Term Loan Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2021, by and among the Company, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Loan Agreements
EX-10.2 3 d142070dex102.htm EX-10.2 EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

Execution Version

Published CUSIP Number:                 19123LAC9

Initial Term Loan CUSIP Number:    19123LAD7

 

 

 

$70,000,000

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

dated as of July 9, 2021,

by and among

COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.,

as Borrower,

the Lenders referred to herein,

as Lenders,

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC and PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC,

as Syndication Agent

SOUTH STATE BANK,

as Documentation Agent

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I    DEFINITIONS

     1  

SECTION 1.1

 

Certain Defined Terms

     1  

SECTION 1.2

 

Computation of Time Periods

     24  

SECTION 1.3

 

Accounting Terms

     24  

SECTION 1.4

 

Rounding

     24  

SECTION 1.5

 

References to Agreement and Laws

     24  

SECTION 1.6

 

Times of Day

     24  

SECTION 1.7

 

Rates

     25  

SECTION 1.8

 

Divisions

     25  

ARTICLE II    TERM LOAN FACILITY

     26  

SECTION 2.1

 

Initial Term Loan

     26  

SECTION 2.2

 

[Reserved.]

     26  

SECTION 2.3

 

Procedure for Advances of Term Loans

     26  

SECTION 2.4

 

Repayment and Prepayment of Term Loans

     27  

ARTICLE III    [RESERVED.]

     27  

ARTICLE IV    GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS

     27  

SECTION 4.1

 

Interest

     27  

SECTION 4.2

 

Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans

     28  

SECTION 4.3

 

Fees

     29  

SECTION 4.4

 

Manner of Payment

     29  

SECTION 4.5

 

Evidence of Indebtedness

     29  

SECTION 4.6

 

Set-Off; Sharing of Payments by Lenders

     30  

SECTION 4.7

 

Administrative Agent’s Clawback

     31  

SECTION 4.8

 

Changed Circumstances

     32  

SECTION 4.9

 

[Reserved.]

     34  

SECTION 4.10

 

Increased Costs

     34  

SECTION 4.11

 

Taxes

     35  

SECTION 4.12

 

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

     39  

SECTION 4.13

 

Incremental Term Loans

     40  

SECTION 4.14

 

[Reserved.]

     42  

SECTION 4.15

 

Defaulting Lenders

     42  

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

ARTICLE V    CONDITIONS OF LENDING

     43  

SECTION 5.1

 

Conditions Precedent of Initial Extension of Credit

     43  

ARTICLE VI    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     44  

SECTION 6.1

 

Organization; Power; Qualification

     44  

SECTION 6.2

 

Authorization; Non-contravention; Compliance with Laws and Agreements

     44  

SECTION 6.3

 

Governmental Approvals

     44  

SECTION 6.4

 

Enforceability

     45  

SECTION 6.5

 

Financial Statements

     45  

SECTION 6.6

 

Material Adverse Change

     45  

SECTION 6.7

 

Litigation, Etc

     45  

SECTION 6.8

 

Margin Stock

     45  

SECTION 6.9

 

Investment Company Act

     45  

SECTION 6.10

 

Accuracy of Disclosure

     45  

SECTION 6.11

 

ERISA

     46  

SECTION 6.12

 

Compliance with Laws

     46  

SECTION 6.13

 

Tax Matters

     46  

SECTION 6.14

 

Subsidiaries

     46  

SECTION 6.15

 

Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Sanctions

     46  

SECTION 6.16

 

Beneficial Ownership

     47  

SECTION 6.17

 

Affected Financial Institution

     47  

SECTION 6.18

 

Covered Entity

     47  

ARTICLE VII    COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER

     47  

SECTION 7.1

 

Financial Statements

     47  

SECTION 7.2

 

Use of Proceeds

     48  

SECTION 7.3

 

Certain Notices

     48  

SECTION 7.4

 

Conduct of Business

     49  

SECTION 7.5

 

Taxes

     49  

SECTION 7.6

 

Insurance

     49  

SECTION 7.7

 

Compliance with Laws

     49  

SECTION 7.8

 

Maintenance of Properties

     49  

SECTION 7.9

 

Inspection

     50  

SECTION 7.10

 

Merger

     50  

SECTION 7.11

 

Preservation of Material Agreements

     50  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

SECTION 7.12

 

Liens

     50  

SECTION 7.13

 

Asset Dispositions

     51  

SECTION 7.14

 

Payment of Claims

     52  

SECTION 7.15

 

Subsidiary Debt

     52  

SECTION 7.16

 

Consolidated Cash Flow/Fixed Charges Ratio

     52  

SECTION 7.17

 

Consolidated Funded Indebtedness/Cash Flow Ratio

     52  

ARTICLE VIII    DEFAULT

     53  

SECTION 8.1

 

Events of Default

     53  

SECTION 8.2

 

[Reserved.]

     55  

SECTION 8.3

 

Exercise of Rights and Remedies

     55  

SECTION 8.4

 

Crediting of Payments and Proceeds

     55  

ARTICLE IX    THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

     56  

SECTION 9.1

 

Appointment and Authority

     56  

SECTION 9.2

 

Rights as a Lender

     56  

SECTION 9.3

 

Exculpatory Provisions

     56  

SECTION 9.4

 

Reliance by the Administrative Agent

     57  

SECTION 9.5

 

Delegation of Duties

     58  

SECTION 9.6

 

Resignation of Administrative Agent

     58  

SECTION 9.7

 

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders

     59  

SECTION 9.8

 

No Other Duties, Etc.

     59  

SECTION 9.9

 

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

     60  

SECTION 9.10

 

Certain ERISA Matters

     60  

SECTION 9.11

 

Erroneous Payments

     61  

ARTICLE X    MISCELLANEOUS

     63  

SECTION 10.1

 

Amendments, Etc.

     63  

SECTION 10.2

 

Notices, Etc.

     65  

SECTION 10.3

 

No Waiver; Remedies

     67  

SECTION 10.4

 

Costs, Expenses and Indemnification

     67  

SECTION 10.5

 

Binding Effect

     69  

SECTION 10.6

 

Successors and Assigns; Participations

     69  

SECTION 10.7

 

Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction

     72  

SECTION 10.8

 

Severability

     72  

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

SECTION 10.9

 

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution

     73  

SECTION 10.10

 

Survival

     74  

SECTION 10.11

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

     74  

SECTION 10.12

 

Confidentiality

     74  

SECTION 10.13

 

Nonliability of Lenders; No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

     75  

SECTION 10.14

 

USA PATRIOT Act; Anti-Money Laundering Laws

     75  

SECTION 10.15

 

Interest Rate Limitation

     75  

SECTION 10.16

 

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions

     76  

SECTION 10.17

 

Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs

     76  

 

iv


EXHIBITS      
Exhibit A    -    Form of Term Loan Note
Exhibit B    -    Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit C    -    Form of Notice of Account Designation
Exhibit D    -    Form of Notice of Prepayment
Exhibit E    -    Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit F    -    Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit G    -    Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit H-1    -    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Non-Partnership Foreign Lenders)
Exhibit H-2    -    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Non-Partnership Foreign Participants)
Exhibit H-3    -    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Foreign Participant Partnerships)
Exhibit H-4    -    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Foreign Lender Partnerships)
Exhibit I    -    Form of Opinion of Counsel
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.1    -    Commitments and Commitment Percentages
Schedule 6.7    -    Litigation
Schedule 6.13    -    Tax Matters
Schedule 6.14    -    Subsidiaries
Schedule 7.12    -    Existing Liens Securing Indebtedness, in each case, of $5,000,000 or more
Schedule 7.15    -    Permitted Subsidiary Indebtedness

 

v


TERM LOAN AGREEMENT, dated as of July 9, 2021, by and among COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC., a Delaware corporation, as Borrower, the lenders who are party to this Agreement and the lenders who may become a party to this Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof, as Lenders, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have agreed to extend, certain credit facilities to the Borrower.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, such parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1    Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

Acquisition Cash Flow” means, with respect to any Person or assets, franchises or businesses acquired by the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries, operating income for any period of determination plus any amounts deducted for depreciation, amortization and operating lease expense in determining operating income during such period (to the extent not included in Consolidated Operating Income for such period), all determined using historical financial statements of such Person, assets, franchises or businesses acquired with appropriate adjustments thereto in order to reflect such operating income, depreciation, amortization and operating lease expense on an actual historical combined pro forma basis as if such Person, assets, franchises or businesses acquired had been owned by the Borrower or one of its Consolidated Subsidiaries during the applicable period. Operating income as used in the preceding sentence will be determined for the acquired Person, assets, franchises or businesses using the same method prescribed for determining Consolidated Operating Income.

Administrative Agent” means Wells Fargo, in its capacity as Administrative Agent hereunder, and any successor thereto appointed pursuant to Section 9.6.

Administrative Agent’s Office” means the office of the Administrative Agent specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.2(c).

Administrative Questionnaire” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.


Agent Parties” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.2(e).

Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Announcements” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 1.7.

Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

Applicable Law” means all applicable provisions of constitutions, laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, treaties, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of Governmental Authorities and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.

Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any Loan, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Base Rate Spread” or “LIBOR Spread”, as the case may be, based upon the Ratings by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, respectively, applicable on such date:

 

Level

   Ratings
S&P/Moody’s/Fitch
   Spread for
LIBOR
Rate Loans
    Spread
for Base
Rate
Loans
 

1

   ³ A / A2 / A      0.650     0.000

2

   A- / A3 / A-      0.750     0.000

3

   BBB+ /Baa1 / BBB+      0.875     0.000

4

   BBB / Baa2 / BBB      1.000     0.000

5

   £ BBB- / Baa3 / BBB-      1.125     0.125

For purposes of the foregoing:

If the Borrower shall maintain a Rating from only two of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch and there is a one-notch split between the two Ratings, then the Level corresponding to the higher Rating shall apply, but if there is a more than one notch split in the two Ratings, then the Rating that is one notch higher than the lowest Rating shall apply. If the Borrower shall maintain a Rating from all three of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch and there is a difference in such Ratings, (i) if there is a one- notch split between the Ratings, then the Level corresponding to the higher Rating shall apply and (ii) if there is greater than a one-notch split between the Ratings, then the Level shall be based upon one Level higher than the Level corresponding to the lowest of the three Ratings shall apply. If any of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch shall not have in effect a Rating for the long-term senior unsecured non-credit-enhanced debt obligations of the Borrower then outstanding (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the last sentence of this paragraph), then, to the extent such rating agency is being used to determine the Level (it being understood and agreed that at least two rating agencies will be used to determine the Level at all times), such rating agency shall be deemed to have established a Rating in Level 5. If the Ratings established or deemed to have been established by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch shall be changed (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch), such change shall be effective as of the date on which it is first announced by the

 

2


applicable rating agency, irrespective of when notice of such change shall have been furnished by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 7.3 or otherwise. Each change in the Applicable Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change. If the rating system of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch shall change, or if any such rating agency shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Borrower and the Lenders shall negotiate in good faith to amend the definition of Applicable Rate to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of Ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to the Rating most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation.

Arrangers” means, collectively, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and PNC Capital Markets LLC in their capacity as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners.

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.6), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit G or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, (a) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark or (b) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 4.8(c)(iv).

Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

Bankruptcy Code” means 11 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq.

Base Rate” means, at any time, the highest of (a) the Prime Rate and, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% and (c) LIBOR for an Interest Period of one month plus 1.00%; each change in the Base Rate shall take effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or changes in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate or LIBOR (provided that clause (c) shall not be applicable during any period in which LIBOR is unavailable or unascertainable).

Base Rate Loan” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon the Base Rate as provided in Section 4.1(a).

Benchmark” means, initially, USD LIBOR; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event, a Term SOFR Transition Event, an Early Opt-in Election or an Other Benchmark Rate Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to USD LIBOR or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 4.8(c)(i).

 

3


Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor,

(a)    with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event or Early Opt-in Election, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:

(1)    the sum of: (A) Term SOFR and (B) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

(2)    the sum of: (A) Daily Simple SOFR and (B) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

(3)    the sum of: (A) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time and (B) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

(b)    with respect to any Term SOFR Transition Event, the sum of (i) Term SOFR and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; or

(c)    with respect to any Other Benchmark Rate Election, the sum of: (i) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

provided that, (i) in the case of clause (a)(1), if the Administrative Agent decides that Term SOFR is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, then Term SOFR will be deemed unable to be determined for purposes of this definition and (ii) in the case of clause (a)(1) or clause (b) of this definition, the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion. If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (a)(1), (a)(2) or (a)(3), clause (b) or clause (c) of this definition would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement:

(1)    for purposes of clauses (a)(1) and (a)(2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement,” the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent:

(a)    the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the Reference Time such

 

4


Benchmark Replacement is first set for such Interest Period that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the replacement of such Available Tenor of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement;

(b)    the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the Reference Time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such Interest Period that would apply to the fallback rate for a derivative transaction referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon an index cessation event with respect to such Available Tenor of such Benchmark;

(2)    for purposes of clause (a)(3) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement,” the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Available Tenor of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Available Tenor of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities; and

(3)    for purposes of clause (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement,” the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the Reference Time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such Interest Period that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the replacement of such Available Tenor of USD LIBOR with a SOFR-based rate;

provided that, (x) in the case of clause (1) above, such adjustment is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such Benchmark Replacement Adjustment from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion and (y) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate, more than one tenor of such Benchmark is available as of the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement that will replace such Benchmark in accordance with Section 4.8(c)(i) will not be a term rate, the Available Tenor of such Benchmark for purposes of this definition of “Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” shall be deemed to be, with respect to each Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement having a payment period for interest calculated with reference thereto, the Available Tenor that has approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustments) as such payment period.

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

 

5


Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

(a)    in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

(b)    in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein;

(c)    in the case of a Term SOFR Transition Event, the date that is thirty (30) days after the Administrative Agent has provided the Term SOFR Notice to the Lenders and the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.8(c)(i)(B); or

(d)    in the case of an Early Opt-in Election or an Other Benchmark Rate Election, the sixth (6th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election or Other Benchmark Rate Election, as applicable, is provided to the Lenders, so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election or Other Benchmark Rate Election, as applicable, is provided to the Lenders, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-in Election or Other Benchmark Rate Election, as applicable, from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.

For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Transition Event means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

(a)    a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

(b)    a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

 

6


(c)    a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer representative.

For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Unavailability Period” means the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 4.8(c) and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 4.8(c).

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the introduction hereto.

Borrower Materials” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.1.

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed.

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 GAAP (subject to the provisions of Section 1.3(d) hereof).

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 GAAP (subject to the provisions of Section 1.3(d) hereof).

Change in Control” means that:

 

  (a)

The Coca-Cola Company and any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries shall cease to own, beneficially and of record, at least 10% of the outstanding capital stock of the Borrower; or

 

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  (b)

any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used for purposes of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, whether or not applicable, except that for purposes of this paragraph (b) such person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), other than (i) The Coca-Cola Company, (ii) other shareholders of the Borrower as of the date hereof and (iii) J. Frank Harrison III, his spouse and the lineal descendants of either of the foregoing (or trusts, corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies or other estate planning vehicles for the benefit thereof), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated pursuant to the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of all voting shares of the Borrower; or

 

  (c)

during any period of 25 consecutive calendar months, a majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower shall no longer be composed of individuals (i) who were members of said Board on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to said Board was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of said Board and (iii) whose election or nomination to said Board was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of said Board.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder, issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

Closing Date” means the date as of which the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.1 have been satisfied or waived.

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

Commitment” means (a) as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make a portion of the Initial Term Loan for the account of the Borrower hereunder on the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on the Register, as such amount may be modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof and (b) as to all Lenders, the aggregate commitment of all Lenders to make the Initial Term Loan, as such amount may be modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The aggregate principal amount of Commitments with respect to the Initial Term Loan of all Lenders on the Closing Date is Seventy Million Dollars ($70,000,000) and the Commitment of each Lender on the Closing Date is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 1.1.

Commitment Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.13(a).

 

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Commitment Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage of the total outstanding principal balance of the Term Loans represented by the outstanding principal balance of such Lender’s Term Loans. The Commitment Percentage of each Lender on the Closing Date is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 1.1.

Compliance Certificate” mean a certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit F.

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” refers to the consolidation of accounts of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Cash Flow” means, for any period, Consolidated Operating Income for such period plus (i) any amounts deducted for depreciation, amortization and operating lease expense, plus (ii) any impairment charges or asset write-down or write off related to intangible assets, long-lived assets and property, plant and equipment, solely to the extent that any such charges, write-down or write off described in this clause (ii) are non-cash items, in each case in determining Consolidated Operating Income, plus (iii) any non-cash pension charges related to benefit plan amendments or non-recurring or infrequent transactions, plus (iv) non-cash expenses related to stock based compensation, minus (v) the amount of the sub-bottling fee payments made to The Coca-Cola Company or one of its Subsidiaries in consideration for exclusive distribution rights to the Borrower or one of its Consolidated Subsidiaries during such applicable period. Consolidated Cash Flow shall exclude all non-cash credits or charges resulting from commodity hedging transactions.

Consolidated Cash Flow/Fixed Charges Ratio” means, at any time, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Cash Flow for the then most recently concluded period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower to (ii) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period.

Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, for any period, the sum of (i) Consolidated Net Interest Expense for such period, (ii) the amount of obligations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as lessees, on leases other than Capitalized Leases, accrued during such period and (iii) payments made or required to be made by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries during such period under agreements providing for or containing covenants not to compete.

Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” means, at any time, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Funded Indebtedness (other than (i) deferred compensation liabilities of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, (ii) Unfunded Benefit Liabilities of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries and (iii) the amount of the sub-bottling fee liabilities to The Coca-Cola Company or one of its Subsidiaries in consideration for exclusive distribution rights to the Borrower or one of its Consolidated Subsidiaries) of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, determined and consolidated in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Funded Indebtedness/Cash Flow Ratio” means, at any time, the ratio of (a) the aggregate amount, without duplication, of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness minus the Liquidity Amount and (ii) 50% of every Contingent Obligation of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (other than any Contingent Obligation in respect of any operating lease), determined and consolidated in accordance with GAAP to (b) the aggregate of (i) Consolidated Cash Flow for the then most recently concluded period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower and (ii) Acquisition Cash Flow for such period.

 

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Consolidated Net Interest Expense” means, for any period, the aggregate net amount of interest payments of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, determined and consolidated in accordance with GAAP, excluding, however, such amounts as arise from the amortization of capitalized interest, discount and fees reflected as an asset on the Borrower’s books and records on the Closing Date.

Consolidated Operating Income” means, for any period, the net income of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, before any deduction in respect of interest or taxes, determined and consolidated in accordance with GAAP, excluding, however, extraordinary items in accordance with GAAP (which shall include without limitation, in any event, any income, net of expenses, or loss realized by the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary from any sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business, whether tangible or intangible, including franchise territories and securities).

Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as of such date.

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 financial 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 application for a letter of credit, but excluding the endorsement of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business.

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

Controlled Group” means all members of a controlled group of corporations 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.

Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.

Credit Facility” means the term loan facility established pursuant to Article II (including any new term loan facility established pursuant to Section 4.13).

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Arranger.

Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day, SOFR, with the conventions for this rate (which will include a lookback) being established by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining “Daily Simple SOFR” for syndicated business loans; provided, that if the Administrative Agent decides that any such convention is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, then the Administrative Agent may establish another convention in its reasonable discretion.

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.

 

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Default” means an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 4.15(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of the Term Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the FDIC or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 4.15(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower and each Lender.

Dollars” or “$” means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

Early Opt-in Election” means, if the then-current Benchmark is USD LIBOR, the occurrence of: (a) a notification by the Administrative Agent to (or the request by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to notify) each of the other parties hereto that at least five currently outstanding Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time contain (as a result of amendment or as originally executed) a SOFR-based rate (including SOFR, a term SOFR or any other rate based upon SOFR) as a benchmark rate (and such syndicated credit facilities are identified in such notice and are publicly available for review), and (b) the joint election by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to trigger a fallback from USD LIBOR and the provision by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to the Lenders.

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

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EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country.

Electronic Record” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 15 U.S.C. 7006.

Electronic Signature” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 15 U.S.C. 7006.

Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.6(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.6(b)(iii)).

Environmental Law” means any Federal, state or local governmental law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree relating to pollution or protection of the environment or the treatment, storage, disposal, release, threatened release or handling of Hazardous Materials, including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the Clean Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Atomic Energy Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, in each case, as amended from time to time.

Equity Interests” means (a) in the case of a corporation, capital stock, (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock, (c) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), (d) in the case of a limited liability company, membership interests, (e) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person and (f) any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.11(a).

Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.11(d).

Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.11(d).

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor thereto), as in effect from time to time.

Eurodollar Reserve Percentage” means, for any day, the percentage which is in effect for such day as prescribed by the Federal Reserve Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any basic, supplemental or emergency reserves) in respect of eurocurrency liabilities or any similar category

 

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of liabilities for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York City or any other reserve ratio or analogous requirement of any central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Loans. The LIBOR Rate for each outstanding Loan shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

Events of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time

Excluded Taxes” means 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 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, United States 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 4.12(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 4.11, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 4.11(g) and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

Extensions of Credit” means, as to any Lender at any time, (a) an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Loans made by such Lender then outstanding or (b) the making of any Loan by such Lender, as the context requires.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.

FCA” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 1.7.

FDIC” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average of the quotation for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Federal Funds Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

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Fee Letters” means, collectively, (a) the separate fee letter agreement dated June 11, 2021 among the Borrower, Wells Fargo and Wells Fargo Securities LLC and (b) the separate fee letter agreements between or among the Borrower, any other Arranger and/or any Affiliate of such Arranger.

Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Inc. and its successors.

Fitch Rating” means, at any time, the rating of the long-term senior unsecured non- credit-enhanced debt obligations of the Borrower then outstanding most recently announced by Fitch.

Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to USD LIBOR.

Foreign Lender” means (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.

Funded Indebtedness” of a Person shall mean (i) all liabilities of such Person of the kinds referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of the definition of “Indebtedness” herein, including without limitation commercial paper, of any maturity, and (ii) other indebtedness (including the current portion thereof) of such Person which would be classified in whole or part as a long-term liability of such Person in accordance with GAAP, and shall in any event include (i) any Indebtedness having a final maturity more than one year from the date of creation of such Indebtedness and (ii) any Indebtedness, regardless of its term, which is renewable or extendable by such Person (pursuant to the terms thereof or pursuant to a revolving credit or similar agreement or otherwise) to a date more than one year from the date of creation of such Indebtedness or any date of determination of Funded Indebtedness.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect from time to time (subject to the provisions of Section 1.3(d) hereof).

Governmental Authority” means the federal government, any state or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

Hazardous Materials” means petroleum or petroleum products, natural or synthetic gas, asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, and radon gas, any substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances”, “hazardous wastes”, “hazardous materials”, “extremely hazardous wastes”, “restricted hazardous wastes”, “toxic substances”, “toxic pollutants”, “contaminants” or “pollutants”, or words of similar meaning and regulatory effect, under any Environmental Law and any other substance exposure to which is regulated under any Environmental Law.

Hedge Agreement” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement.

 

14


IBA” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 1.7.

Incremental Term Loan” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.13(a).

Incremental Term Loan Amendment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.13(a).

Incremental Term Loan Lender” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.13(a).

Indebtedness” of a Person means, without duplication, such Person’s (i) obligations for borrowed money, (ii) obligations representing the deferred purchase price of Property or services (excluding accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of such Person’s 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, acceptances, or similar instruments, (v) Capitalized Lease Obligations, (vi) net Rate Hedging Obligations, (vii) Contingent Obligations in respect of Indebtedness, (viii) obligations for which such Person is obligated pursuant to or in respect of a letter of credit and (ix) repurchase obligations or liabilities of such Person with respect to accounts, notes receivable or securities sold by such Person.

Indemnified Party” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.4(b).

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.

Information” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.12.

Initial Term Loan” means the term loan made, or to be made, to the Borrower by the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.1.

Interest Period” means, as to each LIBOR Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such LIBOR Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan and ending on the date (in each case, if available to the applicable Lenders) one (1), three (3), or six (6) months or, if agreed by all of the relevant Lenders twelve (12) months thereafter, in each case as selected by the Borrower in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation and subject to availability; provided that:

(a)    the Interest Period shall commence on the date of advance of or conversion to any LIBOR Rate Loan and, in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods, each successive Interest Period shall commence on the date on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires;

(b)    if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided that if any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day;

(c)    any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the relevant calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;

 

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(d)    no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date; and

(e)    no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 4.8(c)(iv) shall be available for specification in any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation.

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. § 80(a)(1), et seq.).

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or such successor thereto.

Lender” means each Person executing this Agreement as a Lender on the Closing Date and any other Person that shall have become a party to this Agreement as a Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or pursuant to Section 4.13, other than any Person that ceases to be a party hereto as a Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.

Lending Office” means, with respect to any Lender, the office of such Lender maintaining such Lender’s Extensions of Credit, which office may, to the extent the applicable Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing, include an office of any Affiliate of such Lender or any domestic or foreign branch of such Lender or Affiliate.

LIBOR” means, subject to the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement in accordance with Section 4.8(c),

(a)    for any interest rate calculation with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the rate of interest per annum determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to the applicable Interest Period as published by the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, a United Kingdom company, or a comparable or successor quoting service approved by the Administrative Agent, at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) London Banking Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period. If, for any reason, such rate is not so published then “LIBOR” shall be determined by the Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic average of the rate per annum at which deposits in Dollars would be offered by first class banks in the London interbank market to the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) London Banking Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period for a period equal to such Interest Period, and

(b)    for any interest rate calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan, the rate of interest per annum determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for an Interest Period equal to one month (commencing on the date of determination of such interest rate) as published by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited, a United Kingdom company, or a comparable or successor quoting service approved by the Administrative Agent, at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such date of determination, or, if such date is not a Business Day, then the immediately preceding Business Day. If, for any reason, such rate is not so published then “LIBOR” for such Base Rate Loan shall be determined by the Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic average of the rate per annum at which deposits in Dollars would be offered by first class banks in the London interbank market to the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such date of determination for a period equal to one month commencing on such date of determination.

 

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Each calculation by the Administrative Agent of LIBOR shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) in no event shall LIBOR (including any Benchmark Replacement with respect thereto) be less than 0% and (y) unless otherwise specified in any amendment to this Agreement entered into in accordance with Section 4.8(c), in the event that a Benchmark Replacement with respect to LIBOR is implemented then all references herein to LIBOR shall be deemed references to such Benchmark Replacement.

LIBOR Rate” means a rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the following formula:

 

  LIBOR Rate =                                    LIBOR                                    
    1.00-Eurodollar Reserve Percentage    

LIBOR Rate Loan” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon the LIBOR Rate as provided in Section 4.1(a).

Lien” means any lien, mortgage, security interest or other charge or encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement having substantially the same effect as a lien, including, without limitation, the lien or retained security title of a conditional vendor.

Liquidity Amount” means, as at any date of determination, the lesser of (i) the aggregate amount of unrestricted and unencumbered cash maintained by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the United States as of such date and (ii) $20,000,000.

Loan Documents” means this Agreement and any Term Loan Note. Any reference in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall include all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, and shall refer to this Agreement or such Loan Document as the same may be in effect at any and all times such reference becomes operative.

Loans” means the collective reference to the Term Loans, and “Loan” means any of such Loans.

London Banking Day” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank market.

Margin Stock” means margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U.

Material Adverse Change” or “Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse change in or, as the case may be, effect on (i) the business, condition (financial or otherwise), or operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or (iii) the ability of the Borrower to pay and perform its obligations hereunder.

Material Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(d).

 

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Material Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary which (i) owns, leases or occupies any building, structure or other facility used primarily for the bottling, canning or packaging of soft drinks or soft drink products or warehousing and distributing of such products, other than any such building, structure or other facility or portion thereof, which is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as an entirety, (ii) is a party to any contract with respect to the bottling, canning, packaging or distribution of soft drinks or soft drink products, other than any such contract which is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as an entirety, and in any event includes each of the Subsidiaries indicated as Material Subsidiaries listed in Schedule 6.14 as of the date hereof, and (iii) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that would qualify as a “significant subsidiary” under Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or its successor agency).

Maturity Date” means the earlier to occur of (a) July 9, 2024 and (b) the date of acceleration of the Term Loans pursuant to Section 8.1.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

Moody’s Rating” means, at any time, the rating of the long-term senior unsecured non- credit-enhanced debt obligations of the Borrower then outstanding most recently announced by Moody’s.

Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan which is a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and to which the Borrower or any member of a Controlled Group has or had an obligation to contribute.

Non-Consenting Lender” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver, amendment, modification or termination that (a) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 10.1 and (b) has been approved by the Required Lenders.

Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

Notice of Account Designation” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).

Notice of Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).

Notice of Conversion/Continuation” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.

Notice of Incremental Term Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.13(a).

Notice of Prepayment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(c).

Obligations” means, in each case, whether now in existence or hereafter arising: (a) the principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the filing of any bankruptcy or similar petition) the Loans and (b) all other fees and commissions (including attorneys’ fees), charges, indebtedness, loans, liabilities, financial accommodations, obligations, covenants and duties owing by the Borrower to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, in each case under any Loan Document, with respect to any Loan of every kind, nature and description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, and whether or not evidenced by any note and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against the Borrower of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws, naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

 

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OFAC” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Other Benchmark Rate Election” means, with respect to a Benchmark with respect to any Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in Dollars or calculated with respect thereto, if such Benchmark is USD LIBOR, the occurrence of:

(a)    a notification by the Administrative Agent to (or the request by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to notify) each of the other parties hereto that at least five currently outstanding Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time contain (as a result of amendment or as originally executed), in lieu of a USD LIBOR-based rate, a term benchmark rate that is not a SOFR-based rate as a benchmark rate (and such syndicated credit facilities are identified in such notice and are publicly available for review), and

(b)    the joint election by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to trigger a fallback from USD LIBOR and the provision by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to the Lenders.

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, 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 4.12).

Participant” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.6(d).

Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.6(d).

PATRIOT Act” has the meaning specified in Section 10.14.

Payment Default” means an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default under Section 8.1(a).

Payment Recipient” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.11(a).

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor.

Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.

Plan” means an employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) to which Section 4021 of ERISA applies and (i) which is maintained for employees of the Borrower or any member of a Controlled Group or (ii) to which the Borrower or any member of a Controlled Group made, or was required to make, contributions at any time within the preceding five years.

 

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Plan Asset Regulations” means 29 CFR § 2510.3-101 et seq., as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA, as amended from time to time.

Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, SyndTrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.

Prime Rate” means, at any time, the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the day such change in such prime rate occurs. The parties hereto acknowledge that the rate announced publicly by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate is an index or base rate and shall not necessarily be its lowest or best rate charged to its customers or other banks.

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.

PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Public Lenders” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.1.

Rate Hedging 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 (a) any and all agreements, devices or arrangements designed to protect at least one of the parties thereto from the fluctuations of interest rates, exchange rates or forward rates applicable to such party’s assets, liabilities or exchange transactions, including, but not limited to, dollar- denominated or cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, forward currency exchange agreements, interest rate cap or collar protection agreements, forward rate currency or interest rate options, puts and warrants, and (b) any and all cancellations, buybacks, reversals, terminations or assignments of any of the foregoing.

Rating” means a Moody’s Rating, a S&P Rating or a Fitch Rating, as applicable.

Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent or (b) any Lender, as applicable.

Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (1) if such Benchmark is USD LIBOR, 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the day that is two (2) London Banking Days preceding the date of such setting, and (2) if such Benchmark is not USD LIBOR, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.6(c).

Regulations T, U and X” means Regulations T, U and X issued by the Federal Reserve Board, as from time to time amended.

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.

 

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Removal Effective Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.6(b).

Reportable Event” means (i) a reportable event described in Section 4043 of ERISA and regulations thereunder (other than reportable events for which notice has been waived pursuant to PBGC regulations), (ii) a withdrawal by a substantial employer from a Plan to which more than one employer contributes, as referred to in Section 4063(b) of ERISA, or (iii) a cessation of operations at a facility causing more than 20% of Plan participants to be separated from employment, as referred to in Section 4062(e) of ERISA.

Requested Incremental Term Loan Amount” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.13(a).

Requested Incremental Term Loan Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.13(a).

Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Total Credit Exposure representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the Total Credit Exposure of all Lenders. The Total Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time.

Resignation Effective Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.6(a).

Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

Responsible Officer” means the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President and Chief Operating Officer, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer or the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Borrower.

Revolving Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2021, among the Borrower, the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo, as administrative agent thereunder, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified or refinanced or replaced from time to time.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Service, a division of S&P Global Inc. and any successor thereto.

S&P Rating” means, at any time, the rating of the long-term senior unsecured, non- credit-enhanced debt obligations of the Borrower then outstanding most recently announced by S&P.

Sanctioned Country” means at any time, a country or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country, or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

 

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Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. § 77 et seq.).

SOFR” means, with respect to any Business Day, a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate for such Business Day published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website on the immediately succeeding Business Day.

SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).

SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which at least a majority of the securities or other ownership interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity (irrespective of whether or not at the time securities or other ownership interests of any other class or classes of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, fines, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Term Loan Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing the portion of the Term Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A, and any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in whole or in part.

Term Loans” means the Initial Term Loan and, if applicable, the Incremental Term Loans and “Term Loan” means any of such Term Loans.

Term SOFR” means, for the applicable Corresponding Tenor as of the applicable Reference Time, the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

Term SOFR Notice” means a notification by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders and the Borrower of the occurrence of a Term SOFR Transition Event.

Term SOFR Transition Event” means the determination by the Administrative Agent that (a) Term SOFR has been recommended for use by the Relevant Governmental Body, (b) the administration of Term SOFR is administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent and (c) a Benchmark Transition Event, an Early Opt-in Election or an Other Benchmark Rate Election, as applicable, has previously occurred resulting in the replacement of the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 4.8(c) with a Benchmark Replacement the Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement component of which is not Term SOFR.

 

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Total Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the unused Commitments and outstanding Term Loans of such Lender at such time.

Trade Date” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 10.6(b)(i).

UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

Unfunded Benefit Liabilities” means the sum of (i) the amount (if any) by which the present value of all vested and unvested accrued benefits under a single employer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, exceeds the fair market value of assets allocable to such benefits, all determined as of the then most recent valuation date for such Plans using the PBGC actuarial assumptions utilized for purposes of determining the current liability for purposes of such valuation and (ii) the accrued liabilities for benefits under the post-retirement benefit plan of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP.

United States” means the United States of America.

USD LIBOR means the London interbank offered rate for Dollars.

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 thereto in Section 4.11(g).

Wells Fargo” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association.

Withholding Agent” means the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

 

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SECTION 1.2    Computation of Time Periods. In this Agreement 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 words “to” and “until” mean “to but excluding”.

SECTION 1.3    Accounting Terms.

(a)    All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP consistent with those applied in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.5(a).

(b)    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 (i) without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (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 Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.

(c)    If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth herein, and the Borrower so requests, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower will negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP; provided that until so amended, such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP as in effect prior to such change therein.

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, for purposes of determining compliance with any financial covenant, requirement, ratio or basket hereunder, leases shall continue to be classified and accounted for in accordance with GAAP as in effect immediately prior to the Borrower’s adoption of ASC 842 (regardless of the date on which such lease has been entered into).

SECTION 1.4    Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio or percentage is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

SECTION 1.5    References to Agreement and Laws. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) any definition or reference to formation documents, governing documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual documents or instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited by any Loan Document; and (b) any definition or reference to any Applicable Law, including Anti-Corruption Laws, anti-money laundering laws, the Bankruptcy Code, the Code, ERISA, the Exchange Act, the PATRIOT Act, the Securities Act, the Uniform Commercial Code, the Investment Company Act or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department, shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Applicable Law.

SECTION 1.6    Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

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SECTION 1.7    Rates. The interest rate on LIBOR Rate Loans and Base Rate Loans (when determined by reference to clause (c) of the definition of Base Rate) may be determined by reference to LIBOR, which is derived from the London interbank offered rate. The London interbank offered rate is intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other in the London interbank market. On March 5, 2021, ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”), the administrator of the London interbank offered rate, and the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), the regulatory supervisor of IBA, announced in public statements (the “Announcements”) that the final publication or representativeness date for the London interbank offered rate for Dollars for: (a) 1-week and 2-month tenor settings will be December 31, 2021 and (b) overnight, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month tenor settings will be June 30, 2023. No successor administrator for IBA was identified in such Announcements. As a result, it is possible that commencing immediately after such dates, the London interbank offered rate for such tenors may no longer be available or may no longer be deemed a representative reference rate upon which to determine the interest rate on LIBOR Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans (when determined by reference to clause (c) of the definition of Base Rate). There is no assurance that the dates set forth in the Announcements will not change or that IBA or the FCA will not take further action that could impact the availability, composition or characteristics of any London interbank offered rate. Public and private sector industry initiatives have been and continue, as of the date hereof, to be underway to implement new or alternative reference rates to be used in place of the London interbank offered rate. In the event that the London interbank offered rate or any other then-current Benchmark is no longer available or in certain other circumstances set forth in Section 4.8(c), such Section 4.8(c) provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent will notify the Borrower, pursuant to Section 4.8(c), of any change to the reference rate upon which the interest rate on LIBOR Rate Loans and Base Rate Loans (when determined by reference to clause (c) of the definition of Base Rate) is based. However, the Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, (i) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to the London interbank offered rate or other rates in the definition of “LIBOR” or with respect to any alternative, successor, or replacement rate thereto (including any then-current Benchmark or any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement), as it may or may not be adjusted pursuant to Section 4.8(c), will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, LIBOR or any other Benchmark, or have the same volume or liquidity as did the London interbank offered rate or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (ii) the effect, implementation or composition of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. The Administrative Agent and its Affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of a Benchmark, any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto and such transactions may be adverse to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any Benchmark, any component definition thereof or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.

SECTION 1.8    Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

 

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ARTICLE II

TERM LOAN FACILITY

SECTION 2.1    Initial Term Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, each Lender severally agrees to make the Initial Term Loan to the Borrower on the Closing Date in a principal amount equal to such Lender’s Commitment as of the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the total Commitment as of the Closing Date is not drawn on the Closing Date, the undrawn amount shall automatically be cancelled.

SECTION 2.2    [Reserved.]

SECTION 2.3    Procedure for Advances of Term Loans.

(a)    Initial Term Loan. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice substantially in the form of Exhibit B (a “Notice of Borrowing”) not later than 12:00 p.m. (i) on the Closing Date requesting that the Lenders make the Initial Term Loan as a Base Rate Loan on such date or (ii) at least three (3) Business Days before the Closing Date, that the Lenders make the Initial Term Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan, specifying (A) the date of such borrowing, which shall be a Business Day, (B) the amount of such borrowing, (C) whether such Loan is to be a LIBOR Rate Loan or a Base Rate Loan, and (D) in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto; provided that if the Borrower wishes to request LIBOR Rate Loans having an Interest Period of twelve months in duration, such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. four (4) Business Days prior to the requested date of such borrowing, whereupon the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Lenders of such request and determine whether the requested Interest Period is acceptable to all of them. If the Borrower fails to specify a type of Loan in a Notice of Borrowing, then the applicable Loans shall be made as Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a borrowing of LIBOR Rate Loans in any such Notice of Borrowing, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. A Notice of Borrowing received after 12:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of the Notice of Borrowing. Not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Closing Date, each Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Borrower, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, the amount of such Initial Term Loan to be made by such Lender on the Closing Date. The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to disburse the proceeds of the Initial Term Loan pursuant to this Section in immediately available funds by crediting or wiring such proceeds to the deposit account of the Borrower identified in the most recent notice substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C (a “Notice of Account Designation”) delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or as may be otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. Subject to Section 4.7 hereof, the Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to disburse the portion of the proceeds of the Initial Term Loan requested pursuant to this Section to the extent that any Lender has not made available to the Administrative Agent its Commitment Percentage of the Initial Term Loan.

(b)    Incremental Term Loans. Any Incremental Term Loans shall be borrowed pursuant to, and in accordance with Section 4.13.

 

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SECTION 2.4    Repayment and Prepayment of Term Loans.

(a)    Repayment. The Borrower hereby agrees to repay the outstanding principal amount of (i) the Initial Term Loan in full on the Maturity Date, with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon, and (ii) each Incremental Term Loan (if any) as determined pursuant to, and in accordance with, Section 4.13.

(b)    [Reserved.]

(c)    Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay Term Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, with irrevocable prior written notice to the Administrative Agent substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D (a “Notice of Prepayment”) given not later than 12:00 p.m. (i) on the same Business Day as each Base Rate Loan and (ii) at least two (2) Business Days before each LIBOR Rate Loan, specifying the date and amount of prepayment, whether the prepayment is of LIBOR Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans, or a combination thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the amount allocable to each and whether the prepayment is of the Initial Term Loan, an Incremental Term Loan or a combination thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the amount allocable to each. Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date set forth in such notice. Partial prepayments shall be in an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the remaining outstanding principal amount thereof) and shall be applied to prepay the Initial Term Loan and, if applicable, any Incremental Term Loans, on a pro rata basis. A Notice of Prepayment received after 12:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. Each such repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 10.4(d) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Notice of Prepayment delivered in connection with any refinancing of all of the Credit Facility with the proceeds of such refinancing or of any incurrence of Indebtedness or the occurrence of some other identifiable event or condition, may be, if expressly so stated to be, contingent upon the consummation of such refinancing or incurrence or occurrence of such other identifiable event or condition and may be revoked by the Borrower in the event such contingency is not met (provided that the failure of such contingency shall not relieve the Borrower from its obligations in respect thereof under Section 10.4(d)).

(d)    Limitation on Prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans. The Borrower may not prepay any LIBOR Rate Loan on any day other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto unless such prepayment is accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 10.4(d).

ARTICLE III

[RESERVED.]

ARTICLE IV

GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS

SECTION 4.1    Interest.

(a)    Interest Rate Options. Subject to the provisions of this Section, at the election of the Borrower, Term Loans shall bear interest at (i) the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate or (ii) the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Rate (provided that the LIBOR Rate shall not be available until three (3) Business Days (or four (4) Business Days with respect to a LIBOR Rate based on a twelve month Interest Period) after the Closing Date unless the Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent a letter in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent indemnifying the Lenders in the manner set forth in Section 10.4(d)). The Borrower shall select the rate of interest and Interest Period, if any, applicable to any Loan at the time a Notice of Borrowing is given or at the time a Notice of Conversion/Continuation is given pursuant to Section 4.2.

 

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(b)    Default Interest. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Payment Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower shall pay interest on:

(i)    the unpaid principal amount of each Loan owing to each Lender, payable on demand (and in any event in arrears on the Interest Payment Date applicable thereto), at a rate per annum equal at all times to 2% per annum above the rate per annum required to be paid on such Loan pursuant to Section 4.1(a); provided that if such Payment Default shall be continuing at the end of any Interest Period for any LIBOR Rate Loans, such Loan shall forthwith be converted to a Base Rate Loan bearing interest as aforesaid in this Section 4.1(b)(i); and

(ii)    the amount of any interest, fee or other amount payable hereunder that is not paid when due, from the date such amount shall be due until such amount shall be paid in full, payable on demand (and in any event in arrears on the date such amount shall be paid in full), at a rate per annum equal at all times to 2% per annum above the rate per annum required to be paid on Base Rate Loans pursuant to Section 4.1(a) above.

Interest shall continue to accrue on the Obligations after the filing by or against the Borrower of any petition seeking any relief in bankruptcy or under any Debtor Relief Law.

(c)    Interest Payment and Computation. Interest on each Base Rate Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter commencing September 30, 2021; and interest on each LIBOR Rate Loan shall be due and payable on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto, and if such Interest Period extends over three (3) months, at the end of each three (3) month interval during such Interest Period. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by the Prime Rate shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest provided hereunder shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365/366-day year).

SECTION 4.2    Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans. Provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, the Borrower shall have the option to (a) convert at any time all or any portion of any outstanding Base Rate Loans in a principal amount equal to $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof (or such lesser amount as shall represent all of the Base Rate Loans then outstanding) into one or more LIBOR Rate Loans and (b) upon the expiration of any Interest Period, (i) convert all or any part of its outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans in a principal amount equal to $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof (or such lesser amount as shall represent all of the LIBOR Rate Loans then outstanding) into Base Rate Loans or (ii) continue such LIBOR Rate Loans as LIBOR Rate Loans. Whenever the Borrower desires to convert or continue Loans as provided above, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice in the form attached as Exhibit E (a “Notice of Conversion/Continuation”) not later than 12:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days before the day on which a proposed conversion or continuation of such Loan is to be effective specifying (A) the Loans to be converted or continued, and, in the case of any LIBOR Rate Loan to be converted or continued, the last day of the Interest Period therefor, (B) the effective date of such conversion or continuation (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the principal amount of such Loans to be converted or continued, and (D) the Interest Period to be applicable to such converted or continued LIBOR Rate Loan; provided that if the Borrower wishes to request LIBOR Rate Loans having an Interest Period of twelve months in duration, such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. four (4) Business Days prior to the requested date of such conversion or continuation, whereupon the

 

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Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the applicable Lenders of such request and determine whether the requested Interest Period is acceptable to all of them. If the Borrower fails to give a timely Notice of Conversion/Continuation prior to the end of the Interest Period for any LIBOR Rate Loan, then the applicable LIBOR Rate Loan shall be continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period of one month. Any such automatic continuation shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable LIBOR Rate Loan. If the Borrower requests a conversion to, or continuation of, LIBOR Rate Loans, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the affected Lenders of such Notice of Conversion/Continuation.

SECTION 4.3    Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Arrangers and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in their respective Fee Letters. The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified.

SECTION 4.4    Manner of Payment. Each payment by the Borrower on account of the principal of or interest on the Loans or of any fee, commission or other amounts payable to the Lenders under this Agreement shall be made not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date specified for payment under this Agreement to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s Office for the account of the Lenders entitled to such payment in Dollars, in immediately available funds and shall be made without any setoff, counterclaim or deduction whatsoever. Any payment received after such time but before 2:00 p.m. on such day shall be deemed a payment on such date for the purposes of Section 8.1, but for all other purposes shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day. Any payment received after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day for all purposes. Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of each such payment, the Administrative Agent shall distribute to each such Lender at its address for notices set forth herein its Commitment Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment and shall wire advice of the amount of such credit to each Lender. Each payment to the Administrative Agent of Administrative Agent’s fees or expenses shall be made for the account of the Administrative Agent and any amount payable to any Lender under Sections 4.10, 4.11, 10.3 or 10.4(d) shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lender. Subject to the definition of Interest Period, if any payment under this Agreement shall be specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day, it shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing any interest if payable along with such payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there exists a Defaulting Lender each payment by the Borrower to such Defaulting Lender hereunder shall be applied in accordance with Section 4.15(a)(ii).

SECTION 4.5    Evidence of Indebtedness. The Extensions of Credit made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Extensions of Credit made by the Lenders to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Term Loan Note which shall evidence such Lender’s Term Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Term Loan Notes and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

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SECTION 4.6    Set-Off; Sharing of Payments by Lenders.

(a)    If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender 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 or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.15 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent 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 under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender may have. Each Lender 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. The right of setoff described in this Section shall not apply to any (i) payroll, healthcare and other employee wage and benefit accounts, (ii) tax accounts, including, without limitation, any sales tax accounts, (iii) escrow, defeasance and redemption accounts, or (iv) any fiduciary or trust accounts established for the benefit of third parties.

(b)    If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations (other than pursuant to Sections 4.10, 4.11, 10.3 or 10.4(d)) greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, 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 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 (A) 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 (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of, or sale of, a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant.

 

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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 setoff 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.

SECTION 4.7    Administrative Agents Clawback.

(a)    Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender (i) in the case of Base Rate Loans, not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of any proposed borrowing and (ii) otherwise, prior to the proposed date of any borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.3(b) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the daily average Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

(b)    Payments by the Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(c)    Nature of Obligations of Lenders. The obligations of the Lenders under this Agreement to make the Loans and to make payments under this Section, Section 4.11(e), Section 9.12 or Section 10.4(e), as applicable, are several and are not joint or joint and several. The failure of any Lender to make available its Commitment Percentage of any Loan requested by the Borrower shall not relieve it or any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make its Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing date.

 

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SECTION 4.8    Changed Circumstances.

(a)    Circumstances Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability. Subject to clause (c) below, in connection with any request for a LIBOR Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof or otherwise, if for any reason (i) the Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Loan, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that reasonable and adequate means do not exist for the ascertaining the LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or (iii) the Required Lenders shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the LIBOR Rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining such Loans during such Interest Period, then the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Borrower. Thereafter, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that such circumstances no longer exist, the obligation of the Lenders to make LIBOR Rate Loans and the right of the Borrower to convert any Loan to or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be suspended, and the Borrower shall either (A) repay in full (or cause to be repaid in full) the then outstanding principal amount of each such LIBOR Rate Loan together with accrued interest thereon (subject to Section 10.15), on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan; or (B) convert the then outstanding principal amount of each such LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan as of the last day of such Interest Period.

(b)    Laws Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability. If, after the date hereof, the introduction of, or any change in, any Applicable Law or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, shall make it unlawful or impossible for any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) to honor its obligations hereunder to make or maintain any LIBOR Rate Loan, such Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice to the Borrower and the other Lenders. Thereafter, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that such circumstances no longer exist, (i) the obligations of the Lenders to make LIBOR Rate Loans, and the right of the Borrower to convert any Loan to a LIBOR Rate Loan or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be suspended and thereafter the Borrower may select only Base Rate Loans and (ii) if any of the Lenders may not lawfully continue to maintain a LIBOR Rate Loan to the end of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto, the applicable Loan shall immediately be converted to a Base Rate Loan for the remainder of such Interest Period.

(c)    Benchmark Replacement Setting.

(i)    (A) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document (and any Hedge Agreement shall be deemed not to be a “Loan Document” for purposes of this Section 4.8(c)) if a Benchmark Transition Event, an Early Opt-in Election or an Other Benchmark Rate Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (a)(1) or (a)(2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (a)(3) or clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such

 

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Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.

(B)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Term SOFR Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then the applicable Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder or under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings, without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that this clause (B) shall not be effective unless the Administrative Agent has delivered to the Lenders and the Borrower a Term SOFR Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to deliver a Term SOFR Notice after a Term SOFR Transition Event and may elect or not elect to do so in its sole discretion.

(ii)    Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(iii)    Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (A) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, a Term SOFR Transition Event, an Early Opt-in Election or an Other Benchmark Rate Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date, (B) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (C) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (D) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 4.8(c)(iv) below and (E) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 4.8(c), including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their reasonable discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 4.8(c).

(iv)    Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (A) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including Term SOFR or USD LIBOR) and either (1) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (2) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for any Benchmark

 

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settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (B) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (A) above either (1) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (2) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

(v)    Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Base Rate.

(vi)    London Interbank Offered Rate Benchmark Transition Event. On March 5, 2021, the IBA, the administrator of the London interbank offered rate, and the FCA, the regulatory supervisor of the IBA, made the Announcements that the final publication or representativeness date for Dollars for (I) 1-week and 2-month London interbank offered rate tenor settings will be December 31, 2021 and (II) overnight, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month London interbank offered rate tenor settings will be June 30, 2023. No successor administrator for the IBA was identified in such Announcements. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that the Announcements resulted in the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event with respect to the London interbank offered rate pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and that any obligation of the Administrative Agent to notify any parties of such Benchmark Transition Event pursuant to clause (iii) of this Section 4.8(c) shall be deemed satisfied.

SECTION 4.9    [Reserved.]

SECTION 4.10    Increased Costs.

(a)    Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(i)    impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or advances, loans or other credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the LIBOR Rate);

(ii)    subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(iii)    impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Rate Loans made by such Lender or 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 reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon written request of such Lender or other Recipient, the Borrower shall promptly pay to any such Lender or other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b)    Capital Requirements. If any Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitment of such Lender or the Loans made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time upon written request of such Lender the Borrower shall promptly pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c)    Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or such other Recipient setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such other Recipient or any of their respective holding companies, 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 such other Recipient, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

(d)    Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or such other Recipient to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such other Recipient’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Lender or any other Recipient pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six (6) months prior to the date that such Lender or such other Recipient, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions, and of such Lender’s or such other Recipient’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

(e)    Survival. All of the obligations of the Borrower under this Section 4.10 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

SECTION 4.11    Taxes.

(a)    Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 4.11, the term “Applicable Law” includes FATCA.

(b)    Payments Free of Taxes. 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

 

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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)    Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. 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)    Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify each Recipient, within ten (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 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 Recipient (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Recipient, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(e)    Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (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 Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.6(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 setoff 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 paragraph (e).

(f)    Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 4.11, 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)    Status of Lenders.

(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

 

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Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 4.11(g)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii)    Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(A)    any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from United States federal backup withholding tax;

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

(1)    in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, United States federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, United States federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2)    executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3)    in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E; or

(4)    to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-2 or Exhibit H-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 H-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

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(C)    any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D)    if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to United States 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 Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

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.

(h)    Treatment of Certain Refunds. 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 4.11 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 4.11), 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 paragraph (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 paragraph (h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (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 paragraph 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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(i)    Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 4.11 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

SECTION 4.12    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a)    Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 4.10, or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 4.11, then such Lender shall, at the request of the Borrower, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.11, 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 reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b)    Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 4.10, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 4.11, and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different Lending Office in accordance with Section 4.12(a), or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.6), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.11) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that:

(i)    the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 10.6;

(ii)    such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 10.4(d)) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

(iii)    in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 4.10 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 4.11, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

(iv)    such assignment does not conflict with Applicable Law; and

(v)    in the case of any assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

 

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A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

Each party hereto agrees that (x) an assignment required pursuant to this Section 4.12 may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and (y) the Lender required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to and be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Lender or the Administrative Agent, provided, further that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.

(c)    Selection of Lending Office. Subject to Section 4.12(a), each Lender may make any Loan to the Borrower through any Lending Office, provided that the exercise of this option shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower to repay the Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise alter the rights of the parties hereto.

SECTION 4.13    Incremental Term Loans.

(a)    The Borrower shall have the right at any time after the Closing Date to request that additional term loans be made hereunder (each such tranche of additional term loans, an “Incremental Term Loan”) in accordance with the following provisions and subject to the following conditions:

(i)    The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent, which shall promptly deliver a copy thereof to each of the Lenders, at least twenty (20) Business Days’ prior written notice (a “Notice of Incremental Term Loan”) of any such requested Incremental Term Loan specifying the aggregate amount of such Incremental Term Loan (the “Requested Incremental Term Loan Amount”), which shall be at least $10,000,000, the requested date of such Incremental Term Loan (the “Requested Incremental Term Loan Date”) and the date by which the Lenders wishing to participate in such Incremental Term Loan must commit to provide a portion of such Incremental Term Loan (the “Commitment Date”). Each Lender that is willing in its sole discretion to participate in such requested Incremental Term Loan (each an “Incremental Term Loan Lender”) shall give written notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Commitment Date of the amount of such Incremental Term Loan it is willing to provide.

(ii)    Promptly following each Commitment Date, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower as to the amount, if any, by which the Lenders are willing to provide in respect of the requested Incremental Term Loan. In addition, the Borrower may extend offers to one or more Eligible Assignees, each of which must be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to participate in any portion of the requested Incremental Term Loan; provided, however, that the amount of such Incremental Term Loan provided by each such Eligible Assignee shall be in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Any such Eligible Assignee that agrees to provide all or a portion of an Incremental Term Loan pursuant hereto is herein called an “Additional Lender”.

(iii)    Effective on the Requested Incremental Term Loan Date, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, (x) the commitment of each Incremental Term Loan Lender and Additional Lender in respect of the applicable Incremental Term Loan shall be an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (but in no event greater than the amount of such Incremental Term Loan which such Lender is willing to provide), (y) each Additional Lender shall

 

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enter into an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent pursuant to which it shall undertake, as of such Requested Incremental Term Loan Date, a commitment in respect of the applicable Incremental Term Loan in an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (but in no event greater than the amount of such Incremental Term Loan which such Lender is willing to provide), and such Additional Lender shall thereupon be deemed to be a Lender for all purposes of this Agreement and (z) each Incremental Term Loan Lender and each Additional Lender referenced in the immediately foregoing clauses (x) and (y) shall advance to the Borrower on the Requested Incremental Term Loan Date a term loan in an amount equal to its commitment in respect of the applicable Incremental Term Loan as described above, and each such term loan shall be a Loan for all purposes under this Agreement. Each Additional Lender may request a Term Loan Note in accordance with Section 4.5.

(iv)    The Incremental Term Loans (A) shall rank pari passu in right of payment with the Initial Term Loan made on the Closing Date, (B) shall not mature earlier than the Maturity Date (but may have amortization prior to such date) and (C) shall be treated substantially the same as (and in any event no more favorably than) the Initial Term Loan made on the Closing Date; provided that (1) the terms and conditions applicable to any tranche of Incremental Term Loans maturing after the Maturity Date may provide for material additional or different financial or other covenants or prepayment requirements applicable only during periods after the Maturity Date and (2) the Incremental Term Loans may be priced differently than the Initial Term Loan made on the Closing Date. Incremental Term Loans may be made hereunder pursuant to an amendment or restatement (an “Incremental Term Loan Amendment”) of this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Borrower, each Incremental Term Loan Lender participating in such tranche of Incremental Term Loans, each Additional Lender participating in such tranche of Incremental Term Loans, if any, and the Administrative Agent. The Incremental Term Loan Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 4.13.

(v)    The Borrower may not exercise its rights under this Section 4.13 more than once in each successive annual period commencing on the Closing Date.

(b)    Anything in this Section 4.13 to the contrary notwithstanding, no Incremental Term Loan hereunder pursuant to this Section shall be effective unless:

(i)    as of the date of the relevant Notice of Incremental Term Loan and on the relevant Requested Incremental Term Loan Date and after giving effect thereto, (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (y) the representations and warranties of the Borrower in Article VI (subject to updating in the case of Section 6.14) shall be true and correct in all material respects as if made on and as of such date (unless expressly stated to relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);

(ii)    the Administrative Agent shall have received on or before the relevant Requested Incremental Term Loan Date: (A) certified copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower approving the Incremental Term Loan and (B) an opinion of counsel for the Borrower reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(iii)    on and as of the date of the relevant Notice of Incremental Term Loan and on the relevant Requested Incremental Term Loan Date and after giving effect thereto, the Moody’s Rating and the S&P Rating shall be at least equal to Baa3 and BBB- respectively; and

 

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(iv)    after giving effect to any such Incremental Term Loan the aggregate amount of Incremental Term Loans made from and after the Closing Date during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $50,000,000.

SECTION 4.14    [Reserved.]

SECTION 4.15    Defaulting Lenders.

(a)    Defaulting Lender Adjustments. 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)    Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders” and Section 10.1.

(ii)    Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.4 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, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan or funded participation 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; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans and funded participations under this Agreement; fourth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and sixth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (1) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (2) such Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments. 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 pursuant to this Section 4.15(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(b)    Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower and the Administrative Agent 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, such 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 to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments, whereupon such Lender

 

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will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Non-Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

ARTICLE V

CONDITIONS OF LENDING

SECTION 5.1    Conditions Precedent of Initial Extension of Credit. This Agreement and the obligation of each Lender to make Loans on the occasion of the initial borrowing shall not become effective until the date on which the Administrative Agent shall have received executed counterparts of this Agreement by each of the parties hereto and each of the following, each (unless otherwise specified below) dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (except for the items in clauses (a), (b) and (c)) in sufficient copies for each Lender:

(a)    Certified copies of (i) the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Borrower, (ii) the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower authorizing the making and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and (iii) documents evidencing all other necessary corporate action and governmental approvals, if any, with respect to this Agreement.

(b)    A certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of the Borrower authorized to sign this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered hereunder.

(c)    A certificate from the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware dated a date reasonably close to the Closing Date as to the good standing of and certificate of incorporation filed by the Borrower.

(d)    A favorable opinion of Moore & Van Allen, PLLC, special counsel to the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto.

(e)    A certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that (i) no Default or Event of Default as of the date thereof has occurred and is continuing, and (ii) the representations and warranties contained in Article VI are true and correct on and as of the date thereof as if made on and as of such date.

(f)    Notes, payable to the respective Lenders that have requested the same prior to the Closing Date, duly completed and executed.

(g)    (i) The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information regarding the Borrower requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering laws, including the PATRIOT Act, to the extent requested in writing of the Borrower at least 10 days prior to the Closing Date and (ii) to the extent the Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, at least five days prior to the Closing Date, any Lender that has requested, in a written notice to the Borrower at least 10 days prior to the Closing Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrower shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification (provided that, upon the execution and delivery by such Lender of its signature page to this Agreement, the condition set forth in this clause (ii) shall be deemed to be satisfied).

 

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(h)    Such other documents relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, including a Notice of Account Designation specifying the account or accounts to which the proceeds of any Loans made on or after the Closing Date are to be disbursed.

Furthermore, the Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Closing Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.3(c) and Section 9.4, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 5.1, the Administrative Agent and each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

SECTION 6.1    Organization; Power; Qualification. The Borrower and each of its Material Subsidiaries (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) is duly qualified and in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases property or in which the conduct of its business requires it to so qualify or be licensed and where, in each case, failure so to qualify and be in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) has all requisite power and authority to own or lease and operate its Property and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

SECTION 6.2    Authorization; Non-contravention; Compliance with Laws and Agreements. The making and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement are within the Borrower’s corporate powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not violate (i) any provision of the Borrower’s certificate of incorporation or by-laws, (ii) any agreement, indenture or other contractual restriction binding on the Borrower, (iii) any law, rule or regulation (including, without limitation, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder, and Regulations T, U or X), or (iv) any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award binding on the Borrower. The Borrower is not in violation of any such law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award or in breach of any contractual restriction binding upon it, except for such violation or breach which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 6.3    Governmental Approvals. No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority is required (other than those which have been obtained) for the making and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement or for the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability thereof.

 

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SECTION 6.4    Enforceability. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and except as the enforceability of this Agreement is subject to the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including, without limitation, (i) the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or any other equitable remedy and (ii) concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing.

SECTION 6.5    Financial Statements.

(a)    The consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2020, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for the fiscal year ended on such date, audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, copies of which have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, are complete and correct in all material respects and present fairly the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date, and the consolidated results of their operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for the fiscal year then ended.

(b)    All such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for the periods involved.

(c)    As of the date hereof, neither the Borrower nor any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries has any material Contingent Obligation or liability for taxes, long-term lease or unusual forward or long-term commitment which is not reflected herein or in the schedules and exhibits hereto or in the foregoing financial statements or in the notes thereto.

SECTION 6.6    Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2020, no Material Adverse Change has occurred.

SECTION 6.7    Litigation, Etc. Except as disclosed in Schedule 6.7, no litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any court or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened by or against the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries or against any of its or their respective Property or revenues (i) with respect to this Agreement or the Notes or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) which, in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 6.8    Margin Stock. The Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock, and no proceeds of any Extension of Credit will be used for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying Margin Stock, or for any purpose that violates or would be inconsistent with the provisions of Regulations T, U and X.

SECTION 6.9    Investment Company Act. The Borrower is not an “investment company”, or a Person “controlled by” an “investment company”, as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act.

SECTION 6.10    Accuracy of Disclosure. All information that has been made available by the Borrower or any of its representatives to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement was, on or as of the dates on which such information was made available, complete and correct in all material respects and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the time and circumstances under which such statements were made.

 

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SECTION 6.11    ERISA. A copy of the most recent Annual Report (5500 Series Form), including all attachments thereto, filed with the IRS for each Plan, has been provided to the Administrative Agent and fairly presents the funding status of each Plan as of the date of each such Annual Report. There has been no deterioration in any single Plan’s funding status, or, collectively, all of the Plan’s funding status since the date of such Annual Report that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower has provided the Administrative Agent with a list of all Plans and Multiemployer Plans and all available information with respect to direct, indirect, or potential withdrawal liability to any Multiemployer Plan of the Borrower or any member of a Controlled Group.

SECTION 6.12    Compliance with Laws. The Borrower and each of its Material Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, statutes, rules, regulations and orders binding on or applicable to the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary (including, without limitation, ERISA and all Environmental Laws) and all of their respective Property, subject to the possible implications of the litigation and proceedings described in Schedule 6.7 and except to the extent failure to so comply would not (either individually or in the aggregate) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 6.13    Tax Matters. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all tax returns which to the knowledge of the Borrower are required to be filed and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any assessments made against it or any of its Property and all other taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees or other charges or withholdings imposed on it or any of its Property by any Governmental Authority (other than those the amount or validity of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, or those the failure to pay which, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect); and (i) no material tax liens have been filed and (ii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, no claims are being asserted with respect to any such taxes, fees or other charges that, if assessed, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, other than as disclosed in Schedule 6.13.

SECTION 6.14    Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, Schedule 6.14 contains an accurate list of all of the presently existing Subsidiaries and Material Subsidiaries, setting forth their respective jurisdictions of incorporation and the percentage of their respective outstanding capital stock or other equity interests owned by the Borrower or other Subsidiaries and all of the issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of the Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

SECTION 6.15    Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Sanctions. The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers and employees with all laws, rules and regulations (federal, state and local), and the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and employees and to the knowledge of the Borrower its directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws, anti-money laundering laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects. None of (a) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or to the knowledge of the Borrower or such Subsidiary any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the Credit Facility, is a Sanctioned Person. No Extension of Credit, use of proceeds or other transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents will violate any Anti- Corruption Law, anti-money laundering laws or applicable Sanctions.

 

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SECTION 6.16    Beneficial Ownership. As of the Closing Date, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification provided on or prior to the Closing Date to any Lender in connection with this Agreement is true and correct in all respects.

SECTION 6.17    Affected Financial Institution. The Borrower is not an Affected Financial Institution.

SECTION 6.18    Covered Entity. The Borrower is not a Covered Entity.

ARTICLE VII

COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER

So long as any Commitment shall remain in effect and until payment in full of all amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing:

SECTION 7.1    Financial Statements. The Borrower will furnish to each Lender:

(a)    as soon as available, but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, copies of the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such year and of the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, certified without qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing;

(b)    as soon as available, but in any event not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year of the Borrower, copies of the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and of the related unaudited consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such quarterly period and the portion of the fiscal year through such date, setting forth in each case in comparative form figures for the previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments);

(c)    concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, a Compliance Certificate;

(d)    promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements and annual and quarterly reports which the Borrower files with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and

(e)    (x) such other information relating to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request and (y) information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer”, Anti-Corruption Laws and anti-money laundering laws, including the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 7.1 shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which such documents are filed for public availability on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval System; provided that the Borrower will provide electronic versions or paper copies thereof to the Administrative Agent upon request.

 

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All such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material respects and shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein (except as approved by such accountants or officer, as the case may be, and disclosed therein).

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, means that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.10); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”

SECTION 7.2    Use of Proceeds. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, use the proceeds of any Extension of Credit solely for its general corporate purposes; provided that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any responsibility as to the use of any such proceeds. The Borrower will not request any Loan, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries shall not use, the proceeds of any Loan (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or anti-money laundering laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

SECTION 7.3    Certain Notices.

(a)    The Borrower will give notice in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of (i) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default and (ii) any change in the rating of the long-term senior unsecured non-credit-enhanced debt obligations of the Borrower by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, each such notice to be given promptly and in any event within five (5) days after occurrence thereof.

(b)    Promptly after the Borrower, any member of a Controlled Group or any administrator of a Plan:

(i)    receives the notification referred to in clauses (i), (iv) or (vii) of Section 8.1(h);

(ii)    has knowledge of (A) the occurrence of a Reportable Event with respect to a Plan; (B) any event which has occurred or any action which has been taken to amend or terminate a Plan as referred to in clauses (ii) and (vi) of Section 8.1(h); (C) any event which has occurred or any action which has been taken which could result in complete withdrawal, partial withdrawal, or secondary liability for withdrawal liability payments with respect to a Multiemployer Plan as referred to in clause (vii) of Section 8.1(h); or (D) any action which has been taken in furtherance of, any agreement which has been entered into for, or any petition which has been filed with a United States district court for, the appointment of a trustee for a Plan as referred to in clause (iii) of Section 8.1(h), or

 

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(iii)    files a notice of intent to terminate a Plan with the IRS or the PBGC; or files with the IRS a request pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code for a variance from the minimum funding standard for a Plan; or files a return with the IRS with respect to the tax imposed under Section 4971(a) of the Code for failure to meet the minimum funding standards established under Section 412 of the Code for a Plan,

the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent a copy of any notice received, request or petition filed and agreement entered into; the most recent Annual Report (Form 5500 Series) and attachments thereto for the Plan; the most recent actuarial report for the Plan; any notice, return or materials required to be filed with the IRS in connection with the event, action or filing; and a written statement of a Responsible Officer describing the event or the action taken and the reasons therefor.

SECTION 7.4    Conduct of Business. The Borrower will, and will cause each Material Subsidiary to, do all things necessary (if applicable) to remain duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing as a domestic corporation in its jurisdiction of incorporation and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted except where such failure to remain in good standing or to maintain such authority would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will continue to engage in its business substantially as conducted on the Closing Date, and, except where such failure would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, will cause its Subsidiaries to continue to engage in their business substantially as conducted on the Closing Date.

SECTION 7.5    Taxes. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, pay when due all taxes, duties, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees and governmental charges, withholdings 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 and except where such failure would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 7.6    Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each Material Subsidiary to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on all or substantially all of its Property, in such amounts and covering such risks as is consistent with sound business practice for Persons in substantially the same industry as the Borrower or such Subsidiary, and the Borrower will furnish to any Lender upon request full information as to the insurance carried.

SECTION 7.7    Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations, orders, writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees or awards to which it may be subject (including ERISA and applicable Environmental Laws), except where the failure to so comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers and employees and agents with all laws, rules and regulations (federal, state and local).

SECTION 7.8    Maintenance of Properties. The Borrower will, and will cause each Material Subsidiary to, do all things necessary to maintain, preserve, protect and keep its Property in good repair, working order and condition, 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, except where the failure to so maintain, preserve, protect and repair would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 7.9    Inspection. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, permit the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (coordinated through the Administrative Agent), at their sole cost and expense (except that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower will indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders against such cost and expense), to inspect any of the Property, corporate books and financial records of the Borrower and such Subsidiary, to examine and make copies of the books of account and other financial records of the Borrower and each Subsidiary, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower and each Subsidiary with, and to be advised as to the same by, their respective officers upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times during the Borrower’s normal business hours and intervals as the Lenders may designate.

SECTION 7.10    Merger. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Material Subsidiary to, merge or consolidate with or into any other Person, except that (a) a Material Subsidiary may merge into the Borrower or another Material Subsidiary and (b) the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with any other Person, provided that (1) in the case of such a merger or consolidation involving the Borrower, the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation and (2) in the case of such a merger or consolidation involving a Material Subsidiary, a Material Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, provided further that nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit a merger or consolidation by a Subsidiary with or into another Person (other than the Borrower) in connection with an exchange or restructuring of bottling territories permitted under Section 7.13(g), and provided further that in each case, prior to and after giving effect to any such merger or consolidation, no Default or Event of Default shall exist.

SECTION 7.11    Preservation of Material Agreements. Except in connection with dispositions of assets or other transactions permitted by this Agreement, the Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all material agreements necessary for the conduct of the Borrower’s business, except where such failure to so use such commercially reasonable efforts would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 7.12    Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, or suffer to exist any Lien in or on the Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

(a)    the existing Liens listed in Schedule 7.12 hereto and other Liens existing on the Closing Date securing an obligation in an amount, in the case of each such obligation, of less than $5,000,000 (and extension, renewal and replacement Liens upon the same Property previously subject to such an existing Lien, provided the amount secured by each Lien constituting such an extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall not exceed the amount secured by the Lien previously existing);

(b)    Liens arising from taxes, assessments, or claims described in Section 7.14 hereof that are not yet due or that remain payable without penalty or to the extent permitted to remain unpaid under the proviso to such Section 7.14;

(c)    deposits or pledges to secure worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old age benefits or other social security obligations, or in connection with or to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts or leases, or to secure statutory obligations, or stay, surety or appeal bonds, or other pledges or deposits of like nature and all in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(d)    Liens on Property securing all or part of the purchase price thereof (including without limitation Liens in respect of leases of personal or real Property) and Liens (whether or not assumed) existing in Property at the time of purchase thereof by the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be (and extension, renewal and replacement Liens upon the same property previously subject to a Lien described in this clause (d), provided the amount secured by each Lien constituting such extension, renewal or replacement shall not exceed the amount secured by the Lien previously existing), provided that each such Lien is confined solely to the Property so purchased, improvements thereto and proceeds thereof;

(e)    Liens resulting from progress payments or partial payments under United States Government contracts or subcontracts thereunder;

(f)    Liens arising from legal proceedings, so long as such proceedings are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and execution is stayed on all judgments resulting from any such proceedings;

(g)    zoning restrictions, easements, minor restrictions on the use of real property, minor irregularities in title thereto and other minor Liens that do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of a Property to, or materially impair its use in the business of, the Borrower or such Subsidiary; and

(h)    other Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate amount, as to all Indebtedness secured by Liens under this clause (h), not exceeding, when aggregated with the aggregate amount of Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.15(ii), $150,000,000 at any time outstanding.

SECTION 7.13    Asset Dispositions. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, convey, assign, abandon or otherwise transfer or dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily (any of the foregoing being referred to in this Section 7.13 as a “transaction” and any series of related transactions constituting but a single transaction), any of its Property, tangible or intangible, except:

(a)    transactions (including sales of trucks, vending machines and other equipment) in the ordinary course of business;

(b)    transactions between Consolidated Subsidiaries or between the Borrower and Consolidated Subsidiaries;

(c)    any sale of real property not used in the current operations of the Borrower, provided that the aggregate proceeds of sales pursuant to this clause (c) shall not exceed $150,000,000 in any fiscal year of the Borrower;

(d)    other sales, conveyances, assignments or other transfers or dispositions in immediate exchange for cash or tangible assets, subject to prior approval in each case by the Required Lenders;

(e)    other sales, conveyances, assignments or other transfers or dispositions during any fiscal year of the Borrower of assets with a book value that do not exceed an aggregate of fifteen percent (15.0%) of the book value of Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower (determined at the time of making such sale, conveyance, assignment or other transfer or disposition by reference to the Borrower’s financial statements most recently delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b));

(f)    the sale for cash of any and all accounts receivable in a face amount not to exceed an aggregate of ten percent (10.0%) of the book value of Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower (determined at the time of making such sale by reference to the Borrower’s financial statements most recently delivered pursuant to Section 7.1(a) or (b));

 

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(g)    dispositions of Persons, assets, franchises and businesses after the Closing Date in connection with an exchange or restructuring of bottling territories; provided that on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such restructuring of, or to any such disposition and the related acquisition of bottling territories by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, the Borrower remains in compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 7.16 and 7.17; and

(h)    transfers or dispositions for cash, other than as provided by clauses (a) through (g) above, if on the date of the consummation thereof, the Borrower permanently reduces the revolving credit commitment amount under the Revolving Credit Agreement in an amount equal to the cash proceeds of such transfers or dispositions less the amount of transaction costs and income taxes incurred by the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with such transfer or disposition; provided, that the foregoing limitations and restrictions shall not apply if the proceeds of any such transfer or disposition are used to repay the outstanding principal amount of all Term Loans.

SECTION 7.14    Payment of Claims. The Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, pay or discharge any of the following described claims and liabilities which are material to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries when taken as a whole:

(a)    on or prior to the date when due, all lawful claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and other like Persons which, if unpaid, might result in the creation of a Lien upon any such Property; and

(b)    on or prior to the date when due, all other lawful claims which, if unpaid, might result in the creation of a Lien upon any such Property (other than Liens not forbidden by Section 7.12 hereof) or which, if unpaid, might give rise to a claim entitled to priority over general creditors of the Borrower or such Subsidiary in a case under the Bankruptcy Code or in any insolvency proceeding or dissolution or winding-up involving the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

provided that unless and until foreclosure, distraint, levy, sale or similar proceedings shall have been commenced, the Borrower or such Subsidiary need not pay or discharge any such claim or current liability so long as the validity thereof is contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and so long as such reserves or other appropriate provisions as may be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor and so long as such failure to pay or discharge would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 7.15    Subsidiary Debt. Except as disclosed in Schedule 7.15, the Borrower will not permit any Subsidiary to incur or permit to exist any Indebtedness except (i) Indebtedness to the Borrower or another Subsidiary and (ii) other Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not exceeding, when aggregated with the aggregate amount of Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by Section 7.12(h), $150,000,000 at any time outstanding.

SECTION 7.16    Consolidated Cash Flow/Fixed Charges Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Cash Flow/Fixed Charges Ratio, as determined quarterly as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower (and treating such fiscal quarter as having been completed), to be less than 1.50 to 1.0.

SECTION 7.17    Consolidated Funded Indebtedness/Cash Flow Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Funded Indebtedness/Cash Flow Ratio, as determined quarterly as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower (and treating such fiscal quarter as having been completed), to exceed 6.00 to 1.0.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

DEFAULT

SECTION 8.1    Events of Default. If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur and be continuing:

(a)    The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when the same becomes due and payable; or the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any other amount payable hereunder when due and such failure remains unremedied for three (3) Business Days; or

(b)    Any representation or warranty made by the Borrower herein or by the Borrower (or any of its officers) in any certificate delivered in connection with this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

(c)    (i) The Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 7.2, 7.3(a), 7.10, 7.16 or 7.17, (ii) the Borrower shall fail to perform or observe the covenant contained in Section 7.1 and such failure remains unremedied for five (5) Business Days or (iii) Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement on its part to be performed or observed, and such failure, in the case of this clause (iii), remains unremedied for thirty (30) days after notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent; or

(d)    The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay any principal of or interest on any other Indebtedness which is outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of at least $100,000,000, or its equivalent in other currencies (in this clause (d) called “Material Indebtedness”), in the aggregate when the same becomes due and payable (whether at scheduled maturity, by required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise); or any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to any Material Indebtedness and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Material Indebtedness, or to require the same to be prepaid or defeased (other than by a regularly required payment); or

(e)    The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its Property and such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this subsection (e); or

(f)    (i) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief or composition with respect to it or its debts under any such law, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its Property, or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall make a general

 

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assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above which (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of ninety (90) days; or (iii) there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its Property which results in the entry of an order for any such relief which shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within sixty (60) days from the entry thereof; or (iv) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or

(g)    A Change in Control shall occur; or

(h)    The Required Lenders shall determine in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive) that the potential liabilities associated with the events set forth in clauses (i) through (vii) below, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

(i)    The PBGC notifies a Plan pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA by service of a complaint, threat of filing a law suit or otherwise of its determination that an event described in Section 4042(a) of ERISA has occurred, a Plan should be terminated or a trustee should be appointed for a Plan; or

(ii)    Any action is taken to terminate a Plan pursuant to its provisions or the plan administrator files with the PBGC a notice of intent to terminate a Plan in accordance with Section 4041 of ERISA; or

(iii)    Any action is taken by a plan administrator to have a trustee appointed for a Plan pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA; or

(iv)    A return is filed with the IRS, or a Plan is notified by the Secretary of the Treasury that a notice of deficiency under Section 6212 of the Code has been mailed, with respect to the tax imposed under Section 4971(a) of the Code for failure to meet the minimum funding standards established under Section 412 of the Code; or

(v)    A Reportable Event occurs with respect to a Plan; or

(vi)    Any action is taken to amend a Plan to become an employee benefit plan described in Section 4021(b)(1) of ERISA, causing a Plan termination under Section 4041(e) of ERISA; or

(vii)    The Borrower or any member of a Controlled Group receives a notice of liability or demand for payment on account of complete withdrawal under Section 4203 of ERISA, partial withdrawal under Section 4205 of ERISA or on account of becoming secondarily liable for withdrawal liability payments under Section 4204 of ERISA (sale of assets); or

(i)    The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail within thirty (30) days to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any judgment or order for the payment of money, either singly or in the aggregate, in excess of $100,000,000, which is not stayed on appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith;

then, and in any such event, the Administrative Agent (i) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the obligation of each Lender to make Loans to

 

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be terminated, whereupon the same shall forthwith terminate, and (ii) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Loans, all interest thereon and all other amounts payable under this Agreement to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the Loans, all such interest and all such other amounts shall become and be forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; provided, however, that in the event of an Event of Default with respect to the Borrower of the kind referred to in Section 8.1(e) or (f) above (A) the obligation of each Lender to make Loans shall automatically be terminated and (B) the Loans, all such interest and all such other amounts shall automatically become and be due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

SECTION 8.2    [Reserved.]

SECTION 8.3    Exercise of Rights and Remedies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Borrower shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.1 for the benefit of all the Lenders; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 4.6 (subject to the terms of Section 4.6), or (c) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.1 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b) and (c) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 4.6, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

SECTION 8.4    Crediting of Payments and Proceeds. In the event that the Obligations have been accelerated pursuant to Section 8.1 or the Administrative Agent or any Lender has exercised any remedy set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, all payments received on account of the Obligations and all net proceeds from the enforcement of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Section 4.15, be applied by the Administrative Agent as follows:

First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts, including attorney fees, payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders under the Loan Documents, including attorney fees, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans ratably among the holders of such obligations in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth payable to them; and

 

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Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Applicable Law.

ARTICLE IX

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

SECTION 9.1    Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints, designates and authorizes Wells Fargo to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except as provided in Section 9.6, the provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the Lenders and their respective Related Parties, and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof shall have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any Applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

SECTION 9.2    Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, capital markets or other business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders or to provide notice to or consent of the Lenders with respect thereto.

SECTION 9.3    Exculpatory Provisions.

(a)    The Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Related Parties shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder and thereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Related Parties:

(i)    shall not be subject to any agency, trust, fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(ii)    shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or Applicable Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law;

 

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(iii)    shall not, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose to any Lender or any other Person, any credit or other information relating concerning the business, prospects, operations, properties, assets, financial or other condition or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates that is communicated to, obtained by or otherwise in the possession of the Person serving as the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers or their respective Related Parties in any capacity, except for notices, reports and other documents that are required to be furnished by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders pursuant to the express provisions of this Agreement; and

(iv)    shall not be required to account to any Lender for any sum or profit received by the Administrative Agent for its own account.

(b)    The Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Related Parties shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.1 and Section 8.1) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final non-appealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default and indicating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender.

(c)    The Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and their respective Related Parties shall not be responsible for or have any duty or obligations to any Lender or Participant or any other Person to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article V or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 9.4    Reliance by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, shall be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, communication, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person, including any certification pursuant to Section 9.9. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts. Each Lender that has signed this Agreement or a signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it is to become a Lender hereunder shall be deemed to have consented to, approved and accepted and shall deemed satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to, approved or accepted by such Lender or that is to be acceptable or satisfactory to such Lender.

 

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SECTION 9.5    Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facility as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

SECTION 9.6    Resignation of Administrative Agent.

(a)    The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower (unless a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in which case the Borrower shall have no consent right), to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank or financial institution reasonably experienced in serving as administrative agent on syndicated bank facilities with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank or financial institution with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

(b)    If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person, remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

(c)    With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable), (i) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (ii) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Administrative Agent (other than any rights to

 

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indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.4 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent or relating to its duties as Administrative Agent that are carried out following its retirement or removal, including, without limitation, in respect of any actions taken in connection with the transfer of agency to a replacement or successor Administrative Agent.

SECTION 9.7    Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly acknowledges that none of the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any of their respective Related Parties has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act taken or failure to act by the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any of their respective Related Parties, including any consent to, and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall be deemed to constitute a representation or warranty of the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any of their respective Related Parties to any Lender as to any matter, including whether the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any of their respective Related Parties have disclosed material information in their (or their respective Related Parties’) possession.    Each Lender expressly acknowledges, represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Arranger that (a) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (b) it is engaged in making, acquiring, purchasing or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party as a Lender for the purpose of making, acquiring, purchasing and/or holding the commercial loans set forth herein as may be applicable to it, and not for the purpose of making, acquiring, purchasing or holding any other type of financial instrument, (c) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire, purchase or hold the commercial loans applicable to it and either it or the Person exercising discretion in making its decisions to make, acquire, purchase or hold such commercial loans is experienced in making, acquiring, purchasing or holding commercial loans, (d) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and appraisal of, and investigations into, the business, prospects, operations, property, assets, liabilities, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all applicable bank or other regulatory Applicable Laws relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (e) it has made its own independent decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and to extend credit hereunder and thereunder. Each Lender also acknowledges that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any other Lender or any of their respective Related Parties (A) continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate and its own independent investigations and (B) continue to make such investigations and inquiries as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (ii) it will not assert any claim in contravention of this Section 9.7.

SECTION 9.8    No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the syndication agents, documentation agents, co-agents, arrangers or bookrunners listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder, but each such Person shall have the benefit of the indemnities and exculpatory provisions hereof.

 

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SECTION 9.9    Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a)    to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans 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 and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 4.3 and 10.4) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b)    to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 4.3 and 10.4.

SECTION 9.10    Certain ERISA Matters.

(a)    Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i)    such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans or the Commitments or this Agreement;

(ii)    the prohibited transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable so as to exempt from the prohibitions of Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement;

 

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(iii)    (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement; or

(iv)    such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender, and communicated to the Borrower in a timely manner.

(b)    In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent, each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that none of the Administrative Agent, any Arranger and their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

SECTION 9.11    Erroneous Payments.

(a)    Each Lender and any other party hereto hereby severally agrees that if (i) the Administrative Agent notifies (which such notice shall be conclusive absent manifest error) such Lender or any other Person that has received funds from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates, either for its own account or on behalf of a Lender (each such recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Payment Recipient were erroneously transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Payment Recipient) or (ii) any Payment Recipient receives any payment from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, as applicable, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, as applicable, or (z) that such Payment Recipient otherwise becomes aware was transmitted or received in error or by mistake (in whole or in part) then, in each case, an error in payment shall be presumed to have been made (any such amounts specified in clauses (i) or (ii) of this Section 9.11(a), whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise; individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”), then, in each case, such Payment Recipient is deemed to have knowledge of such error at the time of its receipt of such Erroneous Payment; provided that nothing in this Section shall require the Administrative Agent to provide any of the notices specified in clauses (i) or (ii) above. Each Payment Recipient agrees that it shall not assert any right or claim to any Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payments, including without limitation waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.

 

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(b)    Without limiting the immediately preceding clause (a), each Payment Recipient agrees that, in the case of clause (a)(ii) above, it shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent in writing of such occurrence.

(c)    In the case of either clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above, such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Administrative Agent and shall be segregated by the Payment Recipient and held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and upon demand from the Administrative Agent such Payment Recipient shall (or, shall cause any Person who received any portion of an Erroneous Payment on its behalf to), promptly, but in all events no later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds and in the currency so received, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.

(d)    In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Administrative Agent for any reason, after demand therefor by the Administrative Agent in accordance with immediately preceding clause (c), from any Lender that is a Payment Recipient or an Affiliate of a Payment Recipient (such unrecovered amount as to such Lender, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), then at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and upon the Administrative Agent’s written notice to such Lender (i) such Lender shall be deemed to have made a cashless assignment of the full face amount of the portion of its Loans (but not its Commitments) to the Administrative Agent or, at the option of the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent’s applicable lending affiliate in an amount that is equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Loans (but not Commitments), the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such assigned amount, without further consent or approval of any party hereto and without any payment by the Administrative Agent or its applicable lending affiliate as the assignee of such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. Without limitation of its rights hereunder, the Administrative Agent may cancel any Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment at any time by written notice to the applicable assigning Lender and upon such revocation all of the Loans assigned pursuant to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment shall be reassigned to such Lender without any requirement for payment or other consideration. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (1) any assignment contemplated in this clause (d) shall be made without any requirement for any payment or other consideration paid by the applicable assignee or received by the assignor, (2) the provisions of this clause (d) shall govern in the event of any conflict with the terms and conditions of Section 10.6 and (3) the Administrative Agent may reflect such assignments in the Register without further consent or action by any other Person.

(e)    Each party hereto hereby agrees that (x) in the event an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent (1) shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Payment Recipient with respect to such amount and (2) is authorized to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Payment Recipient under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Payment Recipient from any source, against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this Section 9.11 or under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement, (y) the receipt of an Erroneous Payment by a Payment Recipient shall not for the purpose of this Agreement be treated as a payment, prepayment, repayment, discharge or other satisfaction of any Obligations owed

 

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by the Borrower, except, in each case, to the extent such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower for the purpose of making a payment on the Obligations and (z) to the extent that an Erroneous Payment was in any way or at any time credited as payment or satisfaction of any of the Obligations, the Obligations or any part thereof that were so credited, and all rights of the Payment Recipient, as the case may be, shall be reinstated and continue in full force and effect as if such payment or satisfaction had never been received.

(f)    Each party’s obligations under this Section 9.11 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of right or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.

(g)    Nothing in this Section 9.11 will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from any Payment Recipient’s receipt of an Erroneous Payment.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 10.1    Amendments, Etc. Except as set forth below or as specifically provided in any Loan Document (including Section 4.8(c)), any term, covenant, agreement or condition of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents may be amended or waived by the Lenders, and any consent given by the Lenders, if, but only if, such amendment, waiver or consent is in writing and approved by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and delivered to the Administrative Agent and, in the case of an amendment, signed by the Borrower; provided, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(a)    increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.1) or increase the amount of Loans of any Lender, in any case, without the written consent of such Lender;

(b)    waive, extend or postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

(c)    reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan, or (subject to clauses (ii) and (iv) of the proviso set forth in the paragraph below) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby; provided that (i) only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the rate set forth in Section 4.1(b) during the continuance of an Event of Default and (ii) only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;

(d)    change Section 4.6 or Section 8.4 (or amend any other term of the Loan Documents that would have the effect of changing Section 4.6 or Section 8.4) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or order of application required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

 

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(e)    change any provision of this Section or reduce the percentages specified in the definitions of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;

(f)    consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of the Borrower’s rights and obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party, in each case, without the written consent of each Lender;

provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or modify Section 10.1(e), Section 10.13 or Article IX hereof, (ii) each Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto, (iii) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend any provision of the Loan Documents (and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document) if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error, ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or omission of a technical or immaterial nature in any such provision and (iv) the Administrative Agent (and, if applicable, the Borrower) may, without the consent of any Lender, enter into amendments or modifications to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to enter into additional Loan Documents in order to implement any Benchmark Replacement or any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes or otherwise effectuate the terms of Section 4.8(c) in accordance with the terms of Section 4.8(c). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (x) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that (A) the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender, and (B) any amendment, waiver, or consent hereunder which requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms disproportionately and adversely affects any such Defaulting Lender relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (y) this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (x) to add one or more credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (y) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders and Lenders.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent on its behalf, and without further consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent), to (x) amend and restate this Agreement and the other Loan Documents if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated, such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (y) enter into amendments or modifications to this Agreement (including amendments to this Section 10.1) 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 Section 4.13; provided that no amendment or modification shall result in any increase in the amount of any Lender’s Commitment or any increase in any Lender’s Commitment Percentage, in each case, without the written consent of such affected Lender.

 

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SECTION 10.2    Notices, Etc.

(a)    Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile as follows:

If to the Borrower:

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.

4100 Coca-Cola Plaza

Charlotte, NC 28211

Attention of: Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Telephone No.: (704) 557-4400

E-mail: ***@***

If to Wells Fargo, as Administrative Agent:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

MAC D1109-019

1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28262

Attention of: Syndication Agency Services

Telephone No.: (704) 590-2706

Facsimile No.: (844) 879-5899

E-mail: ***@***

With copies to:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

550 S Tryon Street, 7th floor

Charlotte, NC 28202

Attention of: Michael J. Stein

Telephone No.: 704 ###-###-####

E-mail: ***@***

If to any Lender:

To the address of such Lender set forth on the Register with respect to deliveries of notices and other documentation that may contain material non-public information.

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

 

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(b)    Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the 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. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (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, email or other communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.

(c)    Administrative Agent’s Office. The Administrative Agent hereby designates its office located at the address set forth above, or any subsequent office which shall have been specified for such purpose by written notice to the Borrower and Lenders, as the Administrative Agent’s Office referred to herein, to which payments due are to be made and at which Loans will be disbursed.

(d)    Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent may change its address or other contact information for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Any Lender may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(e)    Platform.

(i)    The Borrower and each Lender agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the Borrower Materials available to the other Lenders by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform.

(ii)    The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the Borrower Materials or the adequacy of the Platform, and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Borrower Materials. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Borrower Materials or the Platform. Although the Platform is secured pursuant to generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent and its Related Parties, each of the Lenders and the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that distribution of information through an electronic means is not necessarily secure in all respects, the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) are not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives, designees or contacts of any Lender that are provided access to the Platform and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such form of distribution. Each of the Borrower and each Lender party hereto understands and accepts such risks. In no event shall the Agent Parties have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person or entity for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise)

 

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arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of communications through the Internet (including the Platform), except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, losses or expenses (as opposed to actual damages, losses or expenses).

(f)    Private Side Designation. Each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and Applicable Law, including United States federal and state securities Applicable Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States federal or state securities Applicable Laws.

SECTION 10.3    No Waiver; Remedies. No failure on the part of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

SECTION 10.4    Costs, Expenses and Indemnification.

(a)    The Borrower agrees to pay and reimburse on demand (i) all reasonable costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and each Arranger in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification and amendment of this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered hereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel, but limited to the reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel for the Administrative Agent with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Administrative Agent as to its rights and responsibilities under this Agreement and (ii) all costs and expenses, if any (including the reasonable and documented fees and out-of-pocket expenses of one counsel to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders taken as a whole, and, if reasonably necessary, a single specialty or local counsel to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders taken as a whole; provided that in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest with respect to any of the foregoing counsel, one additional counsel to all affected Lenders similarly situated and taken as a whole), incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of this Agreement and the other documents to be delivered hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and expenses in connection with the enforcement of rights under this Section 10.4(a). Such reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses shall be reimbursed by the Borrower upon presentation to the Borrower of a statement of account, regardless of whether this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated.

(b)    The Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Arranger, each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (each, an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all direct claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), joint or several, that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party, in each case arising out of or in connection with or relating to any investigation, litigation or proceeding or the preparation of any defense with respect thereto arising out of or in connection with or relating to

 

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this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any use made or proposed to be made with the proceeds of the Loans, whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by the Borrower, any of its shareholders or creditors, an Indemnified Party or any other Person, or an Indemnified Party is otherwise a party thereto, and whether or not any of the conditions precedent set forth in Article V are satisfied or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, except to the extent such direct claim, damage, loss, liability or expense (x) is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnified Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, (y) results from a claim brought by the Borrower against an Indemnified Party for breach in bad faith, or a material breach, of such Indemnified Party’s express obligations hereunder or (z) arises out of, or result from, any investigation, litigation or proceeding that does not involve an act or omission by the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates and that is brought by an Indemnified Party against any other Indemnified Party (other than in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, an Arranger, a Syndication Agent, a Documentation Agent or any other similar role with respect to the Credit Facility). This Section 10.4(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent claims, damages, losses, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c)    The Borrower hereby further agrees that (i) no Indemnified Party shall have any liability to the Borrower for or in connection with or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any use made or proposed to be made with the proceeds of the Loans, except to the extent such liability is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnified Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct and (ii) the Borrower will not assert any claim against the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any of their respective Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys or agents, on any theory of liability, for consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the actual or proposed use of any Loans.

(d)    If any payment of principal of, or conversion or continuation of, any LIBOR Rate Loan of a Lender is made on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for such Loan as a result of any optional or mandatory prepayment, acceleration of the maturity of the Loans pursuant to Article VIII or for any other reason, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender any amounts required to compensate such Lender for any additional losses, costs or expenses (other than loss of profit) which it may reasonably incur as a result of such payment, continuation or conversion and the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to fund or maintain such Loan. A certificate as to the amount of such losses, costs and expenses, submitted to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Lender, shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(e)    To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under clause (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s share of the Total Credit Exposure at such time, or if the Total Credit Exposure has been reduced to zero, then based on such Lender’s share of the Total Credit Exposure immediately prior to such reduction) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender); provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause (e) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.7.

 

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SECTION 10.5    Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and permitted assigns, provided that the Borrower shall not have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of the Lenders.

SECTION 10.6    Successors and Assigns; Participations.

(a)    Successors and Assigns Generally. 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 (e) 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.

(b)    Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i)    Minimum Amounts.

(A)    in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and/or the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B)    in any case not described in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $1,000,000, 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 given its consent 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 Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned;

 

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(iii)    Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section 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 or an Affiliate of a Lender; 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

(B)    the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment or an Affiliate of such Lender.

(iv)    Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 for each assignment; provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

(v)    No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made to (A) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, (B) a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person) or (C) 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 (v).

(vi)    Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested, but not funded by, the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (A) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent and each other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (B) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans in accordance with its Commitment 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.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease

 

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to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.8, 4.10, 4.11, 8.4(c) and 10.4 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. 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 (other than a purported assignment to a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person) or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates, which shall be null and void).

(c)    Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of (and stated interest on) the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender (but only to the extent of entries in the Register that are applicable to such Lender), at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d)    Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person) or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 10.4(e) with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s).

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 10.1(b), (c), (d) or (e) that directly and adversely affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.10, 4.11 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 4.11(g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 4.11(g) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) and 10.4(d) 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 4.12 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 4.10 or 4.11, 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 Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of

 

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Section 4.12(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.4 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.6 and Section 10.4 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 of (and stated interest on) each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans 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 or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) or Proposed Section 1.163-5(b) of the United States Treasury Regulations (or, in each case, any amended or successor version). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(e)    Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(f)    Cashless Settlement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any Lender may exchange, continue or rollover all or a portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and such Lender.

SECTION 10.7    Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York. The Borrower hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and of any New York state court, in each case sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, for the purposes of all legal proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. The Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints CT Corporation System (the “Process Agent”), with an office on the date hereof at 111 8th Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10011, as its agent and true and lawful attorney-in-fact in its name, place and stead to accept on behalf of the Borrower and its Property service of the copies of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any such legal proceedings brought in any such court, and the Borrower agrees that the failure of the Process Agent to give any notice of any such service of process to the Borrower shall not impair or affect the validity of such service or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the enforcement of any judgment based thereon. The Borrower irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

SECTION 10.8    Severability. In case any provision in this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from the rest of this Agreement, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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SECTION 10.9    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution.

(a)    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent and/or any Arranger, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 5.1, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or in electronic (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) format shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

(b)    Electronic Execution. The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery” and words of like import in or related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any document, amendment, approval, consent, waiver, modification, information, notice, certificate, report, statement, disclosure, or authorization to be signed or delivered in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures or execution in the form of an Electronic Record, and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any Applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. Each party hereto agrees that any Electronic Signature or execution in the form of an Electronic Record shall be valid and binding on itself and each of the other parties hereto to the same extent as a manual, original signature. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance by the parties of a manually signed paper which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed paper converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature from any party hereto, the Administrative Agent and the other parties hereto shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the executing party without further verification and (ii) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by an original manually executed counterpart thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby (A) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower, electronic images of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (in each case, including with respect to any signature pages thereto) shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, and (B) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents based solely on the lack of paper original copies of any Loan Documents, including with respect to any signature pages thereto.

 

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SECTION 10.10    Survival. The obligations of the Borrower under Section 10.4, the obligations of the Lenders under Section 10.4 and each of the other indemnities to which the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are entitled under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, shall survive the repayment of the Loans and the termination of the Commitments. In addition, each representation and warranty made, or deemed to be made by any Notice of Borrowing, herein or pursuant hereto shall survive the making of such representation and warranty, and no Lender shall be deemed to have waived, by reason of making any Extension of Credit, any Default or Event of Default that may arise by reason of such representation or warranty proving to have been false or misleading.

SECTION 10.11    Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

SECTION 10.12    Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the extent required or requested by, or required to be disclosed to, any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners); (c) to the extent required by Applicable Laws or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other party hereto; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as (or no less restrictive than) those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder; (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of the credit facilities hereunder or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to any of the credit facilities hereunder; (h) with the consent of the Borrower; or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section, or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower who did not acquire such information as a result of a breach of this Section. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers or any Lender in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Commitments.

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof, such information will be considered private and confidential unless it is clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” or “NOT CONFIDENTIAL” (as provided for Borrower Materials in Section 7.1) at the time of delivery. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

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SECTION 10.13    Nonliability of Lenders; No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that no Credit Party will have any obligations except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and each Credit Party is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Borrower with respect to the Loan Documents and the transaction contemplated therein and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Borrower or any other Person. The Borrower agrees that it will not assert any claim against any Credit Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by such Credit Party in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Additionally, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Credit Party is advising the Borrower as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction. The Borrower shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Credit Parties shall have no responsibility or liability to the Borrower with respect thereto.

The Borrower further acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party is a full service securities or banking firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services. In the ordinary course of business, any Credit Party may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for its own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and other companies with which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may have commercial or other relationships. With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by any Credit Party or any of its customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion.

In addition, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Subsidiaries’ understanding, that each Credit Party and its affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise. No Credit Party will use confidential information obtained from the Borrower by virtue of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or its other relationships with the Borrower in connection with the performance by such Credit Party of services for other companies, and no Credit Party will furnish any such information to other companies. The Borrower also acknowledges that no Credit Party has any obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, or to furnish to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, confidential information obtained from other companies.

SECTION 10.14    USA PATRIOT Act; Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower 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”) or any other anti-money laundering laws, each of them is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the PATRIOT Act or such anti-money laundering laws.

SECTION 10.15    Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the

 

75


maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the 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 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.

SECTION 10.16    Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a)    the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and

(b)    the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i)    a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii)    a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii)    the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

SECTION 10.17    Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Hedge Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and, each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the FDIC under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

(a)    In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or

 

76


a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

(b)    As used in this Section 10.17, the following terms have the following meanings:

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

Covered Entity” means any of the following:

(i)    a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

(ii)    a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

(iii)    a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

[Signature pages to follow]

 

77


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

 

COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC., as Borrower
By:  

/s/ F. Scott Anthony

Name:   F. Scott Anthony
Title:   Executive Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

Signature Page


AGENTS AND LENDERS:
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent and Lender
By:  

/s/ Michael J. Stein

Name:   Michael J. Stein
Title:   Director

 

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

Signature Page


PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Lender
By:  

/s/ Hunter Peak

Name:   Hunter Peak
Title:   Managing Director

 

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

Signature Page


SOUTH STATE BANK, as Lender
By:  

/s/ Josh Goldblatt

Name:   Josh Goldblatt
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

Signature Page


TRUIST BANK, as Lender
By:  

/s/ Kenneth M. Blackwell

Name:   Kenneth M. Blackwell
Title:   Director

 

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

Signature Page


EXHIBIT A

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF TERM LOAN NOTE


TERM LOAN NOTE

            , 20    

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), promises to pay to                      (the “Lender”), at the place and times provided in the Term Loan Agreement referred to below, the unpaid principal amount of all Term Loans of the Lender pursuant to that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

The unpaid principal amount of this Term Loan Note from time to time outstanding is payable as provided in the Credit Agreement and shall bear interest as provided in Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement. All payments of principal and interest on this Term Loan Note shall be payable in Dollars in immediately available funds as provided in the Credit Agreement.

This Term Loan Note is entitled to the benefits of, and evidences Obligations incurred under, the Credit Agreement, to which reference is made for a statement of the terms and conditions on which the Borrower is permitted and required to make prepayments and repayments of principal of the Obligations evidenced by this Term Loan Note and on which such Obligations may be declared to be immediately due and payable.

THIS TERM LOAN NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

The Borrower hereby waives all requirements as to diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and (except as required by the Credit Agreement) notice of any kind with respect to this Term Loan Note.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

Form of Term Loan Note


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Term Loan Note under seal as of the day and year first above written.

 

COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
By:  

                    

Name:  
Title:  

 

Form of Term Loan Note


EXHIBIT B

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING


NOTICE OF BORROWING

Dated as of:                     

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

  as Administrative Agent

MAC D 1109-019

1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.

Charlotte, North Carolina 28262

Attention: Syndication Agency Services

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This irrevocable Notice of Borrowing is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 9, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

1.    The Borrower hereby requests that the Lenders make [the Initial Term Loan][an Incremental Term Loan] to the Borrower in the aggregate principal amount of $        . (Complete with an amount in accordance with Section 2.3 or Section 4.13, as applicable, of the Credit Agreement.)

2.    The Borrower hereby requests that such Loan(s) be made on the following Business Day:                     . (Complete with a Business Day in accordance with Section 2.3 of the Credit Agreement for the Initial Term Loan or Section 4.13 of the Credit Agreement for an Incremental Term Loan).

3.    The Borrower hereby requests that such Loan(s) bear interest at the following interest rate, plus the Applicable Margin, as set forth below:

 

Component

of Loan1

   Interest Rate   

Interest Period

(LIBOR

Rate only)

   [Base Rate or LIBOR Rate]2   

4.    The aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding as of the date hereof (including the Loan(s) requested herein) does not exceed the maximum amount permitted to be outstanding pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

5.    All of the conditions applicable to the Loan(s) requested herein as set forth in the Credit Agreement have been satisfied as of the date hereof and will remain satisfied to the date of such Loan.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

 

1 

Complete with the Dollar amount of that portion of the overall Loan requested that is to bear interest at the selected interest rate and/or Interest Period (e.g., for a $20,000,000 loan, $5,000,000 may be requested at Base Rate, $8,000,000 may be requested at LIBOR with an interest period of three months and $7,000,000 may be requested at LIBOR with an interest period of one month).

2 

Complete with the Base Rate or the LIBOR Rate for the Initial Term Loan or any Incremental Term Loan.

 

Form of Notice of Borrowing


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of Borrowing as of the day and year first written above.

 

COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
By:  

                    

Name:  
Title:  

 

Form of Notice of Borrowing


EXHIBIT C

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF NOTICE OF ACCOUNT DESIGNATION


NOTICE OF ACCOUNT DESIGNATION

Dated as of:                     

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

  as Administrative Agent

MAC D 1109-019

1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.

Charlotte, North Carolina 28262

Attention: Syndication Agency Services

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Notice of Account Designation is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.3(a) of the Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 9, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

1.    The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to disburse all Loan proceeds into the following account(s):

 

                                                             

Bank Name:                     

ABA Routing Number:                       

Account Number:                                 

2.    This authorization shall remain in effect until revoked or until a subsequent Notice of Account Designation is provided to the Administrative Agent.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

Form of Notice of Account Designation


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of Account Designation as of the day and year first written above.

 

COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
By:  

                    

Name:  
Title:  

 

Form of Notice of Account Designation


EXHIBIT D

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT


NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT

Dated as of:                     

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

  as Administrative Agent

MAC D 1109-019

1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.

Charlotte, North Carolina 28262

Attention: Syndication Agency Services

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This irrevocable Notice of Prepayment is delivered to you pursuant to Section 2.4(c) of the Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 9, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

1.    The Borrower hereby provides notice to the Administrative Agent that it shall repay the following [Base Rate Loans] and/or [LIBOR Rate Loans]:                     . (Complete with an amount in accordance with Section 2.4 of the Credit Agreement.)

2.    The Loan(s) to be prepaid consist of: [check each applicable box]

 

 

the Initial Term Loan

 

 

an Incremental Term Loan

3.    The Borrower shall repay the above-referenced Loans on the following Business Day:                     . (Complete with a date no earlier than (i) the same Business Day as of the date of this Notice of Prepayment with respect to any Base Rate Loan and (ii) two (2) Business Days subsequent to date of this Notice of Prepayment with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan.)

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

Form of Notice of Prepayment


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of Prepayment as of the day and year first written above.

 

COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
By:  

                    

Name:  
Title:  

 

Form of Notice of Prepayment


EXHIBIT E

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION


NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION

Dated as of:                     

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

  as Administrative Agent

MAC D 1109-019

1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.

Charlotte, North Carolina 28262

Attention: Syndication Agency Services

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This irrevocable Notice of Conversion/Continuation (this “Notice”) is delivered to you pursuant to Section 4.2 of the Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 9, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

1.    The Loan to which this Notice relates is [the Initial Term Loan] [an Incremental Term Loan]. (Delete as applicable.).

2.    This Notice is submitted for the purpose of: (Check one and complete applicable information in accordance with the Credit Agreement.)

 

  Converting all or a portion of a Base Rate Loan into a LIBOR Rate Loan

 

  
  Outstanding principal balance:      $                         
  Principal amount to be converted:      $                         
  Requested effective date of conversion:                               
  Requested new Interest Period:                               
  Converting all or a portion of a LIBOR Rate Loan into a Base Rate Loan

 

  
  Outstanding principal balance:      $                         
  Principal amount to be converted:      $                         
  Last day of the current Interest Period:                                                    
  Requested effective date of conversion:                               

 

Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation


  Continuing all or a portion of a LIBOR Rate Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan

 

  
  Outstanding principal balance:      $                         
  Principal amount to be continued:      $                         
  Last day of the current Interest Period:                               
  Requested effective date of continuation:                               
  Requested new Interest Period:                               

3.    The aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding as of the date hereof does not exceed the maximum amount permitted to be outstanding pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Notice of Conversion/Continuation as of the day and year first written above.

 

COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
By:  

                                                              

Name:  
Title:  

 

Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation


EXHIBIT F

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE


COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

Dated as of:                     

The undersigned Responsible Officer, on behalf of Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), hereby certifies to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, each as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below, as follows:

1.    This Compliance Certificate is delivered to you pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 9, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

2.    I have reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and conditions of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements.

3.    The examinations described in paragraph 2 did not disclose, and I have no knowledge of, the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default during or at the end of the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements or as of the date of this Compliance Certificate, except as set forth below.

4.    Schedule I attached hereto sets forth financial data and computations evidencing the Borrower’s compliance with certain covenants of the Credit Agreement, all of which data and computations are true, complete and correct.

Described below are the exceptions, if any, to paragraph 3 by listing, in detail, the nature of the condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the action which the Borrower has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect to each such condition or event:

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

Form of Compliance Certificate


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Compliance Certificate as of the day and year first written above.

 

COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
By:  

                                                                                                       

Name:  
Title:  

Form of Compliance Certificate


Schedule I

to

Compliance Certificate

[See attached.]

Form of Compliance Certificate


EXHIBIT G

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION


ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [INSERT NAME OF ASSIGNOR] (the “Assignor”) and the parties identified on the Schedules hereto and [the] [each]1 Assignee identified on the Schedules hereto as “Assignee” or as “Assignees” (collectively, the “Assignees” and each, an “Assignee”). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of the Assignees2 hereunder are several and not joint.]3 Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Term Loan Agreement identified below (the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by [the] [each] Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the [Assignee] [respective Assignees], and [the] [each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including without limitation any letters of credit, guarantees, and swingline loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under Applicable Law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned to [the] [any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as, [the] [an]Assigned Interest”). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.    Assignor:    [INSERT NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
2.    Assignee(s):    See Schedules attached hereto
3.    Borrower:    Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation
4.    Administrative Agent:    Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement
5.    Credit Agreement:    The Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 9, 2021 among Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified)

 

 

1

For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignee(s), if the assignment is to a single Assignee, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is to multiple Assignees, choose the second bracketed language.

2 

Select as appropriate.

3

Include bracketed language if there are multiple Assignees.

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption


6.    Assigned Interest:    See Schedules attached hereto
[7.    Trade Date:                        ]4

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

 

 

4 

To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignees intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption


Effective Date:                 , 2     [TO BE INSERTED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR]

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:  

                                                              

Name:  
Title:  
ASSIGNEES
See Schedules attached hereto

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption


[Consented to and]5 Accepted:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent

 

By:  

                                                              

Name:  
Title:  
[Consented to:]6
COCA-COLA CONSOLIDATED, INC.
By:  

                                                                                   

Name:  
Title:  

 

 

5 

To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement. May also use a Master Consent.

6 

To be added only if the consent of the Borrower is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement. May also use a Master Consent.

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption


SCHEDULE 1

To Assignment and Assumption

By its execution of this Schedule, the Assignee identified on the signature block below agrees to the terms set forth in the attached Assignment and Assumption.

Assigned Interests:

 

Facility Assigned1

   Aggregate
Amount of
Commitment/
Loans for all
Lenders2
     Amount of
Commitment/
Loans Assigned3
     Percentage
Assigned of
Commitment/
Loans4
     CUSIP Number  
   $        $          %     
   $        $          %     
   $        $          %     

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]5
[and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender]6]
By:  

                                                              

Name:  
Title:  

 

 

1 

Fill in the appropriate terminology for the types of facilities under the Credit Agreement that are being assigned under this Agreement (e.g. “Commitment”).

2 

Amount to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date.

3 

Amount to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date.

4 

Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

5 

Add additional signature blocks, as needed.

6 

Select as appropriate.

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption


ANNEX 1

to Assignment and Assumption

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1.    Representations and Warranties.

1.1    Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the] [the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the] [such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is [not] a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2.    Assignee[s]. [The] [Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets the requirements of an Eligible Assignee under the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.6(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the] [the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire [the] [such] Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the] [such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the] [such] Assigned Interest, and (vii) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the] [such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, [the] [any] Assignor 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 the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2.    Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the] [each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the] [the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the] [the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption


3.    General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption


EXHIBIT H-1

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(NON-PARTNERSHIP FOREIGN LENDERS)


U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 9, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the lenders who are or may become a party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.11 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (c) it is not a ten percent (10%) shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code and (d) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (a) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (b) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two (2) calendar years preceding such payments.

 

    [NAME OF LENDER]
    By:  

 

      Name:  
      Title:  

Date:            , 20    

 

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)


EXHIBIT H-2

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(NON-PARTNERSHIP FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS)


U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 9, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the lenders who are or may become a party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.11 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (c) it is not a ten percent (10%) shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code and (d) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (a) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing and (b) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two (2) calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

Date:            , 20    

 

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)


EXHIBIT H-3

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(FOREIGN PARTICIPANT PARTNERSHIPS)


U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 9, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the lenders who are or may become a party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.11 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (c) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (d) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent (10%) shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code and (e) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (a) an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (b) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two (2) calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

Date:            , 20    

 

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)


EXHIBIT H-4

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(FOREIGN LENDER PARTNERSHIPS)


U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Reference is hereby made to the Term Loan Agreement dated as of July 9, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the lenders who are or may become a party thereto, as Lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.11 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (a) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (b) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (c) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (d) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent (10%) shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code and (e) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (a) an IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (b) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (i) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (ii) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two (2) calendar years preceding such payments.

 

[NAME OF LENDER]
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

Date:             , 20    

 

Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)


EXHIBIT I

to

Term Loan Agreement

dated as of July 9, 2021

by and among

Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.,

as Borrower,

the lenders party thereto,

as Lenders,

and

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL

[To be attached.]


[Letterhead of Moore & Van Allen PLLC]

 

July 9, 2021

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

  as Administrative Agent

MAC D1109-019

1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28262

Attention of: Syndication Agency Services

 

The Lenders party to the Loan Agreement

as of the date hereof

     

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Loan Agreement”), by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (the “Agent”). This opinion letter is delivered to you at the Company’s request pursuant to Section 5.1(d) of the Loan Agreement. All capitalized terms used in this opinion letter that are not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement.

For purposes of rendering our opinion set forth herein, we have reviewed originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (collectively, the “Loan Documents”), each of which (unless otherwise noted) is dated as of the date hereof:

1.    the Loan Agreement; and

2.    the Term Loan Notes.

We have also examined the originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other records of the Company, certificates of public officials, directors and officers of the Company, and agreements, instruments and other documents, and have made such other investigation, as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed below. We have not made any independent investigation of the facts referred to herein, and, for purposes of rendering this opinion, we have relied upon, and assumed without independent investigation, the accuracy of the statements, representations and warranties made by the parties to the Loan Documents, on certificates of officers of the Company and on certificates of public officials that we assume are and will continue to be true. In addition, we have investigated such questions of law for the purpose of rendering this opinion as we have deemed necessary.

In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as conformed or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. For the purposes of the opinions hereinafter expressed, we have further assumed (i) the legal capacity of all natural persons executing any Loan Document; (ii) that there is no oral or written statement or agreement, course of performance, course of dealing or usage of trade that modifies, amends or varies any of the terms of any Loan Document; (iii) that as to factual matters any certificate, representation or


Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

July 9, 2021

 

other document upon which we have relied and which was given or dated earlier than the date of this letter, continues to remain accurate, insofar as relevant to the opinions contained herein, from such earlier date through and including the date hereof; (iv) that there has been no mutual mistake of fact, or misrepresentation, fraud or deceit in connection with the execution, delivery, performance under, or transactions contemplated by, the Loan Documents; (v) due execution and delivery of the Loan Documents by all parties thereto (other than the Company), and that each Loan Document is valid, binding and enforceable against all parties thereto (other than the Company); (vi) due authorization of the Loan Documents by all parties thereto (other than the Company); (vii) that each of the parties to the Loan Documents (other than the Company) has the power and authority to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is party and to perform its obligations thereunder; (viii) that the execution and delivery by the Company of the Loan Documents and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder will not violate any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any law or regulation (other than any law or regulation of the State of New York, the DGCL (as defined below) or federal law or regulation of the United States), agreement, document or instrument, or order, writ, injunction or decree of any governmental authority; (ix) that all parties to the Loan Documents are in material compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations governing the conduct of their business with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents; (x) that with respect to any obligation (including any guaranty) with respect to any “swap” (as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (as defined below)), the Company will be an “eligible contract participant” (as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act) at the time such obligation is incurred; and (xi) that if any party to any Loan Document seeks to enforce its rights thereunder, such enforcement shall occur only under circumstances which are consistent with applicable law and provisions of the relevant Loan Document.

The opinions set forth herein are limited to matters governed by the laws of the State of New York, the federal laws of the United States, and as to the opinions given in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, the Delaware General Corporation Law other than any case law thereunder (the “DGCL”), and no opinion is expressed herein as to the laws of any other jurisdiction. We express no opinion concerning any matter respecting or affected by any laws other than laws that a lawyer exercising customary professional diligence would reasonably recognize as being directly applicable to the Company or the transactions contemplated in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, we express no opinion concerning the following legal issues or the application of any such laws or regulations to the matters on which our opinions are referenced:

(i)    other than as expressly set forth in paragraph 8 below, federal and state securities laws and regulations;

(ii)    Federal Reserve Board margin regulations;

(iii)    pension and employee benefit laws and regulations;

(iv)    the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and rules and regulations related thereto;

(v)    federal and state antitrust and unfair competition laws and regulations, including, without limitation, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976;


Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

July 9, 2021

 

(vi)    federal and state laws and regulations concerning document filing requirements and notices;

(vii)    compliance with fiduciary duty requirements;

(viii)    the statutes, administrative decisions, rules and regulations of county, municipal and special political subdivisions, whether such statutes, administrative decisions, rules and regulations are issued at the local-level, state level, regional-level or otherwise;

(ix)    fraudulent or voidable transfer laws;

(x)    federal and state environmental laws and regulations;

(xi)    federal and state tax laws and regulations;

(xii)    federal and state land use and subdivision laws and regulations;

(xiii)    federal patent, copyright and trademark, state trademark and other federal and state intellectual property laws and regulations;

(xiv)    federal and state laws, regulations and policies concerning national and local emergencies;

(xv)    state and federal regulatory laws or regulations specifically applicable to any entity solely because of the business in which it is engaged;

(xvi)    federal and state laws and regulations concerning the condition of title to any property, the priority of any security interest or lien or the perfection of a lien or security interest in personal property;

(xvii)    the Hague Securities Convention;

(xviii)    federal and state laws, rules and regulations relating to money laundering and terrorist groups, including without limitation the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”), Public Law 107-56, 115 Stat. 380 (October 26, 2001), as amended, Executive Order 13224, the Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 App. U. S.C. 1, et. seq., any similar or related law and the rules and regulations (temporary or permanent) promulgated under the foregoing or by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of Treasury, as each is amended from time to time;

(xix)    the effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any provision in the Loan Documents or any provision in any document relating to or referred to therein as they may be affected by the exercise of any write-down and conversion powers under any “Bail-In Legislation” adopted by or in relation to an EEA Member Country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and, if applicable, the United Kingdom (including any delegee), or any court or regulatory decision proclamation, rule, directive or regulations relating to any of the foregoing or enforcing or


Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

July 9, 2021

 

interpreting any of the foregoing which has implemented, or which at any time implements or interprets, Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms or adopted by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority’s and Prudential Regulatory Authority’s Special Resolution Regime established in the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009, as amended or its successor; or

(xx)    the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010, Title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Public Law No. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010) and the rules and regulations issued in connection therewith (“Dodd-Frank”).

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.    Based solely upon a certificate issued by the Delaware Secretary of State, the Company is a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

2.    The Company has the corporate power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents.

3.    The execution and delivery by the Company of each Loan Document and the performance by it of its agreements under such documents have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action. The Company has duly executed and delivered the Loan Documents.

4.    Each of the Loan Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective terms.

5.    The execution and delivery by the Company of each Loan Document, and the performance by it of its obligations under such documents, do not violate its certificate of incorporation or bylaws.

6.    The execution and delivery by the Company of each Loan Document, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under such documents, do not violate (a) any New York statute, rule or regulation, (b) the DGCL or (c) any federal statute, rule or regulation, in each case that a lawyer exercising customary professional diligence would reasonably recognize as being directly applicable to the Company or the transactions contemplated in the Loan Documents.

7.    The Company is not required to obtain any consent, approval, authorization, or make any filing with, any (a) State of New York or United States federal governmental or regulatory agency or (b) Delaware governmental agency under the DGCL, to authorize its execution and delivery of, or to make valid and binding, the Loan Documents, except for: (i) those obtained or made prior to the date hereof and (ii) those specified in the Loan Documents.

8.    Based solely on the factual certifications in an officer’s certificate delivered to our firm in connection with this letter, the Company is not required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.


Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

July 9, 2021

 

The foregoing opinions are subject to the following qualifications:

(a)    enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally;

(b)    enforcement of the Loan Documents is subject to an implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, to general principles of equity, and to considerations of public policy, including the requirement that the parties thereto act with commercial reasonableness and in good faith to the extent required by applicable law, the application of which may deny certain rights and may be applied by a court of proper jurisdiction, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. For purposes of this paragraph, the terms “general principles of equity” and “considerations of public policy” may include, but are not limited to, issues related to the right to or obligation of the appointment of a receiver in certain circumstances; the ability of an entity to appoint an attorney-in-fact; fiduciary obligations of attorneys-in-fact; the enforceability of savings clauses; waiver of procedural, substantive, or constitutional rights, including, without limitation, the right of statutory or equitable redemption; disclaimers or limitations of liability; waiver of defenses; waiver of acceleration rights through historical acceptance of late payments; the exercise of self-help or other remedies without judicial process; the availability of specific performance or injunctive relief; accounting for rent or sale proceeds; requirements of mitigation of damages; and enforcement of default interest provisions;

(c)    the enforceability and availability of certain remedies, rights and waiver provisions may be limited or rendered ineffective by applicable law, although the inclusion of such provisions does not affect the validity of any Loan Document as a whole, and subject to the other exceptions noted herein, there exist legally adequate remedies for the realization of the principal benefits afforded thereby;

(d)    we express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provision in the Loan Documents denying the holder of any lien inferior to the liens created by the Loan Documents the ability to require the marshalling of assets;

(e)    we express no opinion as to the right to obtain a receiver, which determination is subject to equitable principles;

(f)    we express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provision in the Loan Documents stating that any determination by you will be conclusive and binding;

(g)    we express no opinion with respect to any provision in the Loan Documents providing that the acceptance by the Agent or any Lender of a past due installment or other performance by a party shall not be deemed a waiver of its right to accelerate the loan or other payment obligation;

(h)    we express no opinion with respect to any provision in the Loan Documents which requires that any amendments or waivers to or terminations of the Loan Documents must be in writing or that course of dealing or usage of trade be disregarded; in addition, provisions, if any, in the Loan Documents to the effect that waiver by a party of performance obligations by another party shall not be deemed a waiver of such party’s right thereafter to cause the applicable document to be in default may not be enforceable in all circumstances, unless such party shall (i) first provide


Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

July 9, 2021

 

written notice to the other party that subsequent defaults will not be accepted and will result in a default under the Loan Documents, and (ii) thereafter, timely and diligently, pursue its default remedies under the Loan Documents;

(i)    we express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provision in the Loan Documents to the extent that such provision constitutes a waiver of illegality as a defense to performance of contract obligations;

(j)    we express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provision in the Loan Documents restricting assignments, pledges or encumbrances;

(k)    we note that, under the laws of the State of New York, the remedies available in the State of New York for the enforcement of the Loan Documents could be affected by any failure of any party seeking enforcement thereof that is not organized in the State of New York to become authorized to transact business in the State of New York;

(l)    we express no opinion with respect to any consent to venue, jurisdiction or service of process provisions;

(m)    we express no opinion with respect to any choice of law provision other than in respect of the courts of the State of New York;

(n)    we have made no inquiry as to whether the Company is an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. Sections 1 et seq.), as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Commodity Exchange Act”), and we express no opinion (i) as to the extent to which the Company’s obligations under any Loan Document might constitute excluded swap obligations, (ii) as to the effect of Section 2(e) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 2) upon the rights or obligations of the parties to the Loan Documents arising under or related to any Loan Document, and (iii) regarding whether the Company will be an “eligible contract participant” as required by Dodd-Frank, the Commodity Exchange Act or any other applicable rules or regulations at the time that at the time such obligations are incurred;

(o)    we express no opinion with respect to any guaranty of, or any grant of a security interest to secure, obligations under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section la(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act provided by any person or entity that is not an “eligible contract participant” within the meaning of Section la(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act (as interpreted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in its regulations, rules, orders, letters or other announcements);

(p)    we call your attention to the fact that federal and state courts located in New York could decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or any other doctrine limiting the availability of the courts in New York as a forum for the resolution of disputes not having sufficient nexus to New York, and we express no opinion as to any waiver of rights to assert the applicability of forum non conveniens doctrine or any such other doctrine in such court;

(q)    our opinion with respect to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and forum selection provision of the Loan Documents is rendered in reliance upon N.Y. Gen. Oblig.


Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

July 9, 2021

 

Law Sections 5-1401, 5-1402 and N.Y. CPLR 327(b) and is subject to the qualifications that such enforceability may be limited by public policy considerations of any jurisdiction, other than the courts of the State of New York, in which enforcement of such provisions, or of a judgment upon an agreement containing such provisions, is sought;

(r)    we express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provision in the Loan Documents which directs the application of sale proceeds other than as required by the Uniform Commercial Code;

(s)    we express no opinion regarding the enforceability of any provisions in the Loan Documents intended to establish any standard other than the standard set forth in the Uniform Commercial Code as the measure of the performance of any party thereto of such party’s obligations thereunder;

(t)    with respect to the enforceability of all obligations under the Loan Documents, we note that a U.S. federal court would award a judgment only in U.S. dollars and that a judgment of a court in the State of New York rendered in a currency other than the U.S. dollar would be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of entry of such judgment; Our opinion is subject to possible judicial action giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights, and we do not express any opinion as to the enforceability of the provisions of the Loan Documents providing for indemnity by any party thereto against any loss in obtaining the currency due to such party under the Loan Documents from a court judgment in another currency;

(u)    we express no opinion with respect to any waiver of the right to jury trial;

(v)    we express no opinion with respect to any severability provision;

(w)    we express no opinion with respect to any right of set-off;

(x)    we express no opinion with respect to any provision in the Loan Documents purporting to require a party to pay or reimburse attorneys’ fees incurred by another party or to indemnify another party therefor which may be limited by applicable law and public policy;

(y)    we express no opinion with respect to any waiver of the statute of limitations contained in the Loan Documents;

(z)    we express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provision in the Loan Documents that purports to excuse a party for liability for its own acts;

(aa)    we express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provision in the Loan Documents that purports to make void any act done in contravention thereof;

(bb)    we express no opinion with respect to any provision purporting to prohibit, restrict, or condition the assignment of rights to the extent such restriction on assignability is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code;


Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

July 9, 2021

 

(cc)    we express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provision in the Loan Documents to the extent the same provides that the obligations of the Company are absolute and unconditional irrespective of the value, genuineness, regularity, enforceability, invalidity, or illegality of the Loan Documents;

(dd)    we express no opinion as to any provision in the Loan Documents purporting to create a trust or fiduciary relationship;

(ee)    we express no opinion as to any provision in the Loan Documents that constitutes an agreement to agree in the future on any matter;

(ff)    we express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provision in the Loan Documents that purports to authorize a party to act in its sole discretion, that imposes liquidated damages, penalties, late payment charges or an increase in interest rate after default (in the event such late payment charges or increase in interest rate is deemed to be a penalty or is otherwise contrary to public policy) or that relates to evidentiary standards or other standards by which any of the Loan Documents is to be construed; and

(gg)    we express no opinion as to the enforceability of provisions in the Loan Documents providing for the indemnification or exculpation of or contribution to a party with respect to such party’s own negligence or willful misconduct or where such indemnification or contribution is otherwise contrary to public policy.

Our opinion is rendered solely in connection with the transactions contemplated under the Loan Documents and may not be relied upon in any manner by any Person other than the addressees hereof, and may not be relied upon for any other purpose, except that we hereby consent to reliance hereon by any future assignee (the addressees and such future assignees, collectively, the “Reliance Parties”) of your rights and obligations under the Loan Agreement and who thereby becomes a Lender pursuant to an assignment that is made in accordance with the express provisions of Section 10.6(b) of the Loan Agreement, on the condition and understanding that (i) this letter speaks only as of the date hereof, (ii) we have no responsibility or obligation to update this letter, to consider its applicability or correctness to any Person other than its addressees, or to take into account changes in law, facts or any other developments of which we may later become aware, (iii) any such reliance by a Reliance Party must be actual and reasonable under the circumstances existing at the time of assignment, including any changes in law, facts or any other developments known to or reasonably knowable by the Reliance Party at such time, (iv) in no event shall any such assignee have any greater rights with respect hereto than did the addressee, and (v) our consent to such reliance shall in no event constitute a reissuance of the opinions expressed herein or otherwise extend any statute of limitations applicable hereto on the date hereof.

No copies of this opinion may be delivered or furnished to any Person other than a Reliance Party, nor may all or portions of this opinion be quoted, circulated or referred to in any other document or filed with any governmental agency or other Person other than a Reliance Party without our prior written consent, except that copies of this opinion may be provided to (i) any regulatory agency having supervisory authority over a Reliance Party, (ii) any prospective assignee of any addressee or (iii) accountants, auditors and attorneys of any Reliance Party, and except that this opinion may be used in connection with the assertion of a defense as to which this opinion is relevant and necessary or in response to a court order or other legal or regulatory process. The opinions expressed in this letter are rendered as of the date hereof and we do


Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

July 9, 2021

 

not express any opinion as to circumstances or events or change in applicable law that may occur subsequent to or which are effective after such date. These opinions are limited to the specific issues addressed and are limited in all respects to laws and facts existing on the date hereof. No opinion may be inferred or implied beyond the matters expressly contained herein. By rendering these opinions, we assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in such laws or facts that may hereafter be brought to our attention.

 

Very truly yours,
MOORE & VAN ALLEN PLLC


SCHEDULE 1.1

COMMITMENTS AND COMMITMENT PERCENTAGES

 

Lender

   Commitment      Commitment Percentage  

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

   $ 25,000,000.00        35 ###-###-####

PNC Bank, National Association

   $ 20,000,000.00        28.571428571

South State Bank

   $ 15,000,000.00        21 ###-###-####

Truist Bank

   $ 10,000,000.00        14 ###-###-####
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 70,000,000.00        100.000000000
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


SCHEDULE 6.7

LITIGATION

NONE


SCHEDULE 6.13

TAX MATTERS

NONE


SCHEDULE 6.14

SUBSIDIARIES AND MATERIAL SUBSIDIARIES

 

Entity’s Legal Name

   Incorporated/
Organized
  

Ownership By

   Percent
Owned
 

Material Subsidiaries:

        

CCBCC Operations, LLC

   DE    Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.      100

CCBC of Wilmington, Inc.

   DE    CCBCC Operations, LLC      100

Red Classic Transportation Services, LLC

   NC    Red Classic Services, LLC      100

Tennessee Soft Drink Production Company

   TN    CCBCC Operations, LLC      100

Other Subsidiaries:

        

CCBCC, Inc.

   DE    Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.      100

Chesapeake Treatment Company, LLC

   NC    CCBCC Operations, LLC      100

Consolidated Beverage Co.

   DE    Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.      100

Consolidated Real Estate Group, LLC

   NC    Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.      100

Data Ventures, Inc.

   NC    Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.      100

Heath Oil Co., Inc.

   SC    CCBCC Operations, LLC      100

TXN, Inc.

   DE    Data Ventures, Inc.      100

Data Ventures Europe, BV

   Netherlands    Data Ventures, Inc.      100

Equipment Reutilization Solutions, LLC

   NC    CCBCC Operations, LLC      100

Red Classic Services, LLC

   NC    Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.      100

Red Classic Equipment, LLC

   NC    Red Classic Services, LLC      100

Red Classic Transit, LLC

   NC    Red Classic Transportation Services, LLC      100

Red Classic Contractor, LLC

   NC    Red Classic Transportation Services, LLC      100


SCHEDULE 7.12

EXISTING LIENS

NONE


SCHEDULE 7.15

PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS

1.    Lease Agreement, dated as of March 23, 2009 and First Amendment to Lease Agreement dated as of June 30, 2020, between the Borrower and Harrison Limited Partnership One, related to the Snyder Production Center in Charlotte, North Carolina and a distribution center adjacent thereto. The Borrower reserves the right to assign this lease to a Subsidiary.

2.     Lease Agreement, dated as of January 3, 2011, between the Borrower and Crown-Raleigh III, LLC, related to the Borrower’s sales distribution facility in Clayton, North Carolina. The Borrower reserves the right to assign this lease to a Subsidiary.

3.     Lease Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2011, between the Borrower and DCT Mid South Logistics V LP, related to the Borrower’s sales distribution facility in LaVergne, Tennessee. The Borrower reserves the right to assign this lease to a Subsidiary.

4.     Lease Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2015, between CCBCC Operations, LLC and CK-Childress Klein #8(A) Limited Partnership, related to the Borrower’s call center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

5.     Lease Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2016, between CCBCC Operations, LLC and Graham O’Kelly Partnership, related to the Borrower’s distribution facility in Bishopville, South Carolina.