CREDITAGREEMENT

CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of March 26, 2008, by and between EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC., a Nevada corporation (“Borrower”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“Bank”).

Borrower has requested that Bank extend or continue credit to Borrower as described below, and Bank has agreed to provide such credit to Borrower on the terms and conditions contained herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Bank and Borrower hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1.1.    LINE OF CREDIT.

(a)    Line of Credit.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Bank hereby agrees to make advances to Borrower from time to time up to and including March 26, 2011, not to exceed at any time the aggregate principal amount of Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) (“Line of Credit”), the proceeds of which shall be used to finance Borrower’s working capital requirements.  Borrower’s obligation to repay advances under the Line of Credit shall be evidenced by that certain Revolving Line of Credit Note, dated March 26, 2008, executed by Borrower and payable to the order of Bank (“Line of Credit Note”), all terms of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

(b)    Letter of Credit Subfeature.  As a subfeature under the Line of Credit, Bank agrees from time to time during the term thereof to issue or cause an affiliate to issue standby letters of credit for the account of Borrower (each, a “Letter of Credit” and collectively, “Letters of Credit”); provided however, that the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit shall not at any time exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00).  The form and substance of each Letter of Credit shall be subject to approval by Bank, in its sole discretion.  Each Letter of Credit shall be issued for a term not to exceed three hundred sixty (360) days, as designated by Borrower; provided however, that no Letter of Credit shall have an expiration date subsequent to the maturity date of the Line of Credit.  The undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit shall be reserved under the Line of Credit and shall not be available for borrowings thereunder.  Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to the additional terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit agreements, applications and any related documents required by Bank in connection with the issuance thereof.  Each drawing paid under a Letter of Credit shall be deemed an advance under the Line of Credit and shall be repaid by Borrower in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to such advances; provided however, that if advances under the Line of Credit are not available, for any reason, at the time any drawing is paid, then Borrower shall immediately pay to Bank the full amount drawn, together with interest thereon

 

 

from the date such drawing is paid to the date such amount is fully repaid by Borrower, at the rate of interest applicable to advances under the Line of Credit.  In such event Borrower agrees that Bank, in its sole discretion, may first debit the Collection Account (as defined below), and if there are insufficient funds therein, may then debit any other deposit account maintained by Borrower with Bank, for the amount of any such drawing.

(c)    Borrowing and Repayment.  Borrower may from time to time during the term of the Line of Credit borrow, partially or wholly repay its outstanding borrowings, and reborrow, subject to all of the limitations, terms and conditions contained herein or in the Line of Credit Note; provided however, that the total outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit shall not at any time exceed the maximum principal amount available thereunder, as set forth above.  

SECTION 1.2.    INTEREST/FEES.

(a)    Interest.  The outstanding principal balance of each credit subject hereto shall bear interest from the date such drawing is paid to the date such amount is fully repaid by Borrower, at the rate of interest set forth in each promissory note or other instrument or document executed in connection therewith.

(b)    Computation and Payment.  Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed.  Interest shall be payable at the times and place set forth in each promissory note or other instrument or document required hereby.

(c)    Unused Commitment Fee.  Borrower shall pay to Bank a fee equal to one-tenth percent (0.10%) per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed) on the average daily unused amount of the Line of Credit, which fee shall be calculated on a quarterly basis by Bank and shall be due and payable by Borrower in arrears within ten (10) days after each billing is sent by Bank.

(d)    Letter of Credit Fees.  Borrower shall pay to Bank (i) fees upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit equal to three-tenths percent (0.30%) per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed) of the face amount thereof, and (ii) fees upon the payment or negotiation of each drawing under any Letter of Credit and fees upon the occurrence of any other activity with respect to any Letter of Credit (including without limitation, the transfer, amendment or cancellation of any Letter of Credit) determined in accordance with Bank’s standard fees and charges then in effect for such activity.

SECTION 1.3.    COLLECTION OF PAYMENTS.  Borrower authorizes Bank to collect all principal, interest and fees due under each credit subject hereto by charging Borrower’s deposit account number 4121458269 with Bank (the “Collection Account”), or any other deposit account maintained by Borrower with Bank, for the full amount thereof.  Should there be insufficient funds in any such deposit account to pay all such sums when due, the full amount of such deficiency shall be immediately due and payable by Borrower.

 

 

 

 SECTION 1.4.   COLLATERAL.

As security for all indebtedness and other obligations of Borrower to Bank subject hereto, Borrower hereby grants to Bank security interests of first priority in Borrower’s custody account 22831700 maintained with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Institutional Trust Services (“Custody Account”).

 

Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to Bank, which representations and warranties shall survive the execution of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect until the full and final payment, and satisfaction and discharge, of all obligations of Borrower to Bank subject to this Agreement.

SECTION 2.1.    LEGAL STATUS.  Borrower is a corporation, duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Nevada, and is qualified or licensed to do business (and is in good standing as a foreign corporation, if applicable) in all jurisdictions in which such qualification or licensing is required or in which the failure to so qualify or to be so licensed could have a material adverse effect on Borrower.

SECTION 2.2.    AUTHORIZATION AND VALIDITY.  This Agreement and each promissory note, contract, instrument and other document required hereby or at any time hereafter delivered to Bank in connection herewith (collectively, the “Loan Documents”) have been duly authorized, and upon their execution and delivery in accordance with the provisions hereof will constitute legal, valid and binding agreements and obligations of Borrower or the party which executes the same, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

SECTION 2.3.    NO VIOLATION.  The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of each of the Loan Documents do not violate any provision of any law or regulation, or contravene any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of Borrower, or result in any breach of or default under any contract, obligation, indenture or other instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower may be bound.

SECTION 2.4.    LITIGATION.  There are no pending, or to the best of Borrower’s knowledge threatened, actions, claims, investigations, suits or proceedings by or before any governmental authority, arbitrator, court or administrative agency which could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operation of Borrower other than those disclosed by Borrower to Bank in writing prior to the date hereof.

SECTION 2.5.    CORRECTNESS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT.  The annual financial statement of Borrower dated December 31, 2007, and all interim financial statements delivered to Bank since said date, true copies of which have been delivered by Borrower to Bank prior to the date hereof, (a) are complete and correct and present fairly the financial condition of Borrower, (b) disclose all liabilities of Borrower that are required to be reflected or reserved against under generally accepted accounting principles, whether liquidated or unliquidated, fixed

 

 

or contingent, and (c) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.  Since the dates of such financial statements there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition of Borrower, nor has Borrower mortgaged, pledged, granted a security interest in or otherwise encumbered any of its assets or properties except in favor of Bank or as otherwise permitted by Bank in writing.

SECTION 2.6.    INCOME TAX RETURNS.  Borrower has no knowledge of any pending assessments or adjustments of its income tax payable with respect to any year.

SECTION 2.7.    NO SUBORDINATION.  There is no agreement, indenture, contract or instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower may be bound that requires the subordination in right of payment of any of Borrower’s obligations subject to this Agreement to any other obligation of Borrower.

SECTION 2.8.    PERMITS, FRANCHISES.  Borrower possesses, and will hereafter possess, all permits, consents, approvals, franchises and licenses required and rights to all trademarks, trade names, patents, and fictitious names, if any, necessary to enable it to conduct the business in which it is now engaged in compliance with applicable law.

SECTION 2.9.    ERISA.  Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended or recodified from time to time (“ERISA”); Borrower has not violated any provision of any defined employee pension benefit plan (as defined in ERISA) maintained or contributed to by Borrower (each, a “Plan”); no Reportable Event as defined in ERISA has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Plan initiated by Borrower; Borrower has met its minimum funding requirements under ERISA with respect to each Plan; and each Plan will be able to fulfill its benefit obligations as they come due in accordance with the Plan documents and under generally accepted accounting principles.

SECTION 2.10.        OTHER OBLIGATIONS.  Borrower is not in default on any obligation for borrowed money, any purchase money obligation or any other material lease, commitment, contract, instrument or obligation.

SECTION 2.11.        ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  Except as disclosed by Borrower to Bank in writing prior to the date hereof, Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal or state environmental, hazardous waste, health and safety statutes, and any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto, which govern or affect any of Borrower’s operations and/or properties, including without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, and the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, as any of the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.  None of the operations of Borrower is the subject of any federal or state investigation evaluating whether any remedial action involving a material expenditure is needed to respond to a release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment.  Borrower has no material contingent liability in connection with any release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment.

 

SECTION 3.1.    CONDITIONS OF INITIAL EXTENSION OF CREDIT.  The obligation of Bank to extend any credit contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the fulfillment to Bank’s satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

(a)    Approval of Bank Counsel.  All legal matters incidental to the extension of credit by Bank shall be satisfactory to Bank’s counsel.

(b)    Documentation.  Bank shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Bank, each of the following, duly executed:

(i)	This Agreement and each promissory note or other instrument or document required hereby.

(ii)	Certificate of Incumbency.

(iii)

Secretary’s Certificate attaching board resolutions authorizing transaction.

(iv)	Security Agreement: Securities Account.

(v)	Addendum to Security Agreement: Securities Account.

(vi)	Securities Account Control Agreement.

(vii)

Statement of Purpose.

(viii)

Disbursement Order.

(ix)	Institutional Trust Services Account Set Up and Disclosures Custody Account Management Information for Employers Holdings, Inc. Custody Account (to include an amended authorization allowing internal Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. disclosure of custody account information).

(x)	Custody Agreement For Non-ERISA Assets.

(xi)	Institutional Trust Services Custody Fee Schedule for Employers Holdings, Inc.

(xii)

Service Agreement Trust Portfolio Reporting Service.

(xiii)

Authorized Signers List of Employers Holdings, Inc.

(xiv)

Such other documents as Bank may require under any other Section of this Agreement.

(c)    Financial Condition.  There shall have been no material adverse change, as reasonably determined by Bank, in the financial condition or business of Borrower, nor any material decline, as reasonably determined by Bank, in the market value of any collateral required hereunder or a substantial or material portion of the assets of Borrower.

SECTION 3.2.    CONDITIONS OF EACH EXTENSION OF CREDIT.  The obligation of Bank to make each extension of credit requested by Borrower hereunder shall be subject to the fulfillment to Bank’s satisfaction of each of the following conditions:

(a)    Compliance.  The representations and warranties contained herein and in each of the other Loan Documents shall be true on and as of the date of the signing of this Agreement and on the date of each extension of credit by Bank pursuant hereto, with the same effect as though such

 

 

representations and warranties had been made on and as of each such date, and on each such date, no Event of Default as defined herein, and no condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute such an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing or shall exist.

(b)    Documentation.  Bank shall have received all additional documents which may be required in connection with such extension of credit.

Borrower covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to extend credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower to Bank under any of the Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower shall, and shall cause each of Borrower’s subsidiaries to, unless Bank otherwise consents in writing:

SECTION 4.1.    PUNCTUAL PAYMENTS.  Punctually pay all principal, interest, fees or other liabilities due under any of the Loan Documents at the times and place and in the manner specified therein.

SECTION 4.2.    ACCOUNTING RECORDS.  Maintain adequate books and records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, and permit any representative of Bank, at any reasonable time, to inspect, audit and examine such books and records, to make copies of the same, and to inspect the properties of Borrower.

SECTION 4.3.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  Provide to Bank all of the following, in form and detail satisfactory to Bank:

(a)    not later than 100 days after and as of the end of each fiscal year, a consolidated financial statement of Borrower, prepared by a certified public accountant acceptable to Bank, to include balance sheets, statements of income, retained earnings, cash flow and 10-K filing.

(b)    not later than 60 days after and as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a consolidated financial statement of Borrower, prepared by a certified public accountant acceptable to Bank, to include balance sheets, statements of income, retained earnings, cash flow and 10-Q filing;

(c)    not later than 60 days after and as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, a projection of consolidated financial statements of Borrower; prepared by Borrower;

(d)   [intentionally omitted];

(e)    not later than 90 days after and as of the end of each fiscal year, an annual statutory statement for each subsidiary of Borrower that is a regulated insurance company;

 

 

       (f)    not later than 60 days after and as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a quarterly statutory statement for all regulated insurance companies;

(g)    as soon as available, copies of all registration statements and annual, quarterly, monthly or other regular reports which Borrower files with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;

(h)    upon Bank’s request, Borrower shall furnish independent actuarial reserve adequacy reports for Borrower’s insurance company subsidiaries in the form and substance utilized by Borrower and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses, and issued by the actuarial consultant designated by such insurance company subsidiaries;

(i)    not later than 15 days after and as of the end of each month, a trust and custody account statement covering the Custody Account, to be delivered by either Borrower or, at the direction of Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.’s Institutional Trust Service Group;

(j)    from time to time such other information as Bank may reasonably request.

SECTION 4.4.    COMPLIANCE.  Preserve and maintain all licenses, permits, governmental approvals, rights, privileges and franchises necessary for the conduct of Borrower’s and its subsidiaries business; and comply with the provisions of all documents pursuant to which Borrower and each of Borrower’s subsidiaries is organized and/or which govern each such person’s continued existence and with the requirements of all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental authority applicable to each such person and/or its business.

SECTION 4.5.    INSURANCE.  Maintain and keep in force, for each business in which Borrower and each of Borrower’s subsidiaries is engaged, insurance of the types and in amounts customarily carried in similar lines of business, including but not limited to fire, extended coverage, public liability, flood, property damage and workers’ compensation, and deliver to Bank from time to time at Bank’s request schedules setting forth all insurance then in effect.

SECTION 4.6.    FACILITIES.  Keep all properties useful or necessary to Borrower’s and its subsidiaries businesses in good repair and condition, and from time to time make necessary repairs, renewals and replacements thereto so that such properties shall be fully and efficiently preserved and maintained.

SECTION 4.7.    TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES.  Pay and discharge when due any and all indebtedness, obligations, assessments and taxes, both real or personal, including without limitation federal and state income taxes and state and local property taxes and assessments, except (a) such as Borrower may in good faith contest or as to which a bona fide dispute may arise, and (b) for which Borrower has made provision, to Bank’s satisfaction, for eventual payment thereof in the event Borrower or a subsidiary of Borrower is obligated to make such payment.

 

 

 

SECTION 4.8.    LITIGATION.  Promptly give notice in writing to Bank of any litigation pending or threatened against Borrower or any of Borrower’s subsidiaries with a claim in excess of $5,000,000.00.

SECTION 4.9.    NOTICE TO BANK.  Promptly (but in no event more than five (5) days after the occurrence of each such event or matter) give written notice to Bank in reasonable detail of:  (a) the occurrence of any Event of Default as defined in Article VI of this Agreement, or any condition, event or act which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute such an Event of Default; (b) any change in the name or the organizational structure of Borrower or any of Borrower’s subsidiaries; (c) the occurrence and nature of any Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction, each as defined in ERISA, or any funding deficiency with respect to any Plan; or (d) any termination or cancellation of any insurance policy which Borrower or any of Borrower’s subsidiaries is required to maintain, or any uninsured or partially uninsured loss through liability or property damage, or through fire, theft or any other cause materially affecting Borrower’s property or the property of a subsidiary of Borrower.

 

Borrower further covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to extend credit to Borrower pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of Borrower to Bank under any of the Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of all obligations of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower will not, and, if specified below, shall cause each of Borrower’s subsidiaries to not, without Bank’s prior written consent (which consent or denial thereof, shall not be unreasonably delayed under the circumstances):

SECTION 5.1.    USE OF FUNDS.  Use any of the proceeds of any credit extended hereunder except for the purposes stated in Article I hereof.

SECTION 5.2.    OTHER INDEBTEDNESS.  Create, incur, assume or permit to exist, or permit any of Borrower’s subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or permit to exist, any indebtedness or liabilities resulting from borrowings, loans or advances, whether secured or unsecured, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, joint or several, except (a) the liabilities of Borrower to Bank under the Loan Documents and (b) additional indebtedness not to exceed an aggregate amount outstanding at any time of up to $250,000,000.00.

SECTION 5.3.    MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, TRANSFER OF ASSETS.  Merge into or consolidate with any other entity; make any substantial change in the nature of Borrower’s business as conducted as of the date hereof; acquire all or substantially all of the stock or assets of any other entity; nor sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial or material portion of Borrower’s assets except in the ordinary course of its business.  Specifically excepted from this covenant is the previously announced acquisition of AmCOMP Incorporated and its subsidiaries as well as any future acquisitions in which the proposed merger or acquisition does not exceed twenty (20%) percent of the market capitalization of Borrower immediately prior to such announcement.

 

 

 

 

SECTION 5.4.    GUARANTIES.  Guarantee or become liable, or permit any of Borrower’s subsidiaries to guarantee or become liable, in any way as surety, endorser (other than the endorser of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business), accommodation endorser or otherwise for, nor pledge or hypothecate any assets of Borrower or any of Borrower’s subsidiaries as security for, any liabilities or obligations of any other person or entity, except any of the foregoing in favor of Bank, or those liabilities of Borrower and Borrower’s subsidiaries existing as of, and disclosed to Bank prior to, the date hereof.

SECTION 5.5.    LOANS, ADVANCES, INVESTMENTS.  Make any loans or advances to or investments in any person or entity, or permit any of Borrower’s subsidiaries to make any loans or advances to or investments in any person or entity, except any of the foregoing existing as of, and disclosed to Bank, prior to, the date hereof.  Specifically exempted from this provision are (a) the announced and anticipated acquisition of AmCOMP Incorporated, which Borrower intends to finance, (b) any loan, advance or investment that does not, together with all other loans, advances and investments permitted pursuant to this clause (b), exceed an aggregate amount of $125,000,000.00, and (c) investments of monies by the Borrower as needed from time to time in the ordinary course of its business and cash management practices.

SECTION 5.6.    PLEDGE OF ASSETS.  Mortgage, pledge, grant or permit to exist a security interest in, or lien upon, all or any portion of Borrower’s assets now owned or hereafter acquired, except any of the foregoing in favor of Bank or which is existing as of, and disclosed to Bank in writing prior to, the date hereof.  Specifically excepted from this provision are any deposits of cash or securities required by the state insurance departments in the states in which Borrower or its subsidiaries operate or for any acquisition of operating assets required from time to time in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business.

 

SECTION 6.1.    The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this Agreement:

(a)    Borrower shall fail to pay when due any principal, interest, fees or other amounts payable under any of the Loan Documents.

(b)    Any financial statement or certificate furnished to Bank in connection with, or any representation or warranty made by Borrower or any other party under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove to be incorrect, false or misleading in any material respect when furnished or made.

(c)    Any default in the performance of or compliance with any obligation, agreement or other provision contained herein or in any other Loan Document (other than those referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above), and with respect to any such default which by its nature can be cured, such default shall continue for a period of twenty (20) days from its occurrence.

 

 

 

(d)    Any default in the payment or performance of any obligation, or any defined event of default, under the terms of any contract or instrument (other than any of the Loan Documents) pursuant to which Borrower has incurred any debt or other liability to any person or entity, including Bank.

(e)    The filing of a notice of judgment lien against Borrower; or the recording of any abstract of judgment against Borrower or the service of a notice of levy and/or of a writ of attachment or execution, or other like process, or the entry of a final judgment against Borrower, in each case, against a material portion of the assets of Borrower.

(f)    Borrower shall become insolvent, or shall suffer or consent to or apply for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or liquidator of itself or any of its property, or shall generally fail to pay its debts as they become due, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; Borrower shall file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or seeking reorganization, in order to effect a plan or other arrangement with creditors or any other relief under the Bankruptcy Reform Act, Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended or recodified from time to time (“Bankruptcy Code”), or under any state or federal law granting relief to debtors, whether now or hereafter in effect; or any involuntary petition or proceeding pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable state or federal law relating to bankruptcy, reorganization or other relief for debtors is filed or commenced against Borrower, or Borrower shall file an answer admitting the jurisdiction of the court and the material allegations of any involuntary petition; or Borrower shall be adjudicated a bankrupt, or an order for relief shall be entered against Borrower by any court of competent jurisdiction under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable state or federal law relating to bankruptcy, reorganization or other relief for debtors.

(g)    [Intentionally Omitted].

(h)    The dissolution or liquidation of Borrower if a corporation, partnership, joint venture or other type of entity; or Borrower, or any of its directors, stockholders or members, shall take action seeking to effect the dissolution or liquidation of Borrower.

(i)    Any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of twenty-five percent or more of the equity securities of Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors of Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right).

SECTION 6.2.    REMEDIES.  Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default:  (a) all indebtedness of Borrower under each of the Loan Documents, any term thereof to the contrary notwithstanding, shall at Bank’s option and without notice become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of dishonor, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower; (b) the obligation, if any, of Bank to extend any further credit under any of the Loan Documents shall immediately cease and terminate; and (c) Bank shall have all rights,

 

 

powers and remedies available under each of the Loan Documents, or accorded by law, including without limitation the right to resort to any or all security for any credit subject hereto and to exercise any or all of the rights of a beneficiary or secured party pursuant to applicable law.  All rights, powers and remedies of Bank may be exercised at any time by Bank and from time to time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, are cumulative and not exclusive, and shall be in addition to any other rights, powers or remedies provided by law or equity.

SECTION 7.1.    NO WAIVER.  No delay, failure or discontinuance of Bank in exercising any right, power or remedy under any of the Loan Documents shall affect or operate as a waiver of such right, power or remedy; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude, waive or otherwise affect any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.  Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind by Bank of any breach of or default under any of the Loan Documents must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent set forth in such writing.

SECTION 7.2.    NOTICES.  All notices, requests and demands which any party is required or may desire to give to any other party under any provision of this Agreement must be in writing delivered to each party at the following address:

BORROWER:  EMPLOYERS HOLDINGS, INC.

10375 Professional Circle

Reno, NV  89521

BANK:         WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

San Gabriel Valley Regional Commercial Banking Office

1000 Lakes Drive, Suite 250

West Covina, CA  91790

or to such other address as any party may designate by written notice to all other parties.  Each such notice, request and demand shall be deemed given or made as follows:  (a) if sent by hand delivery, upon delivery; (b) if sent by mail, upon the earlier of the date of receipt or five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, first class and postage prepaid; (c) if sent by telecopy, upon receipt; and (d) if sent via overnight courier, upon delivery.

SECTION 7.3.    COSTS, EXPENSES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES.  Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand the full amount of all payments, advances, charges, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (to include only outside counsel fees), expended or incurred by Bank in connection with (a) the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Bank’s continued administration hereof and thereof, and the preparation of any amendments and waivers hereto and thereto, (b) the enforcement of Bank’s rights and/or the collection of any amounts which become due to Bank under any of the Loan Documents, and (c) the prosecution or defense of any action in any way related to any of the Loan Documents, including without limitation, any action for declaratory relief, whether

 

 

incurred at the trial or appellate level, in an arbitration proceeding or otherwise, and including any of the foregoing incurred in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding (including without limitation, any adversary proceeding, contested matter or motion brought by Bank or any other person) relating to Borrower or any other person or entity.

SECTION 7.4.    SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties; provided however, that Borrower may not assign or transfer its interests or rights hereunder without Bank’s prior written consent.  Bank reserves the right to sell, assign, transfer, negotiate or grant participations in all or any part of, or any interest in, Bank’s rights and benefits under each of the Loan Documents.  In connection therewith, Bank may disclose all documents and information which Bank now has or may hereafter acquire relating to any credit subject hereto, Borrower or its business, or any collateral required hereunder to any prospective assignee so long as such person has executed a nondisclosure agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Bank and Borrower.

SECTION 7.5.    ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement between Borrower and Bank with respect to each credit subject hereto and supersede all prior negotiations, communications, discussions and correspondence concerning the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement may be amended or modified only in writing signed by each party hereto.

SECTION 7.6.    NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.  This Agreement is made and entered into for the sole protection and benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and no other person or entity shall be a third party beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any other of the Loan Documents to which it is not a party.

SECTION 7.7.    TIME.  Time is of the essence of each and every provision of this Agreement and each other of the Loan Documents.

SECTION 7.8.          SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or any remaining provisions of this Agreement.

SECTION 7.9.    COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

SECTION 7.10.        GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.

 

 

 

SECTION 7.11.        ARBITRATION.

  (a)       Arbitration.  The parties hereto agree, upon demand by any party, to submit to binding arbitration all claims, disputes and controversies between or among them (and their respective employees, officers, directors, attorneys, and other agents), whether in tort, contract or otherwise in any way arising out of or relating to (i) any credit subject hereto, or any of the Loan Documents, and their negotiation, execution, collateralization, administration, repayment, modification, extension, substitution, formation, inducement, enforcement, default or termination; or (ii) requests for additional credit.

(b)      Governing Rules.  Any arbitration proceeding will (i) proceed in a location in Nevada selected by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”); (ii) be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code), notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the documents between the parties; and (iii) be conducted by the AAA, or such other administrator as the parties shall mutually agree upon, in accordance with the AAA’s commercial dispute resolution procedures, unless the claim or counterclaim is at least $1,000,000.00 exclusive of claimed interest, arbitration fees and costs in which case the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the AAA’s optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes (the commercial dispute resolution procedures or the optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes to be referred to herein, as applicable, as the “Rules”).  If there is any inconsistency between the terms hereof and the Rules, the terms and procedures set forth herein shall control.  Any party who fails or refuses to submit to arbitration following a demand by any other party shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such other party in compelling arbitration of any dispute.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by any party that is a bank of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. §91 or any similar applicable state law.

(c)       No Waiver of Provisional Remedies, Self-Help and Foreclosure.  The arbitration requirement does not limit the right of any party to (i) foreclose against real or personal property collateral; (ii) exercise self-help remedies relating to collateral or proceeds of collateral such as setoff or repossession; or (iii) obtain provisional or ancillary remedies such as replevin, injunctive relief, attachment or the appointment of a receiver, before during or after the pendency of any arbitration proceeding.  This exclusion does not constitute a waiver of the right or obligation of any party to submit any dispute to arbitration or reference hereunder, including those arising from the exercise of the actions detailed in sections (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph.

(d)       Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers.  Any arbitration proceeding in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000.00 or less will be decided by a single arbitrator selected according to the Rules, and who shall not render an award of greater than $5,000,000.00.  Any dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000,000.00 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators; provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively participate in all hearings and deliberations.  The arbitrator will be a neutral attorney licensed in the State of Nevada or a neutral retired judge of the state or federal judiciary of Nevada, in either case with a minimum of ten years experience in the substantive law applicable to the subject matter of the dispute to be arbitrated.  The arbitrator will determine whether or not an issue is

 

 

arbitratable and will give effect to the statutes of limitation in determining any claim.  In any arbitration proceeding the arbitrator will decide (by documents only or with a hearing at the arbitrator’s discretion) any pre-hearing motions which are similar to motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim or motions for summary adjudication.  The arbitrator shall resolve all disputes in accordance with the substantive law of Nevada and may grant any remedy or relief that a court of such state could order or grant within the scope hereof and such ancillary relief as is necessary to make effective any award.  The arbitrator shall also have the power to award recovery of all costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other action as the arbitrator deems necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Nevada Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable law.  Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.  The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of a provisional or ancillary remedy shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or claim to arbitration if any other party contests such action for judicial relief.

(e)       Discovery.  In any arbitration proceeding, discovery will be permitted in accordance with the Rules.  All discovery shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant to the dispute being arbitrated and must be completed no later than 20 days before the hearing date.  Any requests for an extension of the discovery periods, or any discovery disputes, will be subject to final determination by the arbitrator upon a showing that the request for discovery is essential for the party’s presentation and that no alternative means for obtaining information is available.

(f)        Class Proceedings and Consolidations.  No party hereto shall be entitled to join or consolidate disputes by or against others in any arbitration, except parties who have executed any Loan Document, or to include in any arbitration any dispute as a representative or member of a class, or to act in any arbitration in the interest of the general public or in a private attorney general capacity.

(g)       Payment Of Arbitration Costs And Fees.  The arbitrator shall award all costs and expenses of the arbitration proceeding.

(h)       Real Property Collateral.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no dispute shall be submitted to arbitration if the dispute concerns indebtedness secured directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by any real property unless (i) the holder of the mortgage, lien or security interest specifically elects in writing to proceed with the arbitration, or (ii) all parties to the arbitration waive any rights or benefits that might accrue to them by virtue of the single action rule statute of Nevada, thereby agreeing that all indebtedness and obligations of the parties, and all mortgages, liens and security interests securing such indebtedness and obligations, shall remain fully valid and enforceable.

(i)        Miscellaneous.  To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any arbitration proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the dispute with the AAA.  No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose the existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by a party required in the ordinary course of its business or by applicable law or regulation.  If more than one agreement for

 

 

arbitration by or between the parties potentially applies to a dispute, the arbitration provision most directly related to the Loan Documents or the subject matter of the dispute shall control.  This arbitration provision shall survive termination, amendment or expiration of any of the Loan Documents or any relationship between the parties.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first written above.