Line of Credit Agreement between The Bank of New York and META Group, Inc. dated July 28, 2000

Summary

The Bank of New York has agreed to provide META Group, Inc. with a $12,000,000 line of credit, available on demand and subject to the bank's discretion. The agreement outlines the terms for advances, letters of credit, and bankers acceptances, as well as requirements for collateral, guarantees, and subordination of other debts. Either party may cancel the line at any time. META Group, Inc. must provide financial information as requested and pay applicable fees. The agreement also includes a waiver of jury trial rights for disputes related to this credit line.

EX-10.1 3 ex-10_1.txt EXHIBIT 10.1 EXHIBIT 10.1 THE July 28, 2000 BANK OF NEW YORK Bernard Denoyer, CFO META Group, Inc. 208 Harbor Drive Stamford, CT 06912 Re: Line of Credit to META Group, Inc. (the "Borrower") Dear Mr. Denoyer: The Bank of New York (the "Bank") is pleased to confirm that it holds available to the Borrower a line of credit in the amount specified on the schedule on the reverse side of this letter (the "Schedule"). The line of credit shall be held available until the date specified on the Schedule unless canceled earlier as provided in the last sentence of this paragraph. During the period the line of credit is held available, and subject to the limitations on availability specified below and on the Schedule, the line of credit may be used for the types of extensions of credit designated on the Schedule provided that the aggregate amount of extensions of credit outstanding at any one time of a particular type shall not exceed the amount specified on the Schedule for such type and the aggregate amount of all extensions of credit outstanding at any one time under the line of credit shall not exceed the amount of the line of credit. The line of credit may be canceled by either party at any time for any reason. The making of any extension of credit under the line of credit is in the Bank's sole and absolute discretion and is subject to the Bank's satisfaction with the condition (financial and otherwise), business, prospects, properties, ownership and operations of the Borrower and each guarantor, if any, and the collateral, if any, for the obligations of the Borrower and each guarantor, if any, and the purpose of each extension of credit. In addition, if the line of credit may be used for the issuance of letters of credit and/or the creation of bankers acceptances, the issuance of each letter of credit and/or the acceptance of each draft is subject to the Bank's satisfaction with the terms of such letter of credit or draft, as the case may be. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Borrower shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Bank. such information regarding the Borrower and each guarantor, if any, and the collateral, if any, and permit the inspection of its books and records, as the Bank may request from time to time. All advances under the line of credit shall be evidenced by a promissory note of the Borrower and shall be payable and bear interest as provided therein. Each letter of credit shall be issued pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Bank's standard form of letter of credit agreement and each request for a letter of credit shall be made on the Bank's standard form of application. Each bankers acceptance created by the Bank shall be created pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of the Bank's standard form of bankers acceptance agreement. The Borrower's obligations with respect to all extensions of credit shall be secured pursuant to the agreements specified on the Schedule by a first priority security interest or lien on the property described therein. The Borrower's obligations shall be guaranteed jointly and severally pursuant to the guarantees specified on the Schedule which guarantees shall be secured pursuant to the agreements specified on the Schedule by a first priority Security interest or lien on the property described therein. Any obligation of the Borrower to the creditors specified on the Schedule shall be subordinated pursuant to the subordination agreements specified on the Schedule to the indebtedness of the Borrower to the Bank. As long as the line of credit is held available, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank the administrative fee designated on the Schedule. If letters of credit are to be issued and/or bankers acceptances are to be created under the line of credit, the Borrower shall pay to the Bank its standard discount, charges, commissions and fees in effect from time to time. Prior to the making of any extension of credit under the line of credit, the Bank shall have received the enclosed copy of this letter and such notes, agreements, mortgages, guarantees, instruments, certificates and related documents as it shall consider necessary or desirable in connection with the line of credit and the extensions of credit to be made thereunder, in each case duly executed by the appropriate persons and in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank. The Schedule and any exhibit to this letter are an integral part of this letter and any reference to this letter is a reference to this letter, the Schedule and any exhibit. This letter may not be amended, and compliance with its terms may not be waived, orally or by course of dealing, but only by a writing signed by an authorized officer of the Bank. The Borrower agrees to pay all costs and expenses incurred by the Bank incidental to or in any way relating to enforcement of the Borrower's obligations under this letter or the protection of the Bank's rights in connection with this letter, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, whether or not litigation is commenced. THE BORROWER AND THE BANK WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED TO THIS LETTER. Please acknowledge the agreement of the Borrower with the foregoing by executing both copies of this letter in the space below and returning one copy to the Bank. Very truly yours, By: /s/ Mark J. Sicinski Name: Mark J. Sicinski Title: VP Acknowledged and Agreed to: By: /s/ Bernard F. Denoyer Title: Chief Financial Officer SCHEDULE (To be completed by the Bank) Instructions: COMPLETE ALL ITEMS WHETHER OR NOT APPLICABLE. IF APPLICABLE, INSERT REQUIRED INFORMATION OR MARK WITH AN "X", AS THE CASE MAY BE. IF NOT APPLICABLE, INSERT N/A. IF BORROWING BASE IS APPLICABLE, ATTACH COPY OF BORROWING BASE COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE AS EXHIBIT TO LETTER. AMOUNT OF LINE: $12,000,000 ------------ EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT: Amount of Direct Advances: $12,000,000 ----------------------- Amount of Letters of Credit: $ ----------------------- Amount of Bankers Acceptances: $ ----------------------- EXPIRY DATE: On Demand --------- RESTRICTIONS ON AVAILABILITY: Reduction of advances to ________ for a period of _____ consecutive days. ___ Extensions of credit not to exceed Borrowing Base calculated in accordance with compliance certificate attached to letter as exhibit. _______ Each advance not to exceed ____ % of cost of equipment purchased. _____ COLLATERAL FOR BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS: Security Agreement: Existing ________ To be furnished _______ Mortgage: Existing _________ To be furnished _________ Assignment of Insurance on life of ________: Existing _____ To be furnished _____ SUBORDINATION OF INDEBTEDNESS OF BORROWER BY: Creditor: _______ Subordination Agreement: Existing ___ To be furnished ____ Creditor: _______ Subordination Agreement: Existing ___ To be furnished ____ Creditor: _______ Subordination Agreement: Existing ___ To be furnished ____ GUARANTEES: Guarantor: _______________ Guarantee: Existing _____ To be furnished _____ Collateral for Guarantor's Obligations: Security Agreement: Existing _____ To be furnished _____ Mortgage: Existing _____ To be furnished _____ Guarantor: _______________ Guarantee: Existing _____ To be furnished _____ Collateral for Guarantor's Obligations: Security Agreement: Existing _____ To be furnished _____ Mortgage: Existing _____ To be furnished _____ Guarantor: _______________ Guarantee: Existing _____ To be furnished _____ Collateral for Guarantor's Obligations: Security Agreement: Existing _____ To be furnished _____ Mortgage: Existing _____ To be furnished _____ ADMINISTRATIVE FEE: 0% per annum of the average daily _________ amount of line calculated on the basis of a 360 day year for actual number of days elapsed, payable quarterly in arrears. ____