers, warehousemens and mechanics liens and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business which secure payment of obligations not more than 45 days past due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles shall have been set aside on its books;
(d) Liens arising out of pledges or deposits under workers compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, or other social security or retirement benefits, or similar legislation;
(e) Liens as described in Schedule 7.2;
(f) Deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements;
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(g) Deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(h) Easements, reservations, rights-of-way, restrictions, survey or title exceptions and other similar encumbrances as to real property of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries which customarily exist on properties of corporations engaged in similar activities and similarly situated and which do not materially interfere with the conduct of the business of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary conducted at the property subject thereto;
(i) Purchase money Liens securing Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness (as defined in Section 7.1(d)); provided, that such Liens shall not apply to any property of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries other than that purchased with the proceeds of such Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness;
(j) Liens existing on any asset of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower at the time such Restricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such event;
(k) Liens on any asset securing Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing or refinancing all or any part of the cost of acquiring or constructing such asset; provided that such Lien attaches to such asset concurrently with or within eighteen (18) months after the acquisition or completion or construction thereof;
(l) Liens existing on any asset of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower at the time such Restricted Subsidiary is merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such event;
(m) Liens existing on any asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and not created in contemplation thereof; provided that such Liens do not encumber any other Property or assets;
(n) Liens arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted under clauses (i) through (m) immediately above; provided that (a) such Indebtedness is not secured by any additional assets, and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness secured by any such Lien is not increased;
(o) Liens on the assets of any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC securing the Propel Indebtedness; and
(p) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1(p); provided that the holder(s) of such Indebtedness and the Collateral Agent shall have entered into an intercreditor agreement with respect to such Liens (and the assets subject to such Liens) that is in form and content acceptable to the Agents.
In addition, no Loan Party shall become a party to any agreement, note, indenture or other instrument, or take any other action, which would prohibit the creation of a Lien on any of its Properties or other assets in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured
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Parties; provided, however, that any agreement, note, indenture or other instrument in connection with purchase money Indebtedness (including Capitalized Leases) for which the related Liens are permitted hereunder may prohibit the creation of a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, with respect to the assets or Property obtained with the proceeds of such Indebtedness.
Section 7.3. Merger or Dissolution.
The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, merge or consolidate with or into any other Person or dissolve, except that:
(a) A Restricted Subsidiary may merge into (x) the Borrower so long as the Borrower is the survivor of such merger or (y) a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Guarantor or becomes a Guarantor promptly upon the completion of the applicable merger or consolidation so long as the Guarantor is the survivor of such merger;
(b) The Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary may consummate any merger or consolidation in connection with any Permitted Acquisition so long as (i) in the case of the Borrower, the Borrower is the surviving entity and (ii) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, the Borrower has otherwise complied with Section 5.10 and Section 5.11 in respect of the surviving entity;
(c) The Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into Permitted Restructurings.
Section 7.4. Investments and Acquisitions.
The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make or suffer to exist any Investments (including without limitation, loans and advances to, and other Investments in, Subsidiaries), or commitments therefor, or to create any Subsidiary or to become or remain a partner in any partnership or joint venture, or to make any Acquisition of any Person, except:
(a) (i) Cash Equivalent Investments, (ii) any Permitted Indebtedness Hedge, and (iii) other Investments described in Schedule 7.4(a);
(b) Existing Investments in Restricted Subsidiaries and other Investments in existence on the Closing Date and described in Schedule 7.4(b);
(c) So long as (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of the date of the Asset Acceptance Acquisition, or would result from the consummation of the Asset Acceptance Acquisition, and (y) each of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.2 have been satisfied (assuming, for such purpose, that a Credit Extension shall be used to finance a portion of the Purchase Price of the Asset Acceptance Acquisition and further assuming that the Asset Acceptance Acquisition shall have been consummated at the time of such Credit Extension) or waived in accordance with Section 10.2, the Asset Acceptance Acquisition may be consummated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Asset Acceptance Merger Agreement; and
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(d) Acquisitions meeting the following requirements or otherwise approved by the Required Lenders (each such Acquisition constituting a Permitted Acquisition):
(i) as of the date of the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such Permitted Acquisition, and the representation and warranty contained in Section 4.9 shall be true both before and after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition;
(ii) such Permitted Acquisition is consummated pursuant to a negotiated acquisition agreement approved by the board of directors or other applicable governing body of the seller or entity to be acquired, and no material challenge to such Permitted Acquisition (excluding the exercise of appraisal rights) shall be pending or threatened by any shareholder or director of the seller or entity to be acquired;
(iii) the business to be acquired in such Permitted Acquisition is similar or related to one or more of the lines of business in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the Closing Date;
(iv) as of the date of the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition, all material governmental and corporate approvals required in connection therewith shall have been obtained;
(v) the aggregate Purchase Price for all such Permitted Acquisitions during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $100,000,000; provided that the Purchase Price for any single Permitted Acquisition during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $50,000,000;
(vi) prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a pro forma consolidated balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (the Acquisition Pro Forma), based on the Borrowers most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) (using, to the extent available, historical financial statements for such entity provided by the seller(s)) which shall be complete and shall fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles, but taking into account such Permitted Acquisition and the funding of all Credit Extensions in connection therewith, and such Acquisition Pro Forma shall reflect that, on a pro forma basis, the Borrower would have been in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in ARTICLE VI for the period of four fiscal quarters reflected in the compliance certificate most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 5.1(c) prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition (giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition and all Credit Extensions funded in connection therewith as if made on the first day of such period); provided, however, that no such compliance with Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 is required to be demonstrated in such Acquisition Pro Forma for an Acquisition which is either (x) solely a purchase of assets or (y) an acquisition of an entity or a going business for which no financial statements are available; and
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(vii) prior to each such Permitted Acquisition, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a documentation, information and certification package in form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and demonstrating conformity with the applicable Acquisition Pro Forma and sufficient to describe the assets and Persons being acquired, including, without limitation:
(A) | a near-final version (with no further material amendments to be made thereto) of the acquisition agreement for such Permitted Acquisition together with drafts of the material schedules thereto; |
(B) | a near-final version (with no further material amendments to be made thereto) of all documents, instruments and agreements with respect to any Indebtedness to be incurred or assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition; and |
(C) | such other documents or information as shall be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with such Permitted Acquisition; |
(e) A Permitted Restructuring;
(f) Creation of, or Investment in, a Restricted Subsidiary (other than (i) a Blocked Propel Subsidiary and (ii) a Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party) and in respect of which the Borrower has otherwise complied with Section 5.10 and Section 5.11; provided that in the case of any investments in any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC, such investment shall be permitted only to the extent that after giving effect to such investment, no Default shall exist and continue and that the Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 6.1 and Section 6.3 on a pro forma basis as if the Investment occurred on the first day of the applicable period being tested pursuant to such Sections;
(g) Investments constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1(e) and Section 7.1(o);
(h) Investments by a Loan Party in another Loan Party;
(i) Minority Investments of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, so long as (A) the aggregate Investment permitted under this clause (i) in any single Person shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any time outstanding and (B) the aggregate for all Investments permitted by this clause (i) shall not at any time exceed the lesser of (1) $60,000,000 and (2) $150,000,000 less the aggregate outstanding Investments made pursuant to clauses (j) and (k) of this Section 7.4;
(j) Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Investments/Loans, provided that the aggregate for all Investments permitted by this clause (j) shall not exceed at any time the greater of (A) ten percent (10%) of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth and (B) $150,000,000 less the aggregate outstanding Investments made pursuant to clauses (i) and (k) of this Section 7.4; and
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(k) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Blocked Propel Subsidiaries not to exceed in the aggregate at any time $150,000,000 less the aggregate outstanding Investments made pursuant to clauses (i) and (j) of this Section 7.4.
For purposes of determining the amount of any Investment outstanding for purposes of this Section 7.4, such amount shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of such Investment when made, purchased or acquired less any amount realized by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Investment upon the sale, collection or return of capital, including by way of a Subsidiary Redesignation after the Investment therein (in any case, not to exceed the original amount invested).
Section 7.5. Restricted Payments.
The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Restricted Payment (other than dividends payable in its own capital stock) except that (i) any Restricted Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends or make distributions to the Borrower or to a Guarantor, (ii) the Borrower may, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would arise after giving effect thereto, make Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed, during any fiscal year of the Borrower, 20% of the audited Consolidated Net Income for the then most recently completed fiscal year of the Borrower, (iii) [reserved], (iv) Borrower may (A) effect a conversion of Permitted Indebtedness pursuant to its terms by making any required payments of cash and/or Borrowers capital stock and (B) make a payment of cash to enter into a Permitted Indebtedness Hedge in connection with Permitted Indebtedness, and any payments made in settlement or in performance thereof, and (v) the Borrower may, so long as the Payment Conditions (as defined below) are satisfied, make repurchases of its capital stock so long as the aggregate cumulative amount expended on and after February 8, 2010 for all such repurchases of capital stock does not exceed $50,000,000. As used herein, Payment Conditions means (i) no Default or Event of Default has then occurred and is continuing or would arise after giving effect thereto and (ii) before and after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto, (A) the Borrower is in compliance with the covenants set forth in ARTICLE VI and (B) the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure shall not exceed the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the Borrowing Base, in each case, then in effect.
Section 7.6. Sale of Assets.
The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Loan Party to, lease, sell or otherwise dispose of its Property to any other Person, except:
(a) Sales of Receivables in the ordinary course of business;
(b) A disposition or transfer of assets by a Loan Party to another Loan Party or a Person that becomes a Loan Party prior to such disposition or transfer;
(c) A disposition of obsolete Property, Property no longer used in the business of the Borrower or the other Loan Parties or other assets in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, but excluding in each case Property (other than fixtures and personal Property) subject to a Lien under a Mortgage;
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(d) Leases, sales or other dispositions of its Property that, together with all other Property of the Borrower and the Loan Parties previously leased, sold or disposed of (other than dispositions otherwise permitted by this Section 7.6) as permitted by this Section during any fiscal year of the Borrower do not exceed one percent (1%) of Consolidated Tangible Assets in the aggregate;
(e) So long as the Borrower makes the prepayments and/or reinvestment of proceeds required under Section 2.12(a) in respect thereof, sales or dispositions of assets outside the ordinary course of business with an aggregate fair market value not to exceed, during the term of this Agreement, $20,000,000; and
(f) Any lease, transfer or other disposition of its Property that constitutes a permitted Investment under Section 7.4.
Section 7.7. Transactions with Affiliates.
The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase or sale of any Property or service) with, or make any payment or transfer to, any Affiliate (other than the Borrower and the Loan Parties) except (i) in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the Borrowers or such Restricted Subsidiarys business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary than the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary would obtain in a comparable arms-length transaction, (ii) the Permitted Restructuring and (iii) Investments permitted under Section 7.4.
Section 7.8. Subsidiary Covenants.
The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Loan Party or any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC to, create or otherwise cause to become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Loan Party or any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC (i) to pay dividends or make any other distribution on its stock, (ii) to pay or prepay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) to make loans or advances or other Investments in the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or (iv) to sell, transfer or otherwise convey any of its property to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, other than (A) customary restrictions on transfers, business changes or similar matters relating to earn out obligations in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and (B) as provided in this Agreement, the Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement and the Propel Indebtedness.
Section 7.9. Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction.
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Section 7.10. Financial Contracts.
The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or remain liable upon any Rate Management Transactions except for those entered into in the ordinary course of business for bona fide hedging purposes and not for speculative purposes.
Section 7.11. Acquisition of Receivables Portfolios.
The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, acquire any single or related series of Receivables Portfolio with a purchase price in excess of the lesser of (i) 50% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth as of the Borrowers most recently ended fiscal quarter and based on the financial statements of the Borrower delivered hereunder for such fiscal quarter and (ii) $150,000,000 (it being agreed that any one or more tranches or groups of Receivables purchased by one or more Loan Parties from the same seller or an Affiliate of such seller within a period of seven (7) consecutive days shall be deemed to be a single acquisition). The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, (i) acquire any Receivable denominated in a currency other than Dollars, (ii) acquire any Receivable with respect to which the debtor is a resident of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, (iii) acquire any Person which owns any Receivable denominated in a currency other than Dollars or any Receivable with respect to which the debtor is a resident of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, or (iv) acquire any Person organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America or any state thereof, if, after giving effect to such acquisition, the aggregate outstanding book value (without duplication) of all such Receivables (in the case of the immediately preceding clauses (i) and (ii)), all such Receivables owned by such Person (in the case of the immediately preceding clause (iii)) and any and all Receivables owned by such Person (in the case of the immediately preceding clause (iv)) would exceed in the aggregate 40% of the total book value of all Receivables of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at any time.
Section 7.12. Subordinated Indebtedness and Amendments to Subordinated Note Documents.
The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly voluntarily prepay, defease or in substance defease, purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire, any Subordinated Indebtedness. Furthermore, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, amend the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents (or any replacements, substitutions, extensions or renewals thereof) or pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued where such amendment, modification or supplement provides for the following or which has any of the following effects:
(a) increases the overall principal amount of any such Indebtedness or increases the amount of any single scheduled installment of principal or interest;
(b) shortens or accelerates the date upon which any installment of principal or interest becomes due or adds any additional mandatory redemption provisions;
(c) shortens the final maturity date of such Indebtedness or otherwise accelerates the amortization schedule with respect to such Indebtedness;
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(d) increases the rate of interest accruing on such Indebtedness;
(e) provides for the payment of additional fees or increases existing fees or changes any profit sharing arrangements to the detriment of the Borrower or any Loan Party;
(f) amends or modifies any financial or negative covenant (or covenant which prohibits or restricts the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from taking certain actions) in a manner which is more onerous or more restrictive in any material respect to the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary or which is otherwise materially adverse to the Borrower, its Restricted Subsidiaries and/or the Lenders or, in the case of any such covenant, which places material additional restrictions on the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary or which requires the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary to comply with more restrictive financial ratios or which requires the Borrower to better its financial performance, in each case from that set forth in the existing applicable covenants in the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or the applicable covenants in this Agreement; or
(g) amends, modifies or adds any affirmative covenant in a manner which (a) when taken as a whole, is materially adverse to the Borrower, its Restricted Subsidiaries and/or the Lenders or (b) is more onerous than the existing applicable covenant in the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or the applicable covenant in this Agreement.
Section 7.13. Government Regulation.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to (a) be or become subject at any time to any law, regulation, or list of any government agency (including, without limitation, the U.S. Office of Foreign Asset Control list) that prohibits or limits any Lender from making any Credit Extension to the Borrower or from otherwise conducting business with the Borrower, or (b) fail to provide documentary and other evidence of any Subsidiarys identity as may be requested by any Lender at any time to enable such Lender to verify such Subsidiarys identity or to comply with any applicable law or regulation, including, without limitation, Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act of 2001, 31 U.S.C. Section 5318.
Section 7.14. Rentals.
The Borrower shall not permit, nor shall it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, pay or incur Consolidated Rentals in excess of $15,000,000 for any fiscal year during the term of this Agreement on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Section 7.15. Contingent Obligations.
The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make or suffer to exist any Contingent Obligation (including, without limitation, any Contingent Obligation with respect to the obligations of a Subsidiary), except (i) by endorsement of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business, (ii) the Reimbursement Obligations, (iii) any guaranty of the Secured Obligations, (iv) any liability of the Borrower or the Guarantors under the Loan Documents or the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Prudential Senior Secured Note Agreement), (v) Contingent Obligations in respect of customary indemnification and purchase price adjustment obligations incurred in connection with
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acquisitions or sales of assets, (vi) customary corporate indemnification obligations under charter documents, indemnification agreements with officers and directors and underwriting agreements and (vii) any liability under any Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.1 (it being acknowledged and agreed that none of the Borrower, the Guarantors or the Domestic Subsidiaries shall make or shall suffer to exist any Contingent Obligation in respect of Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries), except to the extent permitted as Investments under Section 7.4).
Section 7.16. Capital Expenditures.
The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, expend, or be committed to expend, in excess of an aggregate of $20,000,000 for Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during any fiscal year of the Borrower.
Section 7.17. Most Favored Lender Status.
If at any time any of the Prudential Financing, or any agreement or document related to the Prudential Financing or any Principal Credit Facility of the Borrower, includes (i) any covenant, event of default or similar provision that is not provided for in this Agreement, or (ii) any covenant, event of default or similar provision that is more restrictive than the same or similar covenant, event of default or similar provision provided in this Agreement (all such provisions described in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) of this Section 7.17 being referred to as the Most Favored Covenants), then (a) such Most Favored Covenant shall immediately and automatically be incorporated by reference in this Agreement as if set forth fully herein, mutatis mutandis, and no such provision may thereafter be waived, amended or modified under this Agreement except pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.2, and (b) the Borrower shall promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after entering into any such Most Favored Covenant, so advise the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) in writing. Thereafter, upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Borrower shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement with the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders evidencing the incorporation of such Most Favored Covenant, it being agreed that any failure to make such request or to enter into any such amendment shall in no way qualify or limit the incorporation by reference described in clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence.
Section 7.18. Use of Proceeds.
The Borrower will not request any Credit Extension with the intent, or for the purpose, of using the proceeds of such Credit Extension to purchase or otherwise acquire delinquent property tax receivables.
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Section 8.1. Events of Default.
The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) Nonpayment of (i) principal of any Loan when due, (ii) any Reimbursement Obligation within two Business Days after the same becomes due, or (iii) interest upon any Loan or any Commitment Fee, any fees in respect of Letters of Credit or other Obligations under any of the Loan Documents within five (5) Business Days after such interest, fee or other Obligation becomes due; or
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(b) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Lenders or the Agents under or in connection with this Agreement, any Credit Extension, or any certificate or written information delivered in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be false in any material respect on the date as of which made or deemed made; or
(c) The breach by the Borrower of any of the terms or provisions of Section 5.1, Section 5.2, Section 5.9, Section 5.10, Section 5.11, ARTICLE VI or ARTICLE VII (other than Section 7.17); or
(d) The breach by the Borrower (other than a breach which constitutes an Event of Default under another Section of this ARTICLE VIII) of any of the terms or provisions of (i) this Agreement or (ii) any other Loan Document (beyond the applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any), in each case which is not remedied within thirty (30) days after the earlier to occur of (x) written notice from the Administrative Agent or any Lender to the Borrower or (y) an Authorized Officer otherwise becomes aware of any such breach; or
(e) Failure of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay when due any Material Indebtedness (subject to any applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any, set forth in the Material Indebtedness Agreement evidencing such Material Indebtedness) which failure has not been (i) timely cured or (ii) waived in writing by the requisite holders of such Material Indebtedness; or the default by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the performance (beyond the applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any) of any term, provision or condition contained in any Material Indebtedness Agreement or any other event shall occur or condition exist thereunder and such default has not been (x) timely cured or (y) waived in writing by the requisite holders of the Material Indebtedness in respect thereof and the effect of such default, event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder(s) of such Material Indebtedness or the lender(s) under any Material Indebtedness Agreement to cause, such Material Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or any commitment to lend under any Material Indebtedness Agreement to be terminated prior to its stated expiration date; or any Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be declared to be due and payable or required to be prepaid or repurchased (other than by a regularly scheduled payment) prior to the stated maturity thereof; or the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not pay, or admit in writing its inability to pay, its debts generally as they become due; or
(f) The Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall (i) have an order for relief entered with respect to it under the Federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect, (ii) make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) apply for, seek, consent to, or acquiesce in, the appointment of a receiver, custodian, trustee, examiner, liquidator or similar official for it or any Substantial Portion of its Property, (iv) institute any proceeding seeking an
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order for relief under the Federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors or fail to file an answer or other pleading denying the material allegations of any such proceeding filed against it, (v) take any corporate or partnership action to authorize or effect any of the foregoing actions set forth in this clause (f) or (vi) fail to contest in good faith any appointment or proceeding described in clause (g) immediately below; or
(g) Without the application, approval or consent of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, a receiver, trustee, examiner, liquidator or similar official shall be appointed for the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Substantial Portion of its Property, or a proceeding described in Section 8.1(f)(iv) shall be instituted against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and such appointment continues undischarged or such proceeding continues undismissed or unstayed for a period of 60 consecutive days; or
(h) Any court, government or governmental agency shall condemn, seize or otherwise appropriate, or take custody or control of, all or any portion of the Property of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries which, when taken together with all other Property of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries so condemned, seized, appropriated, or taken custody or control of, during the twelve-month period ending with the month in which any such action occurs, constitutes a Substantial Portion; or
(i) The Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail within 30 days to pay, bond or otherwise discharge one or more (i) judgments or orders for the payment of money in excess of $10,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in currencies other than Dollars) in the aggregate, or (ii) nonmonetary judgments or orders which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, which judgment(s), in any such case, is/are not stayed on appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith or otherwise not covered by a creditworthy insurer or indemnitor; or
(j) Any Reportable Event shall occur in connection with any Plan, which could reasonably be expected to result in a liability to the Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group exceeding $10,000,000; or
(k) The Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or is being terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, if as a result of such reorganization or termination the aggregate annual contributions of the Borrower and the other members of the Controlled Group (taken as a whole) to all Multiemployer Plans which are then in reorganization or being terminated have been or will be increased, in the aggregate, over the amounts contributed to such Multiemployer Plans for the respective plan years of such Multiemployer Plans immediately preceding the plan year in which the reorganization or termination occurs by an amount exceeding $10,000,000; or
(l) The Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that it has incurred, within the meaning of
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Section 4201 of ERISA, withdrawal liability to such Multiemployer Plan in an amount which, when aggregated with all other amounts required to be paid to Multiemployer Plans by the Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group as withdrawal liability (determined as of the date of such notification), exceeds $10,000,000 or requires payments exceeding $10,000,000 per annum; or
(m) Any Change of Control shall occur or exist; or
(n) Nonpayment by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Rate Management Obligation, when due or the breach by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of any term, provision or condition contained in any Rate Management Transaction or any transaction of the type described in the definition of Rate Management Transactions, whether or not any Lender or Affiliate of a Lender is a party thereto; or
(o) The Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall violate any Environmental Law, which has resulted in liability to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an amount equal to $10,000,000 or more, which liability is not paid, bonded or otherwise discharged within 45 days or which is not stayed on appeal and being appropriately contested in good faith; or
(p) This Agreement (including amendments and supplements hereto), the Guaranty Agreement (including amendments and supplements thereto) or any Collateral Document (including amendments and supplements thereto) shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of (including any action taken on the part of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries to assert such invalidity or unenforceability of), or which results in the invalidity or unenforceability of, any such Loan Document, or any Collateral Document shall, other than as permitted thereby, fail to create or maintain for any reason a valid and perfected security interest in any collateral purported to be covered thereby.
Section 8.2. Acceleration.
(a) If any Event of Default described in Section 8.1(f) or Section 8.1(g) occurs with respect to the Borrower, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder and the obligation and power of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit shall automatically terminate and the Obligations shall immediately become due and payable without any election or action on the part of either Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, and the Borrower will be and become thereby unconditionally obligated, without any further notice, act or demand, to pay the Administrative Agent an amount in immediately available funds, which funds shall be held in the LC Collateral Account, equal to the difference of (x) the amount of LC Obligations at such time less (y) the amount or deposit in the LC Collateral Account at such time which is free and clear of all rights and claims of third parties and has not been applied against the Obligations (the Collateral Shortfall Amount). If any other Event of Default occurs, the Required Lenders (or the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) may (a) terminate or suspend the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder and the obligation and power of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit, or declare the Obligations to be due and payable, or both, whereupon the Obligations shall become immediately due and payable, without
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presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which the Borrower hereby expressly waives and (b) upon notice to the Borrower and in addition to the continuing right to demand payment of all amounts payable under this Agreement, make demand on the Borrower to pay, and the Borrower will forthwith upon such demand and without any further notice or act pay to the Administrative Agent the Collateral Shortfall Amount which funds shall be deposited in the LC Collateral Account.
(b) If at any time while any Event of Default is continuing, the Administrative Agent determines that the Collateral Shortfall Amount at such time is greater than zero, the Administrative Agent may make demand on the Borrower to pay, and the Borrower will, forthwith upon such demand and without any further notice or act, pay to the Administrative Agent the Collateral Shortfall Amount, which funds shall be deposited in the LC Collateral Account.
(c) The Agents may at any time or from time to time after funds are deposited in the LC Collateral Account, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, apply such funds to the payment of the Obligations and any other amounts as shall from time to time have become due and payable by the Borrower to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank under the Loan Documents.
(d) At any time while any Event of Default is continuing, neither the Borrower nor any Person claiming on behalf of or through the Borrower shall have any right to withdraw any of the funds held in the LC Collateral Account. After all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full and the Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment has been terminated, any funds remaining in the LC Collateral Account shall be returned by the Collateral Agent to the Borrower or paid to whomever may be legally entitled thereto at such time, including pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement.
(e) If, after acceleration of the maturity of the Obligations or termination of the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and the obligation and power of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder as a result of any Event of Default (other than any Event of Default as described in Section 8.1(f) or Section 8.1(g) with respect to the Borrower) and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the Obligations due shall have been obtained or entered, the Required Lenders (in their sole discretion) shall so direct, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower, rescind and annul such acceleration and/or termination.
(f) All proceeds from each sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral during the existence of an Event of Default shall be applied pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Pledge and Security Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Section 9.1. Appointment; Nature of Relationship.
SunTrust Bank is hereby appointed by each of the Lenders as its contractual representative as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder and under each other
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Loan Document, and each of the Lenders authorizes each of the Agents to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement, on behalf of such Lender (each Lender hereby agreeing to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, as if it were a party thereto, with the Holders of Prudential Note Obligations to be intended third-party beneficiaries of such agreement) and each of the Lenders irrevocably authorizes each of the Agents to act as the contractual representative of such Lender with the rights and duties expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Each Agent agrees to act as such contractual representative upon the express conditions contained in this ARTICLE IX. Notwithstanding the use of the defined terms Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, it is expressly understood and agreed that the Agents shall not have any fiduciary responsibilities to any of the Secured Parties by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document and that the Agents are merely acting as the contractual representatives of the Lenders with only those duties as are expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In their capacity as the Lenders contractual representatives, (i) neither Agent hereby assumes any fiduciary duties to any of the Secured Parties, (ii) the Collateral Agent is a representative of the Secured Parties within the meaning of the term secured party as defined in the New York Uniform Commercial Code and (iii) each Agent is acting as an independent contractor, the rights and duties of which are limited to those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each of the Lenders, for itself and on behalf of its Affiliates as Holders of Obligations, hereby agrees to assert no claim against either Agent on any agency theory or any other theory of liability for breach of fiduciary duty, all of which claims each Holder of Obligations hereby waives. Except as expressly set forth herein, neither Agent shall have any duty to disclose, nor shall either Agent be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any other Loan Party that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as such Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
Section 9.2. Powers.
Each Agent shall have and may exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to the such Agent by the terms of each thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Neither Agent shall have any implied duties or fiduciary duties to the Lenders, or any obligation to the Lenders to take any action thereunder except any action specifically provided by the Loan Documents to be taken by such Agent.
Section 9.3. General Immunity.
Neither Agent nor any of their Related Parties shall be liable to the Borrower, or any Lender or Holder of Obligations for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in connection herewith or therewith except to the extent such action or inaction is determined in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have arisen from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Person.
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Section 9.4. No Responsibility for Loans, Recitals, Etc.
Neither Agent nor any of their Related Parties shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, or verify (a) any statement, warranty or representation made in connection with any Loan Document or any Borrowing; (b) the performance or observance of any of the covenants or agreements of any obligor under any Loan Document, including, without limitation, any agreement by an obligor to furnish information directly to each Lender; (c) the satisfaction of any condition specified in ARTICLE III, except receipt of items required to be delivered solely to the Administrative Agent; (d) the existence or possible existence of any Default or Event of Default; (e) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness, sufficiency or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other instrument or writing furnished in connection therewith; (f) the value, sufficiency, creation, perfection or priority of any Lien in any Collateral; or (g) the financial condition of the Borrower or any guarantor of any of the Obligations or of any of the Borrowers or any such guarantors respective Subsidiaries. Neither Agent shall have any duty to disclose to the Lenders information that is not required to be furnished by the Borrower to such Agent at such time, but is voluntarily furnished by the Borrower to such Agent (either in its capacity as an Agent or in its individual capacity).
Section 9.5. Action on Instructions of Lenders.
Each Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder and under any other Loan Document in accordance with written instructions signed by the Required Lenders (or all of the Lenders in the event that and to the extent that this Agreement expressly requires such), and such instructions and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding on all of the Lenders. The Lenders hereby acknowledge that neither Agent shall be under any duty to take any discretionary action permitted to be taken by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall be requested in writing to do so by the Required Lenders (or all of the Lenders in the event that and to the extent that this Agreement expressly requires such) or is otherwise required by the Intercreditor Agreement. Each Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action hereunder and under any other Loan Document unless it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders pro rata against any and all liability, cost and expense that it may incur by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.
Section 9.6. Employment of Agents and Counsel.
Each Agent may execute any of its duties as Agent hereunder and under any other Loan Document by or through employees, agents, and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be answerable to the Lenders, except as to money or securities received by it or its authorized agents, for the default or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care. Each Agent shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning the contractual arrangement between such Agent and the Lenders and all matters pertaining to such Agents duties hereunder and under any other Loan Document.
Section 9.7. Reliance on Documents; Counsel.
Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any Note, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex, electronic mail message, statement, paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper
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person or persons, and, in respect to legal matters, upon the opinion of counsel reasonably selected by such Agent, which counsel may be employees of such Agent. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 3.1 and Section 3.2, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the applicable date specifying its objection thereto.
Section 9.8. Agents Reimbursement and Indemnification.
The Lenders agree to reimburse and indemnify each Agent ratably in proportion to the Lenders Pro Rata Share (i) for any amounts not reimbursed by the Borrower for which such Agent is entitled to reimbursement by the Borrower under the Loan Documents, (ii) for any other expenses incurred by such Agent on behalf of the Lenders, in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration and enforcement of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, for any expenses incurred by such Agent in connection with any dispute between such Agent and any Lender or between two or more of the Lenders) and (iii) for any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind and nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of the Loan Documents or any other document delivered in connection therewith or the transactions contemplated thereby (including, without limitation, for any such amounts incurred by or asserted against such Agent in connection with any dispute between such Agent and any Lender or between two or more of the Lenders), or the enforcement of any of the terms of the Loan Documents or of any such other documents, provided that (i) no Lender shall be liable for any of the foregoing to the extent any of the foregoing is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the such Agent and (ii) any indemnification required pursuant to Section 2.20(e) and Section 10.4(d) shall, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, be paid by the relevant Lender in accordance with the provisions thereof. The obligations of the Lenders under this Section shall survive payment of the Secured Obligations and termination of this Agreement.
Section 9.9. Notice of Default.
No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless such Agent has received written notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a notice of default. In the event that either Agent receives such a notice, such Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders.
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Section 9.10. Rights as a Lender.
In the event either Agent is a Lender, such Agent shall have the same rights and powers hereunder and under any other Loan Document with respect to its Revolving Commitment and its Credit Extensions as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the term Lender or Lenders shall, at any time when an Agent is a Lender, unless the context otherwise indicates, include such Agent in its individual capacity. Each Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of trust, debt, equity or other transaction, in addition to those contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is not restricted hereby from engaging with any other Person. Neither Agent, in its individual capacity, is obligated to remain a Lender.
Section 9.11. Lender Credit Decision.
Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon either Agent, the Arrangers or any other Lender and based on the financial statements prepared by the Borrower and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon either Agent, the Arrangers 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 and the other Loan Documents.
Section 9.12. Successor Administrative Agent.
The Administrative Agent (i) may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower and (ii), if the Total Exposure (as defined below) of the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (in each case in their capacity as a Lender) is less than 7.5%, the Required Lenders may require the Administrative Agent to resign, such resignation to be effective upon the appointment of a successor Administrative Agent or, if no successor Administrative Agent has been appointed, forty-five (45) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its intention to resign or the Required Lenders have requested such resignation. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint, in consultation with the Borrower, on behalf of the Borrower and the Lenders, a successor Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders within thirty days after the resigning Administrative Agents giving notice of its intention to resign, then the resigning Administrative Agent may appoint, on behalf of the Borrower and the Lenders, a successor Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the Administrative Agent may at any time without the consent of the Borrower or any Lender, appoint any of its Affiliates which is a commercial bank as a successor Administrative Agent hereunder. If the Administrative Agent has resigned and no successor Administrative Agent has been appointed, the Lenders may perform all the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder and the Borrower shall make all payments in respect of the Obligations to the applicable Lender and for all other purposes shall deal directly with the Lenders. No successor Administrative Agent shall be deemed to be appointed hereunder until such successor Administrative Agent has accepted the appointment. Any such successor Administrative Agent shall be a commercial bank having capital and retained earnings of at least $100,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor
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Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the resigning Administrative Agent. Upon the effectiveness of the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the resigning Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the Loan Documents. After the effectiveness of the resignation of an Administrative Agent, the provisions of this ARTICLE IX shall continue in effect for the benefit of such Administrative Agent in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. In the event that there is a successor to the Administrative Agent by merger, or the Administrative Agent assigns its duties and obligations to an Affiliate pursuant to this Section, then the term Base Rate as used in this Agreement shall mean the prime rate, base rate or other analogous rate of the new Administrative Agent. The term Total Exposure shall mean, at any time of determination with respect to the Revolving Commitment and Term Loans held by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (in their capacity as a Lender), the quotient (expressed as a percentage) of: (x) the sum of such Lenders Revolving Commitments (or if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated or expired or the Revolving Loans have been declared to be due and payable, such Lenders Revolving Credit Exposure) plus the outstanding principal amount of Term Loans of such Lenders divided by (y) the sum of all Lenders Revolving Commitments (or if such Revolving Commitments have been terminated or expired or the Revolving Loans have been declared to be due and payable, the Revolving Credit Exposure of all Lenders) plus the outstanding principal amount of Term Loans of such Lenders.
Section 9.13. Delegation to Affiliates.
The Borrower and the Lenders agree that each Agent may delegate any of its duties under this Agreement to any of its Affiliates. Any such Affiliate (and such Affiliates directors, officers, agents and employees) which performs duties in connection with this Agreement shall be entitled to the same benefits of the indemnification, waiver and other protective provisions to which such Agent is entitled under ARTICLE IX and ARTICLE X.
Section 9.14. Co-Agents, Documentation Agent, Syndication Agent.
None of the Lenders, if any, identified in this Agreement as a co-agent, documentation agent or syndication agent shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of such Lenders shall have or be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender hereby makes the same acknowledgments with respect to such Lenders as it makes with respect to the Administrative Agent in Section 9.11.
Section 9.15. Collateral Documents.
(a) Each Lender and the Administrative Agent authorizes the Collateral Agent to enter into each of the Collateral Documents to which it is a party and to take all action contemplated by such documents. Each Lender agrees that no Secured Parties (other than the Collateral Agent) shall have the right individually to seek to realize upon the security granted by any Collateral Document, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties upon the terms of the Collateral Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.
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(b) In the event that any Collateral is hereafter pledged by any Person as collateral security for the Secured Obligations, the Collateral Agent is hereby authorized (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement) to execute and deliver on behalf of the Secured Parties any Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to grant and perfect a Lien on such Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.
(c) Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereby authorize the Collateral Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Lien granted to or held by the Collateral Agent upon any Collateral (i) upon termination of the Revolving Commitments and payment and satisfaction of all of the Obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations, Banking Services Obligations and Rate Management Obligations) at any time arising under or in respect of this Agreement or the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; (ii) as permitted by, but only in accordance with, the terms of the applicable Loan Document; or (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders, unless such release is required to be approved by all of the Lenders hereunder. Upon request by the Collateral Agent at any time, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent will confirm in writing the Collateral Agents authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section.
(d) Upon any sale or transfer of assets constituting Collateral which is permitted pursuant to the terms of any Loan Document, or consented to in writing by the Required Lenders or all of the Lenders, as applicable, and upon at least five Business Days prior written request by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to), subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, execute such documents as may be necessary to evidence the release of the Liens granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties herein or pursuant hereto upon the Collateral that was sold or transferred; provided, however, that (i) the Collateral Agent shall not be required to execute any such document on terms which, in the Collateral Agents opinion, would expose the Collateral Agent to liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Liens without recourse or warranty, and (ii) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect or impair the Secured Obligations or any Liens upon (or obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of) all interests retained by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, including (without limitation) the proceeds of the sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.
(e) Each Lender hereby directs, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Agents: (i) to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement and any Collateral Document (including the release of any Lien granted by such Guarantor under any such Collateral Document) in connection with (x) the designation of such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary or (y) the execution by any Subsidiary of Propel Acquisition LLC of an agreement evidencing Propel Indebtedness the terms of which prohibit such Subsidiary from providing a guaranty of the Obligations or the granting of security in respect thereto and (ii) to execute and deliver or file or authorize the filing of such documents, statements and instruments and do such other things as
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are necessary to release such Guarantor from such obligations (and to release such Liens) pursuant to this clause (e) promptly upon the effectiveness of any such release. Upon request by any Agent at any time, the Lenders shall confirm in writing each Agents authority to release the applicable Guarantor pursuant to this clause (e).
(f) No agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Collateral Agent without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.
Section 9.16. Reports.
Each Lender hereby agrees that (a) it has requested a copy of each Report prepared by or on behalf of either Agent; (b) neither Agent (i) makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of any Report or any of the information contained therein or any inaccuracy or omission contained in or relating to a Report nor (ii) shall be liable for any information contained in any Report; (c) the Reports are not comprehensive audits or examinations, and that any Person performing any field examination will inspect only specific information regarding the Loan Parties and will rely significantly upon the Loan Parties books and records, as well as on representations of the Loan Parties personnel and that the Agents undertake no obligation to update, correct or supplement the Reports; (d) it will keep all Reports confidential and strictly for its internal use, not share the Report with any Loan Party or any other Person except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement; and (e) without limiting the generality of any other indemnification provision contained in this Agreement, it will pay and protect, and indemnify, defend, and hold the Agents and any such other Person preparing a Report harmless from and against, the claims, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and other amounts (including reasonable attorney fees) incurred by as the direct or indirect result of any third parties who might obtain all or part of any Report through the indemnifying Lender.
Section 9.17. Withholding Tax.
To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding tax. If the Internal Revenue Service or any authority of the United States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender (because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason), such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent that the Administrative Agent has not already been reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest, together with all expenses incurred, including legal expenses, allocated staff costs and any out of pocket expenses.
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Section 9.18. Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.
(a) In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any Revolving Credit Exposure shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans or Revolving Credit Exposure and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and the Administrative Agent under Section 10.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(ii) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and
(b) Any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 10.3.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1. Notices.
(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications to any party herein to be effective shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
To the Borrower: |
3111 Camino Del Rio North | |
Suite 1300 | ||
San Diego, California 92123 | ||
Attention: Chief Financial Officer | ||
Telecopy Number: 858-309-6998 |
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To the Administrative Agent: |
SunTrust Bank | |
3333 Peachtree Road | ||
7th Floor | ||
Atlanta, Georgia 30326 | ||
Attention: Mr. Peter Wesemeier | ||
Telecopy Number: (404) 439-7390 | ||
With a copy to: |
SunTrust Bank | |
Agency Services | ||
303 Peachtree Street, N. E./ 25th Floor | ||
Atlanta, Georgia 30308 | ||
Attention: Mr. Doug Weltz | ||
Telecopy Number: (404) 221-2001 | ||
and | ||
Alston & Bird LLP | ||
1201 West Peachtree Street | ||
Atlanta, Georgia 30309 | ||
Attention: Rick D. Blumen, Esq. | ||
Telecopy: (404) 253-8366 | ||
To the Issuing Bank: |
SunTrust Bank | |
25 Park Place, N. E./Mail Code 3706 | ||
Atlanta, Georgia 30303 | ||
Attention: Letter of Credit Department | ||
Telecopy Number: (404) 588-8129 | ||
To the Swingline Lender: |
SunTrust Bank | |
Agency Services | ||
303 Peachtree Street, N.E./25th Floor | ||
Atlanta, Georgia 30308 | ||
Attention: Mr. Doug Weltz | ||
Telecopy Number: (404) 221-2001 | ||
To any other Lender: |
the address set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire or the Assignment and Acceptance Agreement executed by such Lender |
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Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All such notices and other communications shall, when transmitted by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for overnight (next-day) delivery, or transmitted in legible form by facsimile machine, respectively, or if mailed, upon the third Business Day after the date deposited into the mail or if delivered, upon delivery; provided, that notices delivered to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender shall not be effective until actually received by such Person at its address specified in this Section 10.1.
(b) Any agreement of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders herein to receive certain notices by telephone, facsimile or other electronic transmission is solely for the convenience and at the request of the Borrower. The Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on the authority of any Person purporting to be a Person authorized by the Borrower to give such notice and the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall not have any liability to the Borrower or other Person on account of any action taken or not taken by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders in reliance upon such telephonic or facsimile notice. The obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans and all other Obligations hereunder shall not be affected in any way or to any extent by any failure of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders to receive written confirmation of any telephonic or facsimile notice or the receipt by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders of a confirmation which is at variance with the terms understood by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders to be contained in any such telephonic or facsimile notice.
(c) Notices and other communications to the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to ARTICLE II unless such Lender, the Swingline Lender, the Issuing Bank, as applicable, and Administrative Agent have agreed to receive notices under such Section by electronic communication and have agreed to the procedures governing such communications. The Administrative Agent or Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.
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Section 10.2. Waiver; Amendments.
(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or any other Loan Document, and no course of dealing between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent or any Lender, 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 right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power hereunder or thereunder. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 10.2, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time.
(b) Except as provided in Section 2.24 with respect to any Incremental Facility Amendment or Section 2.25 with respect to any Extension, no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, nor consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, that no such supplemental agreement shall, without the consent of the Supermajority Lenders, amend or otherwise modify the definition of Estimated Remaining Collections or the methods and assumptions used in calculating Estimated Remaining Collections; provided, further that no amendment or waiver shall: (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iii) postpone the date fixed for any scheduled payment of any principal (excluding any mandatory prepayment) of, or interest on, any Loan or LC Disbursement or any fees hereunder or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date for the termination or reduction of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.21(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section 10.2 or the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the consent of each Lender; (vi) release the Borrower or, except as otherwise expressly permitted hereunder, any Guarantor, or limit the liability of the Borrower under the Loan Documents or any such Guarantor under any
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guaranty agreement, without the written consent of each Lender (it being understood that the creation of a class of unrestricted or similarly designated Subsidiaries approved by the Required Lenders which class would not be required to guaranty the Obligations shall not be considered a release of any Guarantor); (vii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral securing any of the Obligations or agree to subordinate any Lien in such Collateral to any other creditor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, without the written consent of each Lender; (viii) subordinate the Loans to any other Indebtedness without the consent of all Lenders; (ix) increase the aggregate of all Commitments (other than pursuant to Section 2.24(a)) without the consent of all of the Lenders; or (x) change Section 7.2 of the Security Agreement (or the defined terms therein) in a manner that would alter the sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender (or Affiliate of such Lender) directly and adversely affected thereby; provided further, that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights, duties or obligations of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the Issuing Bank without the prior written consent of such Person. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (x) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that (I) the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (II) subject in all respects to Section 2.23, no amendment or waiver shall reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest on any Loan, in each case, owing to a Defaulting Lender, without the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (y) this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated (but such Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of (a), Section 2.20, Section 2.20(a) and Section 10.3), such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein or otherwise to the contrary, any Event of Default occurring hereunder shall continue to exist (and shall be deemed to be continuing) until such time as such Event of Default is waived in writing in accordance with the terms of this Section notwithstanding (i) any attempted cure or other action taken by the Borrower or any other Person subsequent to the occurrence of such Event of Default or (ii) any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrative Agent or any Lender prior to or subsequent to the occurrence of such Event of Default (other than the granting of a waiver in writing in accordance with the terms of this Section).
Section 10.3. Expenses; Indemnification.
(a) The Borrower shall reimburse the Agents and the Arrangers for any reasonable costs, internal charges and out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys and paralegals fees and time charges of attorneys for each Agent, which attorneys may be employees of such Agent and expenses of and fees for other advisors and professionals engaged by such Agent or the Arrangers) paid or incurred by any Agent or the Arrangers in connection with the investigation, preparation, negotiation, documentation, execution, delivery, syndication, distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet), review, amendment, modification and administration of the Loan Documents. The Borrower also agrees to reimburse the Agents, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders for any reasonable costs, internal charges and out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys and paralegals fees and time charges
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and expenses of attorneys and paralegals for the Agents, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, which attorneys and paralegals may be employees of the Agents, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders) paid or incurred by the Agents, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in connection with (i) the collection and enforcement of the Loan Documents and (ii) any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of any of the Obligations. Expenses being reimbursed by the Borrower under this Section include, without limitation, the cost and expense of obtaining the field examination contemplated by Section 5.7 and the preparation of Reports described in the following sentence based on the fees charged by a third party retained by either Agent or the internally allocated fees for each Person employed by such Agent with respect to each field examination. The Borrower acknowledges that from time to time either Agent may prepare and may distribute to the Lenders (but shall have no obligation or duty to prepare or to distribute to the Lenders) certain audit reports (the Reports) pertaining to the Borrowers assets for internal use by the Agents from information furnished to them by or on behalf of the Borrower, after either such Agent has exercised its rights of inspection pursuant to this Agreement.
(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, penalties and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) the use by any Person of any information or materials obtained by or through SyndTrak or other internet web sites, (iv) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (v) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitees obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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(c) The Borrower shall pay, and hold the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and each of the Lenders harmless from and against, any and all present and future stamp, documentary, and other similar taxes with respect to this Agreement and any other Loan Documents, any collateral described therein, or any payments due thereunder, and save the Administrative Agent and each Lender harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay or omission to pay such taxes.
(d) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 10.3, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lenders Pro Rata Share (determined as of the time that the unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided, that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified payment, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such.
(e) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to actual or direct damages) arising out of, in connection with or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the transactions contemplated herein or therein, any Loan or any Letter of Credit or the use of proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in paragraph (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(f) All amounts due under this Section 10.3 shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.
Section 10.4. Successors and Assigns.
(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (g) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
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(b) Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that (in each case with respect to either Facility) any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Minimum Amounts.
(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment and/or the Loans at the time owing to it (in each case with respect to either Facility) or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(B) in any case not described in Section 10.4(b)(i)(A), the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure 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 or, if Trade Date is specified in the Assignment and Acceptance, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $3,000,000, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such lower amount unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within 5 Business Days after having received notice thereof.
(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans, Revolving Credit Exposure or the Commitments assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate Facilities on a non-pro rata basis.
(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by Section 10.4(b)(i)(B) and, in addition:
(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within 5 Business Days after having received notice thereof; and
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(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of (i) the Revolving Facility or any unfunded Commitments with respect to the Term Loan Facility if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment in respect of such Facility, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender, or (ii) any Term Loans to a Person who is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and
(C) the consent of the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Facility.
(iv) Assignment and Acceptance. The parties to each assignment shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (A) a duly executed Assignment and Acceptance, (B) a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment, (C) an Administrative Questionnaire unless the assignee is already a Lender and (D) the documents required under Section 2.20 if such assignee is a Foreign Lender.
(v) No Assignment to Borrower. No such assignment shall be made to (A) the Borrower or any of the Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B).
(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.
(vii) Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and each other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in accordance with its Applicable Revolver Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
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Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 10.4, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement 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 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 of the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.18 and Section 10.3 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section 10.4. If the consent of the Borrower to an assignment is required hereunder (including a consent to an assignment which does not meet the minimum assignment thresholds specified above), the Borrower shall be deemed to have given its consent five (5) Business Days after the date notice thereof has actually been delivered by the assigning Lender (through the Administrative Agent) to the Borrower, unless such consent is expressly refused by the Borrower prior to such fifth Business Day.
(c) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in Atlanta, Georgia 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 Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the Register). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice; information contained in the Register shall also be available for inspection by the Borrower at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In establishing and maintaining the Register, the Administrative Agent shall serve as the Borrowers agent solely for tax purposes and solely with respect to the actions described in this Section, and the Borrower hereby agrees that, to the extent SunTrust Bank serves in such capacity, SunTrust Bank and its officers, directors, employees, agents, sub-agents and affiliates shall constitute an Indemnitee for purposes of Section 10.3.
(d) Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, the Borrower or any of the Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a Participant) in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement shall remain
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unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 2.20(e) with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s).
(e) Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in Section 10.2(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.18 and Section 2.20 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.20(g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.20(g) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.25 and Section 2.27 as if it were an assignee under clause (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.18 and Section 2.20, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrowers request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.27 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.8 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.21(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participants interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the Participant Register); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participants interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(f) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or to any central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
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Section 10.5. Performance of Obligations.
The Borrower agrees that the Collateral Agent may, but shall have no obligation to (i) at any time, pay or discharge taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances levied or placed on or threatened against any Collateral and (ii) after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default make any other payment or perform any act required of the Borrower under any Loan Document or take any other action which the Collateral Agent in its discretion deems necessary or desirable to protect or preserve the Collateral, including, without limitation, any action to (x) effect any repairs or obtain any insurance called for by the terms of any of the Loan Documents and to pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof and (y) pay any rents payable by the Borrower which are more than 30 days past due, or as to which the landlord has given notice of termination, under any lease. The Collateral Agent shall use its best efforts to give the Borrower notice of any action taken under this Section prior to the taking of such action or promptly thereafter provided the failure to give such notice shall not affect the Borrowers obligations in respect thereof. The Borrower agrees to pay the Collateral Agent, upon demand, the principal amount of all funds advanced by the Collateral Agent under this Section, together with interest thereon at the rate from time to time applicable to Base Rate Loans from the date of such advance until the outstanding principal balance thereof is paid in full. If the Borrower fails to make payment in respect of any such advance under this Section within one (1) Business Day after the date the Borrower receives written demand therefor from the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Agent shall promptly notify each Lender and each Lender agrees that it shall thereupon make available to the Collateral Agent, in Dollars in immediately available funds, the amount equal to such Lenders Pro Rata Share of such advance. If such funds are not made available to the Collateral Agent by such Lender within one (1) Business Day after the Collateral Agents demand therefor, the Collateral Agent will be entitled to recover any such amount from such Lender together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate for each day during the period commencing on the date of such demand and ending on the date such amount is received. The failure of any Lender to make available to the Administrative Agent its Pro Rata Share of any such unreimbursed advance under this Section shall neither relieve any other Lender of its obligation hereunder to make available to the Collateral Agent such other Lenders Pro Rata Share of such advance on the date such payment is to be made nor increase the obligation of any other Lender to make such payment to the Collateral Agent. All outstanding principal of, and interest on, advances made under this Section shall constitute Obligations secured by the Collateral until paid in full by the Borrower
Section 10.6. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(a) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any claims, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except, as to any other Loan Document, as expressly set forth therein) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the law (without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof) of the State of New York.
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(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York county and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, 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 court or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) The Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding described in paragraph (b) of this Section 10.4(a) and brought in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 10.4(a). Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to the service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.1. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
Section 10.7. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER 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 BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
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Section 10.8. Right of Setoff.
If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or if any Loan Party shall have become insolvent, however evidenced, each Lender (including the Swingline Lender), the Issuing Bank, and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held, and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing, by such Lender, the Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate, to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of the Loan Parties now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the Issuing Bank or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Loan Parties may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender or the Issuing Bank different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.23 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, the Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
Section 10.9. Counterparts; Integration.
This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by telecopy or by email, in pdf format), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement, the Fee Letter, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreement(s) relating to any fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto and thereto regarding the subject matters hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, regarding such subject matters. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement and any other Loan Document by telecopy or by email, in pdf format, shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement or such other Loan Document.
Section 10.10. Survival.
All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein, in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
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making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Section 2.18(a), Section 2.19, Section 2.20 and Section 10.3 and ARTICLE IX shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof. All representations and warranties made herein, in the Loan Documents in the certificates, reports, notices, and other documents delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the making of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit.
Section 10.11. Severability.
Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability without affecting the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof; and the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 10.12. Confidentiality.
The Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees to hold any Confidential Information (as hereinafter defined) which it may receive from the Borrower in connection with this Agreement in confidence, except for disclosure (i) to its Affiliates and to the Agents and any other Lender and their respective Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (provided that such parties are informed of the confidential nature of the Confidential Information and are instructed to keep such Confidential Information confidential), (ii) to legal counsel, accountants, and other professional advisors to such Lender or to a Transferee (as defined below) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (provided that such parties are informed of the confidential nature of the Confidential Information and are instructed to keep such Confidential Information confidential), (iii) to regulatory agencies or authorities purporting to have jurisdiction over the Loan Parties (including bank examiners and any self-regulatory authority such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) upon request or as required by law, (iv) subject to the proviso below, to any Person as requested pursuant to or as required by law, regulation, or legal process, (v) to its direct or indirect contractual counterparties and prospective counterparties in swap agreements related to the Credit Extensions or to legal counsel, accountants and other professional advisors to such counterparties when provided for such purposes, (vi) permitted by the last sentence of this Section, (vii) to rating agencies if requested or required by such agencies in connection with a rating relating to the Credit Extensions hereunder, (viii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar organization and (ix) in connection with enforcement of the rights and remedies of the
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Agents or any Lender under the Loan Documents to the extent such disclosure is necessary or appropriate to pursue such enforcement in a commercially reasonable manner; provided that, in the case of subsection (iv) to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Administrative Agent or relevant Lender to whom the disclosure request or requirement is made, agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly notify the Borrower of such request or requirement so that the Borrower may (a) seek an appropriate protective order or other appropriate order at the Borrowers sole cost and expense and/or (b) waive compliance with this proviso (it being understood and agreed that if the Borrower does not have the right to obtain such an order or if the Borrower does not commence procedures to obtain such a protective order within 5 Business Days of receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent and Lenders compliance with this proviso shall be deemed to have been waived with respect to such disclosure). Without limiting Section 10.9, the Borrower agrees that the terms of this Section shall set forth the entire agreement between the Borrower and each Lender (including the Agents) with respect to any Confidential Information previously or hereafter received by such Lender in connection with this Agreement, and this Section shall supersede any and all prior confidentiality agreements entered into by such Lender with respect to such Confidential Information. As used in this Section, Confidential Information means any information or material regarding the business operations, procedures, methods and plans of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, any financial data, proposed transaction or financing structures, information relating to the Receivables or the Receivables Portfolios, and all reports (other than copies of reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) and other information provided pursuant to Section 5.1, together with all notes, analyses, compilations, studies and other documents to the extent they contain or otherwise reflect such information; provided that Confidential Information shall not include any such information which (i) is generally available to the public at the time it is provided by, or on behalf of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, (ii) was known to the intended recipient prior to such information being disclosed to either Agent or any Lender and/or (iii) is independently developed by or for the Agents or any Lender. The Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any Participant or Eligible Assignee or any other Person acquiring an interest in the Loan Documents by operation of law (each a Transferee) and any prospective Transferee any and all information in such Lenders possession concerning the creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including without limitation any information contained in any Reports; provided that each Transferee and prospective Transferee agrees to be bound by this Section.
Section 10.13. 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 may be treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively, the Charges), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate of interest (the Maximum Rate) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by a Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan 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 but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section 10.13 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
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Section 10.14. Waiver of Effect of Corporate Seal.
The Borrower represents and warrants that neither it nor any other Loan Party is required to affix its corporate seal to this Agreement or any other Loan Document pursuant to any Requirement of Law, agrees that this Agreement is delivered by Borrower under seal and waives any shortening of the statute of limitations that may result from not affixing the corporate seal to this Agreement or such other Loan Documents.
Section 10.15. Patriot Act.
The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby notifies the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the Patriot Act), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act. Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, provide to the extent commercially reasonable, such information and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in order to assist the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in maintaining compliance with the Patriot Act.
Section 10.16. Independence of Covenants.
All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.
Section 10.17. No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship.
In connection with all aspects of the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Arrangers are arms-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Arrangers, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and each Arrangers is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender or Arranger has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan
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Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender or Arrangers has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent or any Lender or either Arranger with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. | ||||||
By: |
/s/ J. Brandon Black |
|||||
Name: J. Brandon Black |
||||||
Title: President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
SUNTRUST BANK |
||||||
as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, as Issuing Bank, as Swingline Lender and as a Lender | ||||||
By: |
/s/ Peter Wesemeier |
|||||
Name: Peter Wesemeier |
||||||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
Bank of America, N.A., as a Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Angel Sutoyo |
|||||
Name: Angel Sutoyo | ||||||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
FIFTH THIRD BANK, as a | ||||||
Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Gregory Vollmer |
|||||
Name: Gregory Vollmer | ||||||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
ING Capital, LLC, as a | ||||||
Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Mary Forstner |
|||||
Name: Mary Forstner | ||||||
Title: Director |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., | ||||||
as a Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Michael King |
|||||
Name: Michael King | ||||||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
Deutsche Bank AG, New | ||||||
York Branch, as a | ||||||
Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Roey Eyal |
|||||
Name: Roey Eyal | ||||||
Title: Director | ||||||
By: |
/s/ Ryan M. Stark |
|||||
Name: Ryan M. Stark | ||||||
Title: Director |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
CALIFORNIA BANK & TRUST, as a Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Michael Powell |
|||||
Name: Michael Powell | ||||||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
Citibank, N.A., as a Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Rita Raychaudhuri |
|||||
Name: Rita Raychaudhuri | ||||||
Title: Senior Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
BANK LEUMI USA, as a Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Alex Menache |
|||||
Name: Alex Menache | ||||||
Title: Commercial Loan Officer |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
Israel Discount Bank of | ||||||
New York, as a Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Kenneth Lipke |
|||||
Name: Kenneth Lipke | ||||||
Title: Vice President | ||||||
By: | /s/ Daniel Aviv |
|||||
Name: Daniel Aviv | ||||||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
FIRST BANK, as a Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Susan J. Pepping |
|||||
Name: Susan J. Pepping | ||||||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
Amalgamated Bank, as a Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Jackson Eng |
|||||
Name: Jackson Eng | ||||||
Title: First Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
Union Bank, N.A., as a | ||||||
Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Edmund Ozorio |
|||||
Name: Edmund Ozorio | ||||||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
Cathay Bank, as a | ||||||
Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Shahid Kathrada |
|||||
Name: Shahid Kathrada | ||||||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
Chang Hwa Commercial Bank, Ltd., | ||||||
New York Branch, as a Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Eric Y.S. Tsai |
|||||
Name: Eric Y.S. Tsai | ||||||
Title: V.P. & General Manager |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
Manufacturers Bank, as | ||||||
a Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Sandy Lee |
|||||
Name: Sandy Lee | ||||||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as Lender | ||||||
By: | /s/ Alicia Borys |
|||||
Name: Alicia Borys | ||||||
Title: Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amended And Restated Credit Agreement]
Exhibit 10.4
EXECUTION VERSION
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
$50,000,000
7.75% Senior Secured Notes due September 17, 2017
$25,000,000
7.375% Senior Secured Notes due February 10, 2018
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
SENIOR SECURED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
May 9, 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
1. | Amendment and Restatement; Issuance of 2010 Notes and 2011 Notes |
1 | ||||
2. | [Intentionally Omitted] |
2 | ||||
3. | Limited Waiver |
2 | ||||
4. | Conditions to Effectiveness |
2 | ||||
5. | Representation and Warranties of the Company |
3 | ||||
5.1 | Existence and Standing |
3 | ||||
5.2 | Authorization and Validity |
3 | ||||
5.3 | No Conflict; Government Consent |
3 | ||||
5.4 | Financial Statements |
4 | ||||
5.5 | Material Adverse Change |
4 | ||||
5.6 | Taxes |
4 | ||||
5.7 | Litigation and Contingent Obligations |
4 | ||||
5.8 | Subsidiaries |
5 | ||||
5.9 | Compliance with ERISA |
5 | ||||
5.10 | Accuracy of Information |
6 | ||||
5.11 | Regulation U |
6 | ||||
5.12 | Material Agreements |
6 | ||||
5.13 | Compliance with Laws |
6 | ||||
5.14 | Ownership of Properties |
6 | ||||
5.15 | [Intentionally Omitted] |
7 | ||||
5.16 | Environmental Matters |
7 | ||||
5.17 | Investment Company Act |
7 | ||||
5.18 | Insurance |
7 | ||||
5.19 | No Default or Event of Default |
7 | ||||
5.20 | Foreign Assets Control Regulations, etc. |
7 | ||||
5.21 | Hostile Tender Offers |
8 | ||||
5.22 | Solvency |
8 | ||||
6. | [Intentionally Omitted] |
9 | ||||
7. | Information as to Company |
9 | ||||
7.1 | Financial and Business Information |
9 |
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
7.2 | Notices of Default, MAE Events |
11 | ||||
7.3 | Inspection; Keeping of Books and Records |
11 | ||||
8. | Payment and Prepayment of the Notes |
12 | ||||
8.1 | Required Prepayments |
12 | ||||
8.2 | Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount |
15 | ||||
8.3 | Allocation of Partial Prepayments |
15 | ||||
8.4 | Maturity; Surrender, etc. |
15 | ||||
8.5 | Purchase of Notes |
15 | ||||
8.6 | Change of Control |
15 | ||||
8.7 | Make-Whole Amount |
17 | ||||
9. | Affirmative Covenants |
18 | ||||
9.1 | Use of Proceeds |
18 | ||||
9.2 | Conduct of Business |
18 | ||||
9.3 | Taxes |
19 | ||||
9.4 | Insurance |
19 | ||||
9.5 | Compliance with Laws |
19 | ||||
9.6 | Maintenance of Properties |
19 | ||||
9.7 | Guarantors |
20 | ||||
9.8 | Collateral |
20 | ||||
9.9 | Most Favored Lender |
21 | ||||
9.10 | Minimum Committed Revolving Credit Facility |
21 | ||||
9.11 | Information Required by Rule 144A |
21 | ||||
10. | Negative Covenants |
21 | ||||
10.1 | Restricted Payments |
21 | ||||
10.2 | Merger or Dissolution |
22 | ||||
10.3 | Sale of Assets |
22 | ||||
10.4 | Investments and Acquisitions |
23 | ||||
10.5 | Indebtedness |
26 | ||||
10.6 | Liens |
28 | ||||
10.7 | Affiliates |
30 |
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
10.8 | Hedging Contracts |
30 | ||||
10.9 | Subsidiary Covenants |
30 | ||||
10.10 | Contingent Obligations |
30 | ||||
10.11 | Subordinated Indebtedness and Amendments to Subordinated Note Documents |
31 | ||||
10.12 | Leverage Ratios |
32 | ||||
10.13 | Interest Coverage Ratio |
32 | ||||
10.14 | Capital Expenditures |
32 | ||||
10.15 | Rentals |
32 | ||||
10.16 | Sale and Leaseback Transactions |
32 | ||||
10.17 | Acquisitions of Receivables Portfolios |
33 | ||||
10.18 | [Intentionally Omitted.] |
33 | ||||
10.19 | Acquisition of Foreign Receivables |
33 | ||||
10.20 | Terrorism Sanctions Regulations |
33 | ||||
11. | Events of Default |
33 | ||||
12. | Remedies on Default, Etc. |
36 | ||||
12.1 | Acceleration |
36 | ||||
12.2 | Other Remedies |
37 | ||||
12.3 | Rescission |
37 | ||||
12.4 | No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, etc. |
37 | ||||
12.5 | Notice of Acceleration or Rescission |
38 | ||||
13. | Registration; Exchange; Substitution of Notes |
38 | ||||
13.1 | Registration of Notes |
38 | ||||
13.2 | Transfer and Exchange of Notes |
38 | ||||
13.3 | Replacement of Notes |
38 | ||||
14. | Payments on Notes |
39 | ||||
14.1 | Place of Payment |
39 | ||||
14.2 | Home Office Payment |
39 | ||||
15. | Expenses, Etc. |
39 | ||||
15.1 | Transaction Expenses |
39 | ||||
15.2 | Survival |
40 |
-iii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | ||||||
16. | Survival of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement |
40 | ||||
17. | Amendment and Waiver |
40 | ||||
17.1 | Requirements |
40 | ||||
17.2 | Solicitation of Holders of Notes |
42 | ||||
17.3 | Binding Effect etc. |
42 | ||||
17.4 | Notes Held by Company, etc. |
42 | ||||
18. | Notices |
42 | ||||
19. | Reproduction of Documents |
43 | ||||
20. | Confidential Information |
43 | ||||
21. | Miscellaneous |
44 | ||||
21.1 | Successors and Assigns |
44 | ||||
21.2 | Payments Due on Non-Business Days; Payment Currency |
44 | ||||
21.3 | Accounting Terms |
44 | ||||
21.4 | Severability |
45 | ||||
21.5 | Construction |
45 | ||||
21.6 | Counterparts |
45 | ||||
21.7 | Governing Law |
45 | ||||
21.8 | Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial |
45 | ||||
21.9 | Transaction References |
46 | ||||
21.10 | Amendment and Restatement; No Novation |
46 |
Schedule A | | Purchaser Schedule | ||
Schedule B | | Defined Terms | ||
Schedule 5.6 | | Taxes | ||
Schedule 5.12 | | Material Agreements | ||
Schedule 10.4.1 | | Permitted Investments | ||
Schedule 10.4.2 | | Existing Investments | ||
Schedule 10.5 | | Existing Indebtedness | ||
Schedule 10.6 | | Existing Liens | ||
Exhibit A-1 | | Form of 2010 Note | ||
Exhibit A-2 | | Form of 2011 Note | ||
Exhibit B-1 | | Form of Multiparty Guaranty |
-iv-
Exhibit B-2 | | Form of Indemnity and Contribution Agreement | ||
Exhibit C | | Form of Intercreditor Agreement | ||
Exhibit D | | Form of Borrowing Base Certificate |
v
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
8875 Aero Drive, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92123
May 9, 2013
The Prudential Insurance Company of America
Pruco Life Insurance Company
Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company
Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation
c/o Prudential Capital Group
2029 Century Park East, Suite 710
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Encore Capital Group, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the Company), agrees with each of the purchasers whose names appear at the end hereof (each, a Purchaser and, collectively, the Purchasers) as follows:
1. Amendment and Restatement; Issuance of 2010 Notes and 2011 Notes.
1A Amendment and Restatement. This Agreement amends, restates and replaces in its entirety that certain Amended and Restated Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2011 (the Prior Agreement), by and between the Company, on the one hand, and the Purchasers, on the other hand.
1B Issuance of 2010 Notes. Pursuant to the terms of the Original Agreement, the Company has issued and sold to the 2010 Notes Purchasers $50,000,000 aggregate original principal amount of its 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due September 17, 2017 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the 2010 Notes, such term to include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 13). The 2010 Notes are substantially in the form set out in Exhibit A-1.
1C Authorization of 2011 Notes. Pursuant to the terms of the Prior Agreement, the Company has issued and sold to the 2011 Notes Purchasers $25,000,000 aggregate original principal amount of its 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due February 10, 2018 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the 2011 Notes, such term to include any such notes issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 13). The 2011 Notes are substantially in the form set out in Exhibit A-2.
The 2010 Notes and the 2011 Notes are collectively referred to herein as the Notes. Notes that have (i) the same final maturity, (ii) the same principal prepayment dates, (iii) the same principal prepayment amounts (as a percentage of the original principal amount of each Note), (iv) the same interest rate, (v) the same interest payment periods, and (vi) the same date of issuance (which, in the case of a Note issued in exchange for another Note, shall be deemed for these purposes the date on which such Notes ultimate predecessor Note was issued), are herein
called a Series of Notes. Certain capitalized and other terms used in this Agreement are defined in Schedule B; and references to a Section, Schedule or an Exhibit are, unless otherwise specified, to a Section, Schedule or an Exhibit attached to this Agreement.
2. [Intentionally Omitted].
3. Limited Waiver. Midland Credit Management, Inc., a Credit Party, has acquired two Immaterial Subsidiaries previously identified to the holders of the Notes (each, a New Subsidiary and collectively, the New Subsidiaries) and, in each case, has not been able to complete the requirements of Sections 9.7 and 9.8 of the Prior Agreement regarding the delivery of such collateral documents as are required by such provisions, resulting in Events of Default (collectively, the Specified Events of Default).
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in reliance on the representations and warranties of the Credit Parties made in the Transaction Documents to which they are a party, the holders of the Notes hereby (i) waive the Specified Events of Default and (ii) consent to the delivery of the relevant collateral documents with respect to each New Subsidiary on or before the date that is forty-five (45) days following the Closing Date (which time period may be extended by the Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion).
The waiver set forth in this Section 3 is a one time waiver and is limited to the extent specifically set forth above and no other terms, covenants or provisions of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document are intended to be affected hereby, all of which remain in full force and effect. The Credit Parties acknowledge and agree that the waiver contained above in this Section 3 shall not waive (or be deemed to be or constitute a waiver of) any other covenant, term or provision in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or hinder, restrict or otherwise modify the rights and remedies of the holders of the Notes following the occurrence of any other present or future Default or Event of Default (whether or not related to the Specified Events of Default) under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.
4. Conditions to Effectiveness. The effectiveness of each of (a) the limited waiver provided in Section 3 and (b) the amendment and restatement of the Prior Agreement provided hereby is subject to the fulfillment to the Purchasers satisfaction of the following conditions:
4A Other Documents. Such Purchaser shall have received the following documents, each duly executed and delivered by the party or parties thereto and in form and substance satisfactory to such Purchaser:
(a) an amendment or amendment and restatement of the Credit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, which amendment or amendment and restatement shall have become effective simultaneously or prior to the effectiveness of the amendment and restatement of the Prior Agreement provided hereby;
(b) an Officers Certificate from the Company certifying that, as of the date hereof, both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the effectiveness of this Agreement, the conditions specified in Sections 4C and 4D have been fulfilled; and
2
(c) such additional documents or certificates with respect to legal matters or corporate or other proceedings related to the transactions contemplated hereby as may be reasonably requested by such Purchaser.
4B Payment of Amendment Fee, Special Counsel Fees. The Company shall have paid to the holders of Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds their ratable share of an amendment fee in the aggregate amount of $10,000. In addition, and without limiting the provisions of Section 15.1, the Company shall have paid on or before the date hereof the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Vedder Price P.C., special counsel to the Purchasers to the extent reflected in a statement of such counsel rendered to the Company at least two Business Days prior to the date hereof.
4C Performance; No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
4D Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Credit Parties in the Transaction Documents to which they are a party shall be correct.
5. Representation and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Purchaser that:
5.1 Existence and Standing. Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is a corporation, partnership (in the case of Subsidiaries only) or limited liability company duly and properly incorporated or organized, as the case may be, validly existing and (to the extent such concept applies to such entity) in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and has all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted.
5.2 Authorization and Validity. The Company has the power and authority and legal right to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder. The execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the performance of its obligations thereunder have been duly authorized by proper proceedings, and the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyances, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally, (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), and (iii) requirements of reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing.
5.3 No Conflict; Government Consent. Neither the execution and delivery by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, of the Transaction Documents to which such Person is a party, nor the consummation of the transactions therein contemplated, nor compliance with the provisions thereof will violate (i) any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or award binding on the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or (ii) the Companys or any Restricted Subsidiarys articles or certificate of incorporation, partnership agreement, certificate of partnership, articles or certificate of
3
organization, bylaws, or operating agreement or other management agreement, as the case may be, or (iii) the provisions of any indenture, instrument or agreement to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or is subject, or by which it, or its Property, is bound, or conflict with, or constitute a default thereunder, or result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien in, of or on the Property of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of, any such indenture, instrument or agreement. No order, consent, adjudication, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, or other action in respect of any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, which has not been obtained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, is required to be obtained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Company or any of the other Credit Parties, the borrowings under this Agreement, the payment and performance by the Company of the obligations evidenced by the Notes or under the other Transaction Documents or the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents.
5.4 Financial Statements. The December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries heretofore delivered to the Purchasers were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in effect on the date such statements were prepared and fairly present the consolidated financial condition and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries at such date and the consolidated results of their operations for the period then ended.
5.5 Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2012, there has been no change in the business, Property, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Company, any Guarantor, or the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken together, in each case which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.6 Taxes. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.6, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries have filed all United States federal tax returns and all other tax returns which are required to be filed and have paid all taxes due pursuant to said returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except in respect of such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles and as to which no Lien exists (except as permitted by Section 10.6.2). Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.6, the United States income tax returns of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries have not been audited by the Internal Revenue Service. No Liens have been filed and no claims are being asserted with respect to such taxes. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any taxes or other governmental charges are adequate.
5.7 Litigation and Contingent Obligations. There is no litigation, arbitration, governmental investigation, proceeding or inquiry pending or, to the knowledge of any of their officers, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which seeks to prevent, enjoin or delay the issue, sale or purchase of the Notes. Other than liabilities incident to any litigation, arbitration or proceeding which could not reasonably be expected to be in an aggregate amount in excess of $3,000,000, none of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries has any material contingent obligations not provided for or disclosed in the financial statements referred to in Section 5.4.
4
5.8 Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, there are no Excluded Subsidiaries. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other ownership interests of the Restricted Subsidiaries have been (to the extent such concepts are relevant with respect to such ownership interests) duly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.
5.9 Compliance with ERISA.
(a) The Company, each Subsidiary and each ERISA Affiliate have operated and administered each Plan in compliance with all applicable laws except for such instances of noncompliance as have not resulted in and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company, any Subsidiary nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans (as defined in section 3 of ERISA), and no event, transaction or condition has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any such liability by the Company, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate, or in the imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of the Company, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate, in either case pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or to such penalty or excise tax provisions or pursuant to section 4068 of ERISA or the Pension Funding Rules, other than such liabilities or Liens as would not be individually or in the aggregate Material.
(b) The present value of the aggregate benefit liabilities under each of the Plans subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than Multiemployer Plans), determined as of the end of such Plans most recently ended plan year on the basis of the actuarial assumptions specified for funding purposes in such Plans most recent actuarial valuation report, did not exceed the aggregate current value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities. The term benefit liabilities has the meaning specified in section 4001 of ERISA and the terms current value and present value have the meaning specified in section 3 of ERISA. Following the effective date of the Pension Act, for any Plan which is subject to the Pension Funding Rules, the funding target attainment percentage, within the meaning of section 303 of ERISA or section 430 of the Code, for such Plan is not less than 100%.
(c) The Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective ERISA Affiliates have not incurred withdrawal liabilities (and are not subject to contingent withdrawal liabilities) under section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA in respect of Multiemployer Plans that individually or in the aggregate are Material.
(d) The expected postretirement benefit obligation (determined as of the last day of the Companys most recently ended fiscal year in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Section 715-60, without regard to liabilities attributable to continuation coverage mandated by section 4980B of the Code) of the Company and its Subsidiaries is not Material.
5
5.10 Accuracy of Information. No Transaction Document or written statement furnished by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to PIM or any Purchaser in connection with the negotiation of, or compliance with, the Transaction Documents contained, on the date such Transaction Document was entered into or such statements were made, any material misstatement of fact or omitted to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading in their presentation of the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries, their businesses and their Property. The Company makes no representation or warranty concerning the forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements as to anticipated future performance or conditions, and the assumptions on which they were based, except that as of the date made (i) such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements were based on good faith assumptions of the management of the Company, and (ii) such assumptions were believed by such management to be reasonable; it being understood and agreed that such forecasts, estimates, pro forma information, projections and statements, and the assumptions on which they are based, may or may not prove to be correct. In addition, the information provided by or on behalf of the Credit Parties with respect to the Receivables owned or to be acquired by the Credit Parties (or the related purchase agreements) is, to the Companys knowledge and as of the date provided, true and correct in all material respects and, to the Companys knowledge, does not contain any material omissions which would cause such information to be materially misleading with respect to such Receivables, taken as a whole.
5.11 Regulation U. Neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate of buying or carrying margin stock (as defined in Regulation U).
5.12 Material Agreements. Except as described in Schedule 5.12, neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary is a party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any charter or other corporate or similar restriction which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary is in default in any material respect in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained in any (i) agreement or instrument to which it is a party, which default could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any agreement or instrument evidencing or governing Indebtedness for borrowed money.
5.13 Compliance with Laws. The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions of any domestic or foreign government or any instrumentality or agency thereof having jurisdiction over the conduct of their respective businesses or the ownership of their respective Property.
5.14 Ownership of Properties. The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries have good title, free of all Liens other than those permitted by Section 10.6, to all of the Property and assets reflected in the Companys most recent consolidated financial statements provided to PIM or the Purchasers, as owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except for minor irregularities in title with respect to Receivables that do not materially interfere with the business or operations of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries as presently conducted.
6
5.15 [Intentionally Omitted].
5.16 Environmental Matters. Given the nature of its business, the Company has concluded that Environmental Laws cannot reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has received any notice to the effect that its operations are not in material compliance with any of the requirements of applicable Environmental Laws or are the subject of any federal or state investigation evaluating whether any remedial action is needed to respond to a release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment, which non-compliance or remedial action could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.17 Investment Company Act. Neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary is an investment company or a company controlled by an investment company, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
5.18 Insurance. The Company maintains, and has caused each Restricted Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on their Property as necessary to conduct their business in such amounts, subject to such deductibles and self-insurance retentions and covering such properties and risks as is consistent with sound business practice.
5.19 No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
5.20 Foreign Assets Control Regulations, etc.
(a) Neither the Company nor any Affiliated Entity (i) is a Person whose name appears on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury (OFAC) (an OFAC Listed Person), (ii) knowingly engages in any dealings or transactions with any such OFAC Listed Person, or (iii) is a department, agency or instrumentality of, or is otherwise controlled by or acting on behalf of, directly or indirectly, (A) any OFAC Listed Person or (B) the government of a country subject to comprehensive U.S. economic sanctions administered by OFAC, currently Iran, Sudan, Cuba, Burma, Syria and North Korea (each OFAC Listed Person and each other entity described in clause (iii), a Blocked Person).
(b) No part of the proceeds from the sale of the 2011 Notes hereunder constitutes or will constitute funds obtained on behalf of any Blocked Person or will otherwise be used, directly by the Company or indirectly through any Affiliated Entity, in connection with any investment in, or any transactions or dealings with, any Blocked Person.
(c) Neither the Company nor any Affiliated Entity (i) is under investigation by any governmental authority for, or has been charged with, or convicted of, money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist-related activities or other money laundering predicate crimes under any applicable law (collectively, Anti-Money Laundering Laws), (ii) has been assessed civil penalties under any Anti-Money
7
Laundering Laws, or (iii) has had any of its funds seized or forfeited in an action under any Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The Company has taken reasonable measures appropriate to the circumstances (in any event as required by applicable law), to ensure that the Company and each Affiliated Entity is and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable current and future Anti-Money Laundering Laws.
(d) No part of the proceeds from the sale of the 2011 Notes hereunder will be used, directly or indirectly, for any improper payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, official of any public international organization 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. The Company has taken reasonable measures appropriate to the circumstances (in any event as required by applicable law), to ensure that the Company and each Affiliated Entity is and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable current and future anti-corruption laws and regulations.
5.21 Hostile Tender Offers. None of the proceeds of the sale of any 2011 Notes were used to finance a Hostile Tender Offer.
5.22 Solvency.
(a) Assets Greater than Liabilities. The fair value of the business and assets of each of the Company and the Subsidiaries exceeded, as of, and immediately after giving effect to the transactions consummated at the Closing (as defined in the Prior Agreement), the liabilities of such Person, as of such time.
(b) Meeting Liabilities. Immediately after giving effect to the transactions consummated at the Closing (as defined in the Prior Agreement), neither the Company nor any Subsidiary:
(i) was engaged in any business or transaction, or about to engage in any business or transaction, for which its assets would constitute unreasonably small capital (within the meaning of the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act and section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code as enacted by the United States of America or any state thereof, as the case may be); or
(ii) was unable to pay its debts as such debts mature in the ordinary course.
(c) Intent. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is entered into any Transaction Document (as defined in the Prior Agreement) with any intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either current creditors or future creditors of the Company or any Subsidiary.
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6. [Intentionally Omitted].
7. Information as to Company. The Company covenants that so long as any Notes remain outstanding:
7.1 Financial and Business Information. The Company will maintain, for itself and each Subsidiary, a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and furnish to each holder of Notes that is an Institutional Investor:
7.1.1 Within 90 days after the close of each of its fiscal years, financial statements prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles on a consolidated basis for itself and its Subsidiaries, including in each case balance sheets as of the end of such period, statements of income and statements of cash flows, accompanied by (a) in the case of such statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries, an audit report, unqualified as to scope, of BDO USA LLP or another nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or other independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders (provided that so long as the Company is a reporting company, filing of the Form 10-K by the Company with respect to a fiscal year within such 90-day period on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov shall satisfy the requirement for the annual audit report and consolidated financial statements for such fiscal year under this Section 7.1.1 with respect to the statements of the Company and all of its Subsidiaries) and (b) any management letter prepared by said accountants.
7.1.2 Within 45 days after the close of the first three quarterly periods of each of its fiscal years, for itself and its Subsidiaries, consolidated unaudited balance sheets as at the close of each such period and consolidated statements of income and a statement of cash flows for the period from the beginning of such fiscal year to the end of such quarter, all certified as to fairness of presentation, compliance with Agreement Accounting Principles and consistency by its chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer (provided that so long as the Company is a reporting company, filing of the Form 10-Q by the Company with respect to a fiscal quarter within such 45-day period on the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov shall satisfy the requirement for certified quarterly consolidated financial statements for such fiscal quarter under this Section 7.1.2 with respect to the statements of the Company and all of its Subsidiaries).
7.1.3 Simultaneously with the delivery or filing of each set of consolidated financial statements referred to in Sections 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 above, the related consolidating financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflecting all adjustments necessary to eliminate the results of operations, cash flows, accounts and other assets and Indebtedness or other liabilities of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements.
7.1.4 On the same day as the delivery or filing of the financial statements required under Sections 7.1.1, 7.1.2 and 7.1.3, a compliance certificate signed by its chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer showing: (i) the calculations necessary to determine compliance with Sections 10.1, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5,
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10.12, 10.13, 10.14, 10.15, 10.17 and 10.19, an Officers Certificate stating that no Default or Event of Default exists, or if any Default or Event of Default exists, stating the nature and status thereof, and a certificate executed and delivered by the chief executive officer or chief financial officer stating that the Company and each of its principal officers are in compliance with all requirements of Section 302 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations related thereto (provided that so long as the Company is a reporting company, inclusion of the certificates required pursuant to Section 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in the Form 10-K or Form 10-Q filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 7.1.1 or 7.1.2 shall satisfy the requirement for such certification of compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act under this Section 7.1.4); and (ii) a list setting forth the names of each of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) as of the last day of the applicable reporting period and of any new Subsidiary (whether a Restricted Subsidiary or and Unrestricted Subsidiary) formed or acquired during such reporting period.
7.1.5 [Intentionally Omitted]
7.1.6 As soon as possible and in any event within 10 days after the Company knows that any Reportable Event has occurred with respect to any Plan, a statement, signed by the chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of the Company, describing said Reportable Event and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.
7.1.7 As soon as possible and in any event within 10 days after receipt by the Company thereof, a copy of (a) any notice or claim to the effect that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is or may be liable to any Person as a result of the release by the Company, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or any other Person of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment, and (b) any notice alleging any violation of any federal, state or local environmental, health or safety law or regulation by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, which, in either case, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.1.8 Promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements and annual, quarterly, monthly or other regular reports which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries files with the SEC, including, without limitation, all certifications and other filings required by Section 302 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations related thereto.
7.1.9 As soon as practicable, and in any event within 90 days after the beginning of each fiscal year of the Company, a copy of the plan and forecast (including a projected consolidated balance sheet, income statement and funds flow statement) of the Company for such fiscal year.
7.1.10 As soon as possible, and in any event within 3 Business Days (in the case of the Company) and 15 days (in the case of any Guarantor) after the occurrence thereof, a reasonably detailed notification to each holder of Notes and its counsel of any change in the jurisdiction of organization of the Company or any Guarantor.
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7.1.11 As soon as practicable, and in any event within thirty (30) days after the close of each calendar month, the Company shall provide the holders of Notes with a Borrowing Base Certificate (containing a certification by an Authorized Officer that the Receivables Portfolios included in the Borrowing Base referenced in such Borrowing Base Certificate are performing, in the aggregate, at a sufficient level to support the amount of such Borrowing Base), together with such supporting documents (including without limitation (i) to the extent requested by the Required Holders, copies of all bills of sale and purchase agreements evidencing the acquisition of Receivables Portfolios included in the Borrowing Base, and (ii) a copy of the most recent static pool report with respect to such Receivables Portfolios as the Required Holders reasonably deem desirable, all certified as being true and correct in all material respects by an Authorized Officer of the Company). The Company may update the Borrowing Base Certificate more frequently than monthly and the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate shall be the applicable Borrowing Base Certificate for purposes of determining the Borrowing Base at any time.
7.1.12 Such other information (including non-financial information, and including the audit report with respect to the following reports and evaluations (but not the reports or evaluations themselves): the Commercial Finance Examination Reports and evaluations of the Bureau Enhanced Behavioral Liquidations Score and the Unified Collections Score) as any holder of Notes may from time to time reasonably request.
If any information which is required to be furnished under this Section 7.1 is required by law or regulation to be filed by the Company with a government body on an earlier date, then the information required hereunder shall be furnished by no later than 5 Business Days after such earlier date.
7.2 Notices of Default, MAE Events. Within three (3) Business Days after an Authorized Officer becomes aware thereof, the Company will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, give notice in writing to the holders of Notes of the occurrence of (i) any Default or Event of Default, and (ii) any other development, financial or otherwise, which (solely with respect to this clause (ii)) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.3 Inspection; Keeping of Books and Records. The Company will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, permit the holders of Notes, by their respective representatives and agents (at reasonable times and upon reasonable advance written notice, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) to inspect (including without limitation to conduct an annual field examination of) any of its Property, including, without limitation, an audit by professionals (including consultants and accountants) retained by the Required Holders of the Companys practices in the computation of the Borrowing Base, inspection and audit of the Collateral, books and financial records of the Company and each other Credit Party, to examine and make copies of the books of account and other financial records of the Company and each other Credit Party, and to discuss the affairs, finances and
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accounts of the Company and each other Credit Party with, and to be advised as to the same by, their respective officers and their independent public accountants. The Company shall keep and maintain, and cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to keep and maintain, in all material respects, proper books of record and account in which entries in conformity with Agreement Accounting Principles shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to their respective businesses and activities. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company, upon the Required Holders request, shall turn over copies of any such records to the Required Holders or their representatives. Without limiting the Companys obligations under Section 15, the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of the holders of the Notes and such professionals with respect to such examinations, audits and evaluations; provided, that the Required Holders shall undertake only one (1) field examination/audit during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months at the Companys expense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in addition to the field examinations and audits described above, the Required Holders may have additional field examinations and audits done if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at the Companys expense.
8. Payment and Prepayment of the Notes.
8.1 Required Prepayments.
(a) Scheduled Prepayments.
(i) 2010 Notes. On December 17, 2012 and on each March 17, June 17, September 17 and December 17 thereafter to and including June 17, 2017 the Company will prepay $2,500,000 principal amount (or such lesser principal amount as shall then be outstanding) of the 2010 Notes at par and without payment of the Make-Whole Amount or any premium, provided that upon any partial prepayment of the 2010 Notes pursuant to Section 8.1(b), (c) or (d), Section 8.2 or Section 8.6, the principal amount of each required prepayment of the 2010 Notes becoming due under this Section 8.1(a)(i) on and after the date of such prepayment shall be reduced in the same proportion as the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the 2010 Notes is reduced as a result of such prepayment.
(ii) 2011 Notes. On May 10, 2013 and on each August 10, November 10, February 10 and May 10 thereafter to and including November 10, 2017 the Company will prepay $1,250,000 principal amount (or such lesser principal amount as shall then be outstanding) of the 2011 Notes at par and without payment of the Make-Whole Amount or any premium, provided that upon any partial prepayment of the 2011 Notes pursuant to Section 8.1(b), (c) or (d), Section 8.2 or Section 8.6, the principal amount of each required prepayment of the 2011 Notes becoming due under this Section 8.1(a)(ii) on and after the date of such prepayment shall be reduced in the same proportion as the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the 2011 Notes is reduced as a result of such prepayment.
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(b) Mandatory Credit Agreement Prepayments in Excess of $10,000,000. If the principal amount of any Mandatory Credit Agreement Prepayment, together with the principal amount of all other Mandatory Credit Agreement Prepayments made during the period of twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the required payment date for such Mandatory Credit Agreement Prepayment (but in each case only to the extent the same permanently reduce the aggregate lending commitments under the Credit Agreement), would exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate, then the Company shall, concurrently with the making of such Mandatory Credit Agreement Prepayment, prepay the Notes in an amount equal to the Ratable Share of the amount of such excess (or such lesser principal amount as shall then be outstanding), applied ratably between the 2010 Notes and the 2011 Notes, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount.
(c) Asset Dispositions Mandatory Prepayments. Within 2 Business Days after the consummation of any sale or other disposition of Property (including the sale or other disposition of Receivables) by the Company or any Subsidiary if the aggregate fair market value of the consideration received by the Company or its Subsidiaries for such sale or other disposition, together with the aggregate fair market value of the consideration received by the Company or its Subsidiaries for all other such sales or other dispositions consummated during the period of twelve consecutive months immediately preceding the consummation of such sale or other disposition, exceeds $25,000,000, the Company shall deliver an Officers Certificate to the holders of Notes (notifying the holders of Notes thereof and certifying the amount of Net Cash Proceeds received from such sales or other dispositions during such period). Unless within 5 Business Days after receipt of such Officers Certificate the Required Holders shall have notified the Company of the Required Holders election to forego prepayment, then on the date that is 7 Business Days after the date on which the Company shall have delivered such Officers Certificate to the holders of Notes the Company shall prepay the 2010 Notes and the 2011 Notes in an amount equal to the Ratable Share of the amount of Net Cash Proceeds certified in such Officers Certificate (or such lesser principal amount as shall then be outstanding), applied ratably between the 2010 Notes and the 2011 Notes, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) up to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds of such sales or other dispositions with respect to which the Company shall have given the holders of Notes written notice (set forth in the applicable Officers Certificate delivered pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 8.1(c)) of its intention to repair or replace the Property subject to any such sale or other disposition or invest such Net Cash Proceeds in the purchase of Property (other than securities, unless those securities represent equity interests in an entity that becomes a Guarantor or an Unrestricted Subsidiary permitted hereunder (and provided that if such Guarantor or Unrestricted Subsidiary is a newly formed Person, such Person shall promptly use the portion of the Net Cash Proceeds received by it for the sale of its equity interests in order to purchase Property to be used by it in its business)) to be used by one or more of the Company or the Guarantors in their businesses (such repair, replacement or investment referred to as a Reinvestment) within six months following such sale or other disposition, shall not be subject
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to the provisions of the first two sentences of this Section 8.1(c) unless and to the extent that such applicable period shall have expired without such repair, replacement or investment having been made, and (ii) only the Net Cash Proceeds from sales or other dispositions of Property (including the sale or other disposition of Receivables) with a fair market value of the consideration received therefor in excess of $25,000,000 (above and beyond the fair market value of the consideration of the dispositions of the Property with respect to which the Net Cash Proceeds shall have been subject to Reinvestment) shall be subject to the provisions of the first two sentences of this Section 8.1(c).
(d) Borrowing Base Mandatory Prepayments. If the amount equal to the Aggregate Outstanding Revolving Credit Exposure plus the aggregate principal amount outstanding in respect of the Notes exceeds the amount equal to the Borrowing Base plus the aggregate principal amount outstanding in respect of the Notes by more than $10,000,000 at any time, then the Company shall, no later than 2 Business Days after obtaining knowledge thereof, deliver an Officers Certificate to the holders of Notes (notifying the holders of Notes thereof and certifying the amount of such excess, accompanied by a revised Borrowing Base Certificate). Unless within 5 Business Days after receipt of such Officers Certificate the Required Holders shall have notified the Company of the Required Holders election to forego prepayment, then on the date that is 7 Business Days after the date on which the Company shall have delivered such Officers Certificate to the holders of Notes the Company shall prepay the Notes in an amount equal to the Ratable Share of the amount of such excess (or such lesser principal amount as shall then be outstanding), applied ratably between the 2010 Notes and the 2011 Notes, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount.
(e) No Duplication of Mandatory Prepayments. If any set of facts or circumstances would trigger a mandatory prepayment under two or more of Sections 8.1(b), (c) or (d), then no duplication of mandatory prepayments shall be required and instead only such provision as shall result in the largest mandatory prepayment shall be operative for such set of facts or circumstances.
(f) Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness Repayment Events. Within 2 Business Days after the occurrence of any Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness Repayment Event, the Company shall deliver an Officers Certificate to the holders of Notes (notifying the holders of Notes thereof and identifying in reasonable detail the Indebtedness with respect to which such Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness Repayment Event has occurred and the status of current efforts to refinance such Indebtedness). Unless within 5 Business Days after receipt of such Officers Certificate the Required Holders shall have notified the Company of the Required Holders election to forego prepayment, then on the date that is 7 Business Days after the date on which the Company shall have delivered such Officers Certificate to the holders of Notes the Company shall prepay the Notes in their entirety, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount.
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8.2 Optional Prepayments with Make-Whole Amount. The Company may, at its option, upon notice as provided below, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of, the Notes of either Series (to the exclusion of the other Series), in an amount not less than $5,000,000 in the case of partial prepayment, at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount. The Company will give each holder of Notes written notice of each optional prepayment under this Section 8.2 not less than 5 Business Days and not more than 60 days prior to the date (which shall be a Business Day) fixed for such prepayment. Each such notice shall specify such date, the Series of Notes to be prepaid, the aggregate principal amount of such Notes to be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note of such Series held by such holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 8.3), and the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount being prepaid. Prepayment of the Notes with a distribution made pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement shall be made at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid and the Make-Whole Amount determined for the prepayment date with respect to such principal amount.
8.3 Allocation of Partial Prepayments. In the case of each partial prepayment of the Notes of each Series, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes of such Series at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment.
8.4 Maturity; Surrender, etc. In the case of each prepayment of Notes pursuant to this Section 8, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for such prepayment (which shall be a Business Day), together with interest on such principal amount accrued to such date and the applicable Make-Whole Amount, if any. From and after such date, unless the Company shall fail to pay such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest and Make-Whole Amount, if any, as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to accrue. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled and shall not be reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal amount of any Note.
8.5 Purchase of Notes. The Company will not and will not permit any Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes of any Series except (i) upon the payment or prepayment of the Notes of such Series in accordance with the terms of this Section 8 or Section 12.1, or (ii) pursuant to a written offer to purchase Notes of such Series made by the Company or an Affiliate pro rata to the holders of all Notes of such Series at the time outstanding upon the same terms and conditions. The Company will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate pursuant to any payment, prepayment or purchase of Notes pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any such Notes.
8.6 Change of Control.
(a) Notice of Change of Control or Notice Event. The Company will, within 5 Business Days after any Authorized Officer has knowledge of the occurrence of any Change of Control or Notice Event, give written notice of such Change of Control or
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Notice Event to each holder of Notes unless notice in respect of such Change of Control (or the Change of Control contemplated by such Notice Event) shall have been given pursuant to Section 8.6(b). If a Change of Control has occurred, such notice shall contain and constitute an offer to prepay Notes as described in Section 8.6(c) and shall be accompanied by the certificate described in Section 8.6(g).
(b) Condition to Obligor Action. The Company will not take any action that consummates or finalizes a Change of Control unless (i) at least 30 days prior to such action it shall have given to each holder of Notes written notice containing and constituting an offer to prepay Notes as described in Section 8.6(c), accompanied by the certificate described in Section 8.6(g), and (ii) contemporaneously with such action, the Company prepays all Notes required to be prepaid in accordance with this Section 8.6.
(c) Offer to Prepay Notes. The offer to prepay Notes contemplated by Section 8.6(a) and Section 8.6(b) shall be an offer to prepay, in accordance with and subject to this Section 8.6, all, but not less than all, the Notes held by each holder (in this case only, holder in respect of any Note registered in the name of a nominee for a disclosed beneficial owner shall mean such beneficial owner) on a date specified in such offer (the Proposed Prepayment Date). If such Proposed Prepayment Date is in connection with an offer contemplated by Section 8.6(a), such date shall be not less than 10 days and not more than 60 days after the date of such offer (if the Proposed Prepayment Date shall not be specified in such offer, the Proposed Prepayment Date shall be the 30th day after the date of such offer).
(d) Acceptance. A holder of Notes may accept the offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.6 by causing a notice of such acceptance to be delivered to the Company at least 5 days prior to the Proposed Prepayment Date. A failure by a holder of Notes to respond to an offer to prepay made pursuant to this Section 8.6 shall be deemed to constitute an acceptance of such offer by such holder.
(e) Prepayment. Prepayment of the Notes to be prepaid pursuant to this Section 8.6 shall be at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus the Make-Whole Amount determined for the date of prepayment with respect to the principal amount, together with interest on such Notes accrued to the date of prepayment. The prepayment shall be made on the Proposed Prepayment Date except as provided in Section 8.6(f).
(f) Deferral Pending Change of Control. The obligation of the Company to prepay the Notes pursuant to the offers required by Section 8.6(c) and accepted in accordance with Section 8.6(d) is subject to the occurrence of the Change of Control in respect of which such offers and acceptances shall have been made. In the event that such Change of Control does not occur on the Proposed Prepayment Date in respect thereof, the prepayment shall be deferred until and shall be made on the date on which such Change of Control occurs. The Company shall keep each holder of Notes reasonably and timely informed of (i) any such deferral of the date of prepayment, (ii) the date on which such Change of Control and the prepayment are expected to occur, and (iii) any determination by the Company that efforts to effect such Change of Control have ceased or been abandoned (in which case the offers and acceptances made pursuant to this Section 8.6 in respect of such Change of Control shall be deemed rescinded).
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(g) Officers Certificate. Each offer to prepay the Notes pursuant to this Section 8.6 shall be accompanied by a certificate, executed by an Authorized Officer of the Company and dated the date of such offer, specifying: (i) the Proposed Prepayment Date; (ii) that such offer is made pursuant to this Section 8.6; (iii) the principal amount of each Note offered to be prepaid; (iv) the interest that would be due on each Note offered to be prepaid, accrued to the Proposed Prepayment Date; (v) that the conditions of this Section 8.6 have been fulfilled; and (vi) in reasonable detail, the nature and date or proposed date of the Change of Control.
8.7 Make-Whole Amount. Make-Whole Amount means, with respect to any Note, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Discounted Value of the Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to the Called Principal of such Note over the amount of such Called Principal; provided that the Make-Whole Amount may in no event be less than zero. For the purposes of determining the Make-Whole Amount, the following terms have the following meanings:
Called Principal means, with respect to any Note, the principal of such Note that is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.1(b), (c), (d) or (f), Section 8.2, or Section 8.6 or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
Discounted Value means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the amount obtained by discounting all Remaining Scheduled Payments with respect to such Called Principal from their respective scheduled due dates to the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in accordance with accepted financial practice and at a discount factor (applied on the same periodic basis as that on which interest on the Notes is payable) equal to the Reinvestment Yield with respect to such Called Principal.
Reinvestment Yield means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, 0.50% over the yield to maturity implied by (i) the yields reported as of 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, on the display designated as Page PX1 (or such other display as may replace Page PX1 on Bloomberg Financial Markets (Bloomberg) or, if Page PX1 (or its successor screen on Bloomberg) is unavailable, the Telerate Access Service screen which corresponds most closely to Page PX1 for the most recently issued actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date, or (ii) if such yields are not reported as of such time or the yields reported as of such time are not ascertainable (including by way of interpolation), the Treasury Constant Maturity Series Yields reported, for the latest day for which such yields have been so reported as of the second Business Day preceding the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal, in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (or any comparable successor publication) for actively traded U.S. Treasury securities having a constant maturity equal to the Remaining Average Life of such Called Principal as of such Settlement Date. Such implied yield will be determined, if necessary, by (a) converting U.S. Treasury bill quotations to bond equivalent
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yields in accordance with accepted financial practice and (b) interpolating linearly between (1) the actively traded U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and greater than such Remaining Average Life and (2) the actively traded U.S. Treasury security with the maturity closest to and less than such Remaining Average Life. The Reinvestment Yield shall be rounded to the number of decimal places as appears in the interest rate of the applicable Note.
Remaining Average Life means, with respect to any Called Principal, the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) obtained by dividing (i) such Called Principal into (ii) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the principal component of each Remaining Scheduled Payment with respect to such Called Principal by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth year) that will elapse between the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal and the scheduled due date of such Remaining Scheduled Payment.
Remaining Scheduled Payments means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, all payments of such Called Principal and interest thereon that would be due after the Settlement Date with respect to such Called Principal if no payment of such Called Principal were made prior to its scheduled due date; provided that if such Settlement Date is not a date on which interest payments are due to be made under the terms of the Notes, then the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued to such Settlement Date and required to be paid on such Settlement Date pursuant to Section 8.1(b), (c), (d) or (f), Section 8.2, Section 8.6 or Section 12.1.
Settlement Date means, with respect to the Called Principal of any Note, the date on which such Called Principal is to be prepaid pursuant to Section 8.1(b), (c), (d) or (f), Section 8.2 or Section 8.6, or has become or is declared to be immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1, as the context requires.
9. Affirmative Covenants. The Company covenants that for so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:
9.1 Use of Proceeds. The Company will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, use the proceeds of the Notes for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, purchases of Receivables Portfolios, Permitted Acquisitions and repayment of Indebtedness. The Company shall use the proceeds of the Notes in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements and any such use shall not result in a violation of any such requirements, including, without limitation, Regulation U or X, the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
9.2 Conduct of Business. The Company will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, (i) carry on and conduct its business in substantially the same manner and in substantially the same fields of enterprise as it is conducted on the Closing Date; provided that in no event shall any member of the Propel Group engage in any business such that it would acquire any material amount of Receivables to the extent such Receivables could be Eligible Receivables if held by a Credit Party, and (ii) do all things necessary to remain duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and (to the extent such concept applies to such entity) in good
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standing as a domestic corporation, partnership or limited liability company in its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as the case may be, as in effect on the Closing Date, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except (i) as permitted by Section 10.2, and (ii) to the extent that the failure to maintain any of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
9.3 Taxes. The Company will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, timely file complete and correct United States federal and applicable foreign, state and local tax returns required by law and pay when due all taxes, assessments and governmental charges and levies upon it or its income, profits or Property, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
9.4 Insurance. The Company will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on their Property in such amounts, subject to such deductibles and self-insurance retentions, and covering such risks as is consistent with sound business practice. The Company shall deliver to the Collateral Agent endorsements in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent to all general liability and other liability policies naming the Collateral Agent as an additional insured. The Company shall furnish to any holder of Notes such additional information as such holder may reasonably request regarding the insurance carried by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries. In the event the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at any time or times hereafter shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies or insurance required herein or to pay any premium in whole or in part relating thereto, then the Collateral Agent, without waiving or releasing any obligations or resulting Event of Default hereunder, may at any time or times thereafter (but shall be under no obligation to do so) obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premiums and take any other action with respect thereto which the Collateral Agent deems advisable. All sums so disbursed by the Collateral Agent shall constitute part of the Secured Obligations, payable as provided in this Agreement.
9.5 Compliance with Laws. The Company will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations, orders, writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees or awards to which it may be subject including, without limitation, the USA Patriot Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (or any similar federal, state or local laws or regulations relating to consumer debt or the collection thereof), all Environmental Laws, ERISA and Section 302 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to which it may be subject where non-compliance with such laws, rules, regulations, orders, writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees or awards could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.
9.6 Maintenance of Properties. Subject to Section 10.3, the Company will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, do all things necessary to maintain, preserve, protect and keep the tangible Property material to the operation of its business in good repair, working order and condition, (ordinary wear and tear excepted), and make all necessary and proper repairs, renewals and replacements so that its business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times.
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9.7 Guarantors. The Company shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Excluded Subsidiaries, Immaterial Subsidiaries and each member of the Propel Group)) to guarantee pursuant to the Multiparty Guaranty or supplement or counterpart thereto (or, in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary, any other guaranty agreement requested by the Required Holders) the obligations of the Company evidenced by the Notes and under the other Transaction Documents. In furtherance of the above, after the formation or acquisition of any Restricted Subsidiary or the occurrence of a Subsidiary Redesignation, the Company shall promptly (and in any event upon the earlier of (x) such time as such Restricted Subsidiary becomes a guarantor, co-borrower or other obligor under the Credit Agreement and (y) within 45 days after such formation or acquisition or such Subsidiary Redesignation): (i) provide written notice to the holders of Notes upon any Person becoming a Subsidiary, setting forth information in reasonable detail describing all of the assets of such Person; (ii) cause such Person (other than any Excluded Subsidiary, Immaterial Subsidiary and member of the Propel Group) to execute a supplement or counterpart to the Multiparty Guaranty and such other Collateral Documents as are necessary for the Company and its Subsidiaries to comply with Section 9.8; (iii) cause the Applicable Pledge Percentage of the issued and outstanding equity interests of such Person and each other Pledge Subsidiary to be delivered to the Collateral Agent (together with undated stock powers signed in blank, if applicable) and pledged to the Collateral Agent pursuant to an appropriate pledge agreement(s) in substantially the form of the Pledge and Security Agreement (or joinder or other supplement thereto) and otherwise in form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders; and (iv) deliver such other documentation as the Required Holders may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing, including, without limitation, certified resolutions and other authority documents of such Person and, to the extent requested by the Required Holders, favorable opinions of counsel to such Person (which shall cover, among other things, the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation referred to above), all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Required Holders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to execute and deliver the Multiparty Guaranty (or supplement thereto) or such other guaranty agreement if such execution and delivery would cause a Deemed Dividend Problem or a Financial Assistance Problem with respect to such Foreign Subsidiary and, in lieu thereof, the Company and the relevant Restricted Subsidiaries shall provide the pledge agreements required under this Section 9.7 or Section 9.8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will be required to comply with this Section 9.7 with respect to any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC to the extent that the provisions of the Propel Indebtedness no longer prohibits the guaranty of the obligations evidenced by the Notes or the granting of security with respect thereto, and (y) with respect to any Immaterial Subsidiary if it ceases to be an Immaterial Subsidiary under the terms of the definition thereof.
9.8 Collateral. The Company will cause, and will cause each other Credit Party to cause, all of its owned Property to be subject at all times to first priority, perfected Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement and the Collateral Documents, subject in any case to Liens permitted by Section 10.6 hereof (it being understood and agreed that (a) no control agreements will be required hereunder in respect of bank accounts, and (b) Mortgages and Mortgage Instruments will only be required hereunder in respect of Mortgaged Properties). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company: (i) will cause the Applicable Pledge Percentage of the issued and outstanding equity interests of each Pledge Subsidiary directly owned by the Company or any other Credit Party to
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be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent to secure the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents or such other security documents as the Collateral Agent shall reasonably request; and (ii) will, and will cause each Guarantor to, deliver Mortgages and Mortgage Instruments with respect to real property owned by the Company or such Guarantor to the extent, and within such time period as is, reasonably required by the Collateral Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no pledge agreement in respect of the equity interests of a Foreign Subsidiary shall be required hereunder to the extent such pledge thereunder is prohibited by applicable law or counsel to the holders of the Notes reasonably determines that such pledge would not provide material credit support for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to legally valid, binding and enforceable pledge agreements.
9.9 Most Favored Lender. If at any time any of the Credit Agreement, or any agreement or document related to the Credit Agreement or any Principal Credit Facility of the Company, includes (i) any covenant, event of default or similar provision that is not provided for in this Agreement, or (ii) any covenant, event of default or similar provision that is more restrictive than the same or similar covenant, event of default or similar provision provided in this Agreement (all such provisions described in clauses (i) or (ii) of this Section 9.9 being referred to as the Most Favored Covenants), then (a) such Most Favored Covenant shall immediately and automatically be incorporated by reference in this Agreement as if set forth fully herein, mutatis mutandis, and no such provision may thereafter be waived, amended or modified under this Agreement except pursuant to the provisions of Section 17, and (b) the Company shall promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after entering into any such Most Favored Covenant, so advise the holders of Notes in writing. Thereafter, upon the request of the Required Holders, the Company shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement with the Required Holders evidencing the incorporation of such Most Favored Covenant, it being agreed that any failure to make such request or to enter into any such amendment shall in no way qualify or limit the incorporation by reference described in clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence.
9.10 Minimum Committed Revolving Credit Facility. The Company covenants that it will maintain at all times a revolving credit facility with minimum aggregate commitments of $300,000,000 and with a remaining period until final maturity of not less than three months.
9.11 Information Required by Rule 144A. The Company covenants that it will, upon the request of the holder of any Note, provide such holder, and any Qualified Institutional Buyer designated by such holder, such financial and other information as such holder may reasonably determine to be necessary in order to permit compliance with the information requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act in connection with the resale of Notes, except at such times as the Company is subject to and in compliance with the reporting requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
10. Negative Covenants. The Company covenants that for so long as any of the Notes are outstanding:
10.1 Restricted Payments. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Restricted Payment (other than dividends payable in its own
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capital stock) except that (i) any Restricted Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends or make distributions to the Company or a Guarantor, (ii) the Company may, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would arise after giving effect thereto, make Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed, during any fiscal year of the Company, 20% of the audited Consolidated Net Income for the then most recently completed fiscal year of the Company, (iii) [reserved], (iv) the Company may (A) effect a conversion of Permitted Indebtedness pursuant to its terms by making any required payments of cash and/or the Companys capital stock and (B) make a payment of cash to enter into a Permitted Indebtedness Hedge in connection with Permitted Indebtedness, and any payments made in settlement or in performance thereof, and (v) the Company may, so long as the Payment Conditions are satisfied, make repurchases of its capital stock so long as the aggregate cumulative amount expended on and after February 8, 2010 for all such repurchases of capital stock does not exceed $50,000,000. As used herein, Payment Conditions means (i) no Default or Event of Default has then occurred and is continuing or would arise after giving effect thereto, and (ii) before and after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto, (A) the Company is in compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 10.12 and 10.13, and (B) the Aggregate Outstanding Revolving Credit Exposure shall not exceed the lesser of (x) the Aggregate Revolving Commitment and (y) the Borrowing Base, in each case, then in effect.
10.2 Merger or Dissolution. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, merge or consolidate with or into any other Person or dissolve, except that:
10.2.1 a Restricted Subsidiary may merge into (x) the Company, so long as the Company is the survivor of such merger or (y) a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a Guarantor or becomes a Guarantor promptly upon the completion of the applicable merger or consolidation, so long as such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary is the survivor of such merger;
10.2.2 the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may consummate any merger or consolidation in connection with any Permitted Acquisition so long as (i) in the case of the Company, the Company is the surviving entity and (ii) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary, the Company has otherwise complied with Sections 9.7 and 9.8 in respect of the surviving entity; and
10.2.3 the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into Permitted Restructurings.
10.3 Sale of Assets. The Company will not, nor will it permit any other Credit Party to, lease, sell or otherwise dispose of its Property to any other Person, except:
10.3.1 sales of Receivables in the ordinary course of business;
10.3.2 a disposition or transfer of assets by a Credit Party to another Credit Party or a Person that becomes a Credit Party prior to such disposition or transfer;
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10.3.3 a disposition of obsolete Property, Property no longer used in the business of the Company or the other Credit Parties or other assets in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any other Credit Party, but excluding in each case Property (other than fixtures and personal Property) subject to a Lien under a Mortgage;
10.3.4 leases, sales or other dispositions of its Property that, together with all other Property of the Company and the Credit Parties previously leased, sold or disposed of (other than dispositions otherwise permitted by this Section 10.3) as permitted by this Section during any fiscal year of the Company do not exceed one percent (1%) of Consolidated Tangible Assets in the aggregate;
10.3.5 sales or dispositions of assets outside the ordinary course of business with an aggregate fair market value not to exceed, during the term of this Agreement, $20,000,000; and
10.3.6 any lease, transfer or other disposition of its Property that constitutes a permitted Investment under Section 10.4.
10.4 Investments and Acquisitions. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make or suffer to exist any Investments (including without limitation, loans and advances to, or other Investments in, Subsidiaries), or commitments therefor, or create any Subsidiary or become or remain a partner in any partnership or joint venture, or make any Acquisition of any Person, except:
10.4.1 (i) Cash Equivalent Investments, (ii) any Permitted Indebtedness Hedge, and (iii) other Investments described in Schedule 10.4.1;
10.4.2 existing Investments in Restricted Subsidiaries and other Investments in existence on the date hereof and described in Schedule 10.4.2;
10.4.3 so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing as of the date of the Asset Acceptance Acquisition, or would result from the consummation of the Asset Acceptance Acquisition, the Asset Acceptance Acquisition may be consummated in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Asset Acceptance Merger Agreement;
10.4.4 Acquisitions meeting the following requirements or otherwise approved by the Required Holders (each such Acquisition constituting a Permitted Acquisition):
(i) as of the date of the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such Permitted Acquisition, and the representation and warranty contained in Section 5.11 shall be true both before and after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition;
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(ii) such Permitted Acquisition is consummated pursuant to a negotiated acquisition agreement approved by the board of directors or other applicable governing body of the seller or entity to be acquired, and no material challenge to such Permitted Acquisition (excluding the exercise of appraisal rights) shall be pending or threatened by any shareholder or director of the seller or entity to be acquired;
(iii) the business to be acquired in such Permitted Acquisition is similar or related to one or more of the lines of business in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the Closing Date;
(iv) as of the date of the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition, all material governmental and corporate approvals required in connection therewith shall have been obtained;
(v) the aggregate Purchase Price for all such Permitted Acquisitions during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $100,000,000, provided that the Purchase Price for any single Permitted Acquisition during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $50,000,000;
(vi) prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition, the Company shall have delivered to the holders of Notes a pro forma consolidated balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (the Acquisition Pro Forma), based on the Companys most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.1 (using, to the extent available, historical financial statements for such entity provided by the seller(s)) which shall be complete and shall fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles, but taking into account such Permitted Acquisition and the funding of all extensions of credit in connection therewith, and such Acquisition Pro Forma shall reflect that, on a pro forma basis, the Company would have been in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Sections 10.12 and 10.13 for the period of four fiscal quarters reflected in the compliance certificate most recently delivered to the holders of Notes pursuant to Section 7.1.4 prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition (giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition and all extensions of credit funded in connection therewith as if made on the first day of such period); provided, however, that no such compliance with Section 10.12 is required to be demonstrated in such Acquisition Pro Forma for an Acquisition which is either (x) solely a purchase of assets or (y) an acquisition of an entity or a going business for which no financial statements are available; and
(vii) prior to each such Permitted Acquisition, the Company shall deliver to the holders of Notes a documentation, information and certification package in form reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders and demonstrating conformity with the applicable Acquisition Pro Forma and sufficient to describe the assets and Persons being acquired, including, without limitation:
(A) a near-final version (with no further material amendments to be made thereto) of the acquisition agreement for such Permitted Acquisition together with drafts of the material schedules thereto;
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(B) a near-final version (with no further material amendments to be made thereto) of all documents, instruments and agreements with respect to any Indebtedness to be incurred or assumed in connection with such Permitted Acquisition; and
(C) such other documents or information as shall be reasonably requested by the Required Holders in connection with such Permitted Acquisition;
10.4.5 a Permitted Restructuring;
10.4.6 creation of, or Investment in, a Restricted Subsidiary (other than (i) a Blocked Propel Subsidiary and (ii) a Foreign Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party) and in respect of which the Company has otherwise complied with Sections 9.7 and 9.8, provided that in the case of any investments in any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC, such investment shall be permitted only to the extent that, after giving effect to such investment, (i) no Default shall exist and be continuing and (ii) the Company shall be in compliance with Sections 10.12 and 10.13 on a pro-forma basis as if the Investment occurred on the first day of the applicable period being tested pursuant to such Sections and 10.5.16;
10.4.7 Investments constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.5.5 or Section 10.5.16;
10.4.8 Investments by a Credit Party in another Credit Party;
10.4.9 Minority Investments of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, so long as (A) the aggregate Investment permitted under this Section 10.4.9 in any single Person shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any time outstanding and (B) the aggregate for all Investments permitted by this Section 10.4.9 shall not at any time exceed the lesser of (1) $60,000,000 and (2) $150,000,000 less the aggregate outstanding Investments made pursuant to Sections 10.4.10 and 10.4.11;
10.4.10 Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Investment/Loans, provided that the aggregate for all Investments permitted by this Section 10.4.10 shall not exceed at any time the greater of (A) ten percent (10%) of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth and (B) $150,000,000 less the aggregate outstanding Investments made pursuant to Sections 10.4.9 and 10.4.11; and
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10.4.11 Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries and Blocked Propel Subsidiaries not to exceed in the aggregate at any time $150,000,000 less the aggregate outstanding Investments made pursuant to Sections 10.4.9 and 10.4.10.
For purposes of determining the amount of any Investment outstanding for purposes of this Section 10.4, such amount shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of such Investment when made, purchased or acquired less any amount realized by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Investment upon the sale, collection or return of capital, including by way of a Subsidiary Redesignation after the Investment therein (in any case, not to exceed the original amount invested).
10.5 Indebtedness. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
10.5.1 the Secured Obligations;
10.5.2 Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and described in Schedule 10.5;
10.5.3 Indebtedness arising under Rate Management Transactions (other than for speculative purposes);
10.5.4 secured or unsecured purchase money Indebtedness (including Capitalized Leases) incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after February 8, 2010 to finance the acquisition of assets used in its business, if (1) the total of all such Indebtedness for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken together incurred on or after February 8, 2010, when aggregated with the Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.5.9, shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount of $15,000,000 at any one time outstanding, (2) such Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the purchase price of the asset(s) financed, (3) no such Indebtedness shall be refinanced for a principal amount in excess of the principal balance outstanding thereon at the time of such refinancing, and (4) any Lien securing such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 10.6 (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness);
10.5.5 Indebtedness arising from intercompany loans and advances (i) made by any Subsidiary to any Credit Party; provided that the Company agrees (and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to agree) that all such Indebtedness owed to any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC or any Unrestricted Subsidiary by any Credit Party shall be expressly subordinated to the Secured Obligations pursuant to subordination provisions reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders, (ii) made by the Company to any other Credit Party, (iii) made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Restricted Subsidiary solely for the purpose of facilitating, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice as of the Closing Date (and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any business relating to the acquisition of receivables owed by a Person subject to bankruptcy or similar proceedings), the payment of fees and expenses in connection with collection actions or proceedings or
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(iv) made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC (other than a Blocked Propel Subsidiary) to the extent such loan would be permitted as an investment in compliance with the proviso of Section 10.4.6 or any Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent such loan would be permitted as an investment in compliance with Section 10.4.11;
10.5.6 guaranty obligations of the Company of any Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary permitted under Section 10.5.2 or of any Indebtedness of any Subsidiary permitted as an Investment under Sections 10.4.9, 10.4.10 or 10.4.11;
10.5.7 guaranty obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor with respect to any Indebtedness of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary permitted under this Section 10.5, other than the Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Non-Recourse Indebtedness;
10.5.8 [Intentionally Omitted];
10.5.9 additional unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent not otherwise permitted under this Section 10.5; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of such additional Indebtedness, when aggregated with the Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.5.4 shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any time outstanding;
10.5.10 bonds or other Indebtedness required by collections licensing laws in the ordinary course of the Credit Parties business;
10.5.11 Indebtedness, liabilities and contingent obligations incurred or assumed in connection with a Permitted Acquisition; provided, however, that any such Indebtedness incurred or assumed by a Person that is a Foreign Subsidiary after giving effect to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition shall be permitted only to the extent such Indebtedness constitutes Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Non-Recourse Indebtedness;
10.5.12 [Intentionally Omitted];
10.5.13 Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Non-Recourse Indebtedness;
10.5.14 Indebtedness constituting Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Investments/Loans, to the extent permitted as an Investment in compliance with the proviso of Section 10.4.10;
10.5.15 additional unsecured or subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent not otherwise permitted under this Section 10.5; provided, however, that (i) the aggregate principal amount of such additional Indebtedness shall not exceed $300,000,000, and (ii) if such Indebtedness is subordinated, the terms of such subordination shall be reasonably acceptable to the Required Holders;
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10.5.16 the Propel Indebtedness, provided that the aggregate principal amount thereof does not exceed $300,000,000, and the unsecured guaranty obligations of the Company of such Propel Indebtedness;
10.5.17 so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, Indebtedness of any Credit Party not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 10.5 in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided, that such Indebtedness shall be limited to a letter of credit facility provided to or for the benefit of the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
10.5.18 Indebtedness arising from intercompany loans and advances made by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party to any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party.
10.6 Liens. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, or suffer to exist any Lien in, of or on the Property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except:
10.6.1 Liens securing all Secured Obligations;
10.6.2 Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies on its Property if the same (i) shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty, (ii) are disclosed on Schedule 5.6, or (iii) are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles shall have been set aside on its books;
10.6.3 Liens imposed by law, such as landlords, wage earners, carriers, warehousemens and mechanics liens and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business which secure payment of obligations not more than 45 days past due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles shall have been set aside on its books;
10.6.4 Liens arising out of pledges or deposits under workers compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, or other social security or retirement benefits, or similar legislation;
10.6.5 Liens as described in Schedule 10.6;
10.6.6 deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements;
10.6.7 deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
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10.6.8 easements, reservations, rights-of-way, restrictions, survey or title exceptions and other similar encumbrances as to real property of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries which customarily exist on properties of corporations engaged in similar activities and similarly situated and which do not materially interfere with the conduct of the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary conducted at the property subject thereto;
10.6.9 purchase money Liens securing Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness (as defined in Section 10.5); provided, that such Liens shall not apply to any property of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries other than that purchased with the proceeds of such Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness;
10.6.10 Liens existing on any asset of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company at the time such Restricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such event;
10.6.11 Liens on any asset securing Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing or refinancing all or any part of the cost of acquiring or constructing such asset; provided that such Lien attaches to such asset concurrently with or within eighteen (18) months after the acquisition or completion or construction thereof;
10.6.12 Liens existing on any asset of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company at the time such Restricted Subsidiary is merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such event;
10.6.13 Liens existing on any asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and not created in contemplation thereof; provided that such Liens do not encumber any other Property or assets;
10.6.14 Liens arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien permitted under Sections 10.6.9 through 10.6.13; provided that (a) such Indebtedness is not secured by any additional assets, and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness secured by any such Lien is not increased;
10.6.15 Liens on the assets of any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC securing the Propel Indebtedness; and
10.6.16 Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.5.17; provided that the holder(s) of such Indebtedness and the Collateral Agent shall have entered into an intercreditor agreement with respect to such Liens (and the assets subject to such Liens) that is in form and content acceptable to the Required Holders.
In addition, no Credit Party shall become a party to any agreement, note, indenture or other instrument, or take any other action, which would prohibit the creation of a Lien on any of its Properties or other assets in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties;
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provided, however, that any agreement, note, indenture or other instrument in connection with purchase money Indebtedness (including Capitalized Leases) for which the related Liens are permitted hereunder may prohibit the creation of a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties with respect to the assets or Property obtained with the proceeds of such Indebtedness.
10.7 Affiliates. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction (including, without limitation, the purchase or sale of any Property or service) with, or make any payment or transfer to, any Affiliate (other than the Company and the other Credit Parties) except (i) in the ordinary course of business and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the Companys or such Restricted Subsidiarys business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would obtain in a comparable arms length transaction, and (ii) the Permitted Restructuring.
10.8 Hedging Contracts. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or remain liable upon any Rate Management Transactions except for those entered into in the ordinary course of business for bona fide hedging purposes and not for speculative purposes.
10.9 Subsidiary Covenants. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Credit Party or any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC to, create or otherwise cause to become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Credit Party or any Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC (i) to pay dividends or make any other distribution on its stock, (ii) to pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) to make loans or advances or other Investments in the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or (iv) to sell, transfer or otherwise convey any of its property to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, other than (A) customary restrictions on transfers, business changes or similar matters relating to earn out obligations in connection with Permitted Acquisitions, and (B) as provided in this Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the documents evidencing the Propel Indebtedness.
10.10 Contingent Obligations. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make or suffer to exist any Contingent Obligation (including, without limitation, any Contingent Obligation with respect to the obligations of a Subsidiary), except (i) by endorsement of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business, (ii) the reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement, (iii) any guaranty of the Secured Obligations, (iv) any liability of the Company or the Guarantors under the Transaction Documents or the Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement), (v) Contingent Obligations in respect of customary indemnification and purchase price adjustment obligations incurred in connection with acquisitions or sales of assets, (vi) customary corporate indemnification obligations under charter documents, indemnification agreements with officers and directors and underwriting agreements, and (vii) any liability under any Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.5 (it being acknowledged and agreed that none of the Company, the Guarantors or the Domestic Subsidiaries shall make or shall suffer to exist any Contingent Obligation in respect of Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries, except to the extent permitted as Investments under Section 10.4).
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10.11 Subordinated Indebtedness and Amendments to Subordinated Note Documents. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly voluntarily prepay, defease or in substance defease, purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire, any Subordinated Indebtedness. Furthermore, the Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, amend the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents (or any replacements, substitutions, extensions or renewals thereof) or pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued where such amendment, modification or supplement provides for the following or which has any of the following effects:
(i) increases the overall principal amount of any such Indebtedness or increases the amount of any single scheduled installment of principal or interest;
(ii) shortens or accelerates the date upon which any installment of principal or interest becomes due or adds any additional mandatory redemption provisions;
(iii) shortens the final maturity date of such Indebtedness or otherwise accelerates the amortization schedule with respect to such Indebtedness;
(iv) increases the rate of interest accruing on such Indebtedness;
(v) provides for the payment of additional fees or increases existing fees or changes any profit sharing arrangements to the detriment of the Company or any other Credit Party;
(vi) amends or modifies any financial or negative covenant (or covenant which prohibits or restricts the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from taking certain actions) in a manner which is more onerous or more restrictive in any material respect to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or which is otherwise materially adverse to the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries and/or the holders of Notes or, in the case of any such covenant, which places material additional restrictions on the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or which requires the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to comply with more restrictive financial ratios or which requires the Company to better its financial performance, in each case from that set forth in the existing applicable covenants in the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or the applicable covenants in this Agreement; or
(vii) amends, modifies or adds any affirmative covenant in a manner which (a) when taken as a whole, is materially adverse to the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries and/or the holders of Notes, or (b) is more onerous than the existing applicable covenant in the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents or the applicable covenant in this Agreement.
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10.12 Leverage Ratios.
10.12.1 Cash Flow Leverage Ratio. The Company will not at any time permit the ratio (the Cash Flow Leverage Ratio) of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness at such time to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the then most-recently ended four fiscal quarters to be greater than 2.00 to 1.00.
The Cash Flow Leverage Ratio shall be calculated: (i) based upon (a) for Consolidated Funded Indebtedness at the applicable time of determination, and (b) for Consolidated EBITDA, the actual amount as of the last day of each fiscal quarter for the most recently ended four consecutive fiscal quarters; and (ii) giving pro forma effect to any Material Acquisition and Material Disposition. For purposes of this Section 10.12.1, Material Acquisition means any Acquisition or series of related Acquisitions that involves the payment of consideration by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of $10,000,000; and Material Disposition means any Asset Sale or series of related Asset Sales that yields gross proceeds to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in excess of $10,000,000.
10.12.2 Minimum Net Worth. The Company will not permit the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to be less than the sum of (i) a dollar amount equal to $166,506,500, plus (ii) 50% of such Consolidated Net Income earned in each fiscal quarter beginning with the quarter ending March 31, 2009 (without deduction for losses), plus (iii) 100% of the amount by which the Companys total stockholders equity is increased after February 8, 2010 as a result of the issuance or sale by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of, or the conversion of any Indebtedness of such Person into, any equity interests (including warrants and similar investments) in such Person, minus (iv) amounts expended by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to repurchase the Companys capital stock to the extent such repurchases are permitted under Section 10.1(v)(A).
10.13 Interest Coverage Ratio. The Company will not permit the ratio, determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters for the then most-recently completed four fiscal quarters, of (i) Consolidated EBIT, to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense, in each case as of the end of such period, to be less than 2.00 to 1.00.
10.14 Capital Expenditures. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, expend, or be committed to expend, in excess of an aggregate of $20,000,000 for Capital Expenditures of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during any fiscal year of the Company.
10.15 Rentals. The Company will not permit, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, pay or incur Consolidated Rentals in excess of $15,000,000 for any fiscal year during the term of this Agreement on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
10.16 Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction.
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10.17 Acquisitions of Receivables Portfolios. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, acquire any single or related series of Receivables Portfolio(s) with a purchase price in excess of the lesser of (i) 50% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth as of the Companys most recently ended fiscal quarter and based on the financial statements of the Company delivered hereunder for such fiscal quarter and (ii) $150,000,000 (it being agreed that any one or more tranches or groups of Receivables purchased by one or more Credit Parties from the same seller or an Affiliate of such seller within a period of seven (7) consecutive days shall be deemed to be a single acquisition).
10.18 [Intentionally Omitted.]
10.19 Acquisition of Foreign Receivables. The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, (i) acquire any Receivable denominated in a currency other than Dollars, (ii) acquire any Receivable with respect to which the debtor is a resident of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, (iii) acquire any Person which owns any Receivable denominated in a currency other than Dollars or any Receivable with respect to which the debtor is a resident of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, or (iv) acquire any Person organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America or any state thereof, if, after giving effect to such acquisition, the aggregate outstanding book value (without duplication) of all such Receivables (in the case of clauses (i) and (ii)), all such Receivables owned by such Person (in the case of clause (iii)) and any and all Receivables owned by such Person (in the case of clause (iv)) would exceed in the aggregate 40% of the total book value of all Receivables of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at any time.
10.20 Terrorism Sanctions Regulations. The Company will not, and will not permit any Affiliated Entity to, (a) become an OFAC Listed Person, or (b) have any investments in, or engage in any dealings or transactions with, any Blocked Person.
11. Events of Default. An Event of Default shall exist if any of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:
(a) The Company defaults in the payment of any principal or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Note when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or
(b) the Company defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note for more than five (5) Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or
(c) the Company defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained in Sections 7.1, 7.2, 8.6, 8.7, 9.7, 9.8, 9.10 or 10; or
(d) any Credit Party defaults in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein (other than those referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 11) or in any other Transaction Document and such default is not remedied within thirty (30) days after the earlier of (i) an Authorized Officer obtaining actual knowledge of such default, and (ii) the Company receiving written notice of such default from any holder of a Note (any such written notice to be identified as a notice of default and to refer specifically to this paragraph (d) of Section 11); or
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(e) any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of any Credit Party or by any officer of any Credit Party in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document or in any writing furnished in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby proves to have been false or incorrect in any material respect on the date as of which made; or
(f) (i) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is in default (as principal or as guarantor or other surety) in the payment of any principal of or premium or make-whole amount or interest on any outstanding Indebtedness beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto, or (ii) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is in default in the performance of or compliance with any term of any evidence of any Indebtedness or of any mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating thereto or any other condition exists, and as a consequence of such default or condition such Indebtedness has become, or has been declared (or one or more Persons are entitled to declare such Indebtedness to be), due and payable before its stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (iii) as a consequence of the occurrence or continuation of any event or condition (other than the passage of time or the right of the holder of Indebtedness to convert such Indebtedness into equity interests), (x) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has become obligated to purchase or repay Indebtedness before its regular maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (y) one or more Persons have the right to require the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary so to purchase or repay such Indebtedness; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness to which such a payment default shall occur and be continuing or such a failure or other event causing or permitting acceleration (or resale to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) shall occur and be continuing exceeds $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies); or
(g) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (i) is generally not paying, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files, or consents by answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar law of any jurisdiction, (iii) makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iv) consents to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, (v) is adjudicated as insolvent or to be liquidated, or (vi) takes corporate action for the purpose of any of the foregoing; or
(h) a court or Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction enters an order appointing, without consent by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, or constituting an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or reorganization or any other petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of
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any jurisdiction, or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or any such petition shall be filed against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and such petition shall not be dismissed within 60 days; or
(i) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail within 30 days to pay, bond or otherwise discharge one or more (i) judgments or orders for the payment of money in excess of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) in the aggregate, or (ii) nonmonetary judgments or orders which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, which judgment(s) or order(s), in any such case, is/are not stayed on appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith or otherwise not covered by a creditworthy insurer or indemnitor which has acknowledged in writing coverage thereof; or
(j) if (i) any Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standards of the Pension Funding Rules for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such standards or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under the Pension Funding Rules, (ii) a notice of intent to terminate any Plan shall have been or is reasonably expected to be filed with the PBGC or the PBGC shall have instituted proceedings under ERISA section 4042 to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan or the PBGC shall have notified the Company or any ERISA Affiliate that a Plan may become a subject of any such proceedings, (iii) the aggregate amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (within the meaning of section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under all Plans, determined in accordance with Title IV of ERISA, shall exceed $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies), (iv) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate shall have incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any liability pursuant to Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code relating to employee benefit plans, (v) the Company or any ERISA Affiliate withdraws from any Multiemployer Plan, (vi) the Company or any Subsidiary establishes or amends any employee welfare benefit plan that provides post-employment welfare benefits in a manner that would increase the liability of the Company or any Subsidiary thereunder, (vii) the aggregate unfunded liability (excluding the accrued funding liability for the then current fiscal year) with respect to all benefit plans (other than pension plans) maintained by the Company and the Subsidiaries exceeds $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies), (viii) the unfunded liability with respect to any pension plan maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary exceeds the maximum amount prescribed by any applicable laws or regulations of any Governmental Authority, or (ix) the Company or any Subsidiary shall otherwise fail to comply with any laws, regulations or orders in the establishment, administration or maintenance of any pension plan or shall fail to pay or accrue any premiums, contributions or other amounts required by applicable pension plan documents or applicable laws; and any such event or events described in clauses (i) through (ix) above, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or
(k) nonpayment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Rate Management Obligation, when due or the breach by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any term, provision or condition contained in any Rate Management Transaction or any transaction of the type described in the definition of Rate Management Transactions; or
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(l) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall violate any Environmental Law, which has resulted in liability to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an amount equal to $5,000,000 or more (or its equivalent in other currencies), which liability is not paid, bonded or otherwise discharged within 45 days or which is not stayed on appeal and being appropriately contested in good faith; or
(m) this Agreement (including amendments, supplements or other modifications hereto), the Multiparty Guaranty Agreement (including amendments, supplements or other modifications thereto) or any Collateral Document (including amendments, supplements or other modifications thereto) shall fail to remain in full force or effect or any action shall be taken to assert the invalidity or unenforceability of (including any action taken on the part of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries to assert such invalidity or unenforceability of), or which results in the invalidity or unenforceability of, any such Transaction Document, or any Collateral Document shall, other than as permitted thereby, fail to create or maintain for any reason a valid and perfected security interest in any collateral purported to be covered thereby.
As used in Section 11(j), the terms employee benefit plan and employee welfare benefit plan shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in Section 3 of ERISA.
12. Remedies on Default, Etc.
12.1 Acceleration.
(a) If an Event of Default with respect to the Company described in Section 11(g) or (h) (other than an Event of Default described in clause (i) of Section 11(g) or described in clause (vi) of Section 11(g) by virtue of the fact that such clause encompasses clause (i) of Section 11(g)) has occurred, all the Notes then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and payable.
(b) If any Event of Default described in Section 11(a) or (b) has occurred and is continuing, in addition to any action that may be taken pursuant to Section 12.1(c), any holder or holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of Default may at any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately due and payable.
(c) If any other Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any holder or holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes of any Series at the time outstanding may at any time at its or their option, by notice or notices to the Company, declare all the Notes of such Series then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.
Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 12.1, whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus (x) all accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including, but not limited to, interest accrued thereon at the Default Rate), and (y) the Make-Whole Amount determined in
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respect of such principal amount (to the full extent permitted by applicable law), shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby waived. The Company acknowledges, and the parties hereto agree, that each holder of a Note has the right to maintain its investment in the Notes free from prepayment by the Company (except as herein specifically provided for) and that the provision for payment of a Make-Whole Amount by the Company in the event that the Notes are prepaid or are accelerated as a result of an Event of Default, is intended to provide compensation for the deprivation of such right under such circumstances.
12.2 Other Remedies. If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 12.1, the holder of any Note at the time outstanding may proceed to protect and enforce the rights of such holder by an action at law, suit in equity or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or in any Note or other Transaction Document, or for an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.
12.3 Rescission. At any time after any Notes of any Series have been declared due and payable pursuant to clause (b) or (c) of Section 12.1, the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes of such Series then outstanding, by written notice to the Company, may rescind and annul any such declaration and its consequences if (a) the Company has paid all overdue interest on the Notes of such Series, all principal of and Make-Whole Amount, if any, on any Notes of such Series that are due and payable and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, and all interest on such overdue principal and Make-Whole Amount, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest in respect of the Notes of such Series, at the Default Rate, (b) neither the Company nor any other Person shall have paid any amounts which have become due solely by reason of such declaration, (c) all Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or have been waived pursuant to Section 17, and (d) no judgment or decree has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to the Notes. No rescission and annulment under this Section 12.3 will extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
12.4 No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, etc. No course of dealing and no delay on the part of any holder of any Note in exercising any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice such holders rights, powers or remedies. No right, power or remedy conferred by this Agreement, any Note or any other Transaction Document upon any holder thereof shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise. Without limiting the obligations of the Company under Section 15, the Company will pay to the holder of such Note on demand such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of such holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section 12, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees, expenses and disbursements.
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12.5 Notice of Acceleration or Rescission. Whenever any Note shall be declared immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 12.1 or any such declaration shall be rescinded and annulled pursuant to Section 12.3, the Company shall forthwith give written notice thereof to the holder of each Note at the time outstanding.
13. Registration; Exchange; Substitution of Notes.
13.1 Registration of Notes. The Company shall keep at its principal executive office a register for the registration and registration of transfers of Notes. The name and address of each holder of one or more Notes, each transfer thereof and the name and address of each transferee of one or more Notes shall be registered in such register. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Person in whose name any Note shall be registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes hereof, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary. The Company shall give to any holder of a Note that is an Institutional Investor promptly upon request therefor, a complete and correct copy of the names and addresses of all registered holders of Notes.
13.2 Transfer and Exchange of Notes. Upon surrender of any Note to the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(iii)) for registration of transfer or exchange (and, in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer, accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such Note or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the relevant name, address and other information for notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), within ten Business Days thereafter, the Company shall execute and deliver, at the Companys expense (except as provided below), one or more replacement Notes (as requested by the holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note. Each such replacement Note shall be payable to such Person as such holder may request and shall be substantially in the form of the Note so surrendered. Each such replacement Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations of less than $1,000,000 (or its equivalent if denominated in another currency); provided that if necessary to enable the registration of transfer by a holder of its entire holding of Notes of a Series, one Note may be in a denomination of less than $1,000,000 (or its equivalent if denominated in another currency). Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have made the representation set forth in Section 6.2.
13.3 Replacement of Notes. Upon receipt by the Company at the address and to the attention of the designated officer (all as specified in Section 18(iii)) of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Note (which evidence shall be, in the case of an Institutional Investor, notice from such Institutional Investor of such ownership and such loss, theft, destruction or mutilation), and
(a) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it (provided that if the holder of such Note is, or is a nominee for, an
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original Purchaser or another holder of a Note with a minimum net worth of at least $5,000,000 or a Qualified Institutional Investor, such Persons own unsecured agreement of indemnity shall be deemed to be satisfactory), or
(b) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation thereof,
within ten Business Days thereafter, the Company at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a replacement Note, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been paid thereon.
14. Payments on Notes.
14.1 Place of Payment. Subject to Section 14.2, payments of principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest becoming due and payable on the Notes shall be made in New York, New York at the principal office of JPMorgan Chase Bank in such jurisdiction. The holder of a Note may at any time, by notice to the Company, change the place of payment of the Notes so long as such place of payment shall be either the principal office of the Company in such jurisdiction or the principal office of a bank or trust company in such jurisdiction.
14.2 Home Office Payment. So long as any Purchaser or its nominee shall be the holder of any Note, and notwithstanding anything contained in Section 14.1 or in such Note to the contrary, the Company will pay all sums becoming due on such Note for principal, Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest by the method and at the address specified for such purpose below such Purchasers name in Schedule A, or by such other method or at such other address as such Purchaser shall have from time to time specified to the Company in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon written request of the Company made concurrently with or reasonably promptly after payment or prepayment in full of any Note, such Purchaser shall surrender such Note for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request, to the Company at its principal executive office or at the place of payment most recently designated by the Company pursuant to Section 14.1. Prior to any sale or other disposition of any Note held by a Purchaser or its nominee, such Purchaser will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a replacement Note or Notes pursuant to Section 13.2. The Company will afford the benefits of this Section 14.2 to any Institutional Investor that is the direct or indirect transferee of any Note purchased by any Purchaser under this Agreement and that has made the same agreement relating to such Note as the Purchaser has made in this Section 14.2.
15. Expenses, Etc.
15.1 Transaction Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Company will pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees of a special counsel, local counsel and, if reasonably required by the Required Holders, other counsel) incurred by the Purchasers, any holder of a Note or the Collateral Agent in connection with such transactions and in connection with any amendments,
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waivers or consents under or in respect of this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Transaction Documents (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent becomes effective), and the Company will, in addition, pay: (a) the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights under this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Transaction Documents or in responding to any subpoena or other legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Transaction Documents, or by reason of being a holder of any Note, (b) the costs and expenses, including financial advisors fees, incurred in connection with the insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or any Subsidiary or in connection with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Notes, and (c) the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the initial filing of this Agreement and all related documents and financial information with the SVO. The Company will pay, and will save each Purchaser and each other holder of a Note harmless from, all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses, if any, of brokers and finders.
15.2 Survival. The obligations of the Company under this Section 15 will survive the payment or transfer of any Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the Notes, and the termination of this Agreement.
16. Survival of Representations and Warranties; Entire Agreement. All representations and warranties contained herein or in any of the other Transaction Documents shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes and the other Transaction Documents, the purchase or transfer by any Purchaser of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent holder of a Note, regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of such Purchaser or any other holder of a Note. All statements contained in any certificate delivered by or on behalf of the Company or any other Credit Party pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents shall be deemed representations and warranties of the Company or such other Credit Party under this Agreement or such other Transaction Document. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement, the Notes and the other Transaction Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between each Purchaser and the Company and supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
17. Amendment and Waiver.
17.1 Requirements.
(a) This Agreement and the Notes may be amended, and the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent of the Company and the Required Holders of the Notes of each Series, except that (a) no amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Section 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), will be effective as to any Purchaser unless consented to by such Purchaser in writing, and (b) no such amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of the holder of each Note at the time outstanding affected thereby, (i) subject to the provisions of Section 12 relating to acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment
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or method of computation of interest or of the Make-Whole Amount on, the Notes, (ii) change the percentage of the principal amount of the Notes the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment or waiver, or (iii) amend any of Sections 8, 11(a), 11(b), 12, 17 or 20.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 17.1(a), if: (1) the Company and the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement have notified the holders of Notes in writing that the Required Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement on the date hereof) have approved the amendment of the corresponding provision(s) in the Credit Agreement; (2) the Majority of the Combined Banks and Noteholders (calculated on a date which is no more than 5 Business Days after such written notification with such calculation made as of the date of such notification) have consented to such amendment for purpose of the Credit Agreement and this Agreement; (3) no Default or Event of Default exists at such time (other than a Default or Event of Default existing solely as the result of a breach of the provision(s) of this Agreement which correspond to such provision(s) of the Credit Agreement which the Required Lenders have approved for amendment as described in the immediately preceding clause (1)); (4) no repayment of principal of the debt facilities under the Credit Agreement is required as consideration for such proposed amendment; and (5) no fee or other remuneration is required to be paid to or for the benefit of any party to the Credit Agreement as consideration for such proposed amendment unless the holders of Notes are paid their ratable share of such remuneration (based on the principal amount outstanding as of such notification date of the Notes and of the bank facilities under the Credit Agreement), then each Purchaser agrees (and each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed) to amend the following provisions in a substantially similar manner (except as expressly provided in the immediately succeeding clauses (iv)), to be effective concurrent with the effectiveness of the corresponding amendment to the corresponding provision of the Credit Agreement:
(i) Section 9.2 (Conduct of Business);
(ii) Section 10.4.3 (Permitted Acquisitions);
(iii) the dollar limitation set forth in each of Section 10.5.4(1) (Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness) and Section 10.5.9 (Additional Unsecured Indebtedness), but, in each case, only to the extent that the aggregate amount of such permitted Indebtedness does not exceed $25,000,000;
(iv) Section 10.5.13, but only so long as conditions (a), (b) and (c) of the definition of the term Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Non-Recourse Indebtedness are not amended;
(v) Section 10.14;
(vi) Section 10.15;
(vii) Section 10.17; and
41
(viii) Section 10.19.
17.2 Solicitation of Holders of Notes.
(a) Solicitation. The Company will provide each holder of the Notes (irrespective of the amount of Notes then owned by it) with sufficient information, sufficiently far in advance of the date a decision is required, to enable such holder to make an informed and considered decision with respect to any proposed amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the provisions hereof or of the Notes. The Company will deliver executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 17 to each holder of outstanding Notes promptly following the date on which it is executed and delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite holders of Notes.
(b) Payment. The Company will not directly or indirectly pay or cause to be paid any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or otherwise, or grant any security or provide other credit support, to any holder of Notes as consideration for or as an inducement to the entering into by any holder of Notes of any waiver or amendment of any of the terms and provisions hereof unless such remuneration is concurrently paid, or security is concurrently granted or other credit support concurrently provided, on the same terms, ratably to each holder of Notes then outstanding even if such holder did not consent to such waiver or amendment.
17.3 Binding Effect etc. Any amendment or waiver consented to as provided in this Section 17 applies equally to all holders of Notes and is binding upon them and upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Company without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate such amendment or waiver. No such amendment or waiver will extend to or affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon. No course of dealing between the Company and the holder of any Note nor any delay in exercising any rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any holder of such Note. As used herein, the term this Agreement and references thereto shall mean this Agreement as it may from time to time be amended or supplemented.
17.4 Notes Held by Company, etc. Solely for the purpose of determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes or any Series thereof then outstanding have approved or consented to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the Notes or any Series thereof, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in the Notes or any Series thereof to be taken upon the direction of the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes or any Series thereof then outstanding, Notes directly or indirectly owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed not to be outstanding.
18. Notices. All notices and communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and sent (a) by telefacsimile if the sender on the same day sends a confirming copy of such notice by a recognized overnight delivery service (charges prepaid), or (b) by registered or certified mail with return receipt requested (postage prepaid), or (c) by a recognized overnight delivery service (with charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent:
(i) if to a Purchaser or its nominee, to such Person at the address specified for such communications in Schedule A, or at such other address as such Person or nominee shall have specified to the Company in writing,
42
(ii) if to any other holder of any Note, to such holder at such address as such other holder shall have specified to the Company in writing, or
(iii) if to the Company, to the Company at its address set forth at the beginning hereof to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer, or at such other address as the Company shall have specified to the holder of each Note in writing.
Notices under this Section 18 will be deemed to have been given only when actually received.
19. Reproduction of Documents. This Agreement, and all documents relating hereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by any Purchaser at the Closing (as defined in each of the Original Agreement and the Prior Agreement) (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter furnished to any Purchaser, may be reproduced by such Purchaser by any photographic, photostatic, electronic, digital or other similar process and such Purchaser may destroy any original document so reproduced. The Company agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by such Purchaser in the regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence. This Section 19 shall not prohibit the Company or any holder of Notes from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any such reproduction.
20. Confidential Information. For the purposes of this Section 20, Confidential Information means information delivered to any Purchaser by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and that was clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by such Purchaser as being confidential information of the Company or such Subsidiary, provided that such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known or otherwise known to such Purchaser prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known through no act or omission by such Purchaser or any person acting on such Purchasers behalf, (c) otherwise becomes known to such Purchaser other than through disclosure by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (d) constitutes financial statements delivered to such Purchaser under Section 7.1 that are otherwise publicly available. Each Purchaser will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in accordance with procedures adopted by such Purchaser in good faith to protect confidential information of
43
third parties delivered to such Purchaser, provided that such Purchaser may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to (i) its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys and affiliates (to the extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the investment represented by its Notes), (ii) its financial advisors and other professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 20, (iii) any other holder of any Note, (iv) any Institutional Investor to which it sells or offers to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (v) any Person from which it offers to purchase any security of the Company (if such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 20), (vi) any federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Purchaser, (vii) the NAIC or the SVO or, in each case, any similar organization, or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about such Purchasers investment portfolio, or (viii) any other Person to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (w) to effect compliance with any law, rule, regulation or order applicable to such Purchaser, (x) in response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any litigation to which such Purchaser is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Purchaser may reasonably determine such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Purchasers Notes and this Agreement. Each holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this Section 20 as though it were a party to this Agreement. On reasonable request by the Company in connection with the delivery to any holder of a Note of information required to be delivered to such holder under this Agreement or requested by such holder (other than a holder that is a party to this Agreement or its nominee), such holder will enter into an agreement with the Company embodying the provisions of this Section 20.
21. Miscellaneous.
21.1 Successors and Assigns. All covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including, without limitation, any subsequent holder of a Note) whether so expressed or not.
21.2 Payments Due on Non-Business Days; Payment Currency. Anything in this Agreement or the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding (but without limiting the requirement in Section 8.4 that the notice of any optional prepayment specify a Business Day as the date fixed for such prepayment), any payment of principal of or Make-Whole Amount or interest on any Note that is due on a date other than a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day; provided that if the maturity date of any Note is a date other than a Business Day, the payment otherwise due on such maturity date shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and shall include the additional days elapsed in the computation of interest payable on such next succeeding Business Day.
21.3 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this Agreement have the meanings respectively given to them in accordance
44
with Agreement Accounting Principals. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, (i) all computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principals, and (ii) all financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principals.
21.4 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law) not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
21.5 Construction. Each covenant contained herein shall be construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.
For the avoidance of doubt, all Schedules and Exhibits attached to this Agreement shall be deemed to be a part hereof.
21.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties hereto.
21.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such state that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such state.
21.8 Jurisdiction and Process; Waiver of Jury Trial. (a) The Company irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Notes or the other Transaction Documents. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(b) The Company consents to process being served by or on behalf of any holder of Notes in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 21.8(a) by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to it at its address specified in Section 18 or at such other address of which such holder shall then
45
have been notified pursuant to said Section. The Company agrees that such service upon receipt (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such suit, action or proceeding, and (ii) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it. Notices hereunder shall be conclusively presumed received as evidenced by a delivery receipt furnished by the United States Postal Service or any reputable commercial delivery service.
(c) Nothing in this Section 21.8 shall affect the right of any holder of a Note to serve process in any manner permitted by law, or limit any right that the holders of any of the Notes may have to bring proceedings against the Company in the courts of any appropriate jurisdiction or to enforce in any lawful manner a judgment obtained in one jurisdiction in any other jurisdiction.
(d) THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BROUGHT ON OR WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH.
21.9 Transaction References. The Company agrees that Prudential Capital Group may (a) refer to its role in originating the purchase of the Notes from the Company, as well as the identity of the Company and the aggregate principal amount and issue date of the Notes, on its internet site or in marketing materials, press releases, published tombstone announcements or any other print or electronic medium, and (b) display the Companys corporate logo in conjunction with any such reference.
21.10 Amendment and Restatement; No Novation. This Agreement is not intended to be, and shall not be construed to create, a novation or accord and satisfaction, and, except as otherwise provided herein, the Prior Agreement or the Original Agreement, as applicable, in each case as amended or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the effectiveness of the amendment and restatement provided hereby, shall remain in full force and effect with respect to breaches of representations and warranties or breaches of obligations which may have occurred prior to the effectiveness of the amendment and restatement provided hereby.
* * * * *
46
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of agreement on a counterpart of this Agreement and return it to the Company, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding agreement between you and the Company.
Very truly yours, | ||
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Paul Grinberg |
Name: | Paul Grinberg | |
Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer |
47
The foregoing is hereby agreed to as of the date thereof. | ||
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE | ||
COMPANY OF AMERICA | ||
By: | /s/ Jason Richardson | |
Vice President | ||
PRUCO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | ||
By: | /s/ Jason Richardson | |
Assistant Vice President | ||
PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT | ||
INSURANCE AND ANNUITY | ||
COMPANY | ||
By: Prudential Investment Management, | ||
Inc., investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Jason Richardson | |
Vice President | ||
PRUDENTIAL ANNUITIES LIFE | ||
ASSURANCE CORPORATION | ||
By: Prudential Investment Management, | ||
Inc., investment manager | ||
By: | /s/ Jason Richardson | |
Vice President |
48
Each of the undersigned Guarantors consents to the amendments effected in this Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, reaffirms its obligations under the Multiparty Guaranty and its waivers, as set forth in the Multiparty Guaranty, of each and every one of the possible defenses to such obligations. In addition, the undersigned Guarantor reaffirms that its obligations under the Multiparty Guaranty are separate and distinct from the Companys obligations.
PROPEL ACQUISITION LLC, a | ||
Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Paul Grinberg | |
Name: Paul Grinberg | ||
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer | ||
MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT, | ||
INC., a Kansas corporation | ||
By: | /s/ Paul Grinberg | |
Name: Paul Grinberg | ||
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer | ||
MIDLAND FUNDING LLC, a Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Paul Grinberg | |
Name: Paul Grinberg | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
MIDLAND FUNDING NCC-2 | ||
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation | ||
By: | /s/ Paul Grinberg | |
Name: Paul Grinberg | ||
Title: Treasurer |
49
MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL LLC, a | ||
Delaware limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Paul Grinberg | |
Name: Paul Grinberg | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
MIDLAND PORTFOLIO SERVICES, | ||
INC., a Delaware corporation | ||
By: | /s/ Paul Grinberg | |
Name: Paul Grinberg | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
MRC RECEIVABLES CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation | ||
By: | /s/ Paul Grinberg | |
Name: Paul Grinberg | ||
Title: Treasurer | ||
MIDLAND INDIA LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company | ||
By: | /s/ Glen V. Freter | |
Name: Glen V. Freter | ||
Title: Treasurer |
50
SCHEDULE A
PURCHASER SCHEDULE
Purchaser Name | THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA | |||||||
Name in Which Notes are to be Registered |
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA | |||||||
Note Registration Numbers; Original Principal Amounts |
R-1 R-2 RR-1 |
$20,000,000 $9,750,000 $14,000,000 | ||||||
Payment on Account of Notes |
Method: Federal Funds Wire Transfer
| |||||||
Account Information: |
JPMorgan Chase Bank New York, NY ABA No.: 021-000-021 | |||||||
Account No.: P86288 (please do not use spaces) in the case of Note R-1 in the original principal amount of $20,000,000
Account No.: P86188 (please do not include spaces) in the case of Note R-2 in the original principal amount of $9,750,000 and Note RR-1 in the original principal amount of $14,000,000
Re: (See Accompanying Information below)
| ||||||||
Accompanying Information |
Name of Company: Description of Security: |
Encore Capital Group, Inc. 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 PPN: 292554 A*3
| ||||||
Name of Company: Description of Security: |
Encore Capital Group, Inc. 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 PPN: 292554 A@1
| |||||||
Each such wire transfer shall also set forth the due date and application (as among principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount, if any) of the payment being made. | ||||||||
Address for Notices Related to Payments |
The Prudential Insurance Company of America c/o Investment Operations Group Gateway Center Two, 10th Floor 100 Mulberry Street Newark, NJ 07102-4077 |
Schedule A Page 1
Purchaser Name | THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA | |||
Attn: Manager, Billings and Collections
with telephonic prepayment notices to:
Manager, Trade Management Group
Tel: (973) 367-3141
Fax: (800) 224-2278 | ||||
Address for All Other Notices |
The Prudential Insurance Company of America c/o Prudential Capital Group Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 2700 San Francisco, California 94111-4180 Attn: Managing Director
Fax: 415-421-6233 | |||
Other Instructions |
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
By: Name: Title: Vice President | |||
Instructions re Delivery of Notes |
Prudential Capital Group Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 2700 San Francisco, CA 94111-4180 Attn: James F. Evert, Esq. | |||
Tax Identification Number |
22-1211670 |
Schedule A Page 2
Purchaser Name
|
PRUCO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
| |||||
Name in Which Notes are to be Registered
|
PRUCO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY | |||||
Note Registration Numbers; Principal Amounts
|
R-3 $9,300,000 | |||||
Payment on Account of Note
Method
Account Information |
Federal Funds Wire Transfer
JPMorgan Chase Bank New York, NY ABA No.: 021-000-021 Account No.: P86192 (please do not include spaces) Account Name: Pruco Life Private Placement Re: (see Accompanying Information below)
| |||||
Accompanying Information |
Name of Company: Description of Security: |
Encore Capital Group, Inc. 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 PPN: 292554 A*3
| ||||
Each such wire transfer shall also set forth the due date and application (as among principal, interest, and Make-Whole Amount, if any) of the payment being made.
| ||||||
Address for Notices Related to Payments |
Pruco Life Insurance Company c/o The Prudential Insurance Company of America c/o Investment Operations Group Gateway Center Two, 10th Floor 100 Mulberry Street Newark, NJ 07102-4077 Attn: Manager, Billings and Collections
with telephonic prepayment notices to:
Manager, Trade Management Group
Tel: (973) 367-3141 Fax: (800) 224-2278
| |||||
Address for All Other Notices |
The Prudential Insurance Company of America c/o Prudential Capital Group Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 2700 San Francisco, California 94111-4180 Attn: Managing Director
Fax: 415-421-6233
|
Schedule A Page 3
Purchaser Name
|
PRUCO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
| |||
Other Instructions |
PRUCO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: Name: Title:
| |||
Instructions re Delivery of Notes |
Prudential Capital Group Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 2700 San Francisco, CA 94111-4180 Attn: James F. Evert, Esq.
| |||
Tax Identification Number
|
22-1944557
|
Schedule A Page 4
Purchaser Name |
PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
| |||||||
Name in Which Notes are to be Registered
|
PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
| |||||||
Note Registration Numbers; Principal Amounts |
R-4 RR-2 RR-3 |
$6,950,000 $10,000,000 $ 1,000,000
| ||||||
Payment on Account of Note |
||||||||
Method
Account Information |
Federal Funds Wire Transfer
JPMorgan Chase Bank New York, NY ABA No.: 021-000-021
Account No.: P86329 (please do not include spaces) in the case of each of Note R-4 in the original principal amount of $6,950,000 and Note RR-2 in the original principal amount of $10,000,000
Account No.: P86345 (please do not include spaces) in the case of Note RR-3 in the original principal amount of $1,000,000
Re: (See Accompanying Information below)
| |||||||
Accompanying Information |
Name of Company: Description of Security: |
Encore Capital Group, Inc. 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 PPN: 292554 A*3
| ||||||
Name of Company: Description of Security: |
Encore Capital Group, Inc. 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 PPN: 292554 A@1
| |||||||
Each such wire transfer shall also set forth the due date and application (as among principal, interest, Make-Whole Amount, if any) of the payment being made.
|
Schedule A Page 5
Purchaser Name |
PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
| |||
Address for Notices Related to Payments |
Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company c/o Prudential Investment Management, Inc. Private Placement Trade Management PRIAC Administration Gateway Center Four, 7th Floor 100 Mulberry Street Newark, NJ 07102
with telephonic prepayment notices to:
Manager, Trade Management Group
Tel: (973) 802-8107 Fax: (888) 889-3832
| |||
Address for All Other Notices |
Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company c/o Prudential Capital Group Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 2700 San Francisco, California 94111-4180 Attn: Managing Director
Fax: 415-421-6233
| |||
Other Instructions |
PRUDENTIAL RETIREMENT INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
By: Prudential Investment Management, Inc., investment manager
By: Name: Title:
| |||
Instructions re Delivery of Notes |
Prudential Capital Group Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 2700 San Francisco, CA 94111-4180 Attn: James F. Evert, Esq.
| |||
Tax Identification Number
|
06-1050034
|
Schedule A Page 6
Purchaser Name |
PRUDENTIAL ANNUITIES LIFE ASSURANCE CORPORATION
| |||||
Note Registration Number; Principal Amount
|
R-5: $4,000,000 | |||||
Payment on Account of Note
Method
Account Information |
Federal Funds Wire Transfer
JPMorgan Chase Bank New York, NY ABA # 021-000-021 Acct. # P86259 (please do not include spaces) Acct Name: American Skandia Life - Private Placements
Re: (See Accompanying Information below)
| |||||
Accompanying Information |
Name of Obligors: Description of Security: |
Encore Capital Group, Inc. 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 PPN: 292554 A*3 | ||||
Due date and application (as among principal, Make-Whole Amount and interest) of the payment being made.
| ||||||
Address for Notices Related to Payments |
The Prudential Insurance Company of America c/o Investment Operations Group Gateway Center Two, 10th Floor 100 Mulberry Street Newark, NJ 07102-4077
Attention: Manager, Billings and Collections
| |||||
Address for All Other Notices |
The Prudential Insurance Company of America c/o Prudential Capital Group Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 2700 San Francisco, CA 94111-4180 Attn: Managing Director
Fax: 415-421-6233
| |||||
Recipient of telephonic prepayment notices |
Manager, Trade Management Group
Tel: (973) 367-3141
Fax: (888) 889-3832
|
Schedule A Page 7
Purchaser Name |
PRUDENTIAL ANNUITIES LIFE ASSURANCE CORPORATION
| |||
Instructions re Delivery of Notes |
Send physical security by nationwide overnight delivery service to:
Prudential Capital Group Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 2700 San Francisco, CA 94111 Attn: James F. Evert, Esq.
| |||
Tax Identification Number |
06-1241288
|
Schedule A Page 8
SCHEDULE B
DEFINED TERMS
As used herein, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Section hereof following such term:
Accounts means and includes all of the Companys and each Restricted Subsidiarys presently existing and hereafter arising or acquired accounts, accounts receivable, and all present and future rights of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered (except those evidenced by instruments or chattel paper), whether or not they have been earned by performance, and all rights in any merchandise or goods which any of the same may represent, and all rights, title, security and guarantees with respect to each of the foregoing, including, without limitation, any right of stoppage in transit.
Acquisition means any transaction or any series of related transactions, other than a Permitted Restructuring or purchases or acquisitions of Receivables Portfolios in the ordinary course of business, consummated on or after the Closing Date, by which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any firm, corporation or limited liability company, or division thereof, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise, or (ii) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the securities of a corporation which have ordinary voting power for the election of directors (other than securities having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority (by percentage of voting power) of the outstanding ownership interests of a partnership or limited liability company of any Person; provided, however, that the following shall not be considered Acquisitions: (a) any asset purchase consisting solely of Receivables Portfolios, and (b) the purchase of stock of an entity (1) the assets of which consist solely of Receivables, (2) which has not engaged in the conduct of business and (3) which has no Indebtedness.
Acquisition Pro Forma is defined in Section 10.4.3(vi).
Adjusted Available Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment has the meaning specified in the Credit Agreement as of the date hereof.
Advance Rate means, for the period commencing on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date to the first Advance Rate Measurement Date, 33%, and, thereafter, for the period from (but not including) each Advance Rate Measurement Date to the immediately succeeding Advance Rate Measurement Date, the percentage obtained by subtracting from the Advance Rate in effect immediately prior to the first day of such period the difference (the Cost Differential, and which may be a positive or negative number) between:
(a) the average Cost Per Total Dollar Collected percentage as shown on the Companys consolidated financial statements for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters (for which financial statements have been delivered in accordance with Section 7.1.1 or Section 7.1.2) ending on or before such Advance Rate Measurement Date; and
Schedule B Page 1
(b) the average Cost Per Total Dollar Collected percentage as shown on the Companys consolidated financial statements for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters (for which financial statements have been delivered in accordance with Section 7.1.1 or Section 7.1.2) ending on or before the Advance Rate Measurement Date immediately preceding such Advance Rate Measurement Date;
provided that if the resulting Cost Differential includes a fractional amount, the fractional portion thereof shall be ignored when determining the Cost Differential on the applicable Advance Rate Measurement Date but shall be added (or subtracted, as applicable) to the Cost Differential obtained on the following Advance Rate Measurement Date (with any resulting fractional portion again being ignored and added (or subtracted, as applicable) subsequently); provided further that, except as set forth in the immediately following proviso, in no event shall the Advance Rate ever be lower than 30% or higher than 35% and provided further that the Advance Rate to be applied with respect to the Estimated Remaining Collections from Debtor Receivables shall in all events be 55%. The Company shall set forth in reasonable detail the calculations of the Advance Rate on each compliance certificate delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.4.
Advance Rate Measurement Date means each date on which the Companys financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.1 or Section 7.1.2 have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Affiliate of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if the controlling Person is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 10% or more of any class of voting securities (or other ownership interests) of the controlled Person or possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Affiliated Entity means the Subsidiaries of the Company and any of their or the Companys respective Controlled Affiliates.
Aggregate Outstanding Revolving Credit Exposure has the meaning specified in the Credit Agreement as of the date hereof for the term Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure.
Aggregate Revolving Commitment has the meaning specified in the Credit Agreement as of the date hereof.
Agreement means this Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2013, between the Company, on the one hand, and the Purchasers, on the other hand, as it may from time to time be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified.
Agreement Accounting Principles means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the financial statements of the Company referred to in Section 5.4; provided, that Agreement Accounting Principles shall exclude the effects of Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (previously referred to as SFAS 159) or any successor or similar provision to the extent it relates to fair value accounting for liabilities.
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Amendment No. 2 Effective Date means November 5, 2012.
Amortized Collections means, for any period, the aggregate amount of collections from receivable portfolios (including that portion attributable to sales of receivables) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period, in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles, that are not included in consolidated revenues by reason of the application of such collections to principal of such receivable portfolios (for purposes of illustration only, the Amortized Collections have been most recently identified in the amount of $187,726,000 as the aggregate of Collections applied to investment of receivable portfolios, net and Provision for impairment on receivable portfolios, net in the Companys consolidated statement of cash flows for the period ended December 31, 2009 as reflected in the Companys Form 10-K for such period).
Applicable Pledge Percentage means 100%, but 65% in the case of a pledge of capital stock of a Foreign Subsidiary to the extent a 100% pledge would cause a Deemed Dividend Problem or a Financial Assistance Problem.
Asset Acceptance Acquisition means the acquisition by the Company of Asset Acceptance Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation, for a Purchase Price in an amount not to exceed $480,000,000.
Asset Acceptance Merger Agreement means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 6, 2013 among the Company, Pinnacle Sub, Inc. and Asset Acceptance Capital Corp, together with all schedules and exhibits thereto.
Asset Sale means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, the sale, lease, conveyance, disposition or other transfer by such Person of any of its assets (including by way of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, and including the sale or other transfer of any of the capital stock or other equity interests of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person) to any Person other than the Company or any of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries other than (i) the sale of Receivables in the ordinary course of business, (ii) the sale or other disposition of any obsolete, excess, damaged or worn-out Equipment disposed of in the ordinary course of business, (iii) leases of assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and (iv) sales or dispositions of assets outside the ordinary course of business with an aggregate fair market value not to exceed, during the term of this Agreement, $20,000,000.
Authorized Officer means any of the President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or Controller of the Company, or such other officer of the Company as may be designated by the Company in writing to the holders of Notes from time to time, acting singly.
Blocked Person is defined in Section 5.20.
Blocked Propel Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Propel Acquisition LLC which is subject to any of the encumbrances or restrictions described in Section 10.9.
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Borrowing Base means, as of any date of calculation, an amount, as set forth on the most current Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the holders of Notes on or prior to such date, equal to (i) the lesser of: (1) the Advance Rate of Estimated Remaining Collections (exclusive of any Receivables in any Receivables Portfolio that are not Eligible Receivables) as of the last day of the month for which such Borrowing Base Certificate was provided; and (2) the product of the net book value of all Receivables Portfolios acquired by any Credit Party on or after January 1, 2005 multiplied by 95%, minus (ii) the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount outstanding in respect of the Notes plus (y) the aggregate principal amount outstanding in respect of the Term Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement); provided, however, that, for purposes of calculating the amount specified in clause (1) above (the Total ERC Amount), the Advance Rate of Estimated Remaining Collections attributable to Debtor Receivables shall not at any time exceed an amount equal to 35% of the Total ERC Amount (without regard to this proviso).
Borrowing Base Certificate means a certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto, setting forth the Borrowing Base and the component calculations thereof.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in New York City or Toronto, Ontario are required or authorized to be closed.
Capital Expenditures means, without duplication, any expenditures for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles, but excluding, solely for the fiscal year in which each Acquisition is consummated, any such expenditures of any Person or business acquired pursuant to such Acquisition.
Capitalized Lease of a Person means any lease of Property by such Person as lessee which would be capitalized on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
Capitalized Lease Obligations of a Person means the amount of the obligations of such Person under Capitalized Leases which would be shown as a liability on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
Cash Equivalent Investments means (i) short-term obligations of, or fully guaranteed by, the United States of America, (ii) commercial paper rated A-1 or better by S&P or P-1 or better by Moodys, (iii) demand deposit accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) certificates of deposit issued by and time deposits with commercial banks (whether domestic or foreign) having capital and surplus in excess of $100,000,000; provided in each case that the same provides for payment of both principal and interest (and not principal alone or interest alone) and is not subject to any contingency regarding the payment of principal or interest.
Cash Flow Leverage Ratio is defined in Section 10.12.1.
Change of Control means: (i) the acquisition by any Person, or two or more Persons acting in concert (other than Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC, JCF FPK I LP or any affiliate
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thereof), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 30% or more of the outstanding shares of voting stock of the Company; (ii) other than pursuant to a transaction permitted hereunder, the Company shall cease to own, directly or indirectly and free and clear of all Liens or other encumbrances, all of the outstanding shares of voting stock of the Guarantors on a fully diluted basis; (iii) the majority of the Board of Directors of the Company fails to consist of Continuing Directors; or (iv) the acquisition by Red Mountain Capital Partners LLC, JCF FPK I LP and/or any affiliate of either of them and/or any other Persons acting in concert with any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (iv) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the SEC under the Exchange Act) of greater than 50% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of the Company. No Permitted Restructuring shall constitute a Change of Control.
Closing Date means the date when the conditions precedent in Section 4 of this Agreement have been satisfied.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.
Collateral means all Property and interests in Property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in or upon which a security interest, lien or mortgage is granted (or is required to be granted pursuant to the terms hereof) in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Collateral Documents, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations.
Collateral Agent means SunTrust Bank in its capacity as collateral agent for the Secured Parties and any successor collateral agent appointed pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.
Collateral Documents means all agreements, instruments and documents executed in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create or evidence Liens to secure the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation, the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, the Mortgages and all other security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan agreements, notes, guarantees, subordination agreements, pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, fee letters, notices, leases, financing statements and all other written matter whether heretofore, now, or hereafter executed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and delivered to the Collateral Agent, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties to secure the Secured Obligations.
Company is defined in the introductory paragraph.
Consolidated EBIT means Consolidated Net Income plus, to the extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense (whether actual or contingent), (ii) expense for taxes paid or accrued and (iii) any extraordinary losses minus, to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, (a) interest income, (b) any extraordinary gains, (c) the income of any Person (1) in which any Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has a joint interest or a partnership interest or other ownership interest, and (2) to the extent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
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does not control the board of directors or other governing body of such Person or otherwise does not control the declaration of a dividend or other distribution by such Person, except in each case to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such Person during the relevant period, and (d) the income of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or distributions (including via intercompany advances or other intercompany transactions but in each case up to and not exceeding the amount of such income) by that Restricted Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary, all calculated for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
Consolidated EBITDA means Consolidated Net Income plus, (1) to the extent not included in such revenue, Amortized Collections, and (2) to the extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense (whether actual or contingent), (ii) expense for taxes paid or accrued, (iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense, (v) any extraordinary losses, and (vi) non-cash charges arising from compensation expense as a result of the adoption of amendments to Agreement Accounting Principles requiring certain stock based compensation to be recorded as an expense within the Companys consolidated statement of operations, minus, to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, (a) interest income, (b) any extraordinary gains, (c) the income of any Person (1) in which any Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has a joint interest or a partnership interest or other ownership interest, and (2) to the extent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries does not control the board of directors or other governing body of such Person or otherwise does not control the declaration of a dividend or other distribution by such Person, except in each case to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such Person during the relevant period, and (d) the income of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or distributions (including via intercompany advances or other intercompany transactions but in each case up to and not exceeding the amount of such income) by that Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary, all calculated for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
Consolidated Funded Indebtedness means at any time the aggregate dollar amount of Consolidated Indebtedness which has actually been funded and is outstanding at such time, whether or not such amount is due or payable at such time.
Consolidated Indebtedness means, at any time, the Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles as of such time.
Consolidated Interest Expense means, with reference to any period, the interest expense and contingent interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including that portion attributable to Capital Leases) calculated on a consolidated basis for such period, in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
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Consolidated Net Income means, with reference to any period, the net income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles. For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Net Income shall exclude any and all income and other amounts attributable to any Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than the amount of any cash dividends or other cash distributions actually paid during the reference period to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by an Unrestricted Subsidiary).
Consolidated Net Worth means at any time, with respect to any Person, the consolidated stockholders equity of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
Consolidated Rentals means, with reference to any period, the Rentals of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
Consolidated Tangible Assets means Consolidated Total Assets minus any Intangible Assets.
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth means at any time, with respect to any Person, the consolidated stockholders equity of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles minus any Intangible Assets.
Consolidated Total Assets means the total assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.
Contingent Obligation of a Person means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which such Person assumes, guarantees, endorses, contingently agrees to purchase or provide funds for the payment of, or otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon, the obligation or liability of any other Person, or agrees to maintain the net worth or working capital or other financial condition of any other Person, or otherwise assures any creditor of such other Person against loss, including, without limitation, any comfort letter, operating agreement, take-or-pay contract or the obligations of any such Person as general partner of a partnership with respect to the liabilities of the partnership.
Continuing Director means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, any member of the board of directors of such Person who (i) was a member of such board of directors on the Closing Date, or (ii) was nominated for election or elected to such board of directors with the approval of the required majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board at the time of such nomination or election.
Control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Controlling and Controlled have meanings correlative thereto.
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Credit Agreement means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, by and among the Company, the Lenders and the other Persons party thereto and SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent thereunder, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.
Credit Party means, at any time, any of the Company and any Person which is a Guarantor at such time.
Debtor Receivables means a Receivable the obligor on which is subject to bankruptcy or similar proceedings.
Deemed Dividend Problem means, with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, such Foreign Subsidiarys accumulated and undistributed earnings and profits being deemed to be repatriated to the Company or the applicable parent Domestic Subsidiary for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the effect of such repatriation causing adverse tax consequences to the Company or such parent Domestic Subsidiary, in each case as determined by the Company in its commercially reasonable judgment acting in good faith and in consultation with its legal and tax advisors.
Default means an event or condition the occurrence or existence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default.
Default Rate means (i) as to any 2010 Note, that rate of interest that is the greater of (a) 9.75% per annum and (b) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank in New York, New York as its base or prime rate, and (ii) as to any 2011 Note, that rate of interest that is the greater of (a) 9.375% per annum and (b) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank in New York, New York as its base or prime rate.
Disqualified Stock means any capital stock or other 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, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the final maturity of the Notes.
Dollars and $ means lawful currency of the United States of America.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary of any Person organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America.
Eligible Receivables of any Credit Party shall mean, as of any date of determination, (i) Receivables owned by a Credit Party as of the Closing Date, which Receivables were included in the Borrowing Base under the Credit Agreement as of the Closing Date, and (ii) Receivables purchased by a Credit Party on or after the Closing Date to the extent such Receivable is owned, or to be purchased by such Credit Party by applying the proceeds of an existing Credit Extension (as defined in the Credit Agreement as of the date hereof) within five (5) Business Days of the making of such Credit Extension, and in the case of both (i) and (ii) that
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is payable in Dollars and in which the Collateral Agent has, or upon purchase by such Credit Party, will have, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a first-priority perfected security interest pursuant to the Collateral Documents, other than any such Receivable:
(a) that is not an existing obligation for which sufficient consideration has been given;
(b) with respect to which such Credit Party does not (or will not, upon the closing of the relevant purchase thereof) have good and marketable title pursuant to a legal, valid and binding bill of sale or purchase agreement entered into by such Credit Party or assignment to such Credit Party;
(c) that has been repurchased by, or returned or put back to, the Person from whom such Credit Party acquired such Receivable and such Receivable has not subsequently been replaced with a new Receivable of at least comparable value acquired from such Person;
(d) all or any portion of which is subject to any Lien (except the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent under the Collateral Documents);
(e) that is due from or has been originated by any Restricted Subsidiary or Encore Affiliate;
(f) that is not a type of collateral for which a security interest can be perfected by filing pursuant to Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as then in effect in the State of New York; and
(g) that is owed by (i) the government (or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof) of any country other than the United States of America unless such Receivable is backed by a letter of credit acceptable to the Required Holders which is in the possession of the Collateral Agent, or (ii) the government of the United States of America, or any department, agency, public corporation, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, including any agency or instrumentality which is obligated to make payment with respect to Medicare, Medicaid or other Receivables representing amounts owing under any other program established by federal, state, county, municipal or other local law which requires that payments for healthcare services be made to the provider of such services in order to comply with any applicable anti-assignment provisions, provider agreement or federal, state, county, municipal or other local law, rule or regulation.
Encore Affiliate means any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if the controlling Person is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 10% or more of any class of voting securities (or other ownership interests) of the controlled Person and possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of the controlled Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Environmental Laws means any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, judicial decisions, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, plans, injunctions,
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permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements and other governmental restrictions relating to (i) the protection of the environment, (ii) the effect of the environment on human health, (iii) emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants, hazardous substances or wastes into surface water, ground water or land, or (iv) the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, hazardous substances or wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof.
Equipment means all of the Companys and each Restricted Subsidiarys present and future (i) equipment, including, without limitation, machinery, manufacturing, distribution, data processing and office equipment, assembly systems, tools, molds, dies, fixtures, appliances, furniture, furnishings, vehicles, vessels, aircraft, aircraft engines, and trade fixtures, (ii) other tangible personal property (other than inventory), and (iii) any and all accessions, parts and appurtenances attached to any of the foregoing or used in connection therewith, and any substitutions therefor and replacements, products and proceeds thereof.
Equipment Financing Transactions means the secured equipment financing arrangements of the Credit Parties set forth on Schedule 10.5.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
ERISA Affiliate means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is treated as a single employer together with the Company or a Subsidiary under section 414 of the Code.
Estimated Remaining Collections means, as of any date, the aggregate amount of gross remaining cash collections which any Credit Party anticipates to receive from a Receivables Portfolio or as otherwise referred to by the Company as the total amount of Estimated Remaining Gross Collections, determined and reported by the Company pursuant to its financial statements and other reporting to the holders of Notes as described in Section 7.1 (it being understood and agreed that (i) such amount shall be calculated by the Company in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles and in a manner consistent with the Companys past practice and with the methodology used in the reporting of Estimated Remaining Collections in the Companys public filings with the SEC, (ii) the manner and method of computing Estimated Remaining Collections and all assumptions made in connection therewith shall be explained to each holder of Notes in reasonably full detail upon such holders request, and (iii) any deviation from the current method and assumptions used in computing Estimated Remaining Collections is subject to approval by the Required Holders in their discretion).
Event of Default is defined in Section 11.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
Excluded Subsidiaries means each Unrestricted Subsidiary.
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Fair Market Value means, with respect to any asset or group of assets on any date of determination, the price in cash obtainable in a sale of such asset at such date of determination assuming a sale by a willing seller to a willing purchaser dealing at arms length and arranged in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time having regard to the nature and characteristics of such asset, as reasonably determined in good faith by the Company.
Financial Assistance Problem means, with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, the inability of such Foreign Subsidiary to become a Guarantor or to permit its capital stock from being pledged pursuant to a pledge agreement on account of legal or financial limitations imposed by the jurisdiction of organization of such Foreign Subsidiary or other relevant jurisdictions having authority over such Foreign Subsidiary, in each case as determined by the Company in its commercially reasonable judgment acting in good faith and in consultation with its legal and tax advisors.
Financial Contract of a Person means (i) any exchange-traded or over-the-counter futures, forward, swap or option contract or other financial instrument with similar characteristics, or (ii) any Rate Management Transaction; provided that any Permitted Indebtedness Hedge shall not be a Financial Contract so long as such Permitted Indebtedness Hedge relates to capital stock of the Company.
First Tier Foreign Subsidiary means each Foreign Subsidiary with respect to which any one or more of the Company and its Domestic Subsidiaries directly owns or controls more than 50% of such Foreign Subsidiarys issued and outstanding equity interests.
Foreign Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary of any Person which is not a Domestic Subsidiary of such Person.
Governmental Authority means
(a) the government of
(i) the United States of America or any state or other political subdivision thereof, or
(ii) any other jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary conducts all or any part of its business, or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of the Company or any Subsidiary, or
(b) any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, any such government.
Guarantor means each Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which is a party to the Multiparty Guaranty, including each Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which becomes a party to the Multiparty Guaranty pursuant to a joinder or other supplement thereto including in connection with a requirement to become a Guarantor pursuant to the terms hereof.
holder means, with respect to any Note, the Person in whose name such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to Section 13.1.
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Hostile Tender Offer means, with respect to the use of proceeds of any of the Notes, any offer to purchase, or any purchase of, shares of capital stock of any corporation or equity interests in any other entity, or securities convertible into or representing the beneficial ownership of, or rights to acquire, any such shares or equity interests, if such shares, equity interests, securities or rights are of a class which is publicly traded on any securities exchange or in any over-the-counter market, other than purchases of such shares, equity interests, securities or rights representing less than 5% of the equity interests or beneficial ownership of such corporation or other entity for portfolio investment purposes, and such offer or purchase has not been duly approved by the board of directors of such corporation or the equivalent governing body of such other entity.
Immaterial Subsidiary means, as of any date of determination, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (x) whose consolidated tangible assets (as set forth in the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries delivered to the holders of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement and computed in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles), when added to the consolidated tangible assets of all other Immaterial Subsidiaries (as set forth in the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries delivered to the holders of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement and computed in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles), do not constitute more than 5.0% of the Consolidated Tangible Assets and (y) whose consolidated net revenue, when added to the consolidated net revenue attributable to all other Immaterial Subsidiaries, does not constitute more than 5.0% of consolidated net revenue of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case, as determined for the four fiscal quarter period most recently ended for which financial statements have been delivered to the holders of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement).
including means, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, including without limitation.
Indebtedness of a Person means, at any time, without duplication, such Persons (i) obligations for borrowed money, (ii) obligations representing the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than current accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of such Persons business payable on terms customary in the trade), (iii) obligations, whether or not assumed, secured by Liens or payable out of the proceeds or production from Property now or hereafter owned or acquired by such Person, (iv) obligations which are evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures, acceptances, or other instruments, (v) obligations to purchase securities or other Property arising out of or in connection with the sale of the same or substantially similar securities or Property, (vi) Capitalized Lease Obligations, (vii) Contingent Obligations of such Person, (viii) reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, bankers acceptances, surety bonds and similar instruments, (ix) Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities, (x) obligations under Sale and Leaseback Transactions, (xi) Net Mark-to-Market Exposure under Rate Management Transactions and other Financial Contracts, (xii) Rate Management Obligations and (xiii) any other obligation for borrowed money which in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles would be shown as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person.
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Indemnity and Contribution Agreement means the Indemnity and Contribution Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2010, by and among each of the Credit Parties in the form of Exhibit B-2, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Institutional Investor means (a) any Purchaser of a Note, (b) any holder of a Note holding (together with one or more of its Affiliates) more than 5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, (c) any bank, trust company, savings and loan association or other financial institution, any pension plan, any investment company, any insurance company, any broker or dealer, or any other similar financial institution or entity, regardless of legal form, and (d) any Related Fund of any holder of any Note.
Intangible Assets means the aggregate amount, for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, of: (1) all assets classified as intangible assets under Agreement Accounting Principles, including, without limitation, goodwill, trademarks, patents, copyrights, organization expenses, franchises, licenses, trade names, brand names, mailing lists, catalogs, excess of cost over book value of assets acquired, and bond discount and underwriting expenses; (2) loans or advances to, investments in, or receivables from (i) Encore Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or shareholders of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or (ii) any Person if such loan, advance, investment or receivable is outside the Companys or any Restricted Subsidiarys normal course of business; and (3) prepaid expenses; provided that Intangible Assets shall not include deferred court costs, deferred tax assets, deposits under state workers compensation programs and assets of the Companys excess deferred compensation plan.
Intellectual Property Security Agreements means the amended and restated intellectual property security agreements executed by the applicable Credit Parties on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date and such intellectual property security agreements as any Credit Party may from time to time after the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date make in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in each case as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Intercreditor Agreement means the Amended and Restated Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, among the Collateral Agent, the holders of the Notes and the Agent named therein, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Investment of a Person means any loan, advance (other than commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees made in the ordinary course of business), extension of credit (other than Accounts arising in the ordinary course of business, but including Contingent Obligations with respect to any obligation or liability of another Person) or contribution of capital by such Person; stocks, bonds, mutual funds, partnership interests, notes, debentures or other securities owned by such Person; any deposit accounts and certificate of deposit owned by such Person; and structured notes, derivative financial instruments and other similar instruments or contracts owned by such Person. No Permitted Restructuring shall constitute an Investment.
Lenders means the several lenders from time to time party to the Credit Agreement in their capacities as such.
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Lien means any lien (statutory or other), mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale, Capitalized Lease or other title retention agreement, and, in the case of stock, stockholders agreements, voting trust agreements and all similar arrangements).
Majority of the Combined Banks and Noteholders means, at any time of determination, greater than 50% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Secured Obligations.
Make-Whole Amount is defined in Section 8.7.
Mandatory Credit Agreement Prepayment means any mandatory prepayment or repayment required to be made prior to the Revolving Loan Termination Date under, and as defined as of the date hereof in, the Credit Agreement pursuant to terms or provisions thereof which become effective after September 20, 2010.
Material means material in relation to the business, operations, affairs, financial condition, assets, properties, or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Material Acquisition is defined in Section 10.12.1.
Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on (i) the business, Property, condition (financial or otherwise), operations or results of operations of the Company, or the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents, or (iii) the validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the rights or remedies of the Collateral Agent or the holders of Notes thereunder or their rights with respect to the Collateral.
Material Disposition is defined in Section 10.12.1.
Material Indebtedness means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an outstanding principal amount of $10,000,000 or more in the aggregate (or the equivalent thereof in any currency other than Dollars).
Medicaid means the medical assistance program established by Title XIX of the Social Security Act (42. U.S.C. §§ 1396 ET SEQ.) and any successor or similar statutes, as in effect from time to time.
Medicare means the health insurance program for the aged and disabled established by Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 1395 ET SEQ.) and any successor or similar statutes as in effect from time to time.
Minority Investment of a Person (the investing person) means an Investment by the investing person in capital stock of another Person (the target person) where the target person is not, and immediately following such Investment does not become, a Subsidiary of the investing person.
Schedule B Page 14
Mortgage means each of those certain mortgages and deeds of trust as are entered into by the Credit Parties pursuant hereto or in connection herewith, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Mortgage Instruments means such title reports, title insurance, opinions of counsel, surveys, appraisals and environmental reports as are requested by, and in form and substance reasonably acceptable to, the Required Holders from time to time.
Mortgaged Properties means each Credit Partys real Property with a book value equal to or in excess of $1,000,000.
Most Favored Covenants is defined in Section 9.9.
Multiemployer Plan means any Plan that is a multiemployer plan (as such term is defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).
Multiparty Guaranty means the Multiparty Guaranty, dated as of September 20, 2010, made by each of the Guarantors in favor of the holders from time to time of the Notes in the form of Exhibit B-1, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
NAIC means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any successor thereto.
Net Cash Proceeds means, with respect to any sale or other disposition of Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary by any Person, cash (freely convertible into Dollars) received by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person from such disposition of Property (including cash received as consideration for the assumption or incurrence of liabilities incurred in connection with or in anticipation of such disposition of Property), or conversion to cash of non-cash proceeds (whether principal or interest, release of escrow arrangements or otherwise) received from any such disposition of Property, in each case after (i) provision for all income or other taxes measured by or resulting from such disposition of Property, (ii) cash payment of all reasonable brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses related to such disposition of Property, and (iii) taking into account all amounts in cash used to repay Indebtedness secured by a Lien on any Property disposed of in such disposition of Property.
Net Mark-to-Market Exposure of a Person means, as of any date of determination, the excess (if any) of all unrealized losses over all unrealized profits of such Person arising from Rate Management Transactions. Unrealized losses means the fair market value of the cost to such Person of replacing such Rate Management Transaction as of the date of determination (assuming the Rate Management Transaction were to be terminated as of that date), and unrealized profits means the fair market value of the gain to such Person of replacing such Rate Management Transaction as of the date of determination (assuming such Rate Management Transaction were to be terminated as of that date).
Notes is defined in the flush language at the end of Section 1.
Schedule B Page 15
Notice Event means:
(i) the execution by the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of any agreement or letter of intent with respect to any proposed transaction or event or series of transactions or events which, individually or in the aggregate, may reasonably be expected to result in a Change of Control; or
(ii) the execution of any written agreement which, when fully performed by the parties thereto, would result in a Change of Control.
OFAC Listed Person is defined in Section 5.20.
Off-Balance Sheet Liability of a Person means the principal component of (i) any repurchase obligation or liability of such Person (excluding any such obligation or liability for disposition of Receivables), with respect to Accounts or notes receivable sold by such Person, (ii) any liability under any so-called synthetic lease or tax ownership operating lease transaction entered into by such Person, or (iii) any obligation arising with respect to any other transaction which is the functional equivalent of or takes the place of borrowing but which does not constitute a liability on the consolidated balance sheets of such Person, but excluding from this clause (iii) all Operating Leases.
Officers Certificate means a certificate of an Authorized Officer or of any other officer of the Company whose responsibilities extend to the subject matter of such certificate.
Operating Lease of a Person means any lease of Property (other than a Capitalized Lease) by such Person as lessee which has an original term (including any required renewals and any renewals effective at the option of the lessor) of one year or more.
Original Agreement means that certain Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2010 executed by the parties hereto.
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA or any successor thereto.
Pension Act means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
Pension Funding Rules means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to certain Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date as to such Plan of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Sections 412 and 430 of the Code and Sections 302 and 303 of ERISA.
Permitted Acquisition is defined in Section 10.4.
Permitted Indebtedness means Indebtedness permitted by Section 10.5.15.
Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Investments/Loans means (i) Investments by any Credit Party in any Foreign Subsidiary, and (ii) Indebtedness arising from intercompany loans and advances made by any Credit Party to any Foreign Subsidiary; provided, that the purpose of such Investment or Indebtedness is the acquisition of Receivables.
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Permitted Foreign Subsidiary Non-Recourse Indebtedness means Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries, provided that (a) no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of or immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, (b) such Indebtedness is non-recourse at all times to the Company, the Guarantors and the Domestic Subsidiaries, (c) such Indebtedness does not benefit at any time from any direct or indirect guaranties or other credit support from the Company, any Guarantor or any Domestic Subsidiary, and (d) the total principal amount outstanding of such Indebtedness does not exceed 40% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at any time.
Permitted Indebtedness Hedge means any one or more derivative transactions (including the issuance by the Company of warrants on its capital stock and the purchase by the Company of an option on its capital stock) entered into concurrently with Permitted Indebtedness.
Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness is defined in Section 10.5.4.
Permitted Restructuring means a transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary sells, assigns or otherwise transfers Receivables and/or other assets between or among themselves, including transfers to or mergers or consolidations with, or voluntary dissolutions or liquidations into, newly created Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries, subject to compliance with Sections 9.7 and 9.8; provided that (i) no Receivables or other assets of Excluded Subsidiaries shall be commingled with the assets of a Credit Party as a result of such Permitted Restructuring, (ii) no such transfers shall take place from a Credit Party to an Excluded Subsidiary or to any other Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party, and (iii) such transactions are effected for tax planning and related general corporate purposes.
Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness Repayment Event means (i) any Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 10.5.14 that has a scheduled final maturity or is subject to scheduled mandatory prepayment, redemption or defeasance prior to the scheduled final maturity of the Notes, and (ii) if such Indebtedness has not been refinanced in its entirety in compliance with the terms of this Agreement on or before the date that is 10 Business days prior to the date that is three months prior to the earliest of the date of the scheduled final maturity or any scheduled mandatory prepayment, redemption or defeasance of such Indebtedness.
Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, business entity or Governmental Authority.
PIM means Prudential Investment Management, Inc.
Plan means an employee benefit plan (as defined in section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to Title I of ERISA that is or, within the preceding five years, has been established or maintained, or to which contributions are or, within the preceding five years, have been made or required to be made, by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or with respect to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate may have any liability.
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Pledge and Security Agreement means that certain Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, by and between the Credit Parties and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time.
Pledge Subsidiary means each Domestic Subsidiary and First Tier Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.
Principal Credit Facility means any loan agreement, credit agreement, note purchase agreement, indenture or similar document under which credit facilities in the aggregate original principal or commitment amount of at least $20,000,000 are provided for.
Prior Agreement is defined in Section 1A.
Propel means Propel Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company.
Propel Acquisition means the acquisition by Propel Acquisition LLC of the Propel Group.
Propel Acquisition LLC means a Subsidiary of the Company that is a Delaware limited liability company formed for the purpose of acquiring the Propel Group.
Propel Group means Propel and its Subsidiaries and each other entity acquired by Propel Acquisition LLC as part of the same transaction as the acquisition of Propel.
Propel Indebtedness means the Indebtedness incurred by one or more Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC in connection with the Propel Acquisition and the on-going financing of the operations and business of such Subsidiaries of Propel Acquisition LLC.
Propel Principal Collections means the aggregate amount of collections of the Propel Group (but not constituting Amortized Collections) which are not included in the revenues of any member of the Propel Group by reason of the application of such collections to the principal of such receivables.
Property of a Person means any and all property, whether real, personal, tangible, intangible, or mixed, of such Person, or other assets owned, leased or operated by such Person.
Purchase Price means the total consideration and other amounts payable in connection with any Acquisition, including, without limitation, any portion of the consideration payable in cash, all Indebtedness, liabilities and contingent obligations incurred or assumed in connection with such Acquisition and all transaction costs and expenses incurred in connection with such Acquisition.
Purchasers is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
Qualified Institutional Buyer means any Person who is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of such term as set forth in Rule 144A(a)(1) under the Securities Act.
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Ratable Share means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at such time as a percentage of the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement as of the date hereof) outstanding at such time plus (y) the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at such time.
Rate Management Obligations of a Person means any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i) any and all Rate Management Transactions, and (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Rate Management Transactions.
Rate Management Transaction means any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary which is a rate swap, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, forward transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or any combination thereof, whether linked to one or more interest rates, foreign currencies, commodity prices, equity prices or other financial measures; provided that any Permitted Indebtedness Hedge shall not be a Rate Management Transaction so long as such Permitted Indebtedness Hedge relates to capital stock of the Company.
Receivable of any Person shall mean a right of such Person to the payment of money arising out of a consumer transaction, and which right was acquired by such Person with a group of similar rights.
Receivables Portfolio of a Person means any group of Receivables acquired by such Person as part of a single transaction.
Regulation U means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor or other regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to the extension of credit by banks, non-banks and non-broker lenders for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stocks applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve System.
Regulation X means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor or other regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to the extension of credit by foreign lenders for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (as defined therein).
Related Fund means, with respect to any holder of any Note, any fund or entity that (i) invests in Securities or bank loans, and (ii) is advised or managed by such holder, the same investment advisor as such holder or by an affiliate of such holder or such investment advisor.
Rentals of a Person means the aggregate rent expense incurred by such Person under any Operating Lease.
Schedule B Page 19
Reportable Event means a reportable event as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued under such section, with respect to a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, excluding, however, such events as to which the PBGC has by regulation waived the requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified within 30 days of the occurrence of such event, provided, however, that a failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code and of Section 302 of ERISA shall be a Reportable Event regardless of the issuance of any such waiver of the notice requirement in accordance with either Section 4043(a) of ERISA or variance from the minimum funding standard allowed under Section 412(c) of the Code.
Required Holders means, at any time, the holder or holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes or of a Series of Notes, as the context may require, from time to time outstanding (exclusive of Notes then owned by the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective Affiliates).
Restricted Payment means (i) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any equity interests of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in such Persons capital stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase such capital stock, (ii) any redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any equity interests of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding, other than in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of other equity interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), and (iii) any redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, prepayment or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any Indebtedness prior to the stated maturity thereof, other than the Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement on the date hereof) and the obligations evidenced by the Notes and under the other Transaction Documents and the Equipment Financing Transactions.
Restricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unless explicitly set forth to the contrary, a reference to a Restricted Subsidiary means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
Sale and Leaseback Transaction means any sale or other transfer of Property by any Person with the intent to lease such Property as lessee.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States, or any successor thereto.
Secured Parties shall have the meaning specified in the Intercreditor Agreement.
Secured Obligations shall have the meaning specified in the Intercreditor Agreement.
Securities or Security shall have the meaning specified in Section 2(1) of the Securities Act.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
Schedule B Page 20
Series is defined in the flush language at the end of Section 1.
Subordinated Indebtedness of a Person means any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness arising from intercompany loans and advances) of such Person the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the Secured Obligations.
Subordinated Indebtedness Documents means any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Subordinated Indebtedness or entered into in connection with any Subordinated Indebtedness.
Subsidiary of a Person means (i) any corporation more than 50% of the outstanding securities having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or similar business organization more than 50% of the ownership interests having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time be so owned or controlled. Unless otherwise expressly provided, all references herein to a Subsidiary shall mean a Subsidiary of the Company.
Subsidiary Redesignation is defined in the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary.
SunTrust means SunTrust Bank, a Georgia banking corporation, in its individual capacity, and its successors.
SVO means the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (or any successor organization acceding to the authority thereof).
Transaction Documents means this Agreement, the Notes, the Multiparty Guaranty, the Indemnity and Contribution Agreement, the Collateral Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement and all other documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means (a) any Subsidiary designated by the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary hereunder by written notice to the holders of the Notes; provided that the Company shall only be permitted to so designate a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if each of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) immediately before and after giving effect to such designation, (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall exist and (y) the Company shall be in pro forma compliance with each of the covenants set forth in Sections 10.12 and 10.13 as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.1 or Section 7.1.2, as applicable, together with the consolidating financial statements relating thereto required under Section 7.1.3 (after giving effect to such designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary), (ii) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if, after giving effect to such designation, it (or any of its Subsidiaries) (x) would be a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of the Credit Agreement or any other Material Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to which a Subsidiary may be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or (y) would be a co-borrower or guarantor (or provide security or any other form of
Schedule B Page 21
credit enhancement) for the purpose of the Credit Agreement or any other Material Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) the designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Company therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the greater of (I) the portion (proportionate to the Companys direct or indirect equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary (and any Subsidiaries thereof) and (II) the Fair Market Value of the Companys direct or indirect equity interest in such Subsidiary, in each case at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary and the Company shall be permitted to make such Investment under Section 10.4.11, (iv) neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall at any time be directly, indirectly or contingently liable for any Indebtedness or other liability of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, except to the extent the same would constitute a permitted Investment under Section 10.4.11, (v) any Subsidiary to be so designated does not (directly, or indirectly through its own Subsidiaries or otherwise) own any capital stock or Indebtedness of, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (vi) such designation shall have occurred after the date hereof (and, for the avoidance of doubt, each of the Subsidiaries of the Company shall initially be Restricted Subsidiaries, regardless of whether it is existing as of the date hereof or is thereafter formed or acquired, and shall remain a Restricted Subsidiary until designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with this definition), and (vii) the Company shall have delivered to the holders of the Notes an officers certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Company, certifying compliance with each of the requirements of the preceding clauses (i) through (vi) and (b) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement (each, a Subsidiary Redesignation); provided that (A) immediately before and after such Subsidiary Redesignation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall exist, (B) the designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of such designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time, (C) the Company in shall be in pro forma compliance with each of the covenants set forth in Sections 10.12 and 10.13 as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.1 or Section 7.1.2, as applicable, together with the consolidating financial statements relating thereto required under Section 7.1.3 (after giving effect to such Subsidiary Redesignation), (D) all representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Transaction Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the date of such Subsidiary Redesignation (both immediately before and after giving effect thereto), unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (E) such Subsidiary Redesignation shall constitute a return on any Investment by the Company in Unrestricted Subsidiaries that are subject to such Subsidiary Redesignation in an amount equal to the greater of (i) the portion (proportionate to the Companys direct or indirect equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary (and any Subsidiaries thereof) and (ii) the Fair Market Value of the Companys direct or indirect equity interest in such Subsidiary, in each case at the date of such Subsidiary Redesignation of the Companys or its Subsidiarys (as applicable) Investment in such Subsidiary), (F) the Company shall cause the Subsidiary that is the subject of such Subsidiary Redesignation to comply with, to the extent applicable, Section 9.7 and 9.8, and (G) the Company shall have delivered to the
Schedule B Page 22
holders of the Notes an officers certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Company, certifying compliance with the requirements of the preceding clauses (A) through (E); provided, further, that no Unrestricted Subsidiary that has been designated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Subsidiary Redesignation may again be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. For the avoidance of doubt, the results of operations, cash flows, assets and indebtedness or other liabilities of Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be taken into account or consolidated with the accounts of any Credit Party or Restricted Subsidiary for any purpose under this Agreement (other than for the financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Sections 7.1.1 and 7.1.2) or the other Transaction Documents, including for the purposes of determining any financial calculation contained in this Agreement.
USA Patriot Act means United States Public Law 107-56, Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time in effect.
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary means (i) any Restricted Subsidiary all of the outstanding voting securities of which shall at the time be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company or one or more wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, or by the Company and one or more wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, or (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or similar business organization 100% of the ownership interests having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time be so owned or controlled by one or more Persons referred to in clause (i) above.
2010 Notes is defined in Section 1B.
2010 Notes Purchasers means The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company and Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation.
2011 Notes is defined in Section 1C.
2011 Notes Purchasers means The Prudential Insurance Company of America and Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company.
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EXHIBIT A-1
[FORM OF 2010 NOTE]
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
7.75% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE SEPTEMBER 17, 2017
No. [ ] |
[Date] | |
$[ ] |
PPN: 292554 A*3 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. (herein called the Company), a company organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, hereby promises to pay to [ ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [ ] DOLLARS (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on September 17, 2017, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 7.75% per annum from the date hereof, payable at maturity and quarterly, on the 17th day of each March, June, September and December in each year, commencing with the March 17, June 17, September 17 or December 17 next succeeding the date hereof until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 9.75% and (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate (A) on any overdue payment of interest, and (B) following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default on the unpaid principal balance, any overdue payment of interest and any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, in the case of this clause (b), payable at maturity and quarterly as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at JPMorgan Chase Bank, New York, New York or at such other place as the holder hereof shall designate to the Company in writing as provided in the Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of senior secured notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to a Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2010 (as from time to time amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the Agreement), between the Company, on the one hand, and the other Persons party thereto, on the other hand, and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Agreement, and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a replacement Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the
Exhibit A-1 Page 1
name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
The Company will make required prepayments of principal on the dates and in the amounts specified in the Agreement. This Note is also subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Agreement, but not otherwise.
This Note is secured by, and entitled to the benefits of, the Collateral Documents. Reference is made to the Collateral Documents for the terms and conditions governing the collateral security for the obligations of the Company hereunder.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect, provided in the Agreement.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such state that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such state.
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. | ||
By: |
|
Name: |
||
Title: |
Exhibit A-1 Page 2
EXHIBIT A-2
[FORM OF 2011 NOTE]
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
7.375% SENIOR SECURED NOTE DUE FEBRUARY 10, 2018
No. [ ] |
[Date] | |
$[ ] |
PPN: 292554 A@1 |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. (herein called the Company), a company organized and existing under the laws of Delaware, hereby promises to pay to [ ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [ ] DOLLARS (or so much thereof as shall not have been prepaid) on February 10, 2018, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) (a) on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 7.375% per annum from the date hereof, payable at maturity and quarterly, on the 10th day of each February, May, August and November in each year, commencing with the February 10, May 10, August 10 or November 10 next succeeding the date hereof until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and (b) at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the greater of (i) 9.375% and (ii) 2% over the rate of interest publicly announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank from time to time in New York, New York as its base or prime rate (A) on any overdue payment of interest, and (B) following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default on the unpaid principal balance, any overdue payment of interest and any overdue payment of any Make-Whole Amount, in the case of this clause (b), payable at maturity and quarterly as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on demand).
Payments of principal of, interest on and any Make-Whole Amount with respect to this Note are to be made in lawful money of the United States of America at JPMorgan Chase Bank, New York, New York or at such other place as the holder hereof shall designate to the Company in writing as provided in the Agreement referred to below.
This Note is one of a series of senior secured notes (herein called the Notes) issued pursuant to an Amended and Restated Senior Secured Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2011 (as from time to time amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, the Agreement), between the Company, on the one hand, and the other Persons party thereto, on the other hand, and is entitled to the benefits thereof. Each holder of this Note will be deemed, by its acceptance hereof, to have (i) agreed to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 20 of the Agreement, and (ii) made the representation set forth in Section 6.2 of the Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
This Note is a registered Note and, as provided in the Agreement, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by the registered holder hereof or such holders attorney duly authorized in writing, a replacement Note for a like principal amount will be issued to, and registered in the
Exhibit A-2 Page 1
name of, the transferee. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes, and the Company will not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
The Company will make required prepayments of principal on the dates and in the amounts specified in the Agreement. This Note is also subject to optional prepayment, in whole or from time to time in part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Agreement, but not otherwise.
This Note is secured by, and entitled to the benefits of, the Collateral Documents. Reference is made to the Collateral Documents for the terms and conditions governing the collateral security for the obligations of the Company hereunder.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price (including any applicable Make-Whole Amount) and with the effect, provided in the Agreement.
This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of New York excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such state that would permit the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such state.
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC. | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
Exhibit A-2 Page 2
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
I, J. Brandon Black, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Encore Capital Group, Inc.; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
a. | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
b. | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
c. | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
d. | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a. | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
b. | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: May 9, 2013 | By: | /s/ J. Brandon Black | ||||
J. Brandon Black | ||||||
Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
I, Paul Grinberg, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Encore Capital Group, Inc.; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
a. | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
b. | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
c. | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
d. | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a. | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
b. | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: May 9, 2013 | By: | /s/ Paul Grinberg | ||||
Paul Grinberg | ||||||
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
Exhibit 32.1
ENCORE CAPITAL GROUP, INC.
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Encore Capital Group, Inc. (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), each of the undersigned certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of his knowledge:
(1) | The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and |
(2) | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
/s/ J. Brandon Black |
J. Brandon Black |
Chief Executive Officer |
May 9, 2013 |
/s/ Paul Grinberg |
Paul Grinberg |
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
May 9, 2013 |