Note and Security Agreement
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EX-10.28 3 d12540exv10w28.txt NOTE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT EXHIBIT 10.28 LOAN AGREEMENT Wachovia Bank, National Association 301 South Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 (Hereinafter referred to as the "Bank") Prime/Home Impressions, LLC 420 3rd Avenue NW Hickory, North Carolina 28601 (Individually and collectively "Borrower") This Loan Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into November 24, 2003, by and between Bank and Borrower. This Agreement applies to the loan or loans (individually and collectively, the "Loan") evidenced by one or more promissory notes of even date herewith or other notes subject hereto, as modified from time to time (whether one or more, the "Note") and all Loan Documents. The terms "Loan Documents" and "Obligations," as used in this Agreement, are defined in the Note. Relying upon the covenants, agreements, representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, Bank is willing to extend credit to Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, and Bank and Borrower agree as follows: REPRESENTATIONS. Borrower represents that from the date of this Agreement and until final payment in full of the Obligations: ACCURATE INFORMATION. All information now and hereafter furnished to Bank is and will be true, correct and complete. Any such information relating to Borrower's financial condition will accurately reflect Borrower's financial condition as of the date(s) thereof, (including all contingent liabilities of every type), and Borrower further represents that its financial condition has not changed materially or adversely since the date(s) of such documents. AUTHORIZATION; NON-CONTRAVENTION. The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower and any guarantor, as applicable, of this Agreement and other Loan Documents to which it is a party are within its power, have been duly authorized as may be required and, if necessary, by making appropriate filings with any governmental agency or unit and are the legal, binding, valid and enforceable obligations of Borrower and any guarantors; and do not (i) contravene, or constitute (with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both) a violation of any provision of applicable law, a violation of the organizational documents of Borrower or any guarantor, or a default under any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon or affecting Borrower or any guarantor, (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any lien (other than the lien(s) created by the Loan Documents) on any of Borrower's or any guarantor's assets, or (iii) give cause for the acceleration of any obligations of Borrower or any guarantor to any other creditor. ASSET OWNERSHIP. Borrower has good and marketable title to all of the properties and assets reflected on the balance sheets and financial statements supplied Bank by Borrower, and all such properties and assets are free and clear of mortgages, security deeds, pledges, liens, charges, and all other encumbrances, except as otherwise disclosed to Bank by Borrower in writing and approved by Bank ("Permitted Liens"). To Borrower's knowledge, no default has occurred under any Permitted Liens and no claims or interests adverse to Borrower's present rights in its properties and assets have arisen. DISCHARGE OF LIENS AND TAXES. Borrower has duly filed, paid and/or discharged all taxes or other claims that may become a lien on any of its property or assets, except to the extent that such items are being appropriately contested in good faith and an adequate reserve for the payment thereof is being maintained. SUFFICIENCY OF CAPITAL. Borrower is not, and after consummation of this Agreement and after giving effect to all indebtedness incurred and liens created by Borrower in connection with the Note and any other Loan Documents, will not be, insolvent within the meaning of 11 U.S.C. Section. 101(32). COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Borrower is in compliance in all respects with all federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to its properties, operations, business, and finances, including, without limitation, any federal or state laws relating to liquor (including 18 U.S.C. Section. 3617, et seq.) oR narcotics (including 21 U.S.C. Section. 801, et seq.) and/or any commercial crimes; all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations intended to protect the environment; and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), if applicable. ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY. Each corporation, partnership or limited liability company Borrower and/or guarantor, as applicable, is duly created, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its organization, and has all powers, governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to operate its business as now conducted. Each corporation, partnership or limited liability company Borrower and/or guarantor, as applicable, is duly qualified, licensed and in good standing in each jurisdiction where qualification or licensing is required by the nature of its business or the character and location of its property, business or customers, and in which the failure to so qualify or be licensed, as the case may be, in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial position, results of operations, properties or prospects of Borrower or any such guarantor. NO LITIGATION. There are no pending or threatened suits, claims or demands against Borrower or any guarantor that have not been disclosed to Bank by Borrower in writing, and approved by Bank. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower agrees that from the date hereof and until final payment in full of the Obligations, unless Bank shall otherwise consent in writing, Borrower will: ACCESS TO BOOKS AND RECORDS. Allow Bank, or its agents, during normal business hours, access to the books, records and such other documents of Borrower as Bank shall reasonably require, and allow Bank, at Borrower's expense, to inspect, audit and examine the same and to make extracts therefrom and to make copies thereof. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AGING. Deliver to Bank, from time to time hereafter but not less than monthly within 15 days of the end of each such period, a detailed receivables report including totals, customer names and addresses, a reconciliation statement, and the original date of each invoice. BUSINESS CONTINUITY. Conduct its business in substantially the same manner and locations as such business is now and has previously been conducted. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER AGREEMENTS. Comply with all terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, and any other Loan Documents, and swap agreements, if applicable, as defined in the 11 U.S.C. Section. 101. ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE. Furnish, within 15 days after request by Bank, a written statement duly acknowledged of the amount due under the Loan and whether offsets or defenses exist against the Obligations. INSURANCE. Maintain adequate insurance coverage with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds and in the amounts customarily insured against by companies of established reputation engaged in the same or similar businesses including, without limitation, commercial general liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, and business interruption insurance; all acquired in such amounts and from such companies as Bank may reasonably require. INVENTORY REPORTS. Deliver to Bank, from time to time hereafter but not less than monthly within 15 days of the end of each such period, an inventory report showing individual values for raw materials, work-in-progress, finished products and any inventory obsolescence. MAINTAIN PROPERTIES. Maintain, preserve and keep its property in good repair, working order and condition, making all needed replacements, additions and improvements thereto, to the extent allowed by this Agreement. NOTICE OF DEFAULT AND OTHER NOTICES (a) NOTICE OF DEFAULT. Furnish to Bank immediately upon becoming aware of the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Default (as defined in the Loan Documents) or any event which, upon the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, may become a Default, written notice specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and the action which Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. (b) OTHER NOTICES. Promptly notify Bank in writing of (i) any material adverse change in its financial condition or its business; (ii) any default under any material agreement, contract or other instrument to which it is a party or by which any of its properties are bound, or any acceleration of the maturity of any indebtedness owing by Borrower; (iii) any material adverse claim against or affecting Borrower or any part of its properties; (iv) the commencement of, and any material determination in, any litigation with any third party or any proceeding before any governmental agency or unit affecting Borrower; and (v) at least 30 days prior thereto, any change in Borrower's name or address as shown above, and/or any change in Borrower's structure. OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Deliver promptly such other information regarding the operation, business affairs, and financial condition of Borrower which Bank may reasonably request. PAYMENT OF DEBTS. Pay and discharge when due, and before subject to penalty or further charge, and otherwise satisfy before maturity or delinquency, all obligations, debts, taxes, and liabilities of whatever nature or amount, except those which Borrower in good faith disputes. REPORTS AND PROXIES. Deliver to Bank, promptly, a copy of all financial statements, reports, notices, and all regular or periodic reports Page 2 required to be filed by Borrower with any governmental agency or authority. NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower agrees that from the date of this Agreement and until final payment in full of the Obligations, unless Bank shall otherwise consent in writing, Borrower will not: DEFAULT ON OTHER CONTRACTS OR OBLIGATIONS. Default on any material contract with or obligation when due to a third party or default in the performance of any obligation to a third party incurred for money borrowed. GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION. Permit the assertion or making of any seizure, vesting or intervention by or under authority of any governmental entity, as a result of which the management of Borrower or any guarantor is displaced of its authority in the conduct of its respective business or such business is curtailed or materially impaired. JUDGMENT ENTERED. Permit the entry of any monetary judgment or the assessment against, the filing of any tax lien against, or the issuance of any writ of garnishment or attachment against any property of or debts due. RETIRE OR REPURCHASE CAPITAL STOCK. Retire or otherwise acquire any of its capital stock. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Borrower shall deliver to Bank, within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year, unaudited management-prepared financial statements reflecting its operations during such fiscal year, including, without limitation, a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and statement of cash flows, with supporting schedules and in reasonable detail, prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year. If unaudited statements are required, such statements shall be certified as to their correctness by a principal financial officer of Borrower. PERIODIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Borrower shall deliver to Bank, within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, unaudited management-prepared quarterly financial statements including, without limitation, a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and statement of cash flows, with supporting schedules; all in reasonable detail and prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year. Such statements shall be certified as to their correctness by a principal financial officer of Borrower and in each case, if audited statements are required, subject to audit and year-end adjustments. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. The obligations of Bank to make the loan and any advances pursuant to this Agreement are subject to the following conditions precedent: ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS. Receipt by Bank of such additional supporting documents as Bank or its counsel may reasonably request. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower and Bank, on the day and year first written above, have caused this Agreement to be executed under seal. Prime/Home Impressions, LLC By: /s/ ROBERT W. LACKEY, Sr. (SEAL) -------------------------------------- Robert W. Lackey, Sr., Group A Manager By: /s/ NEALL W. HUMPHREY (SEAL) -------------------------------------- Neall W. Humphrey, Group B Manager Page 3 Wachovia Bank, National Association By: /s/ PHILIP E. MOORE (SEAL) -------------------------------------- Philip E. Moore, Senior Vice President Tracking #: 78890rke CAT - Deal # 240579 Facility ID 218095 Page 4 PROMISSORY NOTE $2,100,000.00 November 24, 2003 Prime/Home Impressions, LLC 420 3rd Avenue NW Hickory, North Carolina 28601 (Individually and collectively "Borrower") Wachovia Bank, National Association 301 South Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 (Hereinafter referred to as "Bank") Borrower promises to pay to the order of Bank, in lawful money of the United States of America, at its office indicated above or wherever else Bank may specify, the sum of Two Million, One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($2,100,000.00) or such sum as may be advanced and outstanding from time to time, with interest on the unpaid principal balance at the rate and on the terms provided in this Promissory Note (including all renewals, extensions or modifications hereof, this "Note"). LOAN AGREEMENT. This Note is subject to the provisions of that certain Loan Agreement between Bank and Borrower of even date herewith, as modified from time to time. TERM LOAN (WITH DRAW PERIOD). From the date of this Note until and including March 15, 2004 (the "Conversion Date"), Borrower may borrow and, upon the request of Borrower, Bank shall advance under this Note from time to time (each an "Advance" and together the "Advances"), so long as the total principal balance outstanding at any one time does not exceed the principal amount stated on the face of this Note, subject to the limitations described in any loan agreement to which this Note is subject. Bank's obligation to make Advances under this Note shall terminate if Borrower is in Default under this Note. As of the date of each proposed Advance, Borrower shall be deemed to represent that each representation made in the Loan Documents is true as of such date. Advances, once repaid, may not be reborrowed. USE OF PROCEEDS. Borrower shall use the proceeds of the loan(s) evidenced by this Note for the commercial purposes of Borrower, as follows: to fund start-up of the Lowe's lighting accessory program. SECURITY. Borrower has granted Bank a security interest in the collateral described in the Loan Documents, including, but not limited to, personal property collateral described in that certain Security Agreement of even date herewith. INTEREST RATE. Interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of each Advance during each Interest Period from the date of such Advance at a rate per annum equal to 1-month LIBOR plus 2.25% ("Interest Rate"). Interest for each Interest Period shall accrue each day during such Interest Period, commencing on and including the first day to but excluding the last day. "Interest Period" means, in respect of each Advance, each period commencing on the first day of the calendar month and ending on the first day of the next succeeding calendar month; provided (i) the first Interest Period shall commence on the date of such Advance, (ii) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend past the Conversion Date shall end on the Conversion Date, and thereafter all Advances shall be deemed one Advance and the first Interest Period in respect of such Advance shall commence on the Conversion Date and (iii) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend past the maturity date of this Note shall end on the maturity date of this Note. "LIBOR" means, with respect to each Interest Period, the rate for U.S. dollar deposits with a maturity equal to the number of months specified above, as reported on Telerate page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on the second London business day before such Interest Period begins, or, in the case of the first Interest Period, the second London business day before the first day of the calendar month during which such Interest Period begins (or if not so reported, then as determined by the Bank from another recognized source or interbank quotation). DEFAULT RATE. In addition to all other rights contained in this Note, if a Default (as defined herein) occurs and as long as a Default continues, all outstanding Obligations, other than Obligations under any swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section. 101) between Borrower and Bank or its affiliates, shall bear interest at the Interest Rate plus 3% ("Default Rate"), except if the Note is governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina and the original principal amount is less than or equal to $300,000.00. The Default Rate shall also apply from acceleration until the Obligations or any judgment thereon is paid in full. INTEREST AND FEE(S) COMPUTATION (ACTUAL/360). Interest and fees, if any, shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days in the applicable period ("Actual/360 Computation"). The Actual/360 Computation determines the annual effective yield by taking the stated (nominal) rate for a year's period and then dividing said rate by 360 to determine the daily periodic rate to be applied for each day in the applicable period. Application of the Actual/360 Computation produces an annualized effective interest rate exceeding the nominal rate. REPAYMENT TERMS. This Note shall be due and payable as set forth hereinbelow. From the date of this Note until and including the Conversion Date, this Note shall be payable in consecutive monthly payments of accrued interest only, commencing on January 15, 2004, and continuing on the same day of each month thereafter. After the Conversion Date, this Note shall be payable in consecutive quarterly payments of principal equal to $525,000.00, plus accrued interest, commencing on June 15, 2004, and continuing on the same day of each third month thereafter. In any event, all principal and accrued interest shall be due and payable on March 15, 2005. AUTOMATIC DEBIT OF CHECKING ACCOUNT FOR LOAN PAYMENT. Borrower authorizes Bank to debit demand deposit account number 601001776 or any other account with Frost National Bank (routing number ###-###-####) designated in writing by Borrower, beginning January 15, 2004 for any payments due under this Note. Borrower further certifies that Borrower holds legitimate ownership of this account and preauthorizes this periodic debit as part of its right under said ownership. APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Monies received by Bank from any source for application toward payment of the Obligations shall be applied to accrued interest and then to principal. If a Default occurs, monies may be applied to the Obligations in any manner or order deemed appropriate by Bank. If any payment received by Bank under this Note or other Loan Documents is rescinded, avoided or for any reason returned by Bank because of any adverse claim or threatened action, the returned payment shall remain payable as an obligation of all persons liable under this Note or other Loan Documents as though such payment had not been made. DEFINITIONS. LOAN DOCUMENTS. The term "Loan Documents", as used in this Note and the other Loan Documents, refers to all documents executed in connection with or related to the loan evidenced by this Note and any prior notes which evidence all or any portion of the loan evidenced by this Note, and any letters of credit issued pursuant to any loan agreement to which this Note is subject, any applications for such letters of credit and any other documents executed in connection therewith or related thereto, and may include, without limitation, a commitment letter that survives closing, a loan agreement, this Note, guaranty agreements, security agreements, security instruments, financing statements, mortgage instruments, any renewals or modifications, whenever any of the foregoing are executed, but does not include swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section. 101). OBLIGATIONS. The term "Obligations", as used in this Note and the other Loan Documents, refers to any and all indebtedness and other obligations under this Note, all other obligations under any other Loan Document(s), and all obligations under any swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section. 101) between Borrower and Bank, or its affiliates, whenever executed. CERTAIN OTHER TERMS. All terms that are used but not otherwise defined in any of the Loan Documents shall have the definitions provided in the Uniform Commercial Code. Page 2 LATE CHARGE. If any payments are not timely made, Borrower shall also pay to Bank a late charge equal to 4% of each payment past due for 15 or more days. Acceptance by Bank of any late payment without an accompanying late charge shall not be deemed a waiver of Bank's right to collect such late charge or to collect a late charge for any subsequent late payment received. ATTORNEYS' FEES AND OTHER COLLECTION COSTS. Borrower shall pay all of Bank's reasonable expenses incurred to enforce or collect any of the Obligations including, without limitation, reasonable arbitration, paralegals', attorneys' and experts' fees and expenses, whether incurred without the commencement of a suit, in any trial, arbitration, or administrative proceeding, or in any appellate or bankruptcy proceeding. USURY. If at any time the effective interest rate under this Note would, but for this paragraph, exceed the maximum lawful rate, the effective interest rate under this Note shall be the maximum lawful rate, and any amount received by Bank in excess of such rate shall be applied to principal and then to fees and expenses, or, if no such amounts are owing, returned to Borrower. DEFAULT. If any of the following occurs, a default ("Default") under this Note shall exist: NONPAYMENT; NONPERFORMANCE. The failure of timely payment or performance of the Obligations or Default under this Note or any other Loan Documents. FALSE WARRANTY. A warranty or representation made or deemed made in the Loan Documents or furnished Bank in connection with the loan evidenced by this Note proves materially false, or if of a continuing nature, becomes materially false. CROSS DEFAULT. At Bank's option, any default in payment or performance of any obligation under any other loans, contracts or agreements of Borrower, any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower, any general partner of or the holder(s) of the majority ownership interests of Borrower with Bank or its affiliates ("Affiliate" shall have the meaning as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section. 101, except that the term "Borrower" shall be substituted for the term "Debtor" therein; "Subsidiary" shall mean any business in which Borrower holds, directly or indirectly, a controlling interest). CESSATION; BANKRUPTCY. The death of, appointment of a guardian for, dissolution of, termination of existence of, loss of good standing status by, appointment of a receiver for, assignment for the benefit of creditors of, or commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding by or against Borrower, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, if any, or any general partner of or the holder(s) of the majority ownership interests of Borrower, or any party to the Loan Documents. MATERIAL BUSINESS ALTERATION. Without prior written consent of Bank, a material alteration in the kind or type of Borrower's business. MATERIAL CAPITAL STRUCTURE OR BUSINESS ALTERATION. Without prior written consent of Bank, (i) a material alteration in the kind or type of Borrower's business or that of Borrower's Subsidiaries or Affiliates, if any; (ii) the sale of substantially all of the business or assets of Borrower, any of Borrower's Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any guarantor, or a material portion (10% or more) of such business or assets if such a sale is outside the ordinary course of business of Borrower, or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any guarantor, or more than 50% of the outstanding stock or voting power of or in any such entity in a single transaction or a series of transactions; (iii) the acquisition of substantially all of the business or assets or more than 50% of the outstanding stock or voting power of any other entity; or (iv) should any Borrower or any of Borrower's Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any guarantor enter into any merger or consolidation. MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Bank determines in good faith, in its sole discretion, that the prospects for payment or performance of the Obligations are impaired or there has occurred a material adverse change in the business or prospects of Borrower, financial or otherwise. REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT. If a Default occurs under this Note or any Loan Documents, Bank may at any time thereafter, take the following actions: BANK LIEN. Foreclose its security interest or lien against Borrower's accounts without notice. ACCELERATION UPON DEFAULT. Accelerate the maturity of this Note and, at Bank's option, any or all other Obligations, other than Obligations under any swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section. 101) between Borrower and Bank, or its affiliates, which shall be governed by the default and termination provisions of said swap agreements; whereupon this Note and the accelerated Obligations shall be immediately due and payable; provided, however, if the Default is based upon a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding commenced by or against Borrower or any guarantor or endorser of this Note, all Obligations (other than Obligations under any swap agreement as referenced above) shall Page 3 automatically and immediately be due and payable. CUMULATIVE. Exercise any rights and remedies as provided under the Note and other Loan Documents, or as provided by law or equity. FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Borrower shall deliver to Bank such information as Bank may reasonably request from time to time, including without limitation, financial statements and information pertaining to Borrower's financial condition. Such information shall be true, complete, and accurate. WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS. No waivers, amendments or modifications of this Note and other Loan Documents shall be valid unless in writing and signed by an officer of Bank. No waiver by Bank of any Default shall operate as a waiver of any other Default or the same Default on a future occasion. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of Bank in exercising any right, power, or remedy under this Note and other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. Each Borrower or any person liable under this Note waives presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, demand for payment, notice of intention to accelerate maturity, notice of acceleration of maturity, notice of sale and all other notices of any kind. Further, each agrees that Bank may extend, modify or renew this Note or make a novation of the loan evidenced by this Note for any period, and grant any releases, compromises or indulgences with respect to any collateral securing this Note, or with respect to any other Borrower or any other person liable under this Note or other Loan Documents, all without notice to or consent of each Borrower or each person who may be liable under this Note or any other Loan Document and without affecting the liability of Borrower or any person who may be liable under this Note or any other Loan Document. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. ASSIGNMENT. This Note and the other Loan Documents shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. Bank's interests in and rights under this Note and the other Loan Documents are freely assignable, in whole or in part, by Bank. In addition, nothing in this Note or any of the other Loan Documents shall prohibit Bank from pledging or assigning this Note or any of the other Loan Documents or any interest therein to any Federal Reserve Bank. Borrower shall not assign its rights and interest hereunder without the prior written consent of Bank, and any attempt by Borrower to assign without Bank's prior written consent is null and void. Any assignment shall not release Borrower from the Obligations. APPLICABLE LAW; CONFLICT BETWEEN DOCUMENTS. This Note and, unless otherwise provided in any other Loan Document, the other Loan Documents shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the state named in Bank's address on the first page hereof without regard to that state's conflict of laws principles. If the terms of this Note should conflict with the terms of any loan agreement or any commitment letter that survives closing, the terms of this Note shall control. BORROWER'S ACCOUNTS. Except as prohibited by law, Borrower grants Bank a security interest in all of Borrower's accounts with Bank and any of its affiliates. JURISDICTION. Borrower irrevocably agrees to non-exclusive personal jurisdiction in the state named in Bank's address on the first page hereof. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Note or of the other Loan Documents shall be prohibited or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective but only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Note or other such document. NOTICES. Any notices to Borrower shall be sufficiently given, if in writing and mailed or delivered to the Borrower's address shown above or such other address as provided hereunder, and to Bank, if in writing and mailed or delivered to Wachovia Bank, National Association, Mail Code VA7391, P. O. Box 13327, Roanoke, VA 24040 or Wachovia Bank, National Association, Mail Code VA7391, 10 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24011 or such other address as Bank may specify in writing from time to time. Notices to Bank must include the mail code. In the event that Borrower changes Borrower's address at any time prior to the date the Obligations are paid in full, Borrower agrees to promptly give written notice of said change of address by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, all charges prepaid. PLURAL; CAPTIONS. All references in the Loan Documents to Borrower, guarantor, person, document or other nouns of reference mean both the singular and plural form, as the case may be, and the term "person" shall mean any individual, person or entity. The captions contained in the Loan Documents are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of the Loan Documents. ADVANCES. Bank may, in its sole discretion, make other advances which shall be deemed to be advances under this Page 4 Note, even though the stated principal amount of this Note may be exceeded as a result thereof. POSTING OF PAYMENTS. All payments received during normal banking hours after 2:00 p.m. local time at the office of Bank first shown above shall be deemed received at the opening of the next banking day. JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS. Each person who signs this Note as a Borrower (as defined herein) is jointly and severally obligated. FEES AND TAXES. Borrower shall promptly pay all documentary, intangible recordation and/or similar taxes on this transaction whether assessed at closing or arising from time to time. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY; WAIVER OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO, INCLUDING BANK BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES THAT IN ANY JUDICIAL, MEDIATION OR ARBITRATION PROCEEDING OR ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF OR BE IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM OR THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED HEREBY OR RELATED HERETO, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY HAVE A REMEDY OF, OR BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR, (1) INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR (2) PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT OR CLAIM TO PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES THEY MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY ARISE IN THE FUTURE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY, WHETHER THE SAME IS RESOLVED BY ARBITRATION, MEDIATION, JUDICIALLY OR OTHERWISE. PATRIOT ACT NOTICE. To help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. For purposes of this section, account shall be understood to include loan accounts. SWAP AGREEMENTS. All swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section. 101), if any, between Borrower and Bank or its affiliates are independent agreements governed by the written provisions of said swap agreements, which will remain in full force and effect, unaffected by any repayment, prepayment, acceleration, reduction, increase or change in the terms of this Note, except as otherwise expressly provided in said written swap agreements, and any payoff statement from Bank relating to this Note shall not apply to said swap agreements unless expressly referred to in such payoff statement. ARBITRATION. Upon demand of any party hereto, whether made before or after institution of any judicial proceeding, any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the Loan Documents between parties hereto (a "Dispute") shall be resolved by binding arbitration conducted under and governed by the Commercial Financial Disputes Arbitration Rules (the "Arbitration Rules") of the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA") and the Federal Arbitration Act. Disputes may include, without limitation, tort claims, counterclaims, a dispute as to whether a matter is subject to arbitration, claims brought as class actions, or claims arising from documents executed in the future. A judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this arbitration provision does not apply to disputes under or related to swap agreements. SPECIAL RULES. All arbitration hearings shall be conducted in the city named in the address of Bank first stated above. A hearing shall begin within 90 days of demand for arbitration and all hearings shall conclude within 120 days of demand for arbitration. These time limitations may not be extended unless a party shows cause for extension and then for no more than a total of 60 days. The expedited procedures set forth in Rule 51 et seq. of the Arbitration Rules shall be applicable to claims of less than $1,000,000.00. Arbitrators shall be licensed attorneys selected from the Commercial Financial Dispute Arbitration Panel of the AAA. The parties do not waive applicable Federal or state substantive law except as provided herein. PRESERVATION AND LIMITATION OF REMEDIES. Notwithstanding the preceding binding arbitration provisions, the parties agree to preserve, without diminution, certain remedies that any party may exercise before or after an arbitration proceeding is brought. The parties shall have the right to proceed in any court of proper jurisdiction or by self-help to exercise or prosecute the following remedies, as applicable: (i) all rights to foreclose against any real or personal property or other security by exercising a power of sale or under applicable law by judicial foreclosure including a proceeding to confirm the sale; (ii) all rights of self-help including peaceful occupation of real property and collection of rents, set-off, and peaceful possession of personal property; (iii) obtaining provisional or ancillary remedies including injunctive relief, sequestration, garnishment, attachment, appointment of receiver and filing an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding; and (iv) when applicable, a judgment by confession of judgment. Any claim or controversy with regard to any party's entitlement to such remedies is a Dispute. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BY AGREEING TO BINDING ARBITRATION THEY HAVE IRREVOCABLY WAIVED ANY RIGHT Page 5 THEY MAY HAVE TO JURY TRIAL WITH REGARD TO A DISPUTE AS TO WHICH BINDING ARBITRATION HAS BEEN DEMANDED. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower, on the day and year first above written, has caused this Note to be executed under seal. PLACE OF EXECUTION AND DELIVERY. Borrower hereby certifies that this Note and the Loan Documents were executed in the State of North Carolina and delivered to Bank in the State of North Carolina. Prime/Home Impressions, LLC Taxpayer Identification Number:_________ By: /s/ ROBERT W. LACKEY, Sr. (SEAL) -------------------------------------- Robert W. Lackey, Sr., Group A Manager By: /s/ NEALL W. HUMPHREY (SEAL) -------------------------------------- Neall W. Humphrey, Group B Manager Tracking #: 78890rke CAT - Deal # 240579 Facility ID 218095 Page 6 SECURITY AGREEMENT November 24, 2003 Prime/Home Impressions, LLC 420 3rd Avenue NW Hickory, North Carolina 28601 (Individually and collectively "Debtor") Wachovia Bank, National Association 301 South Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 (Hereinafter referred to as "Bank" or "Wachovia") For value received and to secure payment and performance of any and all obligations of Debtor (also referred to herein as "Borrower") to Bank however created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now existing or hereafter arising or acquired, and whether or not evidenced by a Loan Document, including swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section. 101), future advances, and all costs and expenses incurred by Bank to obtain, preserve, perfect and enforce the security interest granted herein and to maintain, preserve and collect the property subject to the security interest (collectively, "Obligations"), Debtor hereby grants to Bank a continuing security interest in and lien upon the following described property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and any additions, replacements, accessions, or substitutions thereof and all cash and non-cash proceeds and products thereof (collectively, "Collateral"): All of the personal property of Debtor of every kind and nature including, without limitation, all accounts, equipment, accessions, inventory, chattel paper, instruments, investment property, documents, letter-of-credit rights, deposit accounts, and general intangibles, wherever located. Debtor hereby represents and agrees that: OWNERSHIP. Debtor owns the Collateral or Debtor will purchase and acquire rights in the Collateral within ten days of the date advances are made under the Loan Documents. If Collateral is being acquired with the proceeds of an advance under the Loan Documents, Debtor authorizes Bank to disburse proceeds directly to the seller of the Collateral. The Collateral is free and clear of all liens, security interests, and claims except those previously reported in writing to and approved by Bank, and Debtor will keep the Collateral free and clear from all liens, security interests and claims, other than those granted to or approved by Bank. NAME AND OFFICES; JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION. The name and address of Debtor appearing at the beginning of this Agreement are Debtor's exact legal name and the address of its chief executive office. There has been no change in the name of Debtor, or the name under which Debtor conducts business, within the five years preceding the date hereof except as previously reported in writing to Bank. Debtor has not moved its chief executive office within the five years preceding the date hereof except as previously reported in writing to Bank. Debtor is organized under the laws of the State of North Carolina and has not changed the jurisdiction of its organization within the five years preceding the date hereof except as previously reported in writing to Bank. TITLE/TAXES. Debtor has good and marketable title to Collateral and will warrant and defend same against all claims. Debtor will not transfer, sell, or lease Collateral (except as permitted herein). Debtor agrees to pay promptly all taxes and assessments upon or for the use of Collateral and on this Security Agreement. At its option, Bank may discharge taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on Collateral. Debtor agrees to reimburse Bank, on demand, for any such payment made by Bank. Any amounts so paid shall be added to the Obligations. WAIVERS. Debtor agrees not to assert against Bank as a defense (legal or equitable), as a set-off, as a counterclaim, or otherwise, any claims Debtor may have against any seller or lessor that provided personal property or services relating to any part of the Collateral or against any other party liable to Bank for all or any part of the Obligations. Debtor waives all exemptions and homestead rights with regard to the Collateral. Debtor waives any and all rights to any bond or security which might be required by applicable law prior to the exercise of any of Bank's remedies against any Collateral. All rights of Bank and security interests hereunder, and all obligations of Debtor hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional, not discharged or impaired irrespective of (and regardless of whether Debtor receives any notice of): (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Loan Document; (ii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment or performance, or in any term, of all or any of the Obligations or the Loan Documents or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from any Loan Document; or (iii) any exchange, insufficiency, unenforceability, enforcement, release, impairment or non-perfection of any collateral, or any release of or modifications to or insufficiency, unenforceability or enforcement of the obligations of any guarantor or other obligor. To the extent permitted by law, Debtor hereby waives any rights under any valuation, stay, appraisement, extension or redemption laws now existing or which may hereafter exist and which, but for this provision, might be applicable to any sale or disposition of the Collateral by Bank; and any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of any party with respect to the Obligations. NOTIFICATIONS; LOCATION OF COLLATERAL. Debtor will notify Bank in writing at least 30 days prior to any change in: (i) Debtor's chief place of business and/or residence; (ii) Debtor's name or identity; (iii) Debtor's corporate/organizational structure; or (iv) the jurisdiction in which Debtor is organized. In addition, Debtor shall promptly notify Bank of any claims or alleged claims of any other person or entity to the Collateral or the institution of any litigation, arbitration, governmental investigation or administrative proceedings against or affecting the Collateral. Debtor will keep Collateral at the location(s) previously provided to Bank until such time as Bank provides written advance consent to a change of location. Debtor will bear the cost of preparing and filing any documents necessary to protect Bank's liens. COLLATERAL CONDITION AND LAWFUL USE. Debtor represents that the Collateral is in good repair and condition and that Debtor shall use reasonable care to prevent Collateral from being damaged or depreciating, normal wear and tear excepted. Debtor shall immediately notify Bank of any material loss or damage to Collateral. Debtor shall not permit any item of Collateral to become a fixture to real estate or an accession to other personal property unless such property is also Collateral hereunder. Debtor represents it is in compliance in all respects with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Collateral and its properties, operations, business, and finances. RISK OF LOSS AND INSURANCE. Debtor shall bear all risk of loss with respect to the Collateral. The injury to or loss of Collateral, either partial or total, shall not release Debtor from payment or other performance hereof. Debtor agrees to obtain and keep in force property insurance on the Collateral with a Lender's Loss Payable Endorsement in favor of Bank and commercial general liability insurance naming Bank as Additional Insured and such other insurance as Bank may require from time to time. Such insurance is to be in form and amounts satisfactory to Bank and issued by reputable insurance carriers satisfactory to Bank with a Best Insurance Report Key Rating of at least "A-". All such policies shall provide to Bank a minimum of 30 days written notice of cancellation. Debtor shall furnish to Bank such policies, or other evidence of such policies satisfactory to Bank. If Debtor fails to obtain or maintain in force such insurance or fails to furnish such evidence, Bank is authorized, but not obligated, to purchase any or all insurance or "Single Interest Insurance" protecting such interest as Bank deems appropriate against such risks and for such coverage and for such amounts, including either the loan amount or value of the Collateral, all at its discretion, and at Debtor's expense. In such event, Debtor agrees to reimburse Bank for the cost of such insurance and Bank may add such cost to the Obligations. Debtor shall bear the risk of loss to the extent of any deficiency in the effective insurance coverage with respect to loss or damage to any of the Collateral. Debtor hereby assigns to Bank the proceeds of all property insurance covering the Collateral up to the amount of the Obligations and directs any insurer to make payments directly to Bank. Debtor hereby appoints Bank its attorney-in-fact, which appointment shall be irrevocable and coupled with an interest for so long as Obligations are unpaid, to file proof of loss and/or any other forms required to collect from any insurer any amount due from any damage or Page 2 destruction of Collateral, to agree to and bind Debtor as to the amount of said recovery, to designate payee(s) of such recovery, to grant releases to insurer, to grant subrogation rights to any insurer, and to endorse any settlement check or draft. Debtor agrees not to exercise any of the foregoing powers granted to Bank without Bank's prior written consent. FINANCING STATEMENTS, CERTIFICATES OF TITLE, POWER OF ATTORNEY. No financing statement (other than any filed or approved by Bank) covering any Collateral is on file in any public filing office. Debtor authorizes the filing of one or more financing statements covering the Collateral in form satisfactory to Bank, and without Debtor's signature where authorized by law, agrees to deliver certificates of title on which Bank's lien has been indicated covering any Collateral subject to a certificate of title statue, and will pay all costs and expenses of filing or applying for the same or of filing this Security Agreement in all public filing offices, where filing is deemed by Bank to be desirable. Debtor hereby constitutes and appoints Bank the true and lawful attorney of Debtor with full power of substitution to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents, instruments or applications that may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purpose and carry out the terms of this Security Agreement, including, without limitation, to complete, execute, and deliver any Control Agreement(s) by Bank, Debtor and Third Party(ies) that may be or become required in connection herewith (individually and collectively the "Control Agreement"), and any instructions to Third Party(ies) regarding, among other things, control and disposition of any Collateral which is the subject of such Control Agreement(s). The foregoing power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable until all of the Obligations have been paid in full. Neither Bank nor anyone acting on its behalf shall be liable for acts, omissions, errors in judgment, or mistakes in fact in such capacity as attorney-in-fact. Debtor ratifies all acts of Bank as attorney-in-fact. Debtor agrees to take such other actions, at Debtor's expense, as might be requested for the perfection, continuation and assignment, in whole or in part, of the security interests granted herein and to assure and preserve Bank's intended priority position. If certificates, passbooks, or other documentation or evidence is/are issued or outstanding as to any of the Collateral, Debtor will cause the security interests of Bank to be properly protected, including perfection by notation thereon or delivery thereof to Bank. LANDLORD/MORTGAGEE WAIVERS. Debtor shall cause each mortgagee of real property owned by Debtor and each landlord of real property leased by Debtor to execute and deliver instruments satisfactory in form and substance to Bank by which such mortgagee or landlord subordinates its rights, if any, in the Collateral. CONTROL. Debtor will cooperate with Bank in obtaining control with respect to Collateral consisting of electronic chattel paper. Debtor authorizes and directs Third Party to comply with the terms of this Security Agreement, to enter into a Control Agreement, to mark its records to show the security interest of and/or the transfer to Bank of the property pledged hereunder. CHATTEL PAPER, ACCOUNTS, GENERAL INTANGIBLES. Debtor warrants that Collateral consisting of chattel paper, accounts, or general intangibles is (i) genuine and enforceable in accordance with its terms; (ii) not subject to any defense, set-off, claim or counterclaim of a material nature against Debtor except as to which Debtor has notified Bank in writing; and (iii) not subject to any other circumstances that would impair the validity, enforceability, value, or amount of such Collateral except as to which Debtor has notified Bank in writing. Debtor shall not amend, modify or supplement any lease, contract or agreement contained in Collateral or waive any provision therein, without prior written consent of Bank. Debtor will not create any tangible chattel paper without placing a legend on the chattel paper acceptable to Bank indicating that Bank has a security interest in the chattel paper. Debtor will not create any electronic chattel paper without taking all steps deemed necessary by Bank to confer control of the electronic chattel paper upon Bank in accordance with the UCC. ACCOUNT INFORMATION. From time to time, at Bank's request, Debtor shall provide Bank with schedules describing all accounts, including customers' addresses, created or acquired by Debtor and at Bank's request shall execute and deliver written assignments of contracts and other documents evidencing such accounts to Bank. Together with each schedule, Debtor shall, if requested by Bank, Page 3 furnish Bank with copies of Debtor's sales journals, invoices, customer purchase orders or the equivalent, and original shipping or delivery receipts for all goods sold, and Debtor warrants the genuineness thereof. ACCOUNT DEBTORS. If a Default should occur, Bank shall have the right to notify the account debtors obligated on any or all of the Collateral to make payment thereof directly to Bank and Bank may take control of all proceeds of any such Collateral, which rights Bank may exercise at any time. The cost of such collection and enforcement, including attorneys' fees and expenses, shall be borne solely by Debtor whether the same is incurred by Bank or Debtor. If a Default should occur or upon demand of Bank, Debtor will, upon receipt of all checks, drafts, cash and other remittances in payment on Collateral, deposit the same in a special bank account maintained with Bank, over which Bank also has the power of withdrawal. If a Default should occur, no discount, credit, or allowance shall be granted by Debtor to any account debtor and no return of merchandise shall be accepted by Debtor without Bank's consent. Bank may, after Default, settle or adjust disputes and claims directly with account debtors for amounts and upon terms that Bank considers advisable, and in such cases Bank will credit the Obligations with the net amounts received by Bank, after deducting all of the expenses incurred by Bank. Debtor agrees to indemnify and defend Bank and hold it harmless with respect to any claim or proceeding arising out of any matter related to collection of Collateral. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS. If any Collateral covered hereby arises from obligations due to Debtor from any governmental unit or organization, Debtor shall immediately notify Bank in writing and execute all documents and take all actions deemed necessary by Bank to ensure recognition by such governmental unit or organization of the rights of Bank in the Collateral. INVENTORY. So long as no Default has occurred, Debtor shall have the right in the regular course of business, to process and sell Debtor's inventory. If a Default should occur or upon demand of Bank, Debtor will, upon receipt of all checks, drafts, cash and other remittances, in payment of Collateral sold, deposit the same in a special bank account maintained with Bank, over which Bank also has the power of withdrawal. Debtor agrees to notify Bank immediately in the event that any inventory purchased by or delivered to Debtor is evidenced by a bill of lading, dock warrant, dock receipt, warehouse receipt or other document of title and to deliver such document to Bank upon request. INSTRUMENTS, CHATTEL PAPER, DOCUMENTS. Any Collateral that is, or is evidenced by, instruments, chattel paper or negotiable documents will be properly assigned to and the originals of any such Collateral in tangible form deposited with and held by Bank, unless Bank shall hereafter otherwise direct or consent in writing. Bank may, without notice, before or after maturity of the Obligations, exercise any or all rights of collection, conversion, or exchange and other similar rights, privileges and options pertaining to such Collateral, but shall have no duty to do so. COLLATERAL DUTIES. Bank shall have no custodial or ministerial duties to perform with respect to Collateral pledged except as set forth herein; and by way of explanation and not by way of limitation, Bank shall incur no liability for any of the following: (i) loss or depreciation of Collateral (unless caused by its willful misconduct or gross negligence), (ii) failure to present any paper for payment or protest, to protest or give notice of nonpayment, or any other notice with respect to any paper or Collateral. TRANSFER OF COLLATERAL. Bank may assign its rights in Collateral or any part thereof to any assignee who shall thereupon become vested with all the powers and rights herein given to Bank with respect to the property so transferred and delivered, and Bank shall thereafter be forever relieved and fully discharged from any liability with respect to such property so transferred, but with respect to any property not so transferred, Bank shall retain all rights and powers hereby given. INSPECTION, BOOKS AND RECORDS. Debtor will at all times keep accurate and complete records covering each item of Collateral, including the proceeds therefrom. Bank, or any of its agents, shall have the right, at intervals to be determined by Bank and without hindrance or delay, at Debtor's expense, to inspect, audit, and examine the Collateral and to make copies of and extracts from the books, records, Page 4 journals, orders, receipts, correspondence and other data relating to Collateral, Debtor's business or any other transaction between the parties hereto. Debtor will at its expense furnish Bank copies thereof upon request. For the further security of Bank, it is agreed that Bank has and is hereby granted a security interest in all books and records of Debtor pertaining to the Collateral. COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. Debtor will comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations, applicable to it, including without limitation, environmental and labor laws and regulations, in the creation, use, operation, manufacture and storage of the Collateral and the conduct of its business. REGULATION U. None of the proceeds of the credit secured hereby shall be used directly or indirectly for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock in violation of any of the provisions of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("Regulation U"), or for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry margin stock or for any other purchase which might render the Loan a "Purpose Credit" within the meaning of Regulation U. CROSS COLLATERALIZATION LIMITATION. As to any other existing or future consumer purpose loan made by Bank to Debtor, within the meaning of the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, Bank expressly waives any security interest granted herein in Collateral that Debtor uses as a principal dwelling and household goods. ATTORNEYS' FEES AND OTHER COSTS OF COLLECTION. Debtor shall pay all of Bank's reasonable expenses incurred in enforcing this Security Agreement and in preserving and liquidating Collateral, including but not limited to, reasonable arbitration, paralegals', attorneys' and experts' fees and expenses, whether incurred with or without the commencement of a suit, trial, arbitration, or administrative proceeding, or in any appellate or bankruptcy proceeding. DEFAULT. If any of the following occurs, a default ("Default") under this Security Agreement shall exist: LOAN DOCUMENT DEFAULT. A default under any Loan Document. COLLATERAL LOSS OR DESTRUCTION. Any loss, theft, substantial damage, or destruction of Collateral not fully covered by insurance, or as to which insurance proceeds are not remitted to Bank within 30 days of the loss. COLLATERAL SALE, LEASE OR ENCUMBRANCE. Any sale, lease, or encumbrance of any Collateral not specifically permitted herein without prior written consent of Bank. LEVY, SEIZURE OR ATTACHMENT. The making of any levy, seizure, or attachment on or of Collateral which is not removed within 10 days. UNAUTHORIZED COLLECTION OF COLLATERAL. Any attempt to collect, cash in or otherwise recover deposits that are Collateral. THIRD PARTY BREACH. Any default or breach by a Third Party of any provision contained in any Control Agreement executed in connection with any of the Collateral. UNAUTHORIZED TERMINATION. Any attempt to terminate, revoke, rescind, modify, or violate the terms of this Security Agreement or any Control Agreement without the prior written consent of Bank. REMEDIES ON DEFAULT (INCLUDING POWER OF SALE). If a Default occurs Bank shall have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code. Without limitation thereto, Bank shall have the following rights and remedies: (i) to take immediate possession of Collateral, without notice or resort to legal process, and for such purpose, to enter upon any premises on which Collateral or any part thereof may be situated and to remove the same therefrom, or, at its option, to render Collateral unusable or dispose of said Collateral on Debtor's premises; (ii) to require Debtor to assemble the Collateral and make it available to Bank at a place to be designated by Bank; (iii) to exercise its right of set-off or bank lien as to any monies of Debtor deposited in accounts of any nature maintained by Debtor with Bank or affiliates of Bank, without advance notice, regardless of whether such accounts are general or special; (iv) to dispose of Collateral, as a unit or in parcels, separately or with any real property interests also securing the Obligations, in any county or place to be selected by Bank, at either private or public sale (at which public sale Bank may be the purchaser) with or without having the Collateral physically present at said sale. Any notice of sale, disposition or other action by Bank required by law and sent to Debtor at Debtor's address shown above, or at such other address of Debtor as may from time to time be shown on the Page 5 records of Bank, at least 5 days prior to such action, shall constitute reasonable notice to Debtor. Notice shall be deemed given or sent when mailed postage prepaid to Debtor's address as provided herein. Bank shall be entitled to apply the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral, and the payments received by Bank with respect to any of the Collateral, to Obligations in such order and manner as Bank may determine. Collateral that is subject to rapid declines in value and is customarily sold in recognized markets may be disposed of by Bank in a recognized market for such collateral without providing notice of sale. Debtor waives any and all requirements that the Bank sell or dispose of all or any part of the Collateral at any particular time, regardless of whether Debtor has requested such sale or disposition. REMEDIES ARE CUMULATIVE. No failure on the part of Bank to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by Bank or any right, power or remedy hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any right, power or remedy. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law, in equity, or in other Loan Documents. INDEMNIFICATION. Debtor shall protect, indemnify and save harmless Bank from and against all losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, damages, penalties, causes of action, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) (collectively, "Damages") imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against Bank on account of (i) the Loan Documents or any failure or alleged failure of Debtor to comply with any of the terms or representations of this Agreement; (ii) any claim of loss or damage to the Collateral or any injury or claim of injury to, or death of, any person or property that may be occasioned by any cause whatsoever pertaining to the Collateral or the use, occupancy or operation thereof, (iii) any failure or alleged failure of Debtor to comply with any law, rule or regulation applicable to the Collateral or the use, occupancy or operation of the Collateral (including, without limitation, the failure to pay any taxes, fees or other charges), (iv) any Damages whatsoever by reason of any alleged action, obligation or undertaking of Bank relating in any way to or any matter contemplated by the Loan Documents, or (v) any claim for brokerage fees or such other commissions relating to the Collateral or any other Obligations; provided that such indemnity shall be effective only to the extent of any Damages that may be sustained by Bank in excess of any net proceeds received by it from any insurance of Debtor (other than self-insurance) with respect to such Damages. Nothing contained herein shall require Debtor to indemnify Bank for any Damages resulting from Bank's gross negligence or its willful misconduct. The indemnity provided for herein shall survive payment of the Obligations and shall extend to the officers, directors, employees and duly authorized agents of Bank. In the event Bank incurs any Damages arising out of or in any way relating to the transaction contemplated by the Loan Documents (including any of the matters referred to in this section), the amounts of such Damages shall be added to the Obligations, shall bear interest, to the extent permitted by law, at the interest rate borne by the Obligations from the date incurred until paid and shall be payable on demand. MISCELLANEOUS. (i) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. No waiver, amendment or modification of any provision of this Security Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by Debtor and an officer of Bank. No waiver by Bank of any Default shall operate as a waiver of any other Default or of the same Default on a future occasion. (ii) ASSIGNMENT. All rights of Bank hereunder are freely assignable, in whole or in part, and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Bank, its successors, assigns and affiliates. Debtor shall not assign its rights and interest hereunder without the prior written consent of Bank, and any attempt by Debtor to assign without Bank's prior written consent is null and void. Any assignment shall not release Debtor from the Obligations. This Security Agreement shall be binding upon Debtor, and the heirs, personal representatives, successors, and assigns of Debtor. (iii) APPLICABLE LAW; CONFLICT BETWEEN DOCUMENTS. This Security Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the law of the jurisdiction named in the address of the Bank shown on the first page hereof (the "Jurisdiction") without regard to that Jurisdiction's conflict of laws principles, except to the extent that the UCC requires the application of the law of a different jurisdiction. If any terms of this Security Agreement conflict with the terms of any commitment letter or loan proposal, the terms of this Security Agreement shall control. (iv) JURISDICTION. Debtor irrevocably agrees to non-exclusive personal jurisdiction in the state identified as the Jurisdiction above. (v) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Security Agreement shall be Page 6 prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective but only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Security Agreement. (vi) NOTICES. Any notices to Debtor shall be sufficiently given, if in writing and mailed or delivered to the address of Debtor shown above or such other address as provided hereunder; and to Bank, if in writing and mailed or delivered to Wachovia Bank, National Association, Mail Code VA7391, P. O. Box 13327, Roanoke, VA 24040 or Wachovia Bank, National Association, Mail Code VA7391, 10 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24011 or such other address as Bank may specify in writing from time to time. Notices to Bank must include the mail code. In the event that Debtor changes Debtor's mailing address at any time prior to the date the Obligations are paid in full, Debtor agrees to promptly give written notice of said change of address by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, all charges prepaid. (vii) CAPTIONS. The captions contained herein are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this Security Agreement or any provision hereof. The use of the plural shall also mean the singular, and vice versa. (viii) JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY. If more than one party has signed this Security Agreement, such parties are jointly and severally obligated hereunder. (ix) BINDING CONTRACT. Debtor by execution and Bank by acceptance of this Security Agreement, agree that each party is bound by all terms and provisions of this Security Agreement. DEFINITIONS. LOAN DOCUMENTS. The term "Loan Documents" refers to all documents, including this Agreement, whether now or hereafter existing, executed in connection with or related to the Obligations, and may include, without limitation and whether executed by Debtor or others, commitment letters that survive closing, loan agreements, promissory notes, guaranty agreements, deposit or other similar agreements, other security agreements, letters of credit and applications for letters of credit, security instruments, financing statements, mortgage instruments, any renewals or modifications, whenever any of the foregoing are executed, but does not include swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section. 101). THIRD PARTY. The term "Third Party" means any Broker, Collateral Agent, Securities Intermediary and/or bank which from time to time maintains a securities account, and is acting in such capacity, for Debtor or maintains a deposit account for Debtor with respect to any part of the Collateral. UCC. "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code as presently and hereafter enacted in the Jurisdiction. TERMS DEFINED IN THE UCC. Any term used in this Agreement and in any financing statement filed in connection herewith which is defined in the UCC and not otherwise defined in this Agreement or any other Loan Document has the meaning given to the term in the UCC. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor, on the day and year first written above, has caused this Security Agreement to be executed under seal. Prime/Home Impressions, LLC By: /s/ ROBERT W. LACKEY, SR. (SEAL) -------------------------------------- Robert W. Lackey, Sr., Group A Manager By: /s/ NEALL W. HUMPHREY (SEAL) -------------------------------------- Neall W. Humphrey, Group B Manager Tracking #: 78890rke CAT - Deal # 240579 Facility ID 218095 Page 7 UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY November 24, 2003 Prime/Home Impressions, LLC 420 3rd Avenue NW Hickory, North Carolina 28601 (Individually and collectively "Borrower") Craftmade International, Inc. 650 South Royal Lane Suite 200 Coppell, Texas 75019 (Individually and collectively "Guarantor") Wachovia Bank, National Association 301 South Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 (Hereinafter referred to as "Bank") To induce Bank to make, extend or renew loans, advances, credit, or other financial accommodations to or for the benefit of Borrower, which are and will be to the direct interest and advantage of the Guarantor, and in consideration of loans, advances, credit, or other financial accommodations made, extended or renewed to or for the benefit of Borrower, which are and will be to the direct interest and advantage of the Guarantor, Guarantor hereby absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to Bank and its successors, assigns and affiliates the timely payment and performance of all liabilities and obligations of Borrower to Bank and its affiliates, including, but not limited to, all obligations under any notes, loan agreements, security agreements, letters of credit, instruments, accounts receivable, contracts, drafts, leases, chattel paper, indemnities, acceptances, repurchase agreements, overdrafts, and the Loan Documents, as defined below, and all obligations of Borrower to Bank or any of its affiliates under any swap agreement (as defined in 11 U.S. Code Section. 101), however and whenever incurred or evidenced, whether primary, secondary, direct, indirect, absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter contracted or acquired, and all modifications, extensions and renewals thereof, (collectively, the "Guaranteed Obligations"). Guarantor further covenants and agrees: GUARANTOR'S LIABILITY. This Guaranty is a continuing and unconditional guaranty of payment and performance and not of collection. The parties to this Guaranty are jointly and severally obligated hereunder. This Guaranty does not impose any obligation on Bank to extend or continue to extend credit or otherwise deal with Borrower at any subsequent time. This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded, avoided or for any other reason must be returned by Bank, and the returned payment shall remain payable as part of the Guaranteed Obligations, all as though such payment had not been made. Except to the extent the provisions of this Guaranty give Bank additional rights, this Guaranty shall not be deemed to supersede or replace any other guaranties given to Bank by Guarantor; and the obligations guaranteed hereby shall be in addition to any other obligations guaranteed by Guarantor pursuant to any other agreement of guaranty given to Bank and other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations. TERMINATION OF GUARANTY. Guarantor may terminate this Guaranty only by written notice, delivered personally to or received by certified or registered United States Mail by an authorized officer of Bank at the address for notices provided herein. Such termination shall be effective with respect to Guaranteed Obligations arising more than 15 days after the date such written notice is received by said Bank officer. Guarantor may not terminate this Guaranty as to Guaranteed Obligations (including any subsequent extensions, modifications or compromises of the Guaranteed Obligations) then existing, or to Guaranteed Obligations arising subsequent to receipt by Bank of said notice if such Guaranteed Obligations are a result of Bank's obligation to make advances pursuant to a commitment entered into prior to expiration of the 15 day notice period, or are a result of advances which are necessary for Bank to protect its collateral or otherwise preserve its interests. Termination of this Guaranty by any single Guarantor will not affect the existing and continuing obligations of any other Guarantor hereunder. CONSENT TO MODIFICATIONS. Guarantor CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT BANK (AND, WITH RESPECT TO SWAP OBLIGATIONS, ITS AFFILIATES) MAY FROM TIME TO TIME, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, WITHOUT AFFECTING, IMPAIRING, LESSENING OR RELEASING THE OBLIGATIONS OF GUARANTOR HEREUNDER: (a) extend or modify the time, manner, place or terms of payment or performance and/or otherwise change or modify the credit terms of the Guaranteed Obligations; (b) increase, renew, or enter into a novation of the Guaranteed Obligations; (c) waive or consent to the departure from terms of the Guaranteed Obligations; (d) permit any change in the business or other dealings and relations of Borrower or any other guarantor with Bank; (e) proceed against, exchange, release, realize upon, or otherwise deal with in any manner any collateral that is or may be held by Bank in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations or any liabilities or obligations of Guarantor; and (f) proceed against, settle, release, or compromise with Borrower, any insurance carrier, or any other person or entity liable as to any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, and/or subordinate the payment of any part of the Guaranteed Obligations to the payment of any other obligations, which may at any time be due or owing to Bank; all in such manner and upon such terms as Bank may deem appropriate, and without notice to or further consent from Guarantor. No invalidity, irregularity, discharge or unenforceability of, or action or omission by Bank relating to any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall affect or impair this Guaranty. WAIVERS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. GUARANTOR WAIVES AND RELEASES THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS, DEMANDS, AND DEFENSES Guarantor may have with respect to Bank (and, with respect to swap obligations, its affiliates) and collection of the Guaranteed Obligations: (a) promptness and diligence in collection of any of the Guaranteed Obligations from Borrower or any other person liable thereon, and in foreclosure of any security interest and sale of any property serving as collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations; (b) any law or statute that requires that Bank (and, with respect to swap obligations, its affiliates) make demand upon, assert claims against, or collect from Borrower or other persons or entities, foreclose any security interest, sell collateral, exhaust any remedies, or take any other action against Borrower or other persons or entities prior to making demand upon, collecting from or taking action against Guarantor with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, including any such rights Guarantor might otherwise have had under Va. Code Sections. 49-25 and 49-26, et seq., N.C.G.S. Sections. 26-7, et seq., Tenn. Code Ann. Section.47-12-101, O.C.G.A. Section. 10-7-24 and any successor statute and any other applicable law; (c) any law or statute that requires that Borrower or any other person be joined in, notified of or made part of any action against Guarantor; (d) that Bank or its affiliates preserve, insure or perfect any security interest in collateral or sell or dispose of collateral in a particular manner or at a particular time, provided that Bank's obligation to dispose of Collateral in a commercially reasonable manner is not waived hereby; (e) notice of extensions, modifications, renewals, or novations of the Guaranteed Obligations, of any new transactions or other relationships between Bank, Borrower and/or any guarantor, and of changes in the financial condition of, ownership of, or business structure of Borrower or any other guarantor; (f) presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, notice of default, demand for payment, notice of intention to accelerate maturity, notice of acceleration of maturity, notice of sale, and all other notices of any kind whatsoever to which Guarantor may be entitled; (g) the right to assert against Bank or its affiliates any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim that Guarantor may have at any time against Borrower or any other party liable to Bank or its affiliates; (h) all defenses relating to invalidity, insufficiency, unenforceability, enforcement, release or impairment of Bank or its affiliates' lien on any collateral, of the Loan Documents, or of any other guaranties held by Bank; (i) any right to which Guarantor is or may become entitled to be subrogated to Bank or its affiliates' rights against Borrower or to seek contribution, reimbursement, indemnification, payment or the like, or participation in any claim, right or remedy of Bank or its affiliates against Borrower or any security which Bank or its affiliates now Page 2 has or hereafter acquires, until such time as the Guaranteed Obligations have been fully satisfied beyond the expiration of any applicable preference period; (j) any claim or defense that acceleration of maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed against Guarantor because of the stay of assertion or of acceleration of claims against any other person or entity for any reason including the bankruptcy or insolvency of that person or entity; and (k) the right to marshalling of Borrower's assets or the benefit of any exemption claimed by Guarantor. Guarantor acknowledges and represents that Guarantor has relied upon Guarantor's own due diligence in making an independent appraisal of Borrower, Borrower's business affairs and financial condition, and any collateral; Guarantor will continue to be responsible for making an independent appraisal of such matters; and Guarantor has not relied upon Bank or its affiliates for information regarding Borrower or any collateral. FINANCIAL CONDITION. Guarantor warrants, represents and covenants to Bank and its affiliates that on and after the date hereof: (a) the fair saleable value of Guarantor's assets exceeds its liabilities, Guarantor is meeting its current liabilities as they mature, and Guarantor is and shall remain solvent; (b) all financial statements of Guarantor furnished to Bank are correct and accurately reflect the financial condition of Guarantor as of the respective dates thereof; (c) since the date of such financial statements, there has not occurred a material adverse change in the financial condition of Guarantor; (d) there are not now pending any court or administrative proceedings or undischarged judgments against Guarantor, no federal or state tax liens have been filed or threatened against Guarantor, and Guarantor is not in default or claimed default under any agreement; and (e) at such reasonable times as Bank requests, Guarantor will furnish Bank and its affiliates with such other financial information as Bank and its affiliates may reasonably request. INTEREST AND APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Regardless of any other provision of this Guaranty or other Loan Documents, if for any reason the effective interest on any of the Guaranteed Obligations should exceed the maximum lawful interest, the effective interest shall be deemed reduced to and shall be such maximum lawful interest, and any sums of interest which have been collected in excess of such maximum lawful interest shall be applied as a credit against the unpaid principal balance of the Guaranteed Obligations. Monies received from any source by Bank or its affiliates for application toward payment of the Guaranteed Obligations may be applied to such Guaranteed Obligations in any manner or order deemed appropriate by Bank and its affiliates. DEFAULT. If any of the following events occur, a default ("Default") under this Guaranty shall exist: (a) failure of timely payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations or a default under any Loan Document; (b) a breach of any agreement or representation contained or referred to in the Guaranty, or any of the Loan Documents, or contained in any other contract or agreement of Guarantor with Bank or its affiliates, whether now existing or hereafter arising; (c) the death of, appointment of a guardian for, dissolution of, termination of existence of, loss of good standing status by, appointment of a receiver for, assignment for the benefit of creditors of, or the commencement of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding by or against Guarantor or any general partner of or the holder(s) of the majority ownership interests of Guarantor; and/or (d) Bank determines in good faith, in its sole discretion, that the prospects for payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations are impaired or a material adverse change has occurred in the business or prospects of Borrower or Guarantor, financial or otherwise. If a Default occurs, the Guaranteed Obligations shall be due immediately and payable without notice, other than Guaranteed Obligations under any swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section. 101) with Bank or its affiliates, which shall be governed by the default and termination provisions of said swap agreements, and, Bank and its affiliates may exercise any rights and remedies as provided in this Guaranty and other Loan Documents, or as provided at law or equity. Guarantor shall pay interest on the Guaranteed Obligations from such Default at the highest rate of interest charged on any of the Guaranteed Obligations. ATTORNEYS' FEES AND OTHER COSTS OF COLLECTION. Guarantor shall pay all of Bank's and its affiliates' reasonable expenses incurred to enforce or collect any of the Guaranteed Obligations, Page 3 including, without limitation, reasonable arbitration, paralegals', attorneys' and experts' fees and expenses, whether incurred without the commencement of a suit, in any suit, arbitration, or administrative proceeding, or in any appellate or bankruptcy proceeding. SUBORDINATION OF OTHER DEBTS. Guarantor agrees: (a) to subordinate the obligations now or hereafter owed by Borrower to Guarantor ("Subordinated Debt") to any and all obligations of Borrower to Bank or its affiliates now or hereafter existing while this Guaranty is in effect, provided however that Guarantor may receive regularly scheduled principal and interest payments on the Subordinated Debt so long as (i) all sums due and payable by Borrower to Bank and its affiliates have been paid in full on or prior to such date, and (ii) no event or condition which constitutes or which with notice or the lapse or time would constitute an event of default with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations shall be continuing on or as of the payment date; (b) Guarantor will either place a legend indicating such subordination on every note, ledger page or other document evidencing any part of the Subordinated Debt or deliver such documents to Bank; and (c) except as permitted by this paragraph, Guarantor will not request or accept payment of or any security for any part of the Subordinated Debt, and any proceeds of the Subordinated Debt paid to Guarantor, through error or otherwise, shall immediately be forwarded to Bank by Guarantor, properly endorsed to the order of Bank, to apply to the Guaranteed Obligations. MISCELLANEOUS. ASSIGNMENT. This Guaranty and other Loan Documents shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. Bank's interests in and rights under this Guaranty and other Loan Documents are freely assignable, in whole or in part, by Bank. Any assignment shall not release Guarantor from the Guaranteed Obligations. ORGANIZATION; POWERS. Guarantor (i) is (a) an adult individual and is sui juris, or (b) a corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity (as indicated below), duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization, and is authorized to do business in each other jurisdiction wherein its ownership of property or conduct of business legally requires such organization, (ii) has the power and authority to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as now contemplated; and (iii) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform, and by all necessary action has authorized the execution, delivery and performance of, all of its obligations under this Guaranty and any other Loan Document to which it is a party. APPLICABLE LAW; CONFLICT BETWEEN DOCUMENTS. This Guaranty shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the state named in Bank's address shown above without regard to that state's conflict of laws principles. If the terms of this Guaranty should conflict with the terms of any commitment letter that survives closing, the terms of this Guaranty shall control. GUARANTOR'S ACCOUNTS. Except as prohibited by law, Guarantor grants Bank and its affiliates a security interest in all of Guarantor's accounts with Bank and its affiliates. JURISDICTION. Guarantor irrevocably agrees to nonexclusive personal jurisdiction in the state named in Bank's address shown above. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Guaranty or of the other Loan Documents shall be prohibited or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective but only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty or other Loan Documents. NOTICES. Any notices to Guarantor shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed or delivered to Guarantor's address shown above or such other address as provided hereunder, and to Bank, if in writing and mailed or delivered to Wachovia Bank, National Association, Mail Code VA7391, P. O. Box 13327, Roanoke, VA 24040 or Wachovia Bank, National Association, Mail Code VA7391, 10 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24011 or such other address as Bank may specify in writing from time to time. Notices to Bank must include the mail code. In the event that Guarantor changes Guarantor's address at any time prior to the date the Guaranteed Obligations are paid in full, Guarantor agrees to promptly give written notice of said change of address to Bank by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, all charges prepaid. PLURAL; CAPTIONS. All references in the Loan Documents to borrower, guarantor, person, document or other nouns of reference mean both the singular and plural form, as the case may be, and the term "person" shall mean any individual person or entity. The captions contained in the Loan Documents are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of the Loan Documents. BINDING CONTRACT. Guarantor by execution of and Bank by acceptance of this Guaranty agree that each party is bound to all terms and provisions of this Guaranty. Page 4 AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS AND REMEDIES. No waivers, amendments or modifications of this Guaranty and other Loan Documents shall be valid unless in writing and signed by an officer of Bank. No waiver by Bank or its affiliates of any Default shall operate as a waiver of any other Default or the same Default on a future occasion. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of Bank or its affiliates in exercising any right, power, or privilege granted pursuant to this Guaranty and other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. All remedies available to Bank or its affiliates with respect to this Guaranty and other Loan Documents and remedies available at law or in equity shall be cumulative and may be pursued concurrently or successively. PARTNERSHIPS. If Guarantor is a partnership, the obligations, liabilities and agreements on the part of Guarantor shall remain in full force and effect and fully applicable notwithstanding any changes in the individuals comprising the partnership. The term "Guarantor" includes any altered or successive partnerships, and predecessor partnership(s) and the partners shall not be released from any obligations or liabilities hereunder. LOAN DOCUMENTS. The term "Loan Documents" refers to all documents executed in connection with or related to the Guaranteed Obligations and may include, without limitation, commitment letters that survive closing, loan agreements, other guaranty agreements, security agreements, instruments, financing statements, mortgages, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, letters of credit and any amendments or supplements (excluding swap agreements as defined in 11 U.S. Code Section. 101). LIMITATION ON LIABILITY; WAIVER OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO, INCLUDING BANK BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES THAT IN ANY JUDICIAL, MEDIATION OR ARBITRATION PROCEEDING OR ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF OR BE IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM OR THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED HEREBY OR RELATED HERETO, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY HAVE A REMEDY OF, OR BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR, (1) INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR (2) PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT OR CLAIM TO PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES THEY MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY ARISE IN THE FUTURE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY, WHETHER THE SAME IS RESOLVED BY ARBITRATION, MEDIATION, JUDICIALLY OR OTHERWISE. FINANCIAL COVENANTS. Guarantor agrees to the following provisions from the date hereof until final payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, unless Bank shall otherwise consent in writing, using the financial information for Guarantor, its subsidiaries, affiliates and its holding or parent company, as applicable: FUNDED DEBT TO EBITDA RATIO. Guarantor shall maintain a Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio of not more than 2.75 to 1.00. This covenant shall be calculated quarterly, on a rolling four-quarter basis, no later than 45 days from the end of each quarterly accounting period. "Consolidated Funded Debt" is defined as the sum of the debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis, consisting of (without duplication) the following: (i) indebtedness of borrowed money; (i) Capital Leases, and (iii) Guarantees of debt of Persons other than the Company or any Subsidiary. "Consolidated EBITDA" shall mean the sum of the following calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAPP for the Company and its Subsidiaries: (i) Consolidated Net Income, plus (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense, plus (iii) Depreciation and Amortization expense, plus (iv) expenses for taxes paid or accrued during such period. TOTAL LIABILITIES TO TANGIBLE NET WORTH RATIO. Guarantor shall, at all times, maintain a ratio of Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth of not more than 3.00 to 1.00, measured on a quarterly basis no later than 45 days from the end of each quarterly accounting period. "Total Liabilities" shall mean all liabilities of Guarantor, including capitalized leases and all reserves for deferred taxes, debt fully subordinated to Bank on terms and conditions acceptable to Bank, and other deferred sums appearing on the liabilities side of a balance sheet and all obligations as lessee under off-balance sheet synthetic leases of Guarantor, all in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis. "Tangible Net Worth" shall mean the sum of all shareholder equity less all intangibles appearing on the balance sheet. For purposes of this computation, the aggregate amount of any intangible assets of Guarantor including, without limitation, goodwill, franchises, licenses, patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, service marks, and brand names, shall be subtracted from total assets. Page 5 FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Guarantor shall deliver to Bank such information as Bank may reasonably request from time to time, including without limitation, financial statements and information pertaining to Guarantor's financial condition. Such information shall be true, complete, and accurate. NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Guarantor agrees that from the date of this Agreement and until final payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, unless Bank shall otherwise consent in writing, Guarantor will not: DEFAULT ON OTHER CONTRACTS OR OBLIGATIONS. Default on any material contract with or obligation when due to a third party or default in the performance of any obligation to a third party incurred for money borrowed. GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION. Permit the assertion or making of any seizure, vesting or intervention by or under authority of any governmental entity, as a result of which the management of Guarantor or any guarantor is displaced of its authority in the conduct of its respective business or such business is curtailed or materially impaired. JUDGMENT ENTERED. Permit the entry of any monetary judgment or the assessment against, the filing of any tax lien against, or the issuance of any writ of garnishment or attachment against any property of or debts due. RETIRE OR REPURCHASE CAPITAL STOCK. Retire or otherwise acquire any of its capital stock. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Guarantor shall deliver to Bank, within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year, audited financial statements reflecting its operations during such fiscal year, including, without limitation, a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and statement of cash flows, with supporting schedules and in reasonable detail, prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year. If audited statements are required, all such statements shall be examined by an independent certified public accountant acceptable to Bank. The opinion of such independent certified public accountant shall not be acceptable to Bank if qualified due to any limitations in scope imposed by Guarantor or any other person or entity. Any other qualification of the opinion by the accountant shall render the acceptability of the financial statements subject to Bank's approval. PERIODIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Guarantor shall deliver to Bank, within 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, unaudited management-prepared quarterly financial statements including, without limitation, a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and statement of cash flows, with supporting schedules; all in reasonable detail and prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year. Such statements shall be certified as to their correctness by a principal financial officer of Guarantor and in each case, if audited statements are required, subject to audit and year-end adjustments. ARBITRATION. Upon demand of any party hereto, whether made before or after institution of any judicial proceeding, any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the Loan Documents between parties hereto (a "Dispute") shall be resolved by binding arbitration conducted under and governed by the Commercial Financial Disputes Arbitration Rules (the "Arbitration Rules") of the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA") and the Federal Arbitration Act. Disputes may include, without limitation, tort claims, counterclaims, a dispute as to whether a matter is subject to arbitration, claims brought as class actions, or claims arising from documents executed in the future. A judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this arbitration provision does not apply to disputes under or related to swap agreements. SPECIAL RULES. All arbitration hearings shall be conducted in the city named in the address of Bank first stated above. A hearing shall begin within 90 days of demand for arbitration and all hearings shall conclude within 120 days of demand for arbitration. These time limitations may not be extended unless a party shows cause for extension and then for no more than a total of 60 days. The expedited procedures set forth in Rule 51 et seq. of the Arbitration Rules shall be applicable to claims of less than $1,000,000.00. Arbitrators shall be licensed attorneys selected from the Commercial Financial Dispute Arbitration Panel of the AAA. The parties do not waive applicable Federal or state substantive law except as provided herein. PRESERVATION AND LIMITATION OF REMEDIES. Notwithstanding the preceding binding arbitration provisions, the parties agree to preserve, without diminution, certain remedies that any party may exercise before or after an arbitration proceeding is brought. The parties shall have the right to proceed in any court of proper jurisdiction or by self-help to Page 6 exercise or prosecute the following remedies, as applicable: (i) all rights to foreclose against any real or personal property or other security by exercising a power of sale or under applicable law by judicial foreclosure including a proceeding to confirm the sale; (ii) all rights of self-help including peaceful occupation of real property and collection of rents, set-off, and peaceful possession of personal property; (iii) obtaining provisional or ancillary remedies including injunctive relief, sequestration, garnishment, attachment, appointment of receiver and filing an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding; and (iv) when applicable, a judgment by confession of judgment. Any claim or controversy with regard to any party's entitlement to such remedies is a Dispute. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BY AGREEING TO BINDING ARBITRATION THEY HAVE IRREVOCABLY WAIVED ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO JURY TRIAL WITH REGARD TO A DISPUTE AS TO WHICH BINDING ARBITRATION HAS BEEN DEMANDED. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor, on the day and year first written above, has caused this Unconditional Guaranty to be executed under seal. Craftmade International, Inc. By: /s/ JAMES R. RIDINGS (SEAL) ------------------------------- James R. Ridings, President Tracking #: 78890rke CAT - Deal # 240579 Facility ID 218095 Page 7 UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY November 24, 2003 Prime/Home Impressions, LLC 420 3rd Avenue NW Hickory, North Carolina 28601 (Individually and collectively "Borrower") Home Impressions, Inc. 420 Third Avenue NW Hickory, North Carolina 28601 (Individually and collectively "Guarantor") Wachovia Bank, National Association 301 South Tryon Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 (Hereinafter referred to as "Bank") To induce Bank to make, extend or renew loans, advances, credit, or other financial accommodations to or for the benefit of Borrower, which are and will be to the direct interest and advantage of the Guarantor, and in consideration of loans, advances, credit, or other financial accommodations made, extended or renewed to or for the benefit of Borrower, which are and will be to the direct interest and advantage of the Guarantor, Guarantor hereby absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to Bank and its successors, assigns and affiliates the timely payment and performance of all liabilities and obligations of Borrower to Bank and its affiliates, including, but not limited to, all obligations under any notes, loan agreements, security agreements, letters of credit, instruments, accounts receivable, contracts, drafts, leases, chattel paper, indemnities, acceptances, repurchase agreements, overdrafts, and the Loan Documents, as defined below, and all obligations of Borrower to Bank or any of its affiliates under any swap agreement (as defined in 11 U.S. Code Section. 101), however and whenever incurred or evidenced, whether primary, secondary, direct, indirect, absolute, contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter contracted or acquired, and all modifications, extensions and renewals thereof, (collectively, the "Guaranteed Obligations"). Guarantor further covenants and agrees: GUARANTOR'S LIABILITY. This Guaranty is a continuing and unconditional guaranty of payment and performance and not of collection. The parties to this Guaranty are jointly and severally obligated hereunder. This Guaranty does not impose any obligation on Bank to extend or continue to extend credit or otherwise deal with Borrower at any subsequent time. This Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded, avoided or for any other reason must be returned by Bank, and the returned payment shall remain payable as part of the Guaranteed Obligations, all as though such payment had not been made. Except to the extent the provisions of this Guaranty give Bank additional rights, this Guaranty shall not be deemed to supersede or replace any other guaranties given to Bank by Guarantor; and the obligations guaranteed hereby shall be in addition to any other obligations guaranteed by Guarantor pursuant to any other agreement of guaranty given to Bank and other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations. TERMINATION OF GUARANTY. Guarantor may terminate this Guaranty only by written notice, delivered personally to or received by certified or registered United States Mail by an authorized officer of Bank at the address for notices provided herein. Such termination shall be effective with respect to Guaranteed Obligations arising more than 15 days after the date such written notice is received by said Bank officer. Guarantor may not terminate this Guaranty as to Guaranteed Obligations (including any subsequent extensions, modifications or compromises of the Guaranteed Obligations) then existing, or to Guaranteed Obligations arising subsequent to receipt by Bank of said notice if such Guaranteed Obligations are a result of Bank's obligation to make advances pursuant to a commitment entered into prior to expiration of the 15 day notice period, or are a result of advances which are necessary for Bank to protect its collateral or otherwise preserve its interests. Termination of this Guaranty by any single Guarantor will not affect the existing and continuing obligations of any other Guarantor hereunder. CONSENT TO MODIFICATIONS. Guarantor CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT BANK (AND, WITH RESPECT TO SWAP OBLIGATIONS, ITS AFFILIATES) MAY FROM TIME TO TIME, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, WITHOUT AFFECTING, IMPAIRING, LESSENING OR RELEASING THE OBLIGATIONS OF GUARANTOR HEREUNDER: (a) extend or modify the time, manner, place or terms of payment or performance and/or otherwise change or modify the credit terms of the Guaranteed Obligations; (b) increase, renew, or enter into a novation of the Guaranteed Obligations; (c) waive or consent to the departure from terms of the Guaranteed Obligations; (d) permit any change in the business or other dealings and relations of Borrower or any other guarantor with Bank; (e) proceed against, exchange, release, realize upon, or otherwise deal with in any manner any collateral that is or may be held by Bank in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations or any liabilities or obligations of Guarantor; and (f) proceed against, settle, release, or compromise with Borrower, any insurance carrier, or any other person or entity liable as to any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, and/or subordinate the payment of any part of the Guaranteed Obligations to the payment of any other obligations, which may at any time be due or owing to Bank; all in such manner and upon such terms as Bank may deem appropriate, and without notice to or further consent from Guarantor. No invalidity, irregularity, discharge or unenforceability of, or action or omission by Bank relating to any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall affect or impair this Guaranty. WAIVERS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. GUARANTOR WAIVES AND RELEASES THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS, DEMANDS, AND DEFENSES Guarantor may have with respect to Bank (and, with respect to swap obligations, its affiliates) and collection of the Guaranteed Obligations: (a) promptness and diligence in collection of any of the Guaranteed Obligations from Borrower or any other person liable thereon, and in foreclosure of any security interest and sale of any property serving as collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations; (b) any law or statute that requires that Bank (and, with respect to swap obligations, its affiliates) make demand upon, assert claims against, or collect from Borrower or other persons or entities, foreclose any security interest, sell collateral, exhaust any remedies, or take any other action against Borrower or other persons or entities prior to making demand upon, collecting from or taking action against Guarantor with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, including any such rights Guarantor might otherwise have had under Va. Code Sections. 49-25 and 49-26, et seq., N.C.G.S. Sections. 26-7, et seq., Tenn. Code Ann. Section.47-12-101, O.C.G.A. Section. 10-7-24 and any successor statute and any other applicable law; (c) any law or statute that requires that Borrower or any other person be joined in, notified of or made part of any action against Guarantor; (d) that Bank or its affiliates preserve, insure or perfect any security interest in collateral or sell or dispose of collateral in a particular manner or at a particular time, provided that Bank's obligation to dispose of Collateral in a commercially reasonable manner is not waived hereby; (e) notice of extensions, modifications, renewals, or novations of the Guaranteed Obligations, of any new transactions or other relationships between Bank, Borrower and/or any guarantor, and of changes in the financial condition of, ownership of, or business structure of Borrower or any other guarantor; (f) presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, notice of default, demand for payment, notice of intention to accelerate maturity, notice of acceleration of maturity, notice of sale, and all other notices of any kind whatsoever to which Guarantor may be entitled; (g) the right to assert against Bank or its affiliates any defense (legal or equitable), set-off, counterclaim, or claim that Guarantor may have at any time against Borrower or any other party liable to Bank or its affiliates; (h) all defenses relating to invalidity, insufficiency, unenforceability, enforcement, release or impairment of Bank or its affiliates' lien on any collateral, of the Loan Documents, or of any other guaranties held by Bank; (i) any right to which Guarantor is or may become entitled to be subrogated to Bank or its affiliates' rights against Borrower or to seek contribution, reimbursement, indemnification, payment or the like, or participation in any claim, right or remedy of Bank or its affiliates against Borrower or any security which Bank or its affiliates now has or hereafter acquires, until such time as the Guaranteed Obligations have been fully satisfied beyond Page 2 the expiration of any applicable preference period; (j) any claim or defense that acceleration of maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations is stayed against Guarantor because of the stay of assertion or of acceleration of claims against any other person or entity for any reason including the bankruptcy or insolvency of that person or entity; and (k) the right to marshalling of Borrower's assets or the benefit of any exemption claimed by Guarantor. Guarantor acknowledges and represents that Guarantor has relied upon Guarantor's own due diligence in making an independent appraisal of Borrower, Borrower's business affairs and financial condition, and any collateral; Guarantor will continue to be responsible for making an independent appraisal of such matters; and Guarantor has not relied upon Bank or its affiliates for information regarding Borrower or any collateral. FINANCIAL CONDITION. Guarantor warrants, represents and covenants to Bank and its affiliates that on and after the date hereof: (a) the fair saleable value of Guarantor's assets exceeds its liabilities, Guarantor is meeting its current liabilities as they mature, and Guarantor is and shall remain solvent; (b) all financial statements of Guarantor furnished to Bank are correct and accurately reflect the financial condition of Guarantor as of the respective dates thereof; (c) since the date of such financial statements, there has not occurred a material adverse change in the financial condition of Guarantor; (d) there are not now pending any court or administrative proceedings or undischarged judgments against Guarantor, no federal or state tax liens have been filed or threatened against Guarantor, and Guarantor is not in default or claimed default under any agreement; and (e) at such reasonable times as Bank requests, Guarantor will furnish Bank and its affiliates with such other financial information as Bank and its affiliates may reasonably request. INTEREST AND APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Regardless of any other provision of this Guaranty or other Loan Documents, if for any reason the effective interest on any of the Guaranteed Obligations should exceed the maximum lawful interest, the effective interest shall be deemed reduced to and shall be such maximum lawful interest, and any sums of interest which have been collected in excess of such maximum lawful interest shall be applied as a credit against the unpaid principal balance of the Guaranteed Obligations. Monies received from any source by Bank or its affiliates for application toward payment of the Guaranteed Obligations may be applied to such Guaranteed Obligations in any manner or order deemed appropriate by Bank and its affiliates. DEFAULT. If any of the following events occur, a default ("Default") under this Guaranty shall exist: (a) failure of timely payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations or a default under any Loan Document; (b) a breach of any agreement or representation contained or referred to in the Guaranty, or any of the Loan Documents, or contained in any other contract or agreement of Guarantor with Bank or its affiliates, whether now existing or hereafter arising; (c) the death of, appointment of a guardian for, dissolution of, termination of existence of, loss of good standing status by, appointment of a receiver for, assignment for the benefit of creditors of, or the commencement of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding by or against Guarantor or any general partner of or the holder(s) of the majority ownership interests of Guarantor; and/or (d) Bank determines in good faith, in its sole discretion, that the prospects for payment or performance of the Guaranteed Obligations are impaired or a material adverse change has occurred in the business or prospects of Borrower or Guarantor, financial or otherwise. If a Default occurs, the Guaranteed Obligations shall be due immediately and payable without notice, other than Guaranteed Obligations under any swap agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section. 101) with Bank or its affiliates, which shall be governed by the default and termination provisions of said swap agreements, and, Bank and its affiliates may exercise any rights and remedies as provided in this Guaranty and other Loan Documents, or as provided at law or equity. Guarantor shall pay interest on the Guaranteed Obligations from such Default at the highest rate of interest charged on any of the Guaranteed Obligations. ATTORNEYS' FEES AND OTHER COSTS OF COLLECTION. Guarantor shall pay all of Bank's and its affiliates' reasonable expenses incurred to enforce or collect any of the Guaranteed Obligations, including, without limitation, reasonable arbitration, paralegals', attorneys' and experts' fees and Page 3 expenses, whether incurred without the commencement of a suit, in any suit, arbitration, or administrative proceeding, or in any appellate or bankruptcy proceeding. SUBORDINATION OF OTHER DEBTS. Guarantor agrees: (a) to subordinate the obligations now or hereafter owed by Borrower to Guarantor ("Subordinated Debt") to any and all obligations of Borrower to Bank or its affiliates now or hereafter existing while this Guaranty is in effect, provided however that Guarantor may receive regularly scheduled principal and interest payments on the Subordinated Debt so long as (i) all sums due and payable by Borrower to Bank and its affiliates have been paid in full on or prior to such date, and (ii) no event or condition which constitutes or which with notice or the lapse or time would constitute an event of default with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations shall be continuing on or as of the payment date; (b) Guarantor will either place a legend indicating such subordination on every note, ledger page or other document evidencing any part of the Subordinated Debt or deliver such documents to Bank; and (c) except as permitted by this paragraph, Guarantor will not request or accept payment of or any security for any part of the Subordinated Debt, and any proceeds of the Subordinated Debt paid to Guarantor, through error or otherwise, shall immediately be forwarded to Bank by Guarantor, properly endorsed to the order of Bank, to apply to the Guaranteed Obligations. MISCELLANEOUS. ASSIGNMENT. This Guaranty and other Loan Documents shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns. Bank's interests in and rights under this Guaranty and other Loan Documents are freely assignable, in whole or in part, by Bank. Any assignment shall not release Guarantor from the Guaranteed Obligations. ORGANIZATION; POWERS. Guarantor (i) is (a) an adult individual and is sui juris, or (b) a corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity (as indicated below), duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization, and is authorized to do business in each other jurisdiction wherein its ownership of property or conduct of business legally requires such organization, (ii) has the power and authority to own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now being conducted and as now contemplated; and (iii) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform, and by all necessary action has authorized the execution, delivery and performance of, all of its obligations under this Guaranty and any other Loan Document to which it is a party. APPLICABLE LAW; CONFLICT BETWEEN DOCUMENTS. This Guaranty shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the state named in Bank's address shown above without regard to that state's conflict of laws principles. If the terms of this Guaranty should conflict with the terms of any commitment letter that survives closing, the terms of this Guaranty shall control. GUARANTOR'S ACCOUNTS. Except as prohibited by law, Guarantor grants Bank and its affiliates a security interest in all of Guarantor's accounts with Bank and its affiliates. JURISDICTION. Guarantor irrevocably agrees to nonexclusive personal jurisdiction in the state named in Bank's address shown above. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Guaranty or of the other Loan Documents shall be prohibited or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective but only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty or other Loan Documents. NOTICES. Any notices to Guarantor shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed or delivered to Guarantor's address shown above or such other address as provided hereunder, and to Bank, if in writing and mailed or delivered to Wachovia Bank, National Association, Mail Code VA7391, P. O. Box 13327, Roanoke, VA 24040 or Wachovia Bank, National Association, Mail Code VA7391, 10 South Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24011 or such other address as Bank may specify in writing from time to time. Notices to Bank must include the mail code. In the event that Guarantor changes Guarantor's address at any time prior to the date the Guaranteed Obligations are paid in full, Guarantor agrees to promptly give written notice of said change of address to Bank by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, all charges prepaid. PLURAL; CAPTIONS. All references in the Loan Documents to borrower, guarantor, person, document or other nouns of reference mean both the singular and plural form, as the case may be, and the term "person" shall mean any individual person or entity. The captions contained in the Loan Documents are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of the Loan Documents. BINDING CONTRACT. Guarantor by execution of and Bank by acceptance of this Guaranty agree that each party is bound to all terms and provisions of this Guaranty. AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS AND REMEDIES. No waivers, amendments or modifications of this Guaranty and Page 4 other Loan Documents shall be valid unless in writing and signed by an officer of Bank. No waiver by Bank or its affiliates of any Default shall operate as a waiver of any other Default or the same Default on a future occasion. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of Bank or its affiliates in exercising any right, power, or privilege granted pursuant to this Guaranty and other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. All remedies available to Bank or its affiliates with respect to this Guaranty and other Loan Documents and remedies available at law or in equity shall be cumulative and may be pursued concurrently or successively. PARTNERSHIPS. If Guarantor is a partnership, the obligations, liabilities and agreements on the part of Guarantor shall remain in full force and effect and fully applicable notwithstanding any changes in the individuals comprising the partnership. The term "Guarantor" includes any altered or successive partnerships, and predecessor partnership(s) and the partners shall not be released from any obligations or liabilities hereunder. LOAN DOCUMENTS. The term "Loan Documents" refers to all documents executed in connection with or related to the Guaranteed Obligations and may include, without limitation, commitment letters that survive closing, loan agreements, other guaranty agreements, security agreements, instruments, financing statements, mortgages, deeds of trust, deeds to secure debt, letters of credit and any amendments or supplements (excluding swap agreements as defined in 11 U.S. Code Section. 101). LIMITATION ON LIABILITY; WAIVER OF PUNITIVE DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO, INCLUDING BANK BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES THAT IN ANY JUDICIAL, MEDIATION OR ARBITRATION PROCEEDING OR ANY CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF OR BE IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT OR DOCUMENT BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM OR THE OBLIGATIONS EVIDENCED HEREBY OR RELATED HERETO, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY HAVE A REMEDY OF, OR BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR, (1) INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR (2) PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT OR CLAIM TO PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES THEY MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY ARISE IN THE FUTURE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY, WHETHER THE SAME IS RESOLVED BY ARBITRATION, MEDIATION, JUDICIALLY OR OTHERWISE. FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Guarantor shall deliver to Bank such information as Bank may reasonably request from time to time, including without limitation, financial statements and information pertaining to Guarantor's financial condition. Such information shall be true, complete, and accurate. NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Guarantor agrees that from the date of this Agreement and until final payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, unless Bank shall otherwise consent in writing, Guarantor will not: DEFAULT ON OTHER CONTRACTS OR OBLIGATIONS. Default on any material contract with or obligation when due to a third party or default in the performance of any obligation to a third party incurred for money borrowed. GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION. Permit the assertion or making of any seizure, vesting or intervention by or under authority of any governmental entity, as a result of which the management of Guarantor or any guarantor is displaced of its authority in the conduct of its respective business or such business is curtailed or materially impaired. JUDGMENT ENTERED. Permit the entry of any monetary judgment or the assessment against, the filing of any tax lien against, or the issuance of any writ of garnishment or attachment against any property of or debts due. RETIRE OR REPURCHASE CAPITAL STOCK. Retire or otherwise acquire any of its capital stock. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Guarantor shall deliver to Bank, within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year, reviewed financial statements reflecting its operations during such fiscal year, including, without limitation, a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and statement of cash flows, with supporting schedules and in reasonable detail, prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year. All such statements shall be reviewed by an independent certified public accountant acceptable to Bank. Such statements shall be certified as to their correctness by a principal financial officer of Guarantor. Page 5 ARBITRATION. Upon demand of any party hereto, whether made before or after institution of any judicial proceeding, any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the Loan Documents between parties hereto (a "Dispute") shall be resolved by binding arbitration conducted under and governed by the Commercial Financial Disputes Arbitration Rules (the "Arbitration Rules") of the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA") and the Federal Arbitration Act. Disputes may include, without limitation, tort claims, counterclaims, a dispute as to whether a matter is subject to arbitration, claims brought as class actions, or claims arising from documents executed in the future. A judgment upon the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this arbitration provision does not apply to disputes under or related to swap agreements. SPECIAL RULES. All arbitration hearings shall be conducted in the city named in the address of Bank first stated above. A hearing shall begin within 90 days of demand for arbitration and all hearings shall conclude within 120 days of demand for arbitration. These time limitations may not be extended unless a party shows cause for extension and then for no more than a total of 60 days. The expedited procedures set forth in Rule 51 et seq. of the Arbitration Rules shall be applicable to claims of less than $1,000,000.00. Arbitrators shall be licensed attorneys selected from the Commercial Financial Dispute Arbitration Panel of the AAA. The parties do not waive applicable Federal or state substantive law except as provided herein. PRESERVATION AND LIMITATION OF REMEDIES. Notwithstanding the preceding binding arbitration provisions, the parties agree to preserve, without diminution, certain remedies that any party may exercise before or after an arbitration proceeding is brought. The parties shall have the right to proceed in any court of proper jurisdiction or by self-help to exercise or prosecute the following remedies, as applicable: (i) all rights to foreclose against any real or personal property or other security by exercising a power of sale or under applicable law by judicial foreclosure including a proceeding to confirm the sale; (ii) all rights of self-help including peaceful occupation of real property and collection of rents, set-off, and peaceful possession of personal property; (iii) obtaining provisional or ancillary remedies including injunctive relief, sequestration, garnishment, attachment, appointment of receiver and filing an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding; and (iv) when applicable, a judgment by confession of judgment. Any claim or controversy with regard to any party's entitlement to such remedies is a Dispute. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BY AGREEING TO BINDING ARBITRATION THEY HAVE IRREVOCABLY WAIVED ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO JURY TRIAL WITH REGARD TO A DISPUTE AS TO WHICH BINDING ARBITRATION HAS BEEN DEMANDED. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor, on the day and year first written above, has caused this Unconditional Guaranty to be executed under seal. Home Impressions, Inc. By: /s/ ROBERT W. LACKEY, SR. (SEAL) ------------------------------- Robert W. Lackey, Sr., Vice President Tracking #: 78890rke CAT - Deal # 240579 Facility ID 218095 Page 6
