Promissory Note between eResearchTechnology, Inc., eRT Operating Company, eRT Investment Corporation, and First Union National Bank (October 16, 2001)

Summary

eResearchTechnology, Inc., eRT Operating Company, and eRT Investment Corporation (collectively, the Borrower) have entered into a promissory note agreement with First Union National Bank for a loan of up to $3,000,000. The Borrower agrees to repay the loan with monthly interest payments, with all principal and interest due by June 30, 2002. The agreement sets the interest rate at the Bank's Prime Rate minus 0.35%, includes provisions for late charges, default interest, and attorneys' fees, and outlines events that constitute default. This note renews and modifies a previous note but is not a novation.

EX-10.59 3 ex10-59.txt EX-10.59 [First Union Logo] PROMISSORY NOTE $3,000,000.00 October 16, 2001 eResearchTechnology, Inc. 30 South 17th Street 8th Floor Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 eRT Operating Company 30 South 17th Street 8th Floor Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19810 eRT Investment Corporation 30 South 17th Street 8th Floor Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19810 (Individually and collectively "Borrower") First Union National Bank 190 River Road Summit, New Jersey 07901 (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 Three Million and No/100 Dollars ($3,000,000.00) 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"). RENEWAL/MODIFICATION. This Promissory Note renews, extends and/or modifies that certain Promissory Note i/n/o PRWW, Ltd. dated October 6, 2000 (the "Original Promissory Note"), evidencing an original principal amount of $3,000,000.00. This Promissory Note is not a novation. INTEREST RATE. Interest shall accrue on the unpaid principal balance of this Note from the date hereof at the Bank's Prime Rate minus 0.35%, as that rate may change from time to time in accordance with changes in the Bank's Prime Rate ("Interest Rate"). "Bank's Prime Rate" shall be that rate announced by Bank from time to time as its prime rate and is one of several interest rate bases used by Bank. Bank lends at rates both above and below Bank's Prime Rate, and Borrower acknowledges that Bank's Prime Rate is not represented or intended to be the lowest or most favorable rate of interest offered by Bank. 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 shall bear interest at the Interest Rate plus 3% ("Default Rate"). 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 interest 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 rate exceeding the nominal rate. 535080 (Rev w11.0) Note.doc REPAYMENT TERMS. This Note shall be due and payable in consecutive monthly payments of accrued interest only, commencing on October 1, 2001, and continuing on the same day of each month thereafter until fully paid. In any event, all principal and accrued interest shall be due and payable on June 30, 2002. 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" 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.ss.101). Obligations. The term "Obligations" used in this Note 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.ss.101) between Borrower and Bank 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. LATE CHARGE. If any payments are not timely made, Borrower shall also pay to Bank a late charge equal to 5% of each payment past due for 10 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 535080 (Rev w11.0) Page 2 Note.doc as defined in 11 U.S.C. ss. 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. 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, 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 shall 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. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Borrower 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 Borrower 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. If audited statements are required, Borrower's accountant shall provide Bank with a written acknowledgment of the Bank's reliance upon the statements in accordance with N.J.S. 2A: 53A-25. PERIODIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Borrower shall deliver to Bank unaudited management-prepared quarterly financial statements including, without limitation, a balance sheet, profit and loss statement and statement of cash flows, with supporting schedules, as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the close of each such period; 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. 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. FINANCIAL COVENANTS. Borrower agrees to the following provisions from the date hereof until final payment in full of the Obligations, unless Bank shall otherwise consent in writing, using the financial information for Borrower, its subsidiaries, affiliates and its holding or parent company, as applicable: Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth Ratio. Borrower shall, at all times, maintain a ratio of Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth of not more than 0.50 to 1.00. "Total Liabilities" shall mean all liabilities of 535080 (Rev w11.0) Page 3 Note.doc Borrower, including capitalized leases and all reserves for deferred taxes and other deferred sums appearing on the liabilities side of a balance sheet of Borrower, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis. "Tangible Net Worth" shall mean total assets minus total liabilities. For purposes of this computation, the aggregate amount of any intangible assets of Borrower including, without limitation, goodwill, franchises, licenses, patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, service marks, and brand names, shall be subtracted from total assets, and total liabilities shall include debt fully subordinated to Bank on terms and conditions acceptable to Bank. Current Ratio. Borrower shall, at all times, maintain a Current Ratio of not less than 2.00 to 1.00. "Current Ratio" shall mean the ratio of Current Assets to Current Liabilities. "Current Assets" shall mean all assets which are so classified in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. "Current Liabilities" shall mean all liabilities which are so classified in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. LINE OF CREDIT ADVANCES. Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow, and Bank may advance and readvance under this Note respectively from time to time until the maturity hereof (each an "Advance" and together the "Advances"), so long as the total principal balance outstanding under this Note 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. 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. 30-Day Payout. During the term of the Note, Borrower agrees to pay down the outstanding balance to a maximum of $100.00 for 30 consecutive days annually. If Borrower subscribes to Bank's cash management services and such services are applicable to this line of credit, the terms of such service shall control the manner in which funds are transferred between the applicable demand deposit account and the line of credit for credit or debit to the line of credit. 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 shown above 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. 535080 (Rev w11.0) Page 4 Note.doc 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 shown above. 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 Bank's office address shown above or such other address as Bank may specify in writing from time to time. 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. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the loan(s) evidenced by this Note shall be used for the commercial purposes of Borrower. Advances. Bank may, in its sole discretion, make other advances which shall be deemed to be advances under this 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. 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 Exemplary Damages. The parties agree that they shall not have a remedy of punitive or exemplary damages against other parties in any Dispute and hereby waive any right or claim to punitive or exemplary damages they have now or which may arise in the future in connection with any Dispute whether the Dispute is resolved by arbitration or judicially. 535080 (Rev w11.0) Page 5 Note.doc 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. 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 New Jersey and delivered to Bank in the State of New Jersey. eResearchTechnology, Inc. Taxpayer Identification Number: 22 ###-###-#### By: /s/ Joel Morganroth (SEAL) --------------------------------------------- Joel Morganroth, Chairman eRT Operating Company Taxpayer Identification Number: 23 ###-###-#### By: /s/ Joel Morganroth (SEAL) --------------------------------------------- Joel Morganroth, Chairman eRT Investment Corporation Taxpayer Identification Number: 52 ###-###-#### By: /s/ Joel Morganroth (SEAL) --------------------------------------------- Joel Morganroth, Chairman 74545 535080 (Rev w11.0) Page 6 Note.doc