Credit Agreement dated as of November 29, 2016, among PAR Technology Corporation, the other Loan Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A

CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of November 29, 2016 (as it may be amended or modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), among PAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, as Borrower, the Loan Parties party hereto, and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Lender.

“Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“Account Debtor” means any Person obligated on an Account.

“Acquisition” means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after the Effective Date, by which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (a) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise, (b) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of votes) of the Equity Interests of a Person which has ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other similar management personnel of a Person (other than Equity Interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency), or (c) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent in a series of transactions) a majority of the outstanding Equity Interests of a Person.

“Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period or for any CBFR Borrowing, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.

“Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate” means, for any day, an interest rate per annum equal to the sum of (i) 2.50% per annum plus (ii) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one-month interest period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the LIBO Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day.

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

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

“Applicable Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any Loan, or with respect to the commitment fees payable hereunder, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “CBFR Spread”, “Eurodollar Spread” or “Commitment Fee Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the Borrower’s Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio as of the most recent determination date, provided that until the delivery to the Lender, pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), as applicable, of the Borrower’s consolidated financial information for the Borrower’s first fiscal quarter ending after the Effective Date, the “Applicable Rate” shall be based upon the Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio determined from the most recent quarterly consolidated financial statements delivered to the Lender prior to the Effective Date:

 

For purposes of the foregoing, (i) the Applicable Rate shall be determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower based upon the Borrower’s annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), as applicable, and (ii) each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio shall be effective during the period commencing on and including the date of delivery to the Lender of such consolidated financial statements indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change, provided that the Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 3 (A) at any time that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (B) at the option of the Lender if the Borrower fails to deliver the annual or quarterly consolidated financial statements required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or Section 5.01(b), during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial statements are delivered.

If at any time the Lender reasonably determines that the financial statements upon which the Applicable Rate was determined were incorrect (whether based on a restatement, fraud or otherwise), the Borrower shall be required to retroactively pay any additional amount that the Borrower would have been required to pay if such financial statements had been accurate at the time they were delivered.

“Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.04(b).

“Availability” means, at any time, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of the Commitment and the Borrowing Base minus (b) the Exposure.

“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitment.

“Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries by the Lender or any of its Affiliates: (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, “commercial credit cards” and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services, and (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).

“Banking Services Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.

 

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

“Borrower” means PAR Technology Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

“Borrowing” means Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

“Borrowing Base” means, at any time, the sum of (a) 80% of the Borrower’s Eligible Accounts at such time, plus (b) 50% of the Borrower’s Eligible Inventory consisting of raw materials, valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a first-in-first-out basis, at such time, plus (c) 35% of Borrower’s Eligible Inventory consisting of finished goods, valued at the lower of cost or market value, determined on a first-in-first-out basis, at such time.  The maximum amount of Eligible Inventory which may be included as part of the Borrowing Base shall not exceed 50% of the total Borrowing Base.  The Lender may, in its Permitted Discretion, reduce the advance rates set forth above, adjust Reserves (including the Equipment Repurchase Reserve) or reduce one or more of the other elements used in computing the Borrowing Base.

“Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate, signed and certified as accurate and complete by a Financial Officer of the Borrower, in substantially the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.

“Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

“Burdensome Restrictions” means any consensual encumbrance or restriction of the type described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.10.

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for general business in London.

“Capital Expenditures” means, without duplication, any expenditure or commitment to expend money for any purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed or capital asset on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.

“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

“CB Floating Rate” means the Prime Rate; provided that the CB Floating Rate shall never be less than the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day).  Any change in the CB Floating Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Adjusted One Month LIBOR Rate, respectively.

“CBFR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the CB Floating Rate.

 

“Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) of Equity Interests representing more than 20% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower; (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) directors of the Borrower on the date of this Agreement nor (ii) nominated or appointed by the board of  directors of the Borrower; or (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Borrower by any Person or group other than the executive management of the Borrower; provided, that, no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred if Dr. John W. Sammon transfers all or a portion of the Equity Interests of the Company held directly or indirectly by him to (i) an immediate family member or (ii) a trust for the benefit of Dr. John W. Sammon or an immediate family member and, prior to such transfer the Lender shall have received all documentation and other information required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including USA PATRIOT Act, and a properly completed and signed IRS Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable.

“Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any of the following: (a) the adoption of or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) compliance by the Lender (or, for purposes of Section 2.13(b), by any lending office of the Lender or by the Lender’s holding company, if any) with any request, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the U.S. or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

“Charges” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.16.

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

“Collateral” means any and all property owned, leased or operated by a Person covered by the Collateral Documents and any and all other property of any Loan Party, now existing or hereafter acquired, that may at any time be or become subject to a security interest or Lien in favor of the Lender, on behalf of the Secured Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations; provided, however, that in no event shall Collateral include (i) the Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary to the extent not required to be pledged to secure the Obligations pursuant to Section 5.13(b) or (ii) any property owned, leased or operated by any Foreign Subsidiary.

“Collateral Access Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“Collection Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement and any other agreements, instruments and documents executed in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create, perfect or evidence Liens to secure the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation, all other security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan agreements, notes, guarantees, subordination agreements, pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, fee letters, notices, leases, financing statements and all other written matter whether theretofore, now or hereafter executed by any Loan Party and delivered to the Lender.

 

“Commercial LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding commercial Letters of Credit plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements relating to commercial Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower.

“Commitment” means the commitment of the Lender to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit hereunder, as such commitment may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.07.  The initial amount of the Lender’s Commitment is $15,000,000.

“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, Net Income for such period plus (a) without duplication and to the extent deducted in determining Net Income, the sum of (i) Interest Expense, (ii) income tax expense, (iii) all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) any extraordinary non-cash charges, (v) any non-cash equity-based compensation, (vi) loss from discontinued operations arising from the 2015 sale of Par Springer-Miller Systems, Inc., (vii) investment write-off of $776,000 in the fourth quarter of 2015, net of any insurance proceeds received as  result of such investment loss, and (viii) legal and investigation expenses of $766,000 incurred in the first quarter of 2016 and $304,000 incurred in the second quarter of 2016, minus (b) without duplication and to the extent included in Net Income, (i) any amounts attributable to the reappraisal or write-up of assets, (ii) any extraordinary gains and any non-cash items of income, all calculated for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

“Consolidated Indebtedness” means, at any date, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis at such date in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio” means, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Indebtedness on such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter, ended on the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to such date).

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

“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

“Disclosed Matters” means the actions, suits, proceedings and environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.

“Document” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“Dollars”, “dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia (other than any such Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary).

“ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.

“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 8.02).

“Eligible Accounts” means, at any time, the Accounts of the Borrower which the Lender determines in its Permitted Discretion are eligible as the basis for the extension of Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit.  Without limiting the Lender’s discretion provided herein, Eligible Accounts shall not include any Account:

(a)           which is not subject to a first priority perfected security interest in favor of the Lender;

(b)           which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Lender and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Lender;

(c)           (i) with respect to which is unpaid more than 90 days after the date of the original invoice therefor, (ii) which is unpaid more than 60 days after the original due date, or (iii) which has been written off the books of the Borrower or otherwise designated as uncollectible; provided that Accounts unpaid more than 90 days but less than 120 days from the date of original invoice which are not more than 60 days past due may be included in Eligible Accounts in an amount not exceeding $1,000,000 in the aggregate;

(d)          which is owing by an Account Debtor for which more than 50% of the Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates are ineligible pursuant to clause (c) above;

(e)           which is owing by an Account Debtor (other than McDonald’s Corporation or a consolidating subsidiary thereof) to the extent the aggregate amount of Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates to the Borrower exceeds 20% of the aggregate amount of Eligible Accounts;

(f)            with respect to which any covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Agreement or in the Security Agreement has been breached or is not true;

(g)           which (i) does not arise from the sale of goods or performance of services in the ordinary course of business, (ii) is not evidenced by an invoice or other documentation satisfactory to the Lender which has been sent to the Account Debtor, (iii) represents a progress billing, (iv) is contingent upon the Borrower’s completion of any further performance, (v) represents a sale on a bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale-and-return, sale on approval, consignment, cash-on-delivery or any other repurchase or return basis or (vi) relates to payments of interest;

 

(h)           for which the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped to the Account Debtor or for which the services giving rise to such Account have not been performed by the Borrower or if such Account was invoiced more than once;

(i)            with respect to which any check or other instrument of payment has been returned uncollected for any reason;

(j)            which is owed by an Account Debtor which has (i) applied for, suffered, or consented to the appointment of any receiver, custodian, trustee, or liquidator of its assets, (ii) had possession of all or a material part of its property taken by any receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator, (iii) filed, or had filed against it, any request or petition for liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, adjudication as bankrupt, winding-up, or voluntary or involuntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws, (iv) admitted in writing its inability, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due, (v) become insolvent, or (vi) ceased operation of its business;

(k)           which is owed by any Account Debtor which has sold all or substantially all of its assets;

(l)            which is owed by an Account Debtor which (i) does not maintain its chief executive office in the U.S. or (ii) is not organized under applicable law of the U.S. or any state of the U.S. or the District of Columbia unless, in either case, such Account is backed by a letter of credit acceptable to the Lender which is in the possession of, has been assigned to and is directly drawable by the Lender;

(m)          which is owed in any currency other than U.S. dollars;

(n)           which is owed by (i) any Governmental Authority of any country other than the U.S., unless such Account is backed by a letter of credit acceptable to the Lender which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by,  the Lender, or (ii) any Governmental Authority of the U.S., or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof, unless the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. § 3727 et seq. and 41 U.S.C. § 15 et seq.), and any other steps necessary to perfect the Lien of the Lender in such Account have been complied with to the Lender’s satisfaction;

(o)          which is owed by any Affiliate of any Loan Party or any, employee, officer, director, agent or stockholder of any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates;

(p)          which is owed by an Account Debtor or any Affiliate of such Account Debtor to which any Loan Party is indebted, but only to the extent of such indebtedness or is subject to any security, deposit, progress payment, retainage or other similar advance made by or for the benefit of an Account Debtor, in each case to the extent thereof;

(q)          which is subject to any counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute, but only to the extent that such Account is subject to any such counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute;

 

(r)           which is evidenced by any promissory note, chattel paper or instrument;

(s)          which is owed by an Account Debtor (i) located in any jurisdiction which requires filing of a “Notice of Business Activities Report” or other similar report in order to permit the Borrower to seek judicial enforcement in such jurisdiction of payment of such Account, unless the Borrower has filed such report or qualified to do business in such jurisdiction or (ii) which is a Sanctioned Person;

(t)           with respect to which the Borrower has made any agreement with the Account Debtor for any reduction thereof, other than discounts and adjustments given in the ordinary course of business, to the extent of the agreed upon reduction, or any Account which was partially paid and the Borrower created a new receivable for the unpaid portion of such Account;

(u)          which does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations, whether federal, state or local, including without limitation the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the Federal Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z of the Board;

(v)          which is for goods that have been sold under a purchase order or pursuant to the terms of a contract or other agreement or understanding (written or oral) that indicates or purports that any Person other than the Borrower has or has had an ownership interest in such goods, or which indicates any party other than the Borrower as payee or remittance party;

(w)          which was created on cash on delivery terms; or

(x)           which the Lender reasonably determines may not be paid by reason of the Account Debtor’s inability to pay or which the Lender otherwise reasonably determines is unacceptable for any reason whatsoever.

In the event that an Account which was previously an Eligible Account ceases to be an Eligible Account hereunder, the Borrower shall notify the Lender thereof on and at the time of submission to the Lender of the next Borrowing Base Certificate.  In determining the amount of an Eligible Account, the face amount of an Account may, in the Lender’s Permitted Discretion, be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances (including any amount that the Borrower may be obligated to rebate to an Account Debtor pursuant to the terms of any agreement or understanding (written or oral)) and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Account but not yet applied by the Borrower to reduce the amount of such Account.

“Eligible Inventory” means, at any time, raw material and finished goods Inventory of the Borrower which the Lender determines in its Permitted Discretion is eligible as the basis for the extension of Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit.  Without limiting the Lender’s discretion provided herein, Eligible Inventory shall not include any Inventory:

(a)          which is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Lender;

(b)          which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Lender and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Lender;

 

(c)          which is, in the Lender’s Permitted Discretion, slow moving, obsolete, unmerchantable, defective, used, unfit for sale, not salable at prices approximating at least the cost of such Inventory in the ordinary course of business or unacceptable due to age, type, category and/or quantity;

(d)          with respect to which any covenant, representation, or warranty contained in this Agreement or the Security Agreement has been breached or is not true and which does not conform to all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority;

(e)           in which any Person other than the Borrower shall (i) have any direct or indirect ownership, interest or title to such Inventory or (ii) be indicated on any purchase order or invoice with respect to such Inventory as having or purporting to have an interest therein;

(f)           which is not finished goods or which constitutes work-in-process, spare or replacement parts, subassemblies, packaging and shipping material, manufacturing supplies, samples, prototypes, displays or display items, bill-and-hold or ship-in-place goods, goods that are returned or marked for return, repossessed goods, defective or damaged goods, goods held on consignment, or goods which are not of a type held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

(g)          which is not located in the U.S. or is in transit with a common carrier from vendors and suppliers;

(h)          which is located in any location leased by the Borrower unless (i) the lessor has delivered to the Lender a Collateral Access Agreement or (ii) a reserve for rent, charges and other amounts due or to become due with respect to such facility has been established by the Lender in its Permitted Discretion;

(i)            which is located in any third party warehouse or is in the possession of a bailee (other than a third party processor) where, in each instance, more than $75,000 is located and is not evidenced by a Document, unless (i) such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Lender a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Lender may require or (ii) an appropriate reserve has been established by the Lender in its sole discretion;

(l)            which is the subject of a consignment by the Borrower as consignor;

(m)          which is perishable;

(n)          which contains or bears any intellectual property rights licensed to the Borrower unless the Lender is satisfied in Lender’s Permitted Discretion that it may sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory without (i) infringing the rights of such licensor, (ii) violating any contract with such licensor, or (iii) incurring any liability with respect to payment of royalties, other than royalties incurred pursuant to sale of such Inventory under the current licensing agreement;

(o)          which is not reflected in a current perpetual inventory report of the Borrower;

 

(p)          for which reclamation rights have been asserted by the seller;

(q)          which has been acquired from a Sanctioned Person; or

(r)           which the Lender otherwise reasonably determines is unacceptable for any reason whatsoever.

In the event that Inventory which was previously Eligible Inventory ceases to be Eligible Inventory hereunder, the Borrower shall notify the Lender thereof on and at the time of submission to the Lender of the next Borrowing Base Certificate.

“Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) any violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) any exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

“Equipment” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“Equipment Finance Agreements” means the two existing equipment finance agreements with Wels Fargo Financial Leasing, Inc. guaranteed by ParTech, Inc..

“Equipment Finance Obligor” means the main obligor under the Equipment Finance Agreements.

“Equipment Repurchase Reserve” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(b).

“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30‑day notice period is waived); (b) the failure to satisfy the “minimum funding standard” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

“Eurodollar”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bear interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

“Excluded Domestic Subsidiary” means a Domestic Subsidiary that is not engaged in any business or other commercial activities and has total assets with a fair market value of less than $250,000.00.

“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Guarantor, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Loan Guarantor of, or the grant by such Loan Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) (a) by virtue of such Loan Guarantor's failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Loan Guarantor or the grant of such security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to the Lender or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to the Lender: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of the Lender being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of the Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) the Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment or (ii) the Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.15, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to the Lender’s assignor immediately before the Lender acquired the applicable interest in such Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment or to the Lender immediately before it changed its lending office and (c) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

“Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Lender’s Loans and its LC Exposure at such time.

 

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.

 

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate.

“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower.

“Financial Statements” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01.

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means the ratio, determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters, of (i) Consolidated EBITDA less unfunded Capital Expenditures (exclusive of ERP upgrade expenses in an amount not to exceed $1,830,000 in 2016 and $2,350,000 in 2017¹) and less capitalized software costs to (ii) cash Interest Expense and required principal payments of long-term Consolidated Indebtedness (including Consolidated Indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition of Brink Software, Inc.) plus dividends and distributions paid in cash and plus taxes paid in cash.

“Fixtures” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

“Funding Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(g).

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

“Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01.

“Hazardous Materials” means:  (a) any substance, material, or waste that is included within the definitions of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous waste,” “toxic substances,” “toxic materials,” “toxic waste,” or words of similar import in any Environmental Law; (b) those substances listed as hazardous substances by the United States Department of Transportation (or any successor agency) (49 C.F.R. 172.101 and amendments thereto) or by the Environmental Protection Agency (or any successor agency) (40 C.F.R. Part 302 and amendments thereto); and (c) any substance, material, or waste that is petroleum, petroleum-related, or a petroleum by-product, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, flammable, explosive, radioactive, freon gas, radon, or a pesticide, herbicide, or any other agricultural chemical.

“Impacted Interest Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.

“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (including earn-out payments and other contingent payments of purchase price but excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, and (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers' acceptances.  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

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

“Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.03(b).

“Interest Election Request” means a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.06.

“Interest Expense” means, with reference to any period, total interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease Obligations) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing and net costs under Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP), calculated on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any CBFR Loan, the first day of each calendar month for the interest accrued through the last day of the prior calendar month, and the Maturity Date, and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and the Maturity Date.

“Interest Period” means with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Eurodollar Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two or three months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect; provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period.  For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

“Interpolated Rate” means, at any time, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the LIBO Screen Rate) determined by the Lender (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the LIBO Screen Rate for the longest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the LIBO Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.

“Inventory” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Security Agreement.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“Joinder Agreement” means a Joinder Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit E.

“LC Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04(h).

“LC Disbursement” means any payment made by the Lender pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

“LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of the Commercial LC Exposure and the Standby LC Exposure at such time.

 

“Lender” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., its successors and assigns.

 

“Letters of Credit” means the letters of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement, and the term “Letter of Credit” means any one of them or each of them singularly, as the context may require.

“LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any applicable Interest Period or for any CBFR Borrowing, the LIBO Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; provided that, if the LIBO Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for a period equal in length to such Interest Period (an “Impacted Interest Period”), then the LIBO Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate at such time.

 

“LIBO Screen Rate” means, for any day and time, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period or for any CBFR Borrowing, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for Dollars) for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on such day and time on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a Reuters page or screen, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Lender in its reasonable discretion); provided that if the LIBO Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, each promissory note issued pursuant to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit application, each Collateral Document, the Loan Guaranty, and each other agreement, instrument, document and certificate identified in Section 4.01 executed and delivered to, or in favor of, the Lender and including each other pledge, power of attorney, consent, assignment, contract, notice, letter of credit agreement, letter of credit application and each other written matter whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by or on behalf of any Loan Party, or any employee of any Loan Party, and delivered to the Lender in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.  Any reference in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall include all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, and shall refer to this Agreement or such Loan Document as the same may be in effect at any and all times such reference becomes operative.

“Loan Guarantor” means each Loan Party (other than the Borrower).

“Loan Guaranty” means Article IX of this Agreement.

“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower, each Domestic Subsidiary identified on the signature page to this Agreement and any other Domestic Subsidiary who becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to a Joinder Agreement in the future, and their successors and assigns, and the term “Loan Party” shall mean any one of them or all of them individually, as the context may require.  Excluded Domestic Subsidiaries are not Loan Parties except pursuant to Section 5.13(a).

“Loans” means the loans and advances made by the Lender pursuant to this Agreement.

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, properties, liabilities, operations or financial condition of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (c) the Collateral, or the Lender’s Liens (on behalf of itself and the other Secured Parties) on the Collateral or the priority of such Liens, or (d) the rights of or benefits available to the Lender under any of the Loan Documents.

“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $500,000.  For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

“Maturity Date” means three years from the date of this Agreement (if the same is a Business Day, or if not then the immediately next succeeding Business Day), or any earlier date on which the Commitment is reduced to zero or otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.

“Maximum Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.16.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

“Net Income” means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions and (c) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms of any contractual obligation (other than under any Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary.

“Net Proceeds” means, with respect to any event, (a) the cash proceeds received in respect of such event including (i) any cash received in respect of any non-cash proceeds (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise, but excluding any interest payments), but only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds and (iii) in the case of a condemnation or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments, minus (b) the sum of (i) all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties (other than Affiliates) in connection with such event, (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer or other disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or similar proceeding), the amount of all payments required to be made as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness (other than Loans) secured by such asset or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event and (iii) the amount of all taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable) and the amount of any reserves established to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, in each case during the year that such event occurred or the next succeeding year and that are directly attributable to such event (as determined reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer).

“NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

“NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day(or for any day that is not a Banking Day, for the immediately preceding Banking Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received to the Lender from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

“Obligated Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02.

 

“Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Loan Parties to the Lender or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or any of the Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.

“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

“Original Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(g).

“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to the Lender, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between the Lender and the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes (other than a connection arising from the Lender having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Document), or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan, Letter of Credit, or any Loan Document.

“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.

“Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight Eurodollar borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).

“Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.04(c).

“Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.04(c).

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

“Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in a transaction that satisfies each of the following requirements:

(a)           such Acquisition is not a hostile or contested acquisition;

(b)           the business acquired in connection with such Acquisition is (i) located in the U.S., (ii) organized under U.S. and applicable state laws, and (iii) not engaged, directly or indirectly, in any line of business other than the businesses in which the Borrower or its Subsidiary are engaged on the Effective Date or any business activities that are substantially similar, related, or incidental thereto;

 

(c)            both before and after giving effect to such Acquisition, each of the representations and warranties herein is true and correct (except (i) any such representation or warranty which relates to a specified prior date and (ii) to the extent the Lender has been notified in writing by the Borrower that any representation or warranty is not correct and the Lender has explicitly waived in writing compliance with such representation or warranty) and no Default exists, will exist, or would result therefrom;

(d)           as soon as available, but not less than thirty days prior to such Acquisition, the Borrower has provided the Lender (i) notice of such Acquisition and (ii) a copy of all business and financial information reasonably requested by the Lender including pro forma financial statements and statements of cash flow;

(e)            if such Acquisition is an acquisition of the Equity Interests of a Person, the Acquisition is structured so that the acquired Person shall become a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower and, a Loan Guarantor, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Bank;

(f)            if such Acquisition is an acquisition of assets, the Acquisition is structured so that the Borrower or a Subsidiary who is or shall become, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Lender, a Loan Guarantor shall acquire such assets;

(g)           if such Acquisition is an acquisition of Equity Interests, such Acquisition will not result in any violation of Regulation U;

(h)           neither Borrower nor its Subsidiary shall, as a result of or in connection with any such Acquisition, assume or incur any direct or contingent liabilities (whether relating to environmental, tax, litigation, or other matters) that could have a Material Adverse Effect or any Indebtedness that is not permitted by this Agreement;

(i)            in connection with an Acquisition of the Equity Interests of any Person, all Liens (other than Permitted Encumbrances) on property of such Person shall be terminated, and in connection with an Acquisition of the assets of any Person, all Liens (other than Permitted Encumbrances) on such assets shall be terminated;

(j)            the Borrower shall certify to the Lender (and provide the Lender with a pro forma calculation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender) that, after giving effect to the completion of such Acquisition, the Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis shall be less than or equal to 2.5 to 1.0; and

(k)           the Borrower shall certify to the Lender (and provide the Lender with a pro forma calculation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender) that, after giving effect to the completion of such Acquisition, the then total aggregate outstanding principal balance of Indebtedness incurred in connection with all Permitted Acquisitions occurring during the term of this Agreement does not exceed $7,500,000.

“Permitted Discretion” means a determination made in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) business judgment.

“Permitted Encumbrances” means:

(a)   Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

(b)  carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than thirty (30) days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

 

(c)   pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations;

(d)  deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(e)   judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII; and

(f)   easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness, except with respect to clause (e) above.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(a)  direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof) to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b)  investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;

(c)   investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

(d)  fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above; and

(e)  money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

“Prepayment Event” means:

(a)  any sale, transfer or other disposition (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction) of any property or asset of any Loan Party constituting Collateral, other than dispositions described in Section 6.05; or

(b)  any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of any Loan Party constituting Collateral.

“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Lender as its prime rate in effect at its principal offices in New York City. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.

“Pro Forma Basis” means, with respect to any event, that the Borrower is in compliance on a pro forma basis with the applicable covenant, calculation or requirement herein recomputed as if the event with respect to which compliance on a Pro Forma Basis is being tested, or Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith, had occurred or been incurred, as the case may be, on the first day of the four fiscal quarter period most recently ended on or prior to such date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), and, to the extent applicable, giving effect to the historical earnings and cash flows associated with the assets acquired or disposed of (but without giving effect to any synergies or cost savings other than in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) and any related incurrence or reduction of Indebtedness, all in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

“Projections” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01(e).

“Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Loan Guaranty or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

“Refinance Indebtedness” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(g).

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

“Release” means any releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, disposing, or dumping of any substance into the environment.

“Report” means reports prepared by the Lender or another Person showing the results of appraisals, field examinations or audits pertaining to the Borrower’s assets from information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower, after the Lender has exercised its rights of inspection pursuant to this Agreement.

“Repurchase Agreement” means the Contract Repurchase Agreement between ParTech, Inc. and Wells Fargo Financial Leasing, Inc. dated December 31, 2014.

 

“Requirement of Law” means, with respect to any Person, (a) the charter, articles or certificate of organization or incorporation and bylaws or operating, management or partnership agreement, or other organizational or governing documents of such Person and (b) any statute, law (including common law), treaty, rule, regulation, code, ordinance, order, decree, writ, judgment, injunction or determination of any arbitrator or court or other Governmental Authority (including Environmental Laws), in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.06.

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

 

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

 

“Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority.

 

“Secured Obligations” means all Obligations, together with all (i) Banking Services Obligations,  and (ii) Swap Agreement Obligations owing to the Lender or its Affiliates; provided that the definition of “Secured Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Loan Guarantor of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Guarantor to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Guarantor for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Guarantor.

“Secured Parties” means (a) the Lender, (b) each provider of Banking Services, to the extent the Banking Services Obligations in respect thereof constitute Secured Obligations, (c) each counterparty to any Swap Agreement, to the extent the obligations thereunder constitute Secured Obligations, (d) the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (e) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

 

“Security Agreement” means that certain  Pledge and Security Agreement (including any and all supplements thereto), dated as of September 9, 2014, as amended by Omnibus Amendment dated as of the date hereof, among the Loan Parties and the Lender, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and any other pledge or security agreement entered into, after the date of this Agreement by any other Loan Party (as required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document) or any other Person for the benefit of the Lender, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

“Standby LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all standby Letters of Credit outstanding at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements relating to standby Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time.

“Statement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.16(d).

“Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Lender is subject with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate, for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board).  Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D of the Board.  Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to the Lender under such Regulation D of the Board or any comparable regulation.  The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

“Subordinated Indebtedness” of a Person means any Indebtedness of such Person, the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the Secured Obligations to the written satisfaction of the Lender.

“subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held , or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

“Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Borrower or a Loan Party, as applicable.

“Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, spot, future, credit default or derivative transaction or any option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

“Swap Agreement Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any Swap Agreement permitted hereunder with the Lender or an Affiliate of the Lender, and (b) any cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Swap Agreement transaction permitted hereunder with the Lender or an Affiliate of the Lender.

 

“Swap Obligation” means, with respect to a Person, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

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

“Transactions” means the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and other credit extensions, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder.

“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the CB Floating Rate.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or in any other state, the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the issue of perfection of security interests.

“Unliquidated Obligations” means, at any time, any Secured Obligations (or portion thereof) that are contingent in nature or unliquidated at such time, including any Secured Obligation that is: (i) an obligation to reimburse a bank for drawings not yet made under a letter of credit issued by it; (ii) any other obligation (including any guarantee) that is contingent in nature at such time; or (iii) an obligation to provide collateral to secure any of the foregoing types of obligations.

“USA PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.

“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

SECTION 1.02.     Classification of Loans and Borrowings.  For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan”).  Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Borrowing”).

SECTION 1.03.    Terms Generally.  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”.  The word “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply) and all judgments, orders and decrees of all Governmental Authorities.  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”.  Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignments set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (f) any reference in any definition to the phrase “at any time” or “for any period” shall refer to the same time or period for all calculations or determinations within such definition, and (g) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

SECTION 1.04.     Accounting Terms; GAAP.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if after the date hereof there occurs any change in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of any provision hereof and the Borrower notifies the Lender that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of such change in GAAP or in the application thereof (or if the Lender notifies the Borrower that the Lender requests an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such  change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.

SECTION 1.05.     Pro Forma Adjustments for Acquisitions and Dispositions.  To the extent the Borrower or any Subsidiary makes any Permitted Acquisition or disposition of assets outside the ordinary course of business permitted by Section 6.05 during the period of four fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended, the Consolidated Indebtedness Ratio shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to the acquisition or the disposition of assets, are factually supportable and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each case as determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as interpreted by the SEC, and as certified by a Financial Officer), as if such acquisition or such disposition (and any related incurrence, repayment or assumption of Indebtedness) had occurred in the first day of such four-quarter period.

SECTION 2.01.     Commitment.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Lender agrees to make Loans in dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) the Exposure exceeding the lesser of (x) the Commitment or (y) the Borrowing Base.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Loans.

SECTION 2.02.     Loans and Borrowings.

(a)   Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Type.

 

(b)  Subject to Section 2.12, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of CBFR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith, provided that all Borrowings made on the Effective Date must be made as CBFR Borrowings but may be converted into Eurodollar Borrowings in accordance with Section 2.06.  The Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of the Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to the Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(c)  At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000.  CBFR Borrowings shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $50,000 and not less than $50,000; provided that a CBFR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitment or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.04(d).  Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of fourteen Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding.

(d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.

SECTION 2.03.     Requests for Borrowings.   To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Lender of such request either in writing (delivered by hand or fax) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and signed by the Borrower or by telephone or through Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Lender, (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of a CBFR Borrowing, not later than noon, New York time, one Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of a CBFR Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.04(d) may be given not later than 9:00 a.m., New York time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing.  Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, fax or a communication through Electronic System to the Lender of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Lender and signed by the Borrower.  Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.01:

(i)

the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing, and a breakdown of the separate wires comprising such Borrowing;

(ii)

the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

(iii)

whether such Borrowing is to be a CBFR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

(iv)

in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period.”

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be a CBFR Borrowing.  If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

SECTION 2.04.     Letters of Credit.

(a)           General.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of Letters of Credit denominated in dollars as the applicant thereof for the support of its or its Subsidiaries’ obligations, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Lender, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period.  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the Lender relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. The Borrower unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that, in connection with any Letter of Credit issued for the support of any Subsidiary’s obligations as provided in the first sentence of this paragraph, the Borrower will be fully responsible for the reimbursement of LC Disbursements in accordance with the terms hereof, the payment of interest thereon and the payment of fees due under Section 2.10(b) to the same extent as if it were the sole account party in respect of such Letter of Credit (the Borrower hereby irrevocably waiving any defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of the obligations of such Subsidiary that is an account party in respect of any such Letter of Credit).  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Lender shall have no obligation hereunder to issue, and shall not issue, any Letter of Credit (i) the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (A) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of any Sanctions or (B) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement, (ii) if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Requirement of Law relating to the Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Lender shall prohibit, or request that the Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which the Lender in good faith deems material to it, or (iii) if the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Lender applicable to letters of credit generally; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in the implementation thereof, and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed not to be in effect on the Effective Date for purposes of clause (ii) above, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

(b)           Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions.  To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or fax (or transmit through Electronic System, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Lender) to the Lender (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, but in any event no less than three (3) Business Days) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit.  If requested by the Lender, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Lender’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit.  A Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $2,500,000, (ii) the Standby LC Exposure shall not exceed $500,000, (iii) the Commercial LC Exposure shall not exceed $2,000,000 and (iv) the Exposure shall not exceed the lesser of the Commitment and the Borrowing Base.