GUARANTY AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT dated asof January 24, 2006 among

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Guaranty Agreements
EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm GUARANTY AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT Guaranty and Collateral Agreement

Exhibit 10.1

 


 

GUARANTY AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

dated as of January 24, 2006

 

among

 

SEI INVESTMENTS COMPANY,

as a Guarantor

 

and

 

LSV EMPLOYEE GROUP, LLC,

as Grantor

 

and

 

THE OTHER PARTIES FROM TIME TO TIME HERETO,

as Grantors,

 

and

 

LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as the Administrative Agent

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS    1
SECTION 2 GUARANTY    5
SECTION 3 GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST    8
SECTION 4 GRANTOR REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES    8
SECTION 5 SEI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES    10
SECTION 6 GRANTOR COVENANTS    11
SECTION 7 SEI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS    17
SECTION 8 SEI NEGATIVE COVENANTS    18
SECTION 9 EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND THEIR EFFECT    18
SECTION 10 REMEDIAL PROVISIONS    19
SECTION 11 THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT    24
SECTION 12 MISCELLANEOUS    26

 

i


GUARANTY AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

THIS GUARANTY AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT dated as of January 24, 2006 (this “Agreement”) is entered into among SEI INVESTMENTS COMPANY, a Pennsylvania corporation (“SEI”), solely as a Guarantor and LSV EMPLOYEE GROUP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”) (the Company together with any other Person that becomes a party hereto as provided herein, the “Grantors”) and in favor of LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as the Administrative Agent for all the Lenders party to the Credit Agreement (as hereafter defined).

 

The Lenders have severally agreed to extend credit to the Company pursuant to the Credit Agreement. The Company is affiliated with each other Grantor and SEI. The proceeds of credit extended under the Credit Agreement will be used in part to enable the Company to make valuable transfers to the Grantors in connection with the operation of their respective businesses. The Company, SEI and the other Grantors are engaged in interrelated businesses, and the SEI Parties and each Grantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement. It is a condition precedent to each Lender’s obligation to extend credit under the Credit Agreement that SEI and the Grantors shall have executed and delivered this Agreement to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of all the Lenders.

 

In consideration of the premises and to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to extend credit thereunder, SEI and each Grantor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as follows:

 

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS.

 

1.1 Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement, and the following terms are used herein as defined in the UCC: Accounts, Certificated Security, Commercial Tort Claims, Deposit Accounts, Documents, Electronic Chattel Paper, Equipment, Farm Products, Goods, Health Care Insurance Receivables, Instruments, Inventory, Leases, Letter-of-Credit Rights, Money, Payment Intangibles, Supporting Obligations, Tangible Chattel Paper.

 

1.2 When used herein the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Agreement has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Chattel Paper means all “chattel paper” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(11) of the UCC and, in any event, including with respect to any Grantor, all Electronic Chattel Paper and Tangible Chattel Paper.

 

Collateral means (a) all of the personal property now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by any Grantor or in which any Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest, including all of each Grantor’s Accounts, Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort Claims, Deposit Accounts, Documents, Equipment, Fixtures, General Intangibles, Goods, Instruments, Intellectual Property, Inventory, Investment Property, Leases,


Letter-of-Credit Rights, Money, Supporting Obligations and Identified Claims, (b) all books and records pertaining to any of the foregoing, (c) all Proceeds and products of any of the foregoing, and (d) all collateral security and guaranties given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing. Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof.

 

Company Obligations means all Obligations of the Company.

 

Copyrights means all copyrights arising under the laws of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, whether registered or unregistered and whether published or unpublished, including those listed on Schedule 5, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, including all registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Copyright Office, and the right to obtain all renewals of any of the foregoing.

 

Copyright Licenses means all written agreements naming any Grantor as licensor or licensee, including those listed on Schedule 5, granting any right under any Copyright, including the grant of rights to manufacture, distribute, exploit and sell materials derived from any Copyright.

 

Credit Agreement means the Credit Agreement of even date herewith among the Company, LSV, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Event of Default means any of the events described in Section 9.1 of this Agreement.

 

Fixtures means all of the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by a Grantor: plant fixtures; business fixtures; other fixtures and storage facilities, wherever located; and all additions and accessories thereto and replacements therefor.

 

General Intangibles means all “general intangibles” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(42) of the UCC and, in any event, including with respect to any Grantor, all Payment Intangibles, all contracts, agreements, instruments and indentures in any form, and portions thereof, to which such Grantor is a party or under which such Grantor has any right, title or interest or to which such Grantor or any property of such Grantor is subject, as the same from time to time may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, including, without limitation, (a) all rights of such Grantor to receive moneys due and to become due to it thereunder or in connection therewith, (b) all rights of such Grantor to damages arising thereunder and (c) all rights of such Grantor to perform and to exercise all remedies thereunder; provided, that the foregoing limitation shall not affect, limit, restrict or impair the grant by such Grantor of a security interest pursuant to this Agreement in any Receivable or any money or other amounts due or to become due under any such Payment Intangible, contract, agreement, instrument or indenture.

 

Guarantor Obligations means, collectively, with respect to each Guarantor, all Obligations of such Guarantor.

 

2


Guarantors means the collective reference to (a) each Grantor other than the Company, if any and (b) SEI.

 

Identified Claims means the Commercial Tort Claims described on Schedule 7 as such schedule shall be supplemented from time to time.

 

Intellectual Property means the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including the Copyrights, the Copyright Licenses, the Patents, the Patent Licenses, the Trademarks and the Trademark Licenses, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.

 

Intercompany Note means any promissory note evidencing loans made by any Grantor to any other Grantor.

 

Investment Property means the collective reference to (a) all “investment property” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(49) of the UCC (other than the equity interest of any foreign Subsidiary excluded from the definition of Pledged Equity), (b) all “financial assets” as such term is defined in Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC, and (b) whether or not constituting “investment property” as so defined, all Pledged Notes and all Pledged Equity.

 

Issuers means the collective reference to each issuer of any Investment Property.

 

LSV means LSV Asset Management, a Delaware partnership.

 

Material Adverse Effect means (a) with respect to the Grantors, a Material Adverse Effect as defined in the Credit Agreement and (b) with respect to SEI (i) an event or circumstances (including an event or circumstances affecting SEI’s financial condition) which could reasonably be expected to impair the ability of SEI to perform any of its material obligations under this Agreement or (ii) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against SEI of any material provision hereof.

 

Paid in Full means (a) the payment in full in cash and performance of all Secured Obligations and (b) the termination of all Commitments.

 

Patents means (a) all letters patent of the United States, any other country or any political subdivision thereof, all reissues and extensions thereof and all goodwill associated therewith, including any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5, (b) all applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all divisions, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, including any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5, and (c) all rights to obtain any reissues or extensions of the foregoing.

 

Patent Licenses means all agreements, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to any Grantor of any right to manufacture, use or sell any invention covered in whole or in part by a Patent, including any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5.

 

3


Pledged Equity means the equity interests listed on Schedule 1, together with any other equity interests, certificates, options or rights of any nature whatsoever in respect of the equity interests of any Person that may be issued or granted to, or held by, any Grantor while this Agreement is in effect; provided that in no event shall more than 65% of the total outstanding equity interests of any foreign Subsidiary be required to be pledged hereunder.

 

Pledged Notes means all promissory notes listed on Schedule 1, all Intercompany Notes at any time issued to any Grantor and all other promissory notes issued to or held by any Grantor (other than (a) promissory notes issued in connection with extensions of trade credit by any Grantor in the ordinary course of business and (b) any individual promissory note which is less than $100,000 in principal amount, up to an aggregate of $100,000 for all such promissory notes excluded under this clause (b)).

 

Proceeds means all “proceeds” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(64) of the UCC and, in any event, shall include all dividends or other income from the Investment Property, collections thereon or distributions or payments with respect thereto.

 

Receivable means any right to payment for goods sold or leased or for services rendered, whether or not such right is evidenced by an Instrument or Chattel Paper and whether or not it has been earned by performance (including any Accounts).

 

Secured Obligations means, collectively, the Company Obligations and Guarantor Obligations.

 

Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Trademarks means (a) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, the Company names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service marks, logos and other source or business identifiers, and all goodwill associated therewith, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith, whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States, any State thereof or any other country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise, and all common-law rights related thereto, including any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5, and (b) the right to obtain all renewals thereof.

 

Trademark Licenses means, collectively, each agreement, whether written or oral, providing for the grant by or to any Grantor of any right to use any Trademark, including any of the foregoing referred to in Schedule 5.

 

UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on the date hereof and from time to time in the State of Illinois, provided that if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, the perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection of the security interests in any Collateral or the availability of any remedy hereunder is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on or after the date hereof in any other jurisdiction, “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or effect of perfection or non-perfection or availability of such remedy.

 

4


Unmatured Event of Default means any event that, if it continues uncured, will, with lapse of time or notice or both, constitute an Event of Default.

 

SECTION 2 GUARANTY.

 

2.1 Guaranty. (a) Each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably, as a primary obligor and not only a surety, guaranties to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns, the prompt and complete payment and performance by the Company when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Company Obligations.

 

(b) Anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Guarantor hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall in no event exceed the amount which can be guarantied by such Guarantor under applicable federal and state laws relating to the insolvency of debtors (after giving effect to the right of contribution established in Section 2.2).

 

(c) Each Guarantor agrees that the Secured Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such Guarantor hereunder without impairing the guaranty contained in this Section 2 or affecting the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder.

 

(d) The guaranty contained in this Section 2 shall remain in full force and effect until all of the Secured Obligations shall have been Paid in Full.

 

(e) No payment made by the Company, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Company, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Secured Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of any Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such Guarantor in respect of the Secured Obligations or any payment received or collected from such Guarantor in respect of the Secured Obligations), remain liable for the Secured Obligations up to the maximum liability of such Guarantor hereunder until the Secured Obligations are Paid in Full.

 

2.2 Right of Contribution. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that a Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other Guarantor hereunder which has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. Each Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.3. The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Guarantor to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for the full amount guarantied by such Guarantor hereunder.

 

5


2.3 No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment made by any Guarantor hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of any Guarantor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Company or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guaranty or right of offset held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Secured Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Company or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all of the Secured Obligations are Paid in Full and the Commitments are terminated. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Secured Obligations shall not have been Paid in Full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, if required), to be applied against the Secured Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as the Administrative Agent may determine.

 

2.4 Amendments, etc. with respect to the Secured Obligations. Each Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or further assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Secured Obligations made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be rescinded by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and any of the Secured Obligations continued, and the Secured Obligations, or the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guaranty therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Administrative Agent (or the Required Lenders or all the Lenders, as the case may be) may deem advisable from time to time. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by it as security for the Secured Obligations or for the guaranty contained in this Section 2 or any property subject thereto.

 

The Administrative Agent or any Lender may, from time to time, at its sole discretion and without notice to any Guarantor (or any of them), take any or all of the following actions: (a) retain or obtain a security interest in any property to secure any of the Secured Obligations or any obligation hereunder, (b) retain or obtain the primary or secondary obligation of any obligor or obligors, in addition to the undersigned, with respect to any of the Secured Obligations, (c) extend or renew any of the Secured Obligations for one or more periods (whether or not longer than the original period), alter or exchange any of the Secured Obligations, or release or compromise any obligation of any of the undersigned hereunder or any obligation of any nature of any other obligor with respect to any of the Secured Obligations, (d) release any guaranty or right of offset or its security interest in, or surrender, release or permit any substitution or exchange for, all or any part of any property securing any of the Secured Obligations or any obligation hereunder, or extend or renew for one or more periods (whether or not longer than the original period) or release, compromise, alter or exchange any obligations of

 

6


any nature of any obligor with respect to any such property, and (e) resort to the undersigned (or any of them) for payment of any of the Secured Obligations when due, whether or not the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall have resorted to any property securing any of the Secured Obligations or any obligation hereunder or shall have proceeded against any other of the undersigned or any other obligor primarily or secondarily obligated with respect to any of the Secured Obligations.

 

2.5 Waivers. Each Guarantor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the Secured Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the guaranty contained in this Section 2 or acceptance of the guaranty contained in this Section 2; the Secured Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guaranty contained in this Section 2, and all dealings between the Company and any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guaranty contained in this Section 2. Each Guarantor waives (a) diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default, dishonor or nonpayment and all other notices whatsoever to or upon the Company or any of the Guarantors with respect to the Secured Obligations, (b) notice of the existence or creation or non-payment of all or any of the Secured Obligations and (c) all diligence in collection or protection of or realization upon any Secured Obligations or any security for or guaranty of any Secured Obligations.

 

2.6 Payments. Each Guarantor hereby guaranties that payments hereunder will be paid to the Administrative Agent without set-off or counterclaim in Dollars at the office of the Administrative Agent specified in the Credit Agreement.

 

2.7 Special Grantor Agreements Regarding Distributions. Each Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes and empowers the Administrative Agent or its agents, in their sole discretion, to assert, either directly or on behalf of such Grantor, at any time that an Event of Default is in existence, any claims such Grantor may from time to time have against LSV with respect to any and all distributions or payments due from LSV to such Grantor under or pursuant to the LSV Partnership Agreement (“Distributions”), and to receive and collect any damages, awards and other monies resulting therefrom and to apply the same on account of the Secured Obligations. After the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may provide notice to LSV that all such Distributions that would otherwise be made to such Grantor shall be made to or at the direction of the Administrative Agent for so long as such Event of Default shall be continuing. Following the delivery of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify LSV upon the termination or waiver of any such Event of Default. Each Grantor hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent (and all officers, employees, or agents designated by the Administrative Agent) as such Grantor’s true and lawful attorney (and agent-in-fact) for the purpose of enabling the Administrative Agent or its agents to assert and collect such claims and to apply such monies in the manner set forth hereinabove.

 

7


SECTION 3 GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST.

 

3.1 Grant. Each Grantor hereby assigns and transfers to the Administrative Agent, and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and (to the extent provided herein) their Affiliates, a continuing security interest in all of its Collateral, as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Company Obligations or the Guarantor Obligations, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 4 GRANTOR REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Company thereunder, each Grantor jointly and severally hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

 

4.1 Title; No Other Liens. Except for Permitted Liens, the Grantors own each item of the Collateral free and clear of any and all Liens or claims of others. No financing statement or other public notice with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except filings evidencing Permitted Liens and filings for which termination statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

4.2 Perfected First Priority Liens. The security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) upon completion of the filings and other actions specified on Schedule 2 (which, in the case of all filings and other documents referred to on Schedule 2, have been delivered to the Administrative Agent in completed and duly executed form) will constitute valid perfected security interests in all of the Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as collateral security for each Grantor’s Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof against all creditors of each Grantor and any Persons purporting to purchase any Collateral from each Grantor and (b) are prior to all other Liens on the Collateral in existence on the date hereof except for Permitted Liens for which priority is accorded under applicable law. The filings and other actions specified on Schedule 2 constitute all of the filings and other actions necessary to perfect all security interests granted hereunder.

 

4.3 Grantor Information. On the date hereof, Schedule 3 sets forth (a) each Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization, (b) the location of each Grantor’s chief executive office, (c) each Grantor’s exact legal name as it appears on its organizational documents and (d) each Grantor’s organizational identification number (to the extent a Grantor is organized in a jurisdiction which assigns such numbers) and federal employer identification number.

 

4.4 Collateral Locations. On the date hereof, Schedule 4 sets forth (a) each place of business of each Grantor (including its chief executive office), (b) all locations where all Inventory and the Equipment owned by each Grantor is kept, except with respect to Inventory and Equipment with a fair market value of less than $100,000 (in the aggregate for all Grantors) which may be located at other locations and (c) whether each such Collateral location and place of business (including each Grantor’s chief executive office) is owned or leased (and if leased, specifies the complete name and notice address of each lessor). No Collateral is located outside

 

8


the United States or in the possession of any lessor, bailee, warehouseman or consignee, except as indicated on Schedule 4.

 

4.5 Certain Property. None of the Collateral constitutes, or is the Proceeds of, (a) Farm Products, (b) Health Care Insurance Receivables or (c) vessels, aircraft or any other property subject to any certificate of title or other registration statute of the United States, any State or other jurisdiction, except for personal vehicles owned by the Grantors and used by employees of the Grantors in the ordinary course of business with an aggregate fair market value of less than $100,000 (in the aggregate for all Grantors).

 

4.6 Investment Property. (a) The Pledged Equity pledged by each Grantor hereunder constitutes all the issued and outstanding equity interests of each Issuer owned by such Grantor or, in the case of any foreign Subsidiary, 65% of all issued and outstanding equity interests of such foreign Subsidiary owned by such Grantor.

 

(b) All of the Pledged Equity has been duly and validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable.

 

(c) Each of the Pledged Notes constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor with respect thereto, enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing).

 

(d) Schedule 1 lists all Investment Property owned by each Grantor. Each Grantor is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to, the Investment Property pledged by it hereunder, free of any and all Liens or options in favor of, or claims of, any other Person, except Permitted Liens.

 

4.7 Receivables. (a) No material amount payable to such Grantor under or in connection with any Receivable is evidenced by any Instrument or Chattel Paper which has not been delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

(b) No obligor on any Receivable is a governmental authority.

 

(c) The amounts represented by such Grantor to the Lenders from time to time as owing to such Grantor in respect of the Receivables (to the extent such representations are required by any of the Loan Documents) will at all such times be accurate.

 

4.8 Intellectual Property. (a) Schedule 5 lists all Intellectual Property owned by such Grantor in its own name on the date hereof.

 

(b) On the date hereof, all material Intellectual Property owned by any Guarantor is valid, subsisting, unexpired and enforceable and has not been abandoned.

 

9


(c) Except as set forth in Schedule 5, none of the material Intellectual Property is the subject of any licensing or franchise agreement pursuant to which such Grantor is the licensor or franchisor.

 

(d) Each Grantor owns and possesses or has a license or other right to use all Intellectual Property as is necessary for the conduct of the businesses of such Grantor, without any infringement upon rights of others which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.9 Depositary and Other Accounts. All depositary and other accounts maintained by each Grantor are described on Schedule 6 hereto, which description includes for each such account the name of the Grantor maintaining such account, the name, address, telephone and fax numbers of the financial institution at which such account is maintained, the account number and the account officer, if any, of such account.

 

SECTION 5 SEI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

To induce the Administrative Agent to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Company thereunder, SEI represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

 

5.1 Organization. SEI is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; and SEI is duly qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where, because of the nature of its activities or properties, such qualification is required, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.2 Authorization; No Conflict. SEI is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement, to guarantee the Company Obligations pursuant hereto and SEI is duly authorized to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance hereof by SEI, do not and will not (a) require any consent or approval of any governmental agency or authority (other than any consent or approval which has been obtained and is in full force and effect), (b) conflict with (i) any provision of law, (ii) the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of SEI or (iii) any agreement, indenture, instrument or other document, or any judgment, order or decree, which is binding upon SEI or any of its properties or (c) require, or result in, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of SEI.

 

5.3 Validity and Binding Nature. This Agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation of SEI, enforceable against SEI in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity.

 

5.4 Financial Condition. The audited consolidated balance sheet and unaudited income statement of SEI as at December 31, 2004 and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of SEI as at September 30, 2005, were prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject, in the case of such unaudited statements, to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end adjustments) and present fairly the financial condition of SEI as at such dates and the results of its operations for the periods then ended.

 

10


5.5 No Material Adverse Change. Since September 30, 2005 there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition, operations, assets, business, properties or prospects of SEI.

 

5.6 Compliance with Laws. SEI is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, decrees, orders, judgments, licenses and permits, except where failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.7 Investment Company Act. SEI is not an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” or a “subsidiary” of an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

5.8 Public Utility Holding Company Act. SEI is not a “holding company”, or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or of a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

 

5.9 Solvency, etc. On the Closing Date, with respect to SEI, individually, (a) the fair value of its assets is greater than the amount of its liabilities (including disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as such value is established and liabilities evaluated in accordance with GAAP, (b) the present fair saleable value of its assets is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) it is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities (including disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as they mature in the normal course of business, (d) it does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature and (e) it is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital.

 

5.10 No Default. No Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists or would result from the incurrence by SEI of any obligations hereunder.

 

SECTION 6 GRANTOR COVENANTS.

 

Each Grantor covenants and agrees with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, from and after the date of this Agreement until the Secured Obligations shall have been Paid in Full:

 

6.1 Delivery of Instruments, Certificated Securities and Chattel Paper. If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper, such Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper shall be immediately delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement. In the event that an Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, any Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper not theretofore delivered to the Administrative Agent and at such time being held by any Grantor shall be immediately delivered to the Administrative

 

11


Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

 

6.2 Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation. (a) Such Grantor shall maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest having at least the priority described in Section 4.2 and shall defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever.

 

(b) Such Grantor will furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the assets and property of such Grantor and such other reports in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

 

(c) At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent, and at the sole expense of such Grantor, such Grantor will promptly and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded, such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including (i) filing any financing or continuation statements under the UCC (or other similar laws) in effect in any jurisdiction with respect to the security interests created hereby and (ii) in the case of Investment Property and any other relevant Collateral, taking any actions necessary to enable the Administrative Agent to obtain “control” (within the meaning of the applicable UCC) with respect thereto.

 

6.3 Changes in Locations, Name, etc. Such Grantor shall not, except upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and delivery to the Administrative Agent of (a) all additional financing statements and other documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent as to the validity, perfection and priority of the security interests provided for herein and (b) if applicable, a written supplement to Schedule 4 showing any additional location at which Inventory or Equipment shall be kept:

 

(i) permit any of the Inventory or Equipment to be kept at a location other than those listed on Schedule 4; provided, that up to $100,000 (in the aggregate for all Grantors) in fair market value of any such Inventory and Equipment may be kept at other locations;

 

(ii) change its jurisdiction of organization or the location of its chief executive office from that specified on Schedule 3 or in any subsequent notice delivered pursuant to this Section 5.3; or

 

(iii) change its name, identity or corporate structure.

 

6.4 Notices. Such Grantor will advise the Administrative Agent and the Lenders promptly, in reasonable detail, of:

 

(a) any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any of the Collateral which would adversely affect the ability of the Administrative Agent to exercise any of its remedies hereunder; and

 

12


(b) the occurrence of any other event which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the aggregate value of the Collateral or on the Liens created hereby.

 

6.5 Investment Property. (a) If such Grantor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any certificate, option or rights in respect of the equity interests of any Issuer, whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for, any of the Pledged Equity, or otherwise in respect thereof, such Grantor shall accept the same as the agent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, hold the same in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and deliver the same forthwith to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Administrative Agent, if required, together with an undated instrument of transfer covering such certificate duly executed in blank by such Grantor and with, if the Administrative Agent so requests, signature guarantied, to be held by the Administrative Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional Collateral for the Secured Obligations. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, (i) any sums paid upon or in respect of the Investment Property upon the liquidation or dissolution of any Issuer shall be paid over to the Administrative Agent to be held by it hereunder as additional Collateral for the Secured Obligations, and (ii) in case any distribution of capital shall be made on or in respect of the Investment Property or any property shall be distributed upon or with respect to the Investment Property pursuant to the recapitalization or reclassification of the capital of any Issuer or pursuant to the reorganization thereof, the property so distributed shall, unless otherwise subject to a perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, be delivered to the Administrative Agent to be held by it hereunder as additional Collateral for the Secured Obligations. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, if any sums of money or property so paid or distributed in respect of the Investment Property shall be received by such Grantor, such Grantor shall, until such money or property is paid or delivered to the Administrative Agent, hold such money or property in trust for the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, as additional Collateral for the Secured Obligations.

 

(b) Without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Grantor will not (i) vote to enable, or take any other action to permit, any Issuer to issue any equity interests of any nature or to issue any other securities or interests convertible into or granting the right to purchase or exchange for any equity interests of any nature of any Issuer, except, in each case, as permitted by the Credit Agreement, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, the Investment Property or Proceeds thereof (except pursuant to a transaction expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement) other than, with respect to Investment Property not constituting Pledged Equity or Pledged Notes, any such action which is not prohibited by the Credit Agreement, (iii) create, incur or permit to exist any Lien or option in favor of, or any claim of any Person with respect to, any of the Investment Property or Proceeds thereof, or any interest therein, except for Permitted Liens, or (iv) enter into any agreement or undertaking restricting the right or ability of such Grantor or the Administrative Agent to sell, assign or transfer any of the Investment Property or Proceeds thereof, except, with respect to such Investment Property, shareholders’ agreements entered into by such Grantor with respect to Persons in which such Grantor maintains an ownership interest of 50% or less.

 

13


(c) In the case of each Grantor which is an Issuer, such Issuer agrees that (i) it will be bound by the terms of this Agreement relating to the Investment Property issued by it and will comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable to it, (ii) it will notify the Administrative Agent promptly in writing of the occurrence of any of the events described in Section 6.5(a) with respect to the Investment Property issued by it and (iii) the terms of Sections 6.3(c) and 6.7 shall apply to such Grantor with respect to all actions that may be required of it pursuant to Section 6.3(c) or 6.7 regarding the Investment Property issued by it.

 

6.6 Receivables. (a) Other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with its past practice and in amounts which are not material to such Grantor, such Grantor will not (i) grant any extension of the time of payment of any Receivable, (ii) compromise or settle any Receivable for less than the full amount thereof, (iii) release, wholly or partially, any Person liable for the payment of any Receivable, (iv) allow any credit or discount whatsoever on any Receivable or (v) amend, supplement or modify any Receivable in any manner that could adversely affect the value thereof.

 

(b) Such Grantor will deliver to the Administrative Agent a copy of each material demand, notice or document received by it that questions or calls into doubt the validity or enforceability of more than 5% of the aggregate amount of the then outstanding Receivables for all Grantors.

 

6.7 Intellectual Property. (a) Such Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will (i) continue to use each Trademark material to its business in order to maintain such Trademark in full force free from any claim of abandonment for non-use, (ii) maintain as in the past the quality of products and services offered under such Trademark, (iii) use such Trademark with the appropriate notice of registration and all other notices and legends required by applicable law, (iv) not adopt or use any mark which is confusingly similar or a colorable imitation of such Trademark unless the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, shall obtain a perfected security interest in such mark pursuant to this Agreement, and (v) not (and not permit any licensee or sublicensee thereof to) do any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby such Trademark may become invalidated or impaired in any way.

 

(b) Such Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will not do any act, or omit to do any act, whereby any Patent material to its business may become forfeited, abandoned or dedicated to the public.

 

(c) Such Grantor (either itself or through licensees) (i) will employ each Copyright material to its business and (ii) will not (and will not permit any licensee or sublicensee thereof to) do any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby any material portion of such Copyrights may become invalidated or otherwise impaired. Such Grantor will not (either itself or through licensees) do any act whereby any material portion of such Copyrights may fall into the public domain.

 

(d) Such Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will not do any act that knowingly uses any Intellectual Property material to its business to infringe the intellectual property rights of any other Person.

 

14


(e) Such Grantor will notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders immediately if it knows, or has reason to know, that any application or registration relating to any material Intellectual Property may become forfeited, abandoned or dedicated to the public, or of any adverse determination or development (including the institution of, or any such determination or development in, any proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any court or tribunal in any country) regarding, such Grantor’s ownership of, or the validity of, any material Intellectual Property or such Grantor’s right to register the same or to own and maintain the same.

 

(f) Whenever such Grantor, either by itself or through any agent, employee, licensee or designee, shall file an application for the registration of any Intellectual Property with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in any other country or any political subdivision thereof, such Grantor shall report such filing to the Administrative Agent concurrently with the next delivery of financial statements of the Company pursuant to Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement. Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such Grantor shall execute and deliver, and have recorded, any and all agreements, instruments, documents, and papers as the Administrative Agent may request to evidence the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ security interest in any Copyright, Patent or Trademark and the goodwill and general intangibles of such Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby.

 

(g) Such Grantor will take all reasonable and necessary steps to maintain and pursue each application (and to obtain the relevant registration) and to maintain each registration of all material Intellectual Property owned by it.

 

(h) In the event that any material Intellectual Property is infringed upon or misappropriated or diluted by a third party, such Grantor shall (i) take such actions as such Grantor shall reasonably deem appropriate under the circumstances to protect such Intellectual Property and (ii) if such Intellectual Property is of material economic value, promptly notify the Administrative Agent after it learns thereof and, to the extent, in its reasonable judgment, such Grantor determines it appropriate under the circumstances, sue for infringement, misappropriation or dilution, to seek injunctive relief where appropriate and to recover any and all damages for such infringement, misappropriation or dilution.

 

6.8 Depositary and Other Deposit Accounts. Each Grantor shall maintain all of its principal deposit accounts with the Administrative Agent. No Grantor shall open any depositary or other deposit accounts unless such Grantor shall have given the Administrative Agent 10 days’ prior written notice of its intention to open any such new deposit accounts. The Grantors shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a revised version of Schedule 6 showing any changes thereto within 5 days of any such change. Each Grantor hereby authorizes the financial institutions at which such Grantor maintains a deposit account to provide the Administrative Agent with such information with respect to such deposit account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request, and each Grantor hereby consents to such information being provided to the Administrative Agent. Each Grantor will, upon the Administrative Agent’s request, cause each financial institution at which such Grantor maintains a depositary or other deposit account to enter into a bank agency or other similar agreement with the Administrative Agent and such Grantor, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative

 

15


Agent, in order to give the Administrative Agent “control” (as defined in the UCC) of such account.

 

6.9 Other Matters.

 

(a) Each Grantor authorizes the Administrative Agent to, at any time and from time to time, file financing statements, continuation statements, and amendments thereto that describe the Collateral as “all assets” of each Grantor, or words of similar effect, and which contain any other information required pursuant to the UCC for the sufficiency of filing office acceptance of any financing statement, continuation statement, or amendment, and each Grantor agrees to furnish any such information to the Administrative Agent promptly upon request. Any such financing statement, continuation statement, or amendment may be signed by the Administrative Agent on behalf of any Grantor and may be filed at any time in any jurisdiction.

 

(b) Each Grantor shall, at any time and from time and to time, take such steps as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the Administrative Agent (i) to obtain an acknowledgement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of any bailee having possession of any of the Collateral, stating that the bailee holds such Collateral for the Administrative Agent, (ii) to obtain “control” of any letter-of-credit rights, or electronic chattel paper (as such terms are defined by the UCC with corresponding provisions thereof defining what constitutes “control” for such items of Collateral), with any agreements establishing control to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (iii) otherwise to insure the continued perfection and priority of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in any of the Collateral and of the preservation of its rights therein. If any Grantor shall at any time, acquire a “commercial tort claim” (as such term is defined in the UCC) in excess of $100,000, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof in writing and supplement Schedule 7, therein providing a reasonable description and summary thereof, and upon delivery thereof to the Administrative Agent, such Grantor shall be deemed to thereby grant to the Administrative Agent (and such Grantor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent) a security interest and lien in and to such commercial tort claim and all proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of and governed by this Agreement.

 

6.10 Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if any Grantor at any time holds or acquires an interest in any electronic chattel paper or any “transferable record”, as that term is defined in Section 201 of the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, or in §16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction, such Grantor shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof and, at the request of the Administrative Agent, shall take such action as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to vest in the Administrative Agent “control” under Section 9-105 of the UCC of such electronic chattel paper or control under Section 201 of the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or, as the case may be, §16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, as so in effect in such jurisdiction, of such transferable record.

 

16


SECTION 7 SEI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

 

SEI covenants and agrees with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, from and after the date of this Agreement, until all Secured Obligations shall have been Paid in Full, it will:

 

7.1 Reports, Certificates and Other Information. Furnish to the Administrative Agent:

 

(a) Reports to the SEC. Upon the filing or sending thereof, copies of all material regular, periodic or special reports of SEI filed with the SEC, and if SEI ceases to be required to file such reports with the SEC, SEI agrees to provide the Administrative Agent with substantially the same information as was contained in such SEC reports and filings.

 

(b) Notice of Default. Promptly upon becoming aware of the occurrence of an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default, written notice describing the same and the steps being taken by SEI affected thereby with respect thereto.

 

(c) Other Information. If an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement has occurred and is continuing, such other information concerning SEI as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request under the circumstances.

 

7.2 Books, Records and Inspections. Keep its books and records in accordance with sound business practices sufficient to allow the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

 

7.3 Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes and Liabilities. (a) Comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, decrees, orders, judgments, licenses and permits, except where failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) without limiting clause (a) above, ensure that no person who owns a controlling interest in or otherwise controls SEI is or shall be (i) listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person List maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), Department of the Treasury, and/or any other similar lists maintained by OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute, Executive Order or regulation or (ii) a person designated under Section 1(b), (c) or (d) of Executive Order No. 13224 (September 23, 2001), any related enabling legislation or any other similar Executive Orders, (c) without limiting clause (a) above, comply with all applicable Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and anti-money laundering laws and regulations and (d) pay prior to delinquency, all taxes and other governmental charges against it or any collateral, as well as claims of any kind which, if unpaid, could become a Lien on any of its property; provided that the foregoing shall not require SEI to pay any such tax or charge so long as it shall contest the validity thereof in good faith by appropriate proceedings and shall set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.

 

7.4 Maintenance of Existence, etc. Maintain and preserve (a) its existence and good standing in the jurisdiction of its organization and (b) its qualification to do business and good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business makes such qualification necessary (other than such jurisdictions in which the failure to be qualified or in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).

 

17


SECTION 8 SEI NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

SEI covenants and agrees with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, from and after the date of this Agreement until all Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, it will:

 

8.1 Inconsistent Agreements. Not enter into any agreement containing any provision which would be violated or breached by the performance by SEI of any of its Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

 

8.2 Material Adverse Effect. Not take actions or permit any action to be taken which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 9 EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND THEIR EFFECT.

 

9.1 Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement:

 

(a) Credit Agreement. An Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) shall exist.

 

(b) Bankruptcy, Insolvency, etc. SEI becomes insolvent or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability or refusal to pay, debts as they become due; or SEI applies for, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or other custodian for SEI or any property thereof, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or, in the absence of such application, consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver or other custodian is appointed for SEI or for a substantial part of the property of any thereof and is not discharged within 60 days; or any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement, or other case or proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or any dissolution or liquidation proceeding, is commenced in respect of SEI, and if such case or proceeding is not commenced by SEI, it is consented to or acquiesced in by SEI , or remains for 60 days undismissed; or SEI takes any action to authorize, or in furtherance of, any of the foregoing.

 

(c) Non-Compliance with Covenants. (a) Failure by SEI to comply with or to perform any covenant set forth in Section 7.4 or Section 8; or (b) failure by SEI to comply with or to perform any other provision of this Agreement (and not constituting an Event of Default under any other provision of this Section 9) and continuance of such failure described in this clause (b) for 30 days.

 

(d) Representations; Warranties. Any representation or warranty made by SEI herein is breached or is false or misleading in any material respect, or any schedule, certificate, financial statement, report, notice or other writing furnished by SEI to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant hereto or thereto is false or misleading in any material respect on the date as of which the facts therein set forth are stated or certified.

 

(e) Invalidity, etc. This Agreement shall cease to be in full force and effect; or SEI (or any Person by, through or on behalf of SEI) shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of this Agreement.

 

18


(f) Material Adverse Effect. The occurrence of any event having a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 10 REMEDIAL PROVISIONS.

 

10.1 Certain Matters Relating to Receivables. (a) At any time and from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to make test verifications of the Receivables in any manner and through any medium that it reasonably considers advisable, and each Grantor shall furnish all such assistance and information as the Administrative Agent may require in connection with such test verifications. At any time and from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon the Administrative Agent’s request and at the expense of the relevant Grantor, such Grantor shall cause independent public accountants or others satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to furnish to the Administrative Agent reports showing reconciliations, agings and test verifications of, and trial balances for, the Receivables.

 

(b) The Administrative Agent hereby authorizes each Grantor to collect such Grantor’s Receivables, and the Administrative Agent may curtail or terminate such authority at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default. If required by the Administrative Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any payments of Receivables, when collected by any Grantor, (i) shall be forthwith (and, in any event, within 2 Business Days) deposited by such Grantor in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Administrative Agent if required, in a collateral account maintained under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, subject to withdrawal by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders only as provided in Section 6.5, and (ii) until so turned over, shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Grantor. Each such deposit of Proceeds of Receivables shall be accompanied by a report identifying in reasonable detail the nature and source of the payments included in the deposit.

 

(c) At any time and from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, at the Administrative Agent’s request, each Grantor shall deliver to the Administrative Agent all original and other documents evidencing, and relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Receivables, including all original orders, invoices and shipping receipts.

 

10.2 Communications with Obligors; Grantors Remain Liable. (a) The Administrative Agent in its own name or in the name of others may at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default communicate with obligors under the Receivables to verify with them to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any Receivables.

 

(b) Upon the request of the Administrative Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor shall notify obligors on the Receivables that the Receivables have been assigned to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and that payments in respect thereof shall be made directly to the Administrative Agent.

 

19


(c) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each Grantor shall remain liable in respect of each of the Receivables to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise thereto. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation or liability under any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any payment relating thereto, nor shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of any Grantor under or pursuant to any Receivable (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party thereunder, to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.

 

(d) For the purpose of enabling the Administrative Agent to exercise rights and remedies under this Agreement, each Grantor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to such Grantor) to use, license or sublicense any Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, and wherever the same may be located, and including in such license access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof.

 

10.3 Investment Property. (a) Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Grantor of the Administrative Agent’s intent to exercise its corresponding rights pursuant to Section 10.3(b), each Grantor shall be permitted to receive all cash dividends and distributions paid in respect of the Pledged Equity and all payments made in respect of the Pledged Notes, to the extent permitted in the Credit Agreement, and to exercise all voting and other rights with respect to the Investment Property; provided, that no vote shall be cast or other right exercised or action taken which could impair the Collateral or which would be inconsistent with or result in any violation of any provision of the Credit Agreement, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

(b) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall give notice of its intent to exercise such rights to the relevant Grantor or Grantors, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have the right to receive any and all cash dividends and distributions, payments or other Proceeds paid in respect of the Investment Property and make application thereof to the Obligations in such order as the Administrative Agent may determine, and (ii) any or all of the Investment Property shall be registered in the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee, and the Administrative Agent or its nominee may thereafter exercise (x) all voting and other rights pertaining to such Investment Property at any meeting of holders of the equity interests of the relevant Issuer or Issuers or otherwise and (y) any and all rights of conversion, exchange and subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such Investment Property as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Investment Property upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate or

 

20


other structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise by any Grantor or the Administrative Agent of any right, privilege or option pertaining to such Investment Property, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of the Investment Property with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Administrative Agent may determine), all without liability except to account for property actually received by it, but the Administrative Agent shall have no duty to any Grantor to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

 

(c) Each Grantor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer of any Investment Property pledged by such Grantor hereunder to (i) comply with any instruction received by it from the Administrative Agent in writing that (x) states that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) is otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from such Grantor, and each Grantor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected in so complying and (ii) unless otherwise expressly permitted hereby, pay any dividends, distributions or other payments with respect to the Investment Property directly to the Administrative Agent.

 

10.4 Proceeds to be Turned Over to Administrative Agent. In addition to the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders specified in Section 10.1 with respect to payments of Receivables, if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, all Proceeds received by any Grantor consisting of cash, checks and other cash equivalent items shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Grantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Grantor (duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Administrative Agent, if required). All Proceeds received by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be held by the Administrative Agent in a collateral account maintained under its sole dominion and control. All Proceeds, while held by the Administrative Agent in any collateral account (or by such Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) established pursuant hereto, shall continue to be held as collateral security for the Secured Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as provided in Section 10.5.

 

10.5 Application of Proceeds. At such intervals as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Administrative Agent, or, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time at the Administrative Agent’s election, the Administrative Agent may apply all or any part of Proceeds from the sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral in payment of the Secured Obligations in such order as the Administrative Agent shall determine in its discretion. Any part of such funds which the Administrative Agent elects not so to apply and deems not required as collateral security for the Secured Obligations shall be paid over from time to time by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Grantor or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same. Any balance of such Proceeds remaining after the Secured Obligations shall have been Paid in Full shall be paid over to the applicable Grantor or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same. In the absence of a specific determination by the Administrative Agent, the Proceeds from the sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral in payment of the Secured Obligations shall be applied in the following order:

 

FIRST, to the payment of all fees, costs, expenses and indemnities of the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as such), including Attorney Costs, and any other Secured Obligations owing to the Administrative Agent in respect of sums advanced by the Administrative Agent to preserve the Collateral or to preserve its security interest in the Collateral, until paid in full;

 

21


SECOND, to the payment of all fees, costs, expenses and indemnities of the Lenders, pro-rata, until paid in full;

 

THIRD, to the payment of all of the Secured Obligations (other than Bank Product Obligations and Hedging Obligations) consisting of accrued and unpaid interest owing to any Lender, pro-rata, until paid in full;

 

FOURTH, to the payment of all Secured Obligations (other than Bank Product Obligations and Hedging Obligations) consisting of principal owing to any Lender, pro-rata, until paid in full;

 

FIFTH, to the payment of all Bank Products Obligations and Hedging Obligations owing to any Lender or its Affiliates, pro-rata, until paid in full;

 

SIXTH, to the payment of all other Secured Obligations owing to each Lender, pro-rata, until paid in full; and

 

SEVENTH, to the payment of any remaining Proceeds, if any, to whomever may be lawfully entitled to receive such amounts.

 

10.6 Code and Other Remedies. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to them in this Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Secured Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC or any other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery with assumption of any credit risk. The Administrative Agent or any Lender shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in any Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released. Each Grantor further agrees, at the Administrative Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Administrative Agent at places which the Administrative Agent shall reasonably select,

 

22


whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere. The Administrative Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this Section 10.6, after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder, including Attorney Costs to the payment in whole or in part of the Secured Obligations, in such order as the Administrative Agent may elect, and only after such application and after the payment by the Administrative Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, need the Administrative Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Grantor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Administrative Agent or any Lender arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder. If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.

 

10.7 Registration Rights. (a) If the Administrative Agent shall determine to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Pledged Equity pursuant to Section 10.6, and if in the opinion of the Administrative Agent it is necessary or advisable to have the Pledged Equity, or that portion thereof to be sold, registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, the relevant Grantor will cause the Issuer thereof to (i) execute and deliver, and cause the directors and officers of such Issuer to execute and deliver, all such instruments and documents, and do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, necessary or advisable to register the Pledged Equity, or that portion thereof to be sold, under the provisions of the Securities Act, (ii) use its best efforts to cause the registration statement relating thereto to become effective and to remain effective for a period of one year from the date of the first public offering of the Pledged Equity, or that portion thereof to be sold, and (iii) make all amendments thereto and/or to the related prospectus which, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, are necessary or advisable, all in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable thereto. Each Grantor agrees to cause such Issuer to comply with the provisions of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any and all jurisdictions which the Administrative Agent shall designate and to make available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement (which need not be audited) which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.

 

(b) Each Grantor recognizes that the Administrative Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Equity, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof to a restricted group of purchasers which will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner. The Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Equity for the period of time necessary to permit the Issuer thereof to register such securities or other interests for public sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state securities laws, even if such Issuer would agree to do so.

 

23


(c) Each Grantor agrees to use its best efforts to do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales of all or any portion of the Pledged Equity pursuant to this Section 10.7 valid and binding and in compliance with applicable law. Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 10.7 will cause irreparable injury to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section 10.7 shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no Event of Default has occurred under the Credit Agreement.

 

10.8 Waiver; Deficiency. Each Grantor waives and agrees not to assert any rights or privileges which it may acquire under Section 9-626 of the UCC. Each Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay the Secured Obligations in full and the fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to collect such deficiency.

 

SECTION 11 THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.

 

11.1 Administrative Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc. (a) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives the Administrative Agent the power and right, on behalf of and at the expense of such Grantor, without notice to or assent by such Grantor, to do any or all of the following:

 

(i) in the name of such Grantor or its own name, or otherwise, take possession of and indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for the payment of moneys due under any Receivable or with respect to any other Collateral and file any claim or take any other action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of collecting any and all such moneys due under any Receivable or with respect to any other Collateral whenever payable;

 

(ii) in the case of any Intellectual Property, execute and deliver, and have recorded, any and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as the Administrative Agent may request to evidence the Administrative Agent’s security interest in such Intellectual Property and the goodwill and general intangibles of such Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby;

 

(iii) discharge Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral, and effect any repairs or insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof;

 

24


(iv) execute, in connection with any sale provided for in Section 10.6 or 10.7, any endorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and

 

(v) (1) direct any party liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become due thereunder directly to the Administrative Agent or as the Administrative Agent shall direct; (2) ask or demand for, collect, and receive payment of and receipt for, any and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (3) sign and indorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, notices and other documents in connection with any of the Collateral; (4) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (5) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against such Grantor with respect to any Collateral; (6) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; (7) assign any Copyright, Patent or Trademark, throughout the world for such term or terms, on such conditions, and in such manner, as the Administrative Agent shall in its sole discretion determine; (8) vote any right or interest with respect to any Investment Property; (9) order good standing certificates and conduct lien searches in respect of such jurisdictions or offices as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; and (10) generally sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Administrative Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do, at the Administrative Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Administrative Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Administrative Agent’s security interests therein and to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.

 

Anything in this Section 11.1(a) to the contrary notwithstanding, the Administrative Agent agrees that it will not exercise any rights under the power of attorney provided for in this Section 11.1(a) unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(b) If any Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein, the Administrative Agent, at its option, but without any obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or compliance, with such agreement.

 

(c) Each Grantor hereby ratifies all that such attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.

 

11.2 Duty of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Administrative Agent deals with similar

 

25


property for its own account. Neither the Administrative Agent or any Lender nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for any failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof. The powers conferred on the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are solely to protect the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise any such powers. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor or SEI for any act or failure to act hereunder.

 

11.3 Authority of Administrative Agent. Each Grantor and SEI acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Administrative Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Administrative Agent and the Grantors, the Administrative Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Lenders with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Grantor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.

 

SECTION 12 MISCELLANEOUS.

 

12.1 Amendments in Writing. None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section 15.1 of the Credit Agreement.

 

12.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the Administrative Agent or any Grantor hereunder shall be addressed to the Company and effected in the manner provided for in Section 15.3 of the Credit Agreement and each Grantor hereby appoints the Company as its agent to receive notices hereunder. All notices, requests and demands to or upon SEI hereunder shall be addressed to SEI at

 

SEI Investments Company

1 Freedom Valley Drive

Oaks, PA 19456

Attention: Jeffrey Klauder, General Counsel

Facsimile:    (484)  ###-###-####
Telephone:    (610)  ###-###-####

 

and effected in the manner provided in Section 15.3 of the Credit Agreement.

 

26


12.3 Indemnification by Grantors. THE GRANTORS AND SEI, JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, HEREBY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, EXONERATE AND HOLD EACH LENDER PARTY FREE AND HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES, INCURRED BY THE LENDER PARTIES OR ANY OF THEM AS A RESULT OF, OR ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATING TO (A) ANY TENDER OFFER, MERGER, PURCHASE OF EQUITY INTERESTS, PURCHASE OF ASSETS (INCLUDING THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS) OR OTHER SIMILAR TRANSACTION FINANCED OR PROPOSED TO BE FINANCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, WITH THE PROCEEDS OF ANY OF THE LOANS, (B) THE USE, HANDLING, RELEASE, EMISSION, DISCHARGE, TRANSPORTATION, STORAGE, TREATMENT OR DISPOSAL OF ANY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE AT ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED BY ANY GRANTOR, (C) ANY VIOLATION OF ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS WITH RESPECT TO CONDITIONS AT ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED BY ANY GRANTOR OR THE OPERATIONS CONDUCTED THEREON, (D) THE INVESTIGATION, CLEANUP OR REMEDIATION OF OFFSITE LOCATIONS AT WHICH ANY LOAN PARTY, SEI OR THEIR RESPECTIVE PREDECESSORS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY DISPOSED OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES OR (E) THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT BY ANY OF THE LENDER PARTIES, EXCEPT FOR ANY SUCH INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES ARISING ON ACCOUNT OF THE APPLICABLE LENDER PARTY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT AS DETERMINED BY A FINAL, NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. IF AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FOREGOING UNDERTAKING MAY BE UNENFORCEABLE FOR ANY REASON, EACH GRANTOR AND SEI HEREBY AGREES TO MAKE THE MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION TO THE PAYMENT AND SATISFACTION OF EACH OF THE INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES WHICH IS PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. ALL OBLIGATIONS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION 12.3 SHALL SURVIVE REPAYMENT OF ALL (AND SHALL BE) SECURED OBLIGATIONS (AND TERMINATION OF ALL COMMITMENTS UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT), ANY FORECLOSURE UNDER, OR ANY MODIFICATION, RELEASE OR DISCHARGE OF, ANY OR ALL OF THE COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

12.4 Enforcement Expenses. (a) Each Grantor and SEI agrees, on a joint and several basis, to pay or reimburse on demand each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred in collecting against any Guarantor under the guaranty contained in Section 2 or otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

(b) Each Grantor and SEI agrees to pay, and to save the Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any of the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

27


(c) The agreements in this Section 12.4 shall survive repayment of all (and shall be) Secured Obligations (and termination of all commitments under the Credit Agreement), any foreclosure under, or any modification, release or discharge of, any or all of the Collateral Documents and termination of this Agreement.

 

12.5 Captions. Section captions used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.

 

12.6 Nature of Remedies. All Secured Obligations of each Grantor and SEI and rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders expressed herein or in any other Loan Document shall be in addition to and not in limitation of those provided by applicable law. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

 

12.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Agreement. Receipt by telecopy of any executed signature page to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall constitute effective delivery of such signature page.

 

12.8 Severability. The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder shall not in any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.

 

12.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings of such Persons, verbal or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and any prior arrangements made with respect to the payment by any Grantor or SEI of (or any indemnification for) any fees, costs or expenses payable to or incurred (or to be incurred) by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.

 

12.10 Successors; Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon Grantors, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Grantors, SEI Parties, Lenders and the Administrative Agent and the successors and assigns of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent. No other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. No Grantor or SEI may assign or transfer any of its rights or Obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

28


12.11 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

 

12.12 Forum Selection; Consent to Jurisdiction. ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FROM BRINGING SUIT OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. EACH GRANTOR AND SEI HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION AS SET FORTH ABOVE. EACH GRANTOR AND SEI FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. EACH GRANTOR AND SEI HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

12.13 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH GRANTOR, SEI, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY.

 

12.14 Set-off. Each Grantor and SEI agrees that the Administrative Agent and each Lender have all rights of set-off and bankers’ lien provided by applicable law, and in addition thereto, each Grantor agrees that at any time any Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent and each Lender may apply to the payment of any Secured Obligations, whether or not then due, any and all balances, credits, deposits, accounts or moneys of such Grantor or SEI then or thereafter with the Administrative Agent or such Lender.

 

12.15 Acknowledgements. Each Grantor and SEI hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;

 

29


(b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Grantor or SEI arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Grantors and SEI, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and

 

(c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Grantors, SEI Parties and the Lenders.

 

12.16 Additional Grantors. Each Loan Party that is required to become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement shall become a Grantor for all purposes of this Agreement upon execution and delivery by such Loan Party of a joinder agreement in the form of Annex I hereto.

 

12.17 Releases. (a) At such time as the Secured Obligations have been Paid in Full, the Collateral shall be released from the Liens created hereby, and this Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent, SEI and each Grantor hereunder shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Grantors. At the request and sole expense of any Grantor following any such termination, the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Grantors any Collateral held by the Administrative Agent hereunder, and execute and deliver to the Grantors such documents as the Grantors shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.

 

(b) If any of the Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any Grantor in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement, then the Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of such Grantor, shall execute and deliver to such Grantor all releases or other documents reasonably necessary or desirable for the release of the Liens created hereby on such Collateral. At the request and sole expense of the Company, a Guarantor shall be released from its obligations hereunder in the event that all the equity interests of such Guarantor shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement; provided that the Company shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, with reasonable notice prior to the date of the proposed release, a written request for release identifying the relevant Guarantor and the terms of the sale or other disposition in reasonable detail, including the price thereof and any expenses in connection therewith, together with a certification by the Company stating that such transaction is in compliance with the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

12.18 Obligations and Liens Absolute and Unconditional. Each Grantor and SEI understands and agrees that the obligations of each Grantor and SEI under this Agreement shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional without regard to (a) the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document, any of the Secured Obligations or any other collateral security therefor or guaranty or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, (b) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by any Grantor or SEI or any other Person against the Administrative Agent or any

 

30


Lender, or (c) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of any Grantor or SEI) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of any Grantor or SEI for the Secured Obligations, in bankruptcy or in any other instance. When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Grantor or SEI, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and remedies as it may have against any other Grantor or SEI or any other Person or against any collateral security or guaranty for the Secured Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from any other Grantor or SEI or any other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guaranty or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of any other Grantor, SEI or any other Person or any such collateral security, guaranty or right of offset, shall not relieve any Grantor or SEI of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against any Grantor or SEI. For the purposes hereof “demand” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.

 

12.19 Reinstatement. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against any Grantor, SEI or any Issuer for liquidation or reorganization, should any Grantor, SEI or any Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of such Grantor’s or SEI or Issuer’s assets, and shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of the Secured Obligations, whether as a “voidable preference”, “fraudulent conveyance”, or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Secured Obligations shall be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

 

12.20 Patriot Act. Administrative Agent (for itself and on behalf of each Lender) hereby notifies SEI that, pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, signed into law October 26, 2001 (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies SEI, which information includes the name and address of SEI and other information that will allow the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as applicable, to identify SEI in accordance with the Act.

 

signature page follows

 

31


Each of the undersigned has caused this Guaranty and Collateral Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

LSV EMPLOYEE GROUP, LLC, as Grantor
By:    
Title:    
SEI INVESTMENTS COMPANY, as Guarantor
By:    
Title:    
LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:    
Title:    



 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

dated as of January 24, 2006

 

among

 

LSV EMPLOYEE GROUP, LLC,

as the Company,

 

LSV ASSET MANAGEMENT,

 

THE VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO,

as Lenders,

 

and

 

LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1

  

DEFINITIONS.

   1

1.1.

  

Definitions

   1

1.2.

  

Other Interpretive Provisions.

   14

SECTION 2

  

COMMITMENTS OF THE LENDERS; BORROWING AND CONVERSION PROCEDURES.

   15

2.1.

  

Commitments

   15

2.2.

  

Loan Procedures.

   15

2.3.

  

Commitments Several

   16

2.4.

  

Certain Conditions

   17

SECTION 3

  

EVIDENCING OF LOANS.

   17

3.1.

  

Notes

   17

3.2.

  

Recordkeeping

   17

SECTION 4

  

INTEREST.

   17

4.1.

  

Interest Rates

   17

4.2.

  

Interest Payment Dates

   17

4.3.

  

Setting and Notice of LIBOR

   18

4.4.

  

Computation of Interest

   18

SECTION 5

  

FEES.

   18

5.1.

  

Administrative Agent’s Fees

   18

SECTION 6

  

PREPAYMENTS OF LOANS.

   18

6.1.

  

Prepayments.

   18

6.2.

  

Manner of Prepayments.

   18

6.3.

  

Repayments.

   19

SECTION 7

   MAKING AND PRORATION OF PAYMENTS; SETOFF; TAXES.    20

7.1.

   Making of Payments    20

7.2.

   Application of Certain Payments    20

7.3.

   Due Date Extension    20

7.4.

   Setoff    20

7.5.

   Proration of Payments    20

7.6.

   Taxes.    21

SECTION 8

   INCREASED COSTS; SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR LIBOR LOANS.    23

8.1.

   Increased Costs.    23

8.2.

   Basis for Determining Interest Rate Inadequate or Unfair. If:    24

8.3.

   Changes in Law Rendering LIBOR Loans Unlawful    24

8.4.

   Funding Losses    25

8.5.

   Right of Lenders to Fund through Other Offices    25

8.6.

   Discretion of Lenders as to Manner of Funding    25

8.7.

   Mitigation of Circumstances; Replacement of Lenders.    25

8.8.

   Conclusiveness of Statements; Survival of Provisions    26


SECTION 9

   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.    26

9.1.

   Organization    26

9.2.

   Authorization; No Conflict    26

9.3.

   Validity and Binding Nature    27

9.4.

   Financial Condition    27

9.5.

   No Material Adverse Change    27

9.6.

   Litigation and Contingent Liabilities    27

9.7.

   Ownership of Properties; Liens    27

9.8.

   Equity Ownership; Subsidiaries    27

9.9.

   Pension Plans.    28

9.10.

   Investment Company Act    28

9.11.

   Public Utility Holding Company Act    28

9.12.

   Regulation U    29

9.13.

   Taxes    29

9.14.

   Solvency, etc    29

9.15.

   Environmental Matters    29

9.16.

   Insurance    30

9.17.

   Real Property    30

9.18.

   Information    30

9.19.

   Intellectual Property    30

9.20.

   Burdensome Obligations    31

9.21.

   Labor Matters    31

9.22.

   No Default    31

9.23.

   Related Agreements, etc.    31

SECTION 10

   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.    32

10.1.

   Reports, Certificates and Other Information    32

10.2.

   Books, Records and Inspections    34

10.3.

   Maintenance of Property; Insurance.    35

10.4.

   Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes and Liabilities    36

10.5.

   Maintenance of Existence, etc    36

10.6.

   Use of Proceeds    36

10.7.

   Employee Benefit Plans.    37

10.8.

   Environmental Matters    37

10.9.

   Further Assurances    37

10.10.

   Deposit Accounts    37

10.11.

   Interest Rate Protection    38

SECTION 11

   NEGATIVE COVENANTS    38

11.1.

   Debt    38

11.2.

   Liens    38

11.3.

   [Intentionally Omitted]    39

11.4.

   Restricted Payments    39

11.5.

   Mergers, Consolidations, Sales    39

 

ii


11.6.

   Modification of Partnership Agreement/Conditional Payment Agreement/Organizational Documents    40

11.7.

   Transactions with Affiliates    40

11.8.

   Unconditional Purchase Obligations    40

11.9.

   Inconsistent Agreements    40

11.10.

   Business Activities; Issuance of Equity    40

11.11.

   Investments    41

11.12.

   Restriction of Amendments to Certain Documents    41

11.13.

   Fiscal Year    42

11.14.

   Financial Covenants.    42

11.15.

   Cancellation of Debt    42

SECTION 12

   EFFECTIVENESS; CONDITIONS OF LENDING, ETC.    42

12.1.

   Initial Credit Extension    42

12.2.

   Conditions    45

SECTION 13

   EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND THEIR EFFECT.    45

13.1.

   Events of Default    45

13.2.

   Effect of Event of Default    47

SECTION 14

   THE AGENTS.    47

14.1.

   Appointment and Authorization    47

14.2.

   Delegation of Duties    48

14.3.

   Exculpation of Administrative Agent    48

14.4.

   Reliance by Administrative Agent    48

14.5.

   Notice of Default    49

14.6.

   Credit Decision    49

14.7.

   Indemnification    50

14.8.

   Administrative Agent in Individual Capacity    50

14.9.

   Successor Administrative Agent    50

14.10.

   Collateral Matters    51

14.11.

   Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim    51

14.12.

   Other Agents; Arrangers and Managers    52

SECTION 15

   GENERAL.    52

15.1.

   Waiver; Amendments    52

15.2.

   Confirmations    53

15.3.

   Notices    53

15.4.

   Computations    53

15.5.

   Costs, Expenses and Taxes    54

15.6.

   Assignments; Participations.    54

15.7.

   Register    56

15.8.

   GOVERNING LAW    56

15.9.

   Confidentiality    56

15.10.

   Severability    57

 

iii


15.11.

    

Nature of Remedies

   57

15.12.

    

Entire Agreement

   57

15.13.

    

Counterparts

   57

15.14.

    

Successors and Assigns

   58

15.15.

    

Captions

   58

15.16.

    

Customer Identification - USA Patriot Act Notice

   58

15.17.

    

INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY

   58

15.18.

    

Nonliability of Lenders

   59

15.19.

    

FORUM SELECTION AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION

   60

15.20.

    

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

   60

SCHEDULE 9.6 Litigation and Contingent Liabilities

    

SCHEDULE 9.8 Subsidiaries

    

SCHEDULE 9.16 Insurance

    

SCHEDULE 9.17 Real Property

    

SCHEDULE 9.21 Labor Matters

    

SCHEDULE 11.11 Investments

    

 

iv


ANNEXES     
ANNEX A   Lenders and Pro Rata Shares     

ANNEX B

 

Addresses for Notices

    
SCHEDULES     

SCHEDULE 9.6

 

Litigation and Contingent Liabilities

    

SCHEDULE 9.8

 

Subsidiaries

    

SCHEDULE 9.16

 

Insurance

    

SCHEDULE 9.17

 

Real Property

    

SCHEDULE 9.21

 

Labor Matters

    

SCHEDULE 11.11

 

Investments

    
EXHIBITS     

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Note (Section 3.1)

    

EXHIBIT B

 

Form of Compliance Certificate (Section 10.1.3)

    

EXHIBIT C

 

Form of Assignment Agreement (Section 15.6.1)

    

EXHIBIT D

 

Form of Notice of Borrowing (Section 2.2.2)

    

EXHIBIT E

 

Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation (Section 2.2.3)

    


CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of January 24, 2006 (this “Agreement”) is entered into among LSV EMPLOYEE GROUP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), the financial institutions that are or may from time to time become parties hereto (together with their respective successors and assigns, the “Lenders”) and LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (in its individual capacity, “LaSalle”), as administrative agent for the Lenders. LSV ASSET MANAGEMENT, a Delaware general partnership (“LSV”) is a party to this Agreement for purposes of confirming certain representations, warranties and agreements made by it in Sections 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15 hereof in connection with the extensions of credit to the Company contemplated hereby.

 

The Lenders have agreed to make a term loan available to the Company upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS.

 

1.1. Definitions. When used herein the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Account Debtor is defined in the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement.

 

Account or Accounts is defined in the UCC.

 

Acquisition means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of all or substantially all of any business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of 50% of the Capital Securities of any Person, or otherwise causing any Person to become a Subsidiary, or (c) a merger or consolidation or any other combination with another Person (other than a Person that is already a Subsidiary).

 

Administrative Agent means LaSalle in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder and any successor thereto in such capacity.

 

Affected Loan - see Section 8.3.

 

Affiliate of any Person means (a) any other Person which, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, (b) any officer or director of such Person and (c) with respect to any Lender, any entity administered or managed by such Lender or an Affiliate or investment advisor thereof and which is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans. A Person shall be deemed to be “controlled by” any other Person if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote 5% or more of the securities (on a fully diluted basis) having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or managers or power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise. Unless expressly stated otherwise herein, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be deemed an Affiliate of any Loan Party.


Agent Fee Letter means a fee letter, if any, from time to time executed by, and mutually acceptable to, the Company and the Administrative Agent.

 

Agreement - see the Preamble.

 

Asset Disposition means the sale, lease, assignment or other transfer for value (each, a “Disposition”) by any Loan Party to any Person (other than a Loan Party) of any asset or right of such Loan Party (including, the loss, destruction or damage of any thereof or any actual or threatened (in writing to any Loan Party) condemnation, confiscation, requisition, seizure or taking thereof) other than (a) the Disposition of any asset which is to be replaced, and is in fact replaced or contracted to be replaced, within 90 days with another asset performing the same or a similar function, (b) the sale or lease of inventory in the ordinary course of business.

 

Assignee - see Section 15.6.1.

 

Assignment Agreement - see Section 15.6.1.

 

Attorney Costs means, with respect to any Person, all reasonable fees and charges of any counsel to such Person, all reasonable disbursements of internal counsel of such Person (other than the allocable cost of such internal counsel) and all court costs and similar legal expenses.

 

Bank Product Agreements means those certain cash management service agreements and other agreements entered into from time to time between any Loan Party and a Lender or its Affiliates in connection with any of the Bank Products.

 

Bank Product Obligations means all obligations, liabilities, contingent reimbursement obligations, fees, and expenses owing by the Loan Parties to any Lender or its Affiliates pursuant to or evidenced by the Bank Product Agreements and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including all such amounts that a Loan Party is obligated to reimburse to the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of the Administrative Agent or such Lender purchasing participations or executing indemnities or reimbursement obligations with respect to the Bank Products provided to the Loan Parties pursuant to the Bank Product Agreements.

 

Bank Products means any service or facility extended to any Loan Party by any Lender or its Affiliates including: (a) credit cards, (b) credit card processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) purchase cards, (e) ACH transactions, (f) cash management, including controlled disbursement, accounts or services, or (g) Hedging Agreements.

 

Base Rate means the Prime Rate.

 

Base Rate Loan means any Loan which bears interest at or by reference to the Base Rate.

 

2


Base Rate Margin - means 0%.

 

BSA - see Section 10.4.

 

Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Chicago, Illinois are required or authorized to remain closed and, in the case of a Business Day which relates to a LIBOR Loan, on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank eurodollar market.

 

Capital Expenditures means all expenditures which, in accordance with GAAP, would be required to be capitalized and shown on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company, including expenditures in respect of Capital Leases, but excluding expenditures made in connection with the replacement, substitution or restoration of assets to the extent financed (a) from insurance proceeds (or other similar recoveries) paid on account of the loss of or damage to the assets being replaced or restored or (b) with awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent domain or condemnation of the assets being replaced.

 

Capital Lease means, with respect to any Person, any lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) any real or personal property by such Person that, in conformity with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person.

 

Capital Securities means, with respect to any Person, all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) of such Person’s capital, whether now outstanding or issued or acquired after the Closing Date, including common shares, preferred shares, membership interests in a limited liability company, limited or general partnership interests in a partnership, interests in a Trust, interests in other unincorporated organizations or any other equivalent of such ownership interest.

 

Cash Equivalent Investment means, at any time, (a) any evidence of Debt, maturing not more than one year after such time, issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or any agency thereof, (b) commercial paper, maturing not more than one year from the date of issue, or corporate demand notes, in each case (unless issued by a Lender or its holding company) rated at least A-l by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. or P-l by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., (c) any certificate of deposit, time deposit or banker’s acceptance, maturing not more than one year after such time, or any overnight Federal Funds transaction that is issued or sold by any Lender or its holding company (or by a commercial banking institution that is a member of the Federal Reserve System and has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000), (d) any repurchase agreement entered into with any Lender (or commercial banking institution of the nature referred to in clause (c)) which (i) is secured by a fully perfected security interest in any obligation of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (c) above and (ii) has a market value at the time such repurchase agreement is entered into of not less than 100% of the repurchase obligation of such Lender (or other commercial banking institution) thereunder and (e) money market accounts or mutual funds which invest exclusively in assets satisfying the foregoing requirements, and (f) other short term liquid investments approved in writing by the Administrative Agent.

 

3


Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following events: (a) Josef Lakonishok shall cease to own and control, directly or indirectly, at least 15.5% of the outstanding Capital Securities of LSV; or (b) less than two (2) persons, one of whom must be either a shareholder or primarily involved in the day to day management of LSV and the other of whom must be appropriately skilled and knowledgeable about LSV’s day to day operations, shall have control of, and access to, LSV’s proprietary investment model.

 

Closing Date - see Section 12.1.

 

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Collateral is defined in the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement.

 

Collateral Documents means, collectively, the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement, each control agreement and any other agreement or instrument pursuant to which the Company, any Subsidiary or any other Person grants or purports to grant a security interest in collateral to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders or otherwise relates to such security interest in collateral.

 

Commitment means, as to any Lender, such Lender’s commitment to make Loans, under this Agreement. The initial amount of each Lender’s commitment to make Loans is set forth on Annex A.

 

Company - see the Preamble.

 

Compliance Certificate means a Compliance Certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit B.

 

Computation Period means each period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on the last day of a Fiscal Quarter.

 

Conditional Payment Agreement means that certain Conditional Payment Agreement dated January __, 2006 between LSV and the Lender, giving effect to any amendments thereto permitted by Section 11.6 hereof.

 

Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries for any period, the net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period, excluding any gains from Asset Dispositions, any extraordinary gains and any gains from discontinued operations.

 

Contingent Liability means, with respect to any Person, each obligation and liability of such Person and all such obligations and liabilities of such Person incurred pursuant to any agreement, undertaking or arrangement by which such Person: (a) guarantees, endorses or

 

4


otherwise becomes or is contingently liable upon (by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) the indebtedness, dividend, obligation or other liability of any other Person in any manner (other than by endorsement of instruments in the course of collection), including any indebtedness, dividend or other obligation which may be issued or incurred at some future time; (b) guarantees the payment of dividends or other distributions upon the Capital Securities of any other Person; (c) undertakes or agrees (whether contingently or otherwise): (i) to purchase, repurchase, or otherwise acquire any indebtedness, obligation or liability of any other Person or any property or assets constituting security therefor, (ii) to advance or provide funds for the payment or discharge of any indebtedness, obligation or liability of any other Person (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise), or to maintain solvency, assets, level of income, working capital or other financial condition of any other Person, or (iii) to make payment to any other Person other than for value received; (d) agrees to lease property or to purchase securities, property or services from such other Person with the purpose or intent of assuring the owner of such indebtedness or obligation of the ability of such other Person to make payment of the indebtedness or obligation; (e) to induce the issuance of, or in connection with the issuance of, any letter of credit for the benefit of such other Person; or (f) undertakes or agrees otherwise to assure a creditor against loss. The amount of any Contingent Liability shall (subject to any limitation set forth herein) be deemed to be the outstanding principal amount (or maximum permitted principal amount, if larger) of the indebtedness, obligation or other liability guaranteed or supported thereby.

 

Controlled Group means all members of a controlled group of corporations, all members of a controlled group of trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control and all members of an affiliated service group which, together with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or LSV, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

 

Debt of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (b) all obligations of such Person as lessee under Capital Leases which have been or should be recorded as liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), (d) all indebtedness secured by a Lien on the property of such Person, whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person; provided that if such Person has not assumed or otherwise become liable for such indebtedness, such indebtedness shall be measured at the fair market value of such property securing such indebtedness at the time of determination, (e) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, with respect to the face amount of all letters of credit (whether or not drawn), bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations issued for the account of such Person, (f) all Hedging Obligations of such Person, (g) all Contingent Liabilities of such Person, (h) all Debt of any partnership of which such Person is a general partner and (i) any Capital Securities or other equity instrument, whether or not mandatorily redeemable, that under GAAP is characterized as debt, whether pursuant to financial accounting standards board issuance No. 150 or otherwise.

 

5


Designated Proceeds - see Section 6.1.2.

 

Dollar and the sign “$” mean lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Environmental Claims means all claims, however asserted, by any governmental, regulatory or judicial authority or other Person alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law, or for release or injury to the environment.

 

Environmental Laws means all present or future federal, state or local laws, statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, together with all administrative or judicial orders, consent agreements, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any governmental authority, in each case relating to any matter arising out of or relating to public health and safety, or pollution or protection of the environment or workplace, including any of the foregoing relating to the presence, use, production, generation, handling, transport, treatment, storage, disposal, distribution, discharge, emission, release, threatened release, control or cleanup of any Hazardous Substance.

 

ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

Event of Default means any of the events described in Section 13.1.

 

Excess Distributions means, for each calendar quarter, the remainder of (a) the amount of cash distributions paid to the Company by LSV during such quarter, minus (b) scheduled repayments of principal of, and interest on, the Term Loans made during such quarter, minus (c) Incremental Taxes paid in cash during such quarter minus (d) amounts paid for audits, operating leases and other ordinary course of business operating expenses (“Company Operating Expenses”) up to an amount which when taken together with all amounts paid for Company Operating Expenses during the trailing twelve month period (including such quarter) does not exceed $100,000.

 

Excluded Taxes means taxes based upon, or measured by, the Lender’s or Administrative Agent’s (or a branch of the Lender’s or Administrative Agent’s) overall net income, overall net receipts, or overall net profits (including franchise taxes imposed in lieu of such taxes and any branch profits and taxes imposed on capital), but only to the extent such taxes are imposed by a taxing authority (a) in a jurisdiction in which such Lender or Administrative Agent is organized or is otherwise treated as a resident for tax purposes, (b) in a jurisdiction which the Lender’s or Administrative Agent’s principal office is located, (c) in a jurisdiction in which such Lender’s or Administrative Agent’s lending office (or branch) in respect of which payments under this Agreement are made is located, or (d) in any other jurisdiction with which such Lender or Administrative Agent would not have had a present or former connection but for and as a result of the Lender or Administrative Agent, as the case may be, having executed, delivered, performed its obligations under, or enforced this Agreement or any Loan Document.

 

Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, a fluctuating interest rate equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published

 

6


for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent’s determination of such rate shall be binding and conclusive absent manifest error.

 

Fiscal Quarter means a fiscal quarter of a Fiscal Year.

 

Fiscal Year means the fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which period shall be the 12-month period ending on December 31st of each year. References to a Fiscal Year with a number corresponding to any calendar year (e.g., “Fiscal Year 2004”) refer to the Fiscal Year ending on December 31, 2004.

 

FRB means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any successor thereto.

 

Funded Debt means, as to any Person, all Debt of such Person that matures more than one year from the date of its creation (or is renewable or extendible, at the option of such Person, to a date more than one year from such date).

 

GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles set forth from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the U.S. accounting profession) and the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination.

 

Group - see Section 2.2.1.

 

Guaranty and Collateral Agreement means the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement dated as of the date hereof executed and delivered by the Loan Parties and the SEI Parties, together with any joinders thereto and any other guaranty and collateral agreement executed by a Loan Party, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

Hazardous Substances means (a) any petroleum or petroleum products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas and mold; (b) any chemicals, materials, pollutant or substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances”, “hazardous waste”, “hazardous materials”, “extremely hazardous substances”, “restricted hazardous waste”, “toxic substances”, “toxic pollutants”, “contaminants”, “pollutants” or words of similar import, under any applicable Environmental Law; and (c) any other chemical, material or substance, the exposure to, or release of which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any governmental authority or for which any duty or standard of care is imposed pursuant to, any Environmental Law.

 

7


Hedging Agreement means any interest rate, currency or commodity swap agreement, cap agreement or collar agreement, and any other agreement or arrangement designed to protect a Person against fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

 

Hedging Obligation means, with respect to any Person, any liability of such Person under any Hedging Agreement.

 

Incremental Taxes means an estimate (as reasonably determined by members of the Company) of actual liabilities for Taxes calculated in respect of a calendar quarter attributable to cash distributions paid to the Company by LSV that are based upon LSV’s Incremental Financial Performance.

 

Indemnified Liabilities - see Section 15.16.

 

Interest Expense means for any period the consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period (including all imputed interest on Capital Leases).

 

Interest Period means, as to any LIBOR Loan, the period commencing on the date such Loan is borrowed or continued as, or converted into, a LIBOR Loan and ending on the date three months thereafter as selected by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2.2 or 2.2.3, as the case may be; provided that:

 

(a) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the following Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month, in which event such Interest Period shall end on the preceding Business Day;

 

(b) any Interest Period that begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

 

(c) the Company may not select any Interest Period for a Term Loan if, after giving effect to such selection, the aggregate principal amount of such Term Loans having Interest Periods ending after any date on which an installment of such Term Loans is scheduled to be repaid would exceed the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan scheduled to be outstanding after giving effect to such repayment.

 

Investment means, with respect to any Person, any investment in another Person, whether by acquisition of any debt or Capital Security, by making any loan or advance, by becoming obligated with respect to a Contingent Liability in respect of obligations of such other Person (other than travel and similar advances to employees in the ordinary course of business) or by making an Acquisition.

 

8


LaSalle - see the Preamble.

 

Lender - see the Preamble and for the purpose of identifying the Persons entitled to share in the Collateral and the proceeds thereof under, and in accordance with the provisions of, this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, the term “Lender” shall include Affiliates of a Lender providing a Bank Product.

 

Lender Party - see Section 15.17.

 

LIBOR means a rate of interest equal to (a) the per annum rate of interest at which United States dollar deposits in an amount comparable to the amount of the relevant LIBOR Loan and for a period equal to the relevant Interest Period are offered in the London Interbank Eurodollar market at 11:00 A.M. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (or three (3) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period if banks in London, England were not open and dealing in offshore United States dollars on such second preceding Business Day), as displayed in the Bloomberg Financial Markets system (or other authoritative source selected by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) or, if the Bloomberg Financial Markets system or another authoritative source is not available, as the LIBOR is otherwise determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole and absolute discretion, divided by (b) a number determined by subtracting from 1.00 the then stated maximum reserve percentage for determining reserves to be maintained by member banks of the Federal Reserve System for Eurocurrency funding or liabilities as defined in Regulation D (or any successor category of liabilities under Regulation D), such rate to remain fixed for such Interest Period. The Administrative Agent’s determination of the LIBOR Rate shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

LIBOR Loan means any Loan which bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the LIBOR.

 

LIBOR Margin means Eight Hundred Seventy Five One Hundredths of one percent (.875%).

 

LIBOR Office means with respect to any Lender the office or offices of such Lender which shall be making or maintaining the LIBOR Loans of such Lender hereunder. A LIBOR Office of any Lender may be, at the option of such Lender, either a domestic or foreign office.

 

Lien means, with respect to any Person, any interest granted by such Person in any real or personal property, asset or other right owned or being purchased or acquired by such Person (including an interest in respect of a Capital Lease) which secures payment or performance of any obligation and shall include any mortgage, lien, encumbrance, title retention lien, charge or other security interest of any kind, whether arising by contract, as a matter of law, by judicial process or otherwise.

 

Loan or Loans means the Term Loans.

 

Loan Documents means this Agreement, the Notes, the Agent Fee Letter (if any), the Collateral Documents, Hedging Agreements between the Borrower and any Lender (or its Affiliate) and all documents, instruments and agreements delivered in connection with the foregoing.

 

9


Loan Party means the Company and each Subsidiary of the Company.

 

LSV- see the Preamble.

 

LSV’s Incremental Financial Performance means that portion of LSV’s EBITDA (computed in accordance with LSV’s October, 2005 financial statements heretofore furnished to the Administrative Agent) that is in excess of $178,000,000.

 

LSV Partnership Agreement means the Second Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement of LSV Asset Management dated effective as of July 1, 2003, as supplemented by the Conditional Payment Agreement, giving effect to any amendments thereto permitted by Section 11.6 hereof.

 

Mandatory Prepayment Event - see Section 6.1.2.

 

Margin Stock means any “margin stock” as defined in Regulation U.

 

Material Adverse Effect means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the financial condition, operations, assets or business of either (i) the Loan Parties taken as a whole or (ii) LSV, (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Loan Party or LSV to perform any of the material Obligations under any Loan Document or (c) a material adverse effect upon any substantial portion of the Collateral or upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party or LSV of any material provision of any Loan Document.

 

Mortgage means a mortgage, deed of trust, leasehold mortgage or similar instrument granting the Administrative Agent a Lien on real property of any Loan Party.

 

Multiemployer Pension Plan means a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a) (3) of ERISA, to which either LSV or the Company or any other member of the Controlled Group may have any liability.

 

Net Cash Flow shall have the same meaning herein as such term is defined in the LSV Partnership Agreement.

 

Non-U.S. Participant - see Section 7.6(d).

 

Note means a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 

Notice of Borrowing - see Section 2.2.2.

 

Notice of Conversion/Continuation - see Section 2.2.3.

 

10


Obligations means all obligations (monetary (including post-petition interest, allowed or not) or otherwise) of any Loan Party or LSV under this Agreement and any other Loan Document including reimbursement of any Attorney Costs, all Hedging Obligations permitted hereunder which are owed to any Lender or its Affiliate or Administrative Agent, and all Bank Products Obligations, all in each case howsoever created, arising or evidenced, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, now or hereafter existing, or due or to become due.

 

OFAC - see Section 10.4.

 

Operating Lease means any lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) any real or personal property by any Loan Party, as lessee, other than any Capital Lease.

 

PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

 

Participant - see Section 15.6.2.

 

Payment Date means (a) the tenth (10th) Business Day following the last day of each calendar quarter in each year commencing the tenth (10th) Business Day of April, 2006 and (b) the Termination Date.

 

Pension Plan means a “pension plan”, as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, which is subject to Title IV of ERISA or the minimum funding standards of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Pension Plan), and as to which either the Company or LSV or any member of the Controlled Group may have any liability, including any liability by reason of having been a substantial employer within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA at any time during the preceding five years, or by reason of being deemed to be a contributing sponsor under Section 4069 of ERISA.

 

Permitted Lien means a Lien expressly permitted hereunder pursuant to Section 11.2.

 

Person means any natural person, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association, governmental authority or unit, or any other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

 

Prime Rate means, for any day, the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate (whether or not such rate is actually charged by the Administrative Agent), which is not intended to be the Administrative Agent’s lowest or most favorable rate of interest at any one time. Any change in the Prime Rate announced by the Administrative Agent shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change; provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to give notice of any change in the Prime Rate.

 

11


Pro Rata Share means:

 

  (a) with respect to a Lender’s obligation to make a Term Loan and receive payments of interest, fees, and principal with respect thereto, (x) prior to the making of the Term Loans, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment, by (ii) the aggregate amount of all Lenders’ Term Loan Commitments, and (y) from and after the making of the Term Loans, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) the principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loan by (ii) the principal amount of all Term Loans of all Lenders; and

 

  (b) with respect to all other matters as to a particular Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (i) such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment, by (ii) the aggregate amount of the Term Loan Commitment of all Lenders; provided that in the event the Commitments have been terminated or reduced to zero, Pro Rata Share shall be the percentage obtained by dividing (A) the unpaid principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loan by (B) the principal amount of all outstanding Term Loans of all Lenders.

 

Regulation D means Regulation D of the FRB.

 

Regulation U means Regulation U of the FRB.

 

Related Agreements means that certain Assignment and Purchase Agreement between the Company, as Buyer and Vishy Corporation, an Illinois corporation and LaCroix LLC, a Connecticut limited liability company, as Sellers, and LSV for the purposes stated therein whereby the Company agrees to purchase 8% of the outstanding Capital Securities of LSV, together with the agreements and instruments executed in connection therewith.

 

Related Transactions means the transactions contemplated by the Related Agreements.

 

Replacement Lender - see Section 8.7(b).

 

Reportable Event means a reportable event as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder as to which the PBGC has not waived the notification requirement of Section 4043(a), or the failure of a Pension Plan to meet the minimum funding standards of Section 412 of the Code (without regard to whether the Pension Plan is a plan described in Section 4021(a)(2) of ERISA) or under Section 302 of ERISA.

 

Required Lenders means, at any time, Lenders whose Pro Rata Shares exceed 66 2/3% as determined pursuant to clause (d) of the definition of “Pro Rata Share”.

 

SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental authority succeeding to any of the principal functions thereof.

 

SEI-DE means SEI Funds, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

SEI-PA means SEI Investments Company, a Pennsylvania corporation.

 

12


SEI Party means SEI-PA and SEI-DE.

 

Senior Officer means, with respect to any Loan Party or LSV, any of the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the chief operating officer, the treasurer or any member of the management committee of such Loan Party or LSV.

 

Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which such Person owns, directly or indirectly, such number of outstanding Capital Securities as have more than 50% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity. Unless the context otherwise requires, each reference to Subsidiaries herein shall be a reference to Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

Taxes means any and all present and future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, charges or withholdings, and any and all liabilities (including interest and penalties and other additions to taxes) with respect to the foregoing, but excluding Excluded Taxes.

 

Term Loan Commitment means $82,800,000.

 

Term Loans - see Section 2.1.1.

 

Term Loan Maturity Date means the earlier of (a) January 24, 2011 or (b) the Termination Date.

 

Termination Date means the earlier to occur of (a) January 24, 2011 or (b) such other date on which the Commitments terminate pursuant to Section 13.

 

Termination Event means, with respect to a Pension Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, (a) a Reportable Event, (b) the withdrawal of Company or any other member of the Controlled Group from such Pension Plan during a plan year in which Company or any other member of the Controlled Group was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or was deemed such under Section 4068(f) of ERISA, (c) the termination of such Pension Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate the Pension Plan or the treatment of an amendment of such Pension Plan as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, (d) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate such Pension Plan or (e) any event or condition that might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or appointment of a trustee to administer, such Pension Plan.

 

Total Plan Liability means, at any time, the present value of all vested and unvested accrued benefits under all Pension Plans, determined as of the then most recent valuation date for each Pension Plan, using PBGC actuarial assumptions for single employer plan terminations.

 

type - see Section 2.2.1.

 

UCC is defined in the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement.

 

13


Unfunded Liability means the amount (if any) by which the present value of all vested and unvested accrued benefits under all Pension Plans exceeds the fair market value of all assets allocable to those benefits, all determined as of the then most recent valuation date for each Pension Plan, using PBGC actuarial assumptions for single employer plan terminations.

 

Unmatured Event of Default means any event that, if it continues uncured, will, with lapse of time or notice or both, constitute an Event of Default.

 

Withholding Certificate - see Section 7.6(d).

 

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary means, as to any Person, a Subsidiary all of the Capital Securities of which (except directors’ qualifying Capital Securities) are at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person and/or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of such Person.

 

1.2. Other Interpretive Provisions.

 

(a) The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

 

(b) Section, Annex, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

(c) The term “including” is not limiting and means “including without limitation.”

 

(d) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”, and the word “through” means “to and including.”

 

(e) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (i) references to agreements (including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent such amendments, restatements, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any Loan Document, and (ii) references to any statute or regulation shall be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such statute or regulation.

 

(f) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents may use several different limitations, tests or measurements to regulate the same or similar matters. All such limitations, tests and measurements are cumulative and each shall be performed in accordance with its terms.

 

(g) This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result of negotiations among and have been reviewed by counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Company, the Lenders and the other parties thereto and are the products of all parties. Accordingly, they shall not be construed against the Administrative Agent or the Lenders merely because of the Administrative Agent’s or Lenders’ involvement in their preparation.

 

14


SECTION 2 COMMITMENTS OF THE LENDERS; BORROWING AND CONVERSION PROCEDURES.

 

2.1. Commitments. On and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the Lenders, severally and for itself alone, agrees to make loans to the Company as follows:

 

2.1.1 Term Loan Commitment. Each Lender with a Term Loan Commitment agrees to make a loan to the Company (each such loan, a “Term Loan”) on the Closing Date in such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Term Loan Commitment. The Commitments of the Lenders to make Term Loans shall expire concurrently with the making of the Term Loans on the Closing Date.

 

2.2. Loan Procedures.

 

2.2.1 Various Types of Loans.Each Term Loan may be divided into tranches which are either a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Loan (each a “type” of Loan), as the Company shall specify in the related notice of borrowing or conversion pursuant to Section 2.2.2 or 2.2.3. LIBOR Loans having the same Interest Period which expire on the same day are sometimes called a “Group” or collectively “Groups”. Base Rate Loans and LIBOR Loans may be outstanding at the same time, provided that not more than five (5) different Groups of LIBOR Loans shall be outstanding at any one time.

 

2.2.2 Borrowing Procedures. The Company shall give written notice a (“Notice of Borrowing”) substantially in the form of Exhibit D or telephonic notice (followed immediately by a Notice of Borrowing) to the Administrative Agent of the proposed borrowing of the Term Loan not later than 11:00 A.M., Chicago time, on the proposed date of such borrowing. Each such notice shall be effective upon receipt by the Administrative Agent, shall be irrevocable, and shall specify the date, amount and type of borrowing and, in the case of a LIBOR borrowing, the initial Interest Period therefor. Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender thereof. Not later than 1:00 P.M., Chicago time, on the date of a proposed borrowing, each Lender shall provide the Administrative Agent at the office specified by the Administrative Agent with immediately available funds covering such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such borrowing and, so long as the Administrative Agent has not received written notice that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 12 with respect to such borrowing have not been satisfied, the Administrative Agent shall pay over the funds received by the Administrative Agent to the Company on the requested borrowing date. Each borrowing shall be on a Business Day. Each Base Rate borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount of at least $100,000, and each LIBOR borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount of at least $100,000 and an integral multiple of at least $1,000,000.

 

2.2.3 Conversion and Continuation Procedures.

 

(a) Subject to Section 2.2.1, the Company may, upon irrevocable written notice to the Administrative Agent in accordance with clause (b) below:

 

(A) elect, as of any Business Day, to convert any Loans (or any part thereof in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 or a higher integral multiple of $100,000) into Loans of the other type; or

 

15


(B) elect, as of the last day of the applicable Interest Period, to continue any LIBOR Loans having Interest Periods expiring on such day (or any part thereof in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 or a higher integral multiple of $100,000) for a new Interest Period;

 

provided that after giving effect to any prepayment, conversion or continuation, the aggregate principal amount of each Group of LIBOR Loans shall be at least $1,000,000 and an integral multiple of $100,000.

 

(b) The Company shall give written notice (each such written notice, a “Notice of Conversion/Continuation”) substantially in the form of Exhibit E or telephonic notice (followed immediately by a Notice of Conversion/Continuation) to the Administrative Agent of each proposed conversion or continuation not later than (i) in the case of conversion into Base Rate Loans, 11:00 A.M., Chicago time, on the proposed date of such conversion and (ii) in the case of conversion into or continuation of LIBOR Loans, 11:00 A.M., Chicago time, at least three Business Days prior to the proposed date of such conversion or continuation, specifying in each case:

 

(A) the proposed date of conversion or continuation;

 

(B) the aggregate amount of Loans to be converted or continued;

 

(C) the type of Loans resulting from the proposed conversion or continuation; and

 

(D) in the case of conversion into, or continuation of, LIBOR Loans, the duration of the requested Interest Period therefor.

 

(c) If upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to LIBOR Loans, the Company has failed to select timely a new Interest Period to be applicable to such LIBOR Loans, the Company shall be deemed to have elected to convert such LIBOR Loans into Base Rate Loans effective on the last day of such Interest Period.

 

(d) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of a notice of conversion or continuation pursuant to this Section 2.2.3 or, if no timely notice is provided by the Company, of the details of any automatic conversion.

 

(e) Any conversion of a LIBOR Loan on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period therefor shall be subject to Section 8.4.

 

2.3. Commitments Several. The failure of any Lender to make a requested Loan on any date shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation (if any) to make a Loan on such date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make any Loan to be made by such other Lender.

 

16


2.4. Certain Conditions. No Lender shall have an obligation to make any Loan, or to permit the continuation of or any conversion into any LIBOR Loan, if an Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists.

 

SECTION 3 EVIDENCING OF LOANS.

 

3.1. Notes. The Loans of each Lender shall be evidenced by a Note, with appropriate insertions, payable to the order of such Lender in a face principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loan.

 

3.2. Recordkeeping. The Administrative Agent, on behalf of each Lender, shall record in its records, the date and amount of each Loan made by each Lender, each repayment or conversion thereof and, in the case of each LIBOR Loan, the dates on which each Interest Period for such Loan shall begin and end. The aggregate unpaid principal amount so recorded shall be rebuttably presumptive evidence of the principal amount of the Loans owing and unpaid. The failure to so record any such amount or any error in so recording any such amount shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the Obligations of the Company hereunder or under any Note to repay the principal amount of the Loans hereunder, together with all interest accruing thereon.

 

SECTION 4 INTEREST.

 

4.1. Interest Rates. The Company promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan for the period commencing on the date of such Loan until such Loan is paid in full as follows:

 

(a) at all times while such Loan is a Base Rate Loan, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate from time to time in effect plus the Base Rate Margin from time to time in effect; and

 

(b) at all times while such Loan is a LIBOR Loan, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the LIBOR applicable to each Interest Period for such Loan plus the LIBOR Margin from time to time in effect;

 

provided that at any time an Event of Default exists, unless the Required Lenders otherwise consent, the interest rate applicable to each Loan shall be increased by 2% (and, in the case of Obligations not bearing interest, such Obligations shall bear interest at the Base Rate plus 2%), provided further that such increase may thereafter be rescinded by the Required Lenders, notwithstanding Section 15.1. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Sections 13.1.1 or 13.1.4, such increase shall occur automatically.

 

4.2. Interest Payment Dates. Accrued interest on the Loans shall be payable quarterly on each Payment Date. After maturity, and at any time an Event of Default exists, accrued interest on all Loans shall be payable on demand.

 

17


4.3. Setting and Notice of LIBOR. The applicable LIBOR for each Interest Period shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and notice thereof shall be given by the Administrative Agent promptly to the Company and each Lender. Each determination of the applicable LIBOR by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties hereto, in the absence of demonstrable error. The Administrative Agent shall, upon written request of the Company or any Lender, deliver to the Company or such Lender a statement showing the computations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any applicable LIBOR hereunder.

 

4.4. Computation of Interest. Interest shall be computed for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a year of 360 days. The applicable interest rate for each Base Rate Loan shall change simultaneously with each change in the Base Rate.

 

SECTION 5 FEES.

 

5.1. Administrative Agent’s Fees . The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent such agent’s fees as are mutually agreed to from time to time by the Company and the Administrative Agent including the fees set forth in the Agent Fee Letter.

 

SECTION 6 PREPAYMENTS OF LOANS.

 

6.1. Prepayments.

 

6.1.1 Voluntary Prepayments. The Company may from time to time prepay the Loans in whole or in part; provided that the Company shall give the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly advise each Lender) notice thereof not later than 11:00 A.M., Chicago time, on the day of such prepayment (which shall be a Business Day), specifying the date and amount of prepayment. Any such partial prepayment shall be in an amount equal to a multiple of $100,000.

 

6.1.2 Mandatory Prepayments. The Company shall make a prepayment of the Term Loans until paid in full upon the occurrence of any of the following (each a “Mandatory Prepayment Event”) at the following times and in the following amounts (such applicable amounts being referred to as “Designated Proceeds”):

 

  (i) on each Payment Date, in an amount equal to 100% of Excess Distributions for the immediately preceding calendar quarter.

 

6.2. Manner of Prepayments.

 

6.2.1 All Prepayments. Each voluntary partial prepayment shall be in a principal amount of $100,000 or a higher integral multiple of $100,000. Any partial prepayment of a Group of LIBOR Loans shall be subject to the proviso to Section 2.2.3(a). Any prepayment of a LIBOR Loan on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period therefor shall include interest on the principal amount being repaid and shall be subject to Section 8.4. All prepayments of Term Loans shall, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, be applied pro rata among the Term Loans according to the principal amounts thereof and, as to

 

18


each Term Loan, in the order of maturity to the remaining installments thereof. Except as otherwise provided by this Agreement, all principal payments in respect of the Loans shall be applied first, to repay outstanding Base Rate Loans and then to repay outstanding LIBOR Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities.

 

6.3. Repayments.

 

6.3.1. Term Loans. The principal of and interest on the Term Loan of each Lender shall be paid in quarterly installments, on each Payment Date (commencing April, 2006), each in an amount equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount of the installments computed as follows:

 

At all times when aggregate outstanding principal balance of Term Loans is:


   Quarterly
Payment
Amount:


Greater than or equal to $70,000,000

   $ 2,500,000

Less than $70,000,000 but greater than or equal to $60,000,000

   $ 2,200,000

Less than $60,000,000 but greater than or equal to $50,000,000

   $ 2,000,000

Less than $50,000,000 but greater than or equal to $40,000,000

   $ 1,900,000

Less than $40,000,000 but greater than or equal to $30,000,000

   $ 1,800,000

At all times less than $30,000,000

   $ 1,600,000

 

Unless sooner paid in full, the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loans shall be paid in full on the Term Loan Maturity Date. Each of the above payments shall be first applied to interest and then to principal owing on the Term Loans.

 

19


SECTION 7 MAKING AND PRORATION OF PAYMENTS; SETOFF; TAXES.

 

7.1. Making of Payments. All payments of principal or interest on the Notes, and of all fees, shall be made by the Company to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the office specified by the Administrative Agent not later than noon, Chicago time (provided that so long as LaSalle is the sole Lender hereunder such payments may be made by 3:00 pm Chicago time), on the date due; and funds received after that hour shall be deemed to have been received by the Administrative Agent on the following Business Day. The Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to each Lender its share of all such payments received in collected funds by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender. All payments under Section 8.1 shall be made by the Company directly to the Lender entitled thereto without setoff, counterclaim or other defense.

 

7.2. Application of Certain Payments. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (a) payments matching specific scheduled payments then due shall be applied to those scheduled payments and (b) voluntary and mandatory prepayments shall be applied as set forth in Sections 6.2 and 6.3. After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts collected or received by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as proceeds from the sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied as the Administrative Agent shall determine in its discretion or, in the absence of a specific determination by the Administrative Agent, as set forth in the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement. Concurrently with each remittance to any Lender of its share of any such payment, the Administrative Agent shall advise such Lender as to the application of such payment.

 

7.3. Due Date Extension. If any payment of principal or interest with respect to any of the Loans, or of any fees, falls due on a day which is not a Business Day, then such due date shall be extended to the immediately following Business Day (unless, in the case of a LIBOR Loan, such immediately following Business Day is the first Business Day of a calendar month, in which case such due date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day) and, in the case of principal, additional interest shall accrue and be payable for the period of any such extension.

 

7.4. Setoff. The Company, for itself and each other Loan Party, agrees that the Administrative Agent and each Lender have all rights of set-off and bankers’ lien provided by applicable law, and in addition thereto, the Company, for itself and each other Loan Party, agrees that at any time any Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent and each Lender may apply to the payment of any Obligations of the Company and each other Loan Party hereunder, whether or not then due, any and all balances, credits, deposits, accounts or moneys of the Company and each other Loan Party then or thereafter with the Administrative Agent or such Lender.

 

7.5. Proration of Payments. If any Lender shall obtain any payment or other recovery (whether voluntary, involuntary, by application of offset or otherwise, on account of principal of or interest on any Loan, but excluding (i) any payment pursuant to Sections 7.6, 8.1, 8.4 or 15.6 and (ii) payments of interest on any Affected Loan) in excess of its applicable Pro Rata Share of payments and other recoveries obtained by all Lenders on account of principal of and interest on

 

 

20


the Loans (or such participation) then held by them, then such Lender shall purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Loans held by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment or other recovery ratably with each of them; provided that if all or any portion of the excess payment or other recovery is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, the purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery.

 

7.6. Taxes.

 

(a) All payments made by the Company hereunder or under any Loan Documents shall be made without setoff, counterclaim, or other defense. To the extent permitted by applicable law, all payments hereunder or under the Loan Documents (including any payment of principal, interest, or fees) to, or for the benefit, of any person shall be made by the Company free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for, or account of, any Taxes now or hereinafter imposed by any taxing authority.

 

(b) If the Company makes any payment hereunder or under any Loan Document in respect of which it is required by applicable law to deduct or withhold any Taxes, the Company shall increase the payment hereunder or under any such Loan Document such that after the reduction for the amount of Taxes withheld (and any taxes withheld or imposed with respect to the additional payments required under this Section 7.6(b)), the amount paid to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent equals the amount that was payable hereunder or under any such Loan Document without regard to this Section 7.6(b). To the extent the Company withholds any Taxes on payments hereunder or under any Loan Document, the Company shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing authority within the time allowed for payment under applicable law and shall deliver to the Administrative Agent within 30 days after it has made payment to such authority a receipt issued by such authority or other evidence evidencing the payment of all amounts so required to be deducted or withheld from such payment.

 

(c) If any Lender or the Administrative Agent is required by law to make any payments of any Taxes on or in relation to any amounts received or receivable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or any Tax is assessed against a Lender or the Administrative Agent with respect to amounts received or receivable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, the Company will indemnify such person against (i) such Tax (and any reasonable counsel fees and expenses associated with such Tax) and (ii) any taxes imposed as a result of the receipt of the payment under this Section 7.6(c). A certificate prepared in good faith as to the amount of such payment by such Lender or the Administrative Agent shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive, and binding on all parties.

 

(d) (i) To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Lender that is, and the Administrative Agent if it is, not a United States person within the meaning of Code Section 7701(a)(30) (a “Non-U.S. Participant”) shall deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Closing Date (or in the case of a Lender that is an Assignee, on the date of such assignment to such Lender, and in the case of a successor Administrative Agent, the date of its acceptance of appointment as successor Administrative Agent) two accurate and complete

 

21


original signed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI, or W-8IMY (or any successor or other applicable form prescribed by the IRS) certifying to and establishing such Lender’s entitlement to a complete exemption from, or a reduced rate in, United States withholding tax on payments to be made hereunder or any Loan Document. If a Non-U.S. Participant is claiming a complete exemption from withholding on interest pursuant to Code Sections 871(h) or 881(c), the Lender shall deliver (along with two accurate and complete original signed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or, of applicable, W-8IMY with all associated IRS Forms W-8BEN and necessary associated documentation) a certificate in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent and the Company (any such certificate, a “Withholding Certificate”). In addition, each Non-U.S. Participant agrees that from time to time after the Closing Date, (or in the case of a Lender that is an Assignee, after the date of the assignment to such Lender, and in the case of a successor Administrative Agent, the date of its acceptance of appointment as successor Administrative Agent), when a lapse in time (or change in circumstances occurs) renders the prior certificates hereunder obsolete or inaccurate, such Non-U.S. Participant shall, to the extent permitted under applicable law, deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent two new and accurate and complete original signed copies of an IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI, or W-8IMY (or any successor or other applicable forms prescribed by the IRS), and if applicable, a new Withholding Certificate, to confirm or establish the entitlement of such Lender or the Administrative Agent to an exemption from, or reduction in, United States withholding tax on payments to be made hereunder or any Loan Document.

 

(ii) Each Lender that is not, and the Administrative Agent if it is not, a Non-U.S. Participant shall on or prior to the Closing Date (or in the case of a Lender that is an Assignee, on the date of such Assignment to such Lender, and in the case of a successor Administrative Agent, the date of its acceptance of appointment as successor Administrative Agent) provide two properly completed and duly executed originally signed copies of IRS Form W-9 (or any successor or other applicable form) to the Company and the Administrative Agent certifying and establishing that such Lender is not subject to United States backup withholding tax. To the extent that a form provided pursuant to this Section 7.6(d)(ii) is rendered obsolete or inaccurate as result of a lapse in time or change in circumstances with respect to the status of a Lender or otherwise, such Lender shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent revised forms necessary to confirm or establish the entitlement to such Lender’s or Agent’s exemption from United States withholding tax.

 

(iii) The Company shall not be required to pay additional amounts to a Lender or the Administrative Agent, or indemnify any Lender or the Administrative Agent, under this Section 7.6 to the extent that such obligations would not have arisen but for the failure of such Lender to comply with Section 7.6(d).

 

(iv) Each Lender agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and hold the Administrative Agent harmless for the full amount of any and all present or future Taxes and related liabilities (including penalties, interest, additions to tax and expenses, and any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable to the Administrative Agent under this Section 7.6) which are imposed on or with respect to principal, interest or fees payable to such Lender hereunder and which are not paid by the Company pursuant to this Section 7.6, whether or not such Taxes or related liabilities were correctly or legally asserted. This indemnification shall be made within 30 days from the date the Administrative Agent makes written demand therefor.

 

22


SECTION 8 INCREASED COSTS; SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR LIBOR LOANS.

 

8.1. Increased Costs.

 

(a) If, after the date hereof, the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change in the interpretation or administration of any applicable law, rule or regulation by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency: (i) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve (including any reserve imposed by the FRB, but excluding any reserve included in the determination of the LIBOR pursuant to Section 4), special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by any Lender; or (ii) shall impose on any Lender any other condition affecting its LIBOR Loans, its Note or its obligation to make LIBOR Loans; and the result of anything described in clauses (i) and (ii) above is to increase the cost to (or to impose a cost on) such Lender (or any LIBOR Office of such Lender) of making or maintaining any LIBOR Loan, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender (or its LIBOR Office) under this Agreement or under its Note with respect thereto, then upon demand by such Lender (which demand shall be accompanied by a statement setting forth the basis for such demand and a calculation of the amount thereof in reasonable detail, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Administrative Agent), the Company shall pay directly to such Lender such additional amount as will compensate such Lender for such increased cost or such reduction (but excluding any increased cost or reduction directly attributable to Excluded Taxes or other taxes in respect of which such Lender is not otherwise entitled to receive or be indemnified or compensated for under this Agreement, or has been or will be compensated for, under Section 7.6 hereof), so long as such amounts have accrued on or after the day which is 180 days prior to the date on which such Lender first made demand therefor.

 

(b) If any Lender shall reasonably determine that, after the date hereof, the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or the compliance by any Lender or any Person controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such controlling Person’s capital as a consequence of such Lender’s obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or such controlling Person could have achieved but for such change, adoption, phase-in or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such controlling Person’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender or such controlling Person to be material, then from time to time, upon demand by such Lender (which demand shall be accompanied by a statement setting forth the

 

23


basis for such demand and a calculation of the amount thereof in reasonable detail, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Administrative Agent), the Company shall pay to such Lender such additional amount as will compensate such Lender or such controlling Person for such reduction so long as such amounts have accrued on or after the day which is 180 days prior to the date on which such Lender first made demand therefor.

 

8.2. Basis for Determining Interest Rate Inadequate or Unfair. If:

 

(a) the Administrative Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be binding and conclusive on the Company) that by reason of circumstances affecting the interbank LIBOR market adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable LIBOR; or

 

(b) the Required Lenders advise the Administrative Agent that the LIBOR as determined by the Administrative Agent will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of maintaining or funding LIBOR Loans for such Interest Period (taking into account any amount to which such Lenders may be entitled under Section 8.1) or that the making or funding of LIBOR Loans has become impracticable as a result of an event occurring after the date of this Agreement which in the opinion of such Lenders materially affects such Loans;

 

then the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the other parties thereof and, so long as such circumstances shall continue, (i) no Lender shall be under any obligation to make or convert any Base Rate Loans into LIBOR Loans and (ii) on the last day of the current Interest Period for each LIBOR Loan, such Loan shall, unless then repaid in full, automatically convert to a Base Rate Loan.

 

8.3. Changes in Law Rendering LIBOR Loans Unlawful. If any change in, or the adoption of any new, law or regulation, or any change in the interpretation of any applicable law or regulation by any governmental or other regulatory body charged with the administration thereof, should make it (or in the good faith judgment of any Lender cause a substantial question as to whether it is) unlawful for any Lender to make, maintain or fund LIBOR Loans, then such Lender shall promptly notify each of the other parties hereto and, so long as such circumstances shall continue, (a) such Lender shall have no obligation to make or convert any Base Rate Loan into a LIBOR Loan (but shall make Base Rate Loans concurrently with the making of or conversion of Base Rate Loans into LIBOR Loans by the Lenders which are not so affected, in each case in an amount equal to the amount of LIBOR Loans which would be made or converted into by such Lender at such time in the absence of such circumstances) and (b) on the last day of the current Interest Period for each LIBOR Loan of such Lender (or, in any event, on such earlier date as may be required by the relevant law, regulation or interpretation), such LIBOR Loan shall, unless then repaid in full, automatically convert to a Base Rate Loan. Each Base Rate Loan made by a Lender which, but for the circumstances described in the foregoing sentence, would be a LIBOR Loan (an “Affected Loan”) shall remain outstanding for the period corresponding to the Group of LIBOR Loans of which such Affected Loan would be a part absent such circumstances.

 

24


8.4. Funding Losses. The Company hereby agrees that upon demand by any Lender (which demand shall be accompanied by a statement setting forth the basis for the amount being claimed, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Administrative Agent), the Company will indemnify such Lender against any net loss or expense which such Lender may sustain or incur (including any net loss or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to fund or maintain any LIBOR Loan), as reasonably determined by such Lender, as a result of (a) any payment, prepayment or conversion of any LIBOR Loan of such Lender on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period for such Loan (including any conversion pursuant to Section 8.3) or (b) any failure of the Company to borrow, convert or continue any Loan on a date specified therefor in a notice of borrowing, conversion or continuation pursuant to this Agreement. For this purpose, all notices to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be irrevocable.

 

8.5. Right of Lenders to Fund through Other Offices. Each Lender may, if it so elects, fulfill its commitment as to any LIBOR Loan by causing a foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that in such event for the purposes of this Agreement such Loan shall be deemed to have been made by such Lender and the obligation of the Company to repay such Loan shall nevertheless be to such Lender and shall be deemed held by it, to the extent of such Loan, for the account of such branch or Affiliate.

 

8.6. Discretion of Lenders as to Manner of Funding. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, each Lender shall be entitled to fund and maintain its funding of all or any part of its Loans in any manner it sees fit, it being understood, however, that for the purposes of this Agreement all determinations hereunder shall be made as if such Lender had actually funded and maintained each LIBOR Loan during each Interest Period for such Loan through the purchase of deposits having a maturity corresponding to such Interest Period and bearing an interest rate equal to the LIBOR for such Interest Period.

 

8.7. Mitigation of Circumstances; Replacement of Lenders.

 

(a) Each Lender shall promptly notify the Company and the Administrative Agent of any event of which it has knowledge which will result in, and will use reasonable commercial efforts available to it (and not, in such Lender’s sole judgment, otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender) to mitigate or avoid, (i) any obligation by the Company to pay any amount pursuant to Sections 7.6 or 8.1 or (ii) the occurrence of any circumstances described in Sections 8.2 or 8.3 (and, if any Lender has given notice of any such event described in clause (i) or (ii) above and thereafter such event ceases to exist, such Lender shall promptly so notify the Company and the Administrative Agent). Without limiting the foregoing, each Lender will designate a different funding office if such designation will avoid (or reduce the cost to the Company of) any event described in clause (i) or (ii) above and such designation will not, in such Lender’s sole judgment, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.

 

(b) If the Company becomes obligated to pay additional amounts to any Lender pursuant to Sections 7.6 or 8.1, or any Lender gives notice of the occurrence of any circumstances described in Sections 8.2 or 8.3, the Company may designate another bank which

 

25


is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion (such other bank being called a “Replacement Lender”) to purchase the Loans of such Lender and such Lender’s rights hereunder, without recourse to or warranty by, or expense to, such Lender, for a purchase price equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans payable to such Lender plus any accrued but unpaid interest on such Loans and all accrued but unpaid fees owed to such Lender and any other amounts payable to such Lender under this Agreement, and to assume all the obligations of such Lender hereunder, and, upon such purchase and assumption (pursuant to an Assignment Agreement), such Lender shall no longer be a party hereto or have any rights hereunder (other than rights with respect to indemnities and similar rights applicable to such Lender prior to the date of such purchase and assumption) and shall be relieved from all obligations to the Company hereunder, and the Replacement Lender shall succeed to the rights and obligations of such Lender hereunder.

 

8.8. Conclusiveness of Statements; Survival of Provisions. Determinations and statements of any Lender pursuant to Sections 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4 shall be conclusive absent demonstrable error. Lenders may use reasonable averaging and attribution methods in determining compensation under Sections 8.1 and 8.4, and the provisions of such Sections shall survive repayment of the Obligations, cancellation of any Notes and termination of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 9 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make Loans, each of the Company and LSV represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, both before and after giving effect to the Related Transactions:

 

9.1. Organization. Each Loan Party and LSV is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; and each Loan Party and LSV is duly qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where, because of the nature of its activities or properties, such qualification is required, except for such jurisdictions where the failure to so qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

9.2. Authorization; No Conflict . Each Loan Party and LSV is duly authorized to execute and deliver each Loan Document to which it is a party, the Company is duly authorized to borrow monies hereunder and each Loan Party and LSV is duly authorized to perform its Obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party and LSV of each Loan Document to which it is a party, and the borrowings by the Company hereunder, do not and will not (a) require any consent or approval of any governmental agency or authority (other than any consent or approval which has been obtained and is in full force and effect), (b) conflict with (i) any provision of law, (ii) the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of any Loan Party and LSV or (iii) any agreement, indenture, instrument or other document, or any judgment, order or decree, which is binding upon any Loan Party or LSV or any of their respective properties or (c) require, or result in, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party or LSV (other than Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent created pursuant to the Collateral Documents).

 

 

26


9.3. Validity and Binding Nature. Each of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party or LSV is a party is the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person, enforceable against such Person in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity.

 

9.4. Financial Condition. The audited consolidated balance sheet and unaudited income statement of LSV as at December 31, 2004 and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of LSV as at October 31, 2005, copies of each of which have been delivered to each Lender, were prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject, in the case of such unaudited statements, to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end adjustments) and present fairly the financial condition of LSV as at such dates and the results of its operations for the periods then ended.

 

9.5. No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2004 there has been no material adverse change in the financial condition, operations, assets or business of LSV or the Loan Parties taken as a whole.

 

9.6. Litigation and Contingent Liabilities. No litigation (including derivative actions), arbitration proceeding or governmental investigation or proceeding is pending or, to the Company’s or LSV’s knowledge, threatened against any Loan Party or LSV which might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in Schedule 9.6. Other than any liability incident to such litigation or proceedings, no Loan Party or LSV has any material contingent liabilities not listed on Schedule 9.6 or permitted by Section 11.1.

 

9.7. Ownership of Properties; Liens. Each Loan Party and, as of the Closing Date, LSV owns good and, in the case of real property, marketable title to all of its properties and assets, real and personal, tangible and intangible, of any nature whatsoever (including patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights), free and clear of all Liens, charges and claims (including infringement claims with respect to patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights and the like) except as permitted by Section 11.2.

 

9.8. Equity Ownership; Subsidiaries. All issued and outstanding Capital Securities of each Loan Party and LSV are duly authorized and validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable, and free and clear of all Liens other than those in favor of the Administrative Agent, and such securities were issued in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws concerning the issuance of securities. Schedule 9.8 sets forth the authorized Capital Securities of each Loan Party and LSV as of the Closing Date. All of the issued and outstanding Capital Securities of the Company are owned as set forth on Schedule 9.8 as of the Closing Date, and all of the issued and outstanding Capital Securities of each Wholly-Owned Subsidiary is, directly or indirectly, owned by the Company. As of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 9.8, there are no pre-emptive or other outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion rights or other similar agreements or understandings for the purchase or acquisition of any Capital Securities of any Loan Party or LSV.

 

27


9.9. Pension Plans.

 

(a) The Unfunded Liability of all Pension Plans does not in the aggregate exceed twenty percent of the Total Plan Liability for all such Pension Plans. Each Pension Plan complies in all material respects with all applicable requirements of law and regulations. No contribution failure under Section 412 of the Code, Section 302 of ERISA or the terms of any Pension Plan has occurred with respect to any Pension Plan, sufficient to give rise to a Lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA, or otherwise to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Company or LSV, threatened, claims, actions, investigations or lawsuits against any Pension Plan, any fiduciary of any Pension Plan, or Company or LSV or other any member of the Controlled Group with respect to a Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Pension Plan which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company or LSV nor any other member of the Controlled Group has engaged in any prohibited transaction (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) in connection with any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Pension Plan which would subject that Person to any material liability. Within the past five years, neither the Company, LSV nor any other member of the Controlled Group has engaged in a transaction which resulted in a Pension Plan with an Unfunded Liability being transferred out of the Controlled Group, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Termination Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Pension Plan, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) All contributions (if any) have been made to any Multiemployer Pension Plan that are required to be made by the Company, LSV or any other member of the Controlled Group under the terms of the plan or of any collective bargaining agreement or by applicable law; neither the Company, LSV nor any other member of the Controlled Group has withdrawn or partially withdrawn from any Multiemployer Pension Plan, incurred any withdrawal liability with respect to any such plan or received notice of any claim or demand for withdrawal liability or partial withdrawal liability from any such plan, and no condition has occurred which, if continued, could result in a withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any such plan; and neither the Company, LSV nor any other member of the Controlled Group has received any notice that any Multiemployer Pension Plan is in reorganization, that increased contributions may be required to avoid a reduction in plan benefits or the imposition of any excise tax, that any such plan is or has been funded at a rate less than that required under Section 412 of the Code, that any such plan is or may be terminated, or that any such plan is or may become insolvent.

 

9.10. Investment Company Act. No Loan Party is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” or a “subsidiary” of an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

9.11. Public Utility Holding Company Act. No Loan Party is a “holding company”, or a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” or an “affiliate” of a “holding company” or of a “subsidiary company” of a “holding company,” within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

 

28


9.12. Regulation U. The Company is not engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.

 

9.13. Taxes. Each Loan Party and LSV has timely filed all tax returns and reports required by law to have been filed by it and has paid all material taxes and governmental charges due and payable with respect to such return, except any such taxes or charges which are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on its books. The Loan Parties and LSV have made adequate reserves on their books and records in accordance with GAAP for all taxes that have accrued but which are not yet due and payable. No Loan Party or LSV has participated in any transaction that relates to a year of the taxpayer (which, as of the Closing Date, is still open under the applicable statute of limitations and which is a “reportable transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2) irrespective of the date when the transaction was entered into).

 

9.14. Solvency, etc. On the Closing Date, and immediately prior to and after giving effect to the consummation of the Related Transactions and each borrowing hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof, with respect to each Loan Party and LSV, individually, (a) the fair value of its assets is greater than the amount of its liabilities (including disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as such value is established and liabilities evaluated in accordance with GAAP, (b) the present fair saleable value of its assets is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) it is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities (including disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as they mature in the normal course of business, (d) it does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature and (e) it is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital.

 

9.15. Environmental Matters. The on-going operations of each Loan Party and LSV comply in all respects with all Environmental Laws, except such non-compliance which could not (if enforced in accordance with applicable law) reasonably be expected to result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party and LSV has obtained, and maintained in good standing, all licenses, permits, authorizations, registrations and other approvals required under any Environmental Law and required for their respective ordinary course operations, and for their reasonably anticipated future operations, and each Loan Party and LSV is in compliance with all terms and conditions thereof, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to any Loan Party or LSV and could not reasonably be expected to result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect. No Loan Party or LSV or any of its properties or operations is subject to, or reasonably anticipates the issuance of, any written order from or agreement with any Federal,

 

29


state or local governmental authority, nor subject to any judicial or docketed administrative or other proceeding, respecting any Environmental Law, Environmental Claim or Hazardous Substance. There are no Hazardous Substances or other conditions or circumstances existing with respect to any property, arising from operations prior to the Closing Date, or relating to any waste disposal, of any Loan Party or LSV that would reasonably be expected to result, either individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect. No Loan Party or LSV has any underground storage tanks that are not properly registered or permitted under applicable Environmental Laws or that at any time have released, leaked, disposed of or otherwise discharged Hazardous Substances.

 

9.16. Insurance. Set forth on Schedule 9.16 is a complete and accurate summary in reasonable detail of the property and casualty insurance programs of the Loan Parties and LSV as of the Closing Date (including the names of all insurers, policy numbers, expiration dates, amounts and types of coverage, annual premiums, exclusions, deductibles, self-insured retention, and a description in reasonable detail of any self-insurance program, retrospective rating plan, fronting arrangement or other risk assumption arrangement involving any Loan Party or LSV). Each Loan Party and LSV and its properties are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Loan Parties or LSV, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where such Loan Parties and LSV operate.

 

9.17. Real Property. Set forth on Schedule 9.17 is a complete and accurate list, as of the Closing Date, of the address of all real property owned or leased by the Company, together with, in the case of leased property, the name and mailing address of the lessor of such property.

 

9.18. Information. All information heretofore or contemporaneously herewith furnished in writing by any Loan Party or LSV to the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby is, and all written information hereafter furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party or LSV to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant hereto or in connection herewith will be, true and accurate in every material respect on the date as of which such information is dated or certified, and none of such information is or will be incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such information not misleading in light of the circumstances under which made (it being recognized by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that any projections and forecasts provided by the Company are based on good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the Company to be reasonable as of the date of the applicable projections or assumptions and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections and forecasts may differ from projected or forecasted results).

 

9.19. Intellectual Property. Each Loan Party and LSV owns and possesses or has a license or other right to use all patents, patent rights, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name rights, service marks, service mark rights and copyrights as are necessary for the conduct of the businesses of the Loan Parties and LSV, without any infringement upon rights of others which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

30


9.20. Burdensome Obligations. No Loan Party or LSV is a party to any agreement or contract or subject to any restriction contained in its organizational documents which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

9.21. Labor Matters. Except as set forth on Schedule 9.21, no Loan Party or LSV is subject to any labor or collective bargaining agreement. There are no existing or threatened strikes, lockouts or other labor disputes involving any Loan Party or LSV that singly or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Hours worked by and payment made to employees of the Loan Parties or LSV are not in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable law, rule or regulation dealing with such matters.

 

9.22. No Default. No Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists or would result from the incurrence by any Loan Party of any Debt hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

 

9.23. Related Agreements, etc.

 

(a) The Company has heretofore furnished the Administrative Agent a true and correct copy of the Related Agreements and the LSV Partnership Agreement.

 

(b) Each Loan Party and LSV and, to the Company’s and LSV’s knowledge, each other party to the Related Agreements, has duly taken all necessary corporate, partnership or other organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Related Agreements and the consummation of transactions contemplated thereby.

 

(c) The Related Transactions will comply with all applicable legal requirements, and all necessary governmental, regulatory, creditor, shareholder, partner and other material consents, approvals and exemptions required to be obtained by the Loan Parties or LSV and, to the Company’s and LSV’s knowledge, each other party to the Related Agreements in connection with the Related Transactions will be, prior to consummation of the Related Transactions, duly obtained and will be in full force and effect. As of the date of the Related Agreements, all applicable waiting periods with respect to the Related Transactions will have expired without any action being taken by any competent governmental authority which materially restrains, prevents or imposes material adverse conditions upon the consummation of the Related Transactions.

 

(d) The execution and delivery of the Related Agreements did not, and the consummation of the Related Transactions will not, violate any statute or regulation of the United States (including any securities law) or of any state or other applicable jurisdiction, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or governmental body binding on any Loan Party or LSV or, to the Company’s and LSV’s knowledge, any other party to the Related Agreements, or result in a breach of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement, indenture, instrument or other document, or any judgment, order or decree, to which any Loan Party or LSV is a party or by which any Loan Party or LSV is bound or, to the Company’s and LSV’s knowledge, to which any other party to the Related Agreements is a party or by which any such party is bound.

 

31


(e) No statement or representation made in the Related Agreements by any Loan Party or LSV or, to the Company’s and LSV’s knowledge, any other Person, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

 

SECTION 10 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

 

Until the expiration or termination of the Commitments and thereafter until all Obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are paid in full, each of the Company and LSV agrees that, unless at any time the Required Lenders shall otherwise expressly consent in writing, it will:

 

10.1. Reports, Certificates and Other Information. Furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

 

10.1.1 Annual Report. Promptly when available and in any event within 120 days after the close of each Fiscal Year: (a) a copy of the annual audit report of the Company and its Subsidiaries and LSV and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, for such Fiscal Year, including therein consolidated balance sheets and statements of earnings and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries and LSV and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, as at the end of such Fiscal Year, certified without adverse reference to going concern value and without qualification by independent auditors of recognized standing selected by the Company and LSV, as appropriate, and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, together with (i) a written statement from such accountants to the effect that in making the examination necessary for the signing of such annual audit report by such accountants, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that the Company or LSV was not in compliance with any provision of Sections 11.1, 11.3, 11.4 or 11.14 of this Agreement insofar as such provision relates to accounting matters or, if something has come to their attention that caused them to believe that the Company or LSV, as appropriate, was not in compliance with any such provision, describing such non-compliance in reasonable detail and (ii) a comparison with the previous Fiscal Year; and (b) a consolidating balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries and LSV and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, as of the end of such Fiscal Year and consolidating statement of earnings and cash flows for the Company and its Subsidiaries and LSV and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, for such Fiscal Year, certified by a Senior Officer of the Company or LSV, as appropriate.

 

10.1.2 Interim Reports. Promptly when available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and LSV and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter, together with consolidated and consolidating statements of earnings and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period beginning with the first day of such Fiscal Year and ending on the last day of such Fiscal Quarter, together with a comparison with the corresponding period of the previous Fiscal Year, certified by a Senior Officer of the Company or LSV, as appropriate.

 

32


10.1.3 Compliance Certificates. Contemporaneously with the furnishing of a copy of each annual audit report pursuant to Section 10.1.1 and each set of quarterly statements pursuant to Section 10.1.2, a duly completed compliance certificate in the form of Exhibit B, with appropriate insertions, dated the date of such annual report or such quarterly statements and signed by a Senior Officer of the Company and LSV, containing a computation of each of the financial ratios and restrictions set forth in Section 11.14 and to the effect that such officer has not become aware of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing or, if there is any such event, describing it and the steps, if any, being taken to cure it.

 

10.1.4 Reports to the SEC and to Shareholders. Except to the extent duplicative of information furnished pursuant to this Section 10.1, promptly upon the filing or sending thereof, copies of all material regular, periodic or special reports of any Loan Party or LSV related to the financial condition of such Loan Party or LSV filed with the SEC; copies of all registration statements of any Loan Party or LSV filed with the SEC (other than on Form S-8); and copies of all proxy statements or other communications made to security holders generally to the extent material and related to the financial condition of such Loan Party or LSV.

 

10.1.5 Notice of Default, Litigation and ERISA Matters. Promptly upon becoming aware of any of the following, written notice describing the same and the steps being taken by the Company, LSV or the Subsidiary affected thereby with respect thereto:

 

(a) the occurrence of an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default;

 

(b) any litigation, arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding not previously disclosed by the Company or LSV to the Lenders which has been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Company or LSV, is threatened against any Loan Party or LSV or to which any of the properties of any thereof is subject which might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c) the institution of any steps by any member of the Controlled Group or any other Person to terminate any Pension Plan, or the failure of any member of the Controlled Group to make a required contribution to any Pension Plan (if such failure is sufficient to give rise to a Lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA) or to any Multiemployer Pension Plan, or the taking of any action with respect to a Pension Plan which could result in the requirement that the Company or LSV furnish a bond or other security to the PBGC or such Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Pension Plan which could result in the incurrence by any member of the Controlled Group of any material liability, fine or penalty (including any claim or demand for withdrawal liability or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Pension Plan), or any material increase in the contingent liability of the Company or LSV with respect to any post-retirement welfare benefit plan or other employee benefit plan of the Company or LSV or another member of the Controlled Group, or any notice that any Multiemployer Pension Plan is in reorganization, that increased contributions may be required to avoid a reduction in plan benefits or the imposition of an excise tax, that any

 

33


such plan is or has been funded at a rate less than that required under Section 412 of the Code, that any such plan is or may be terminated, or that any such plan is or may become insolvent;

 

(d) any cancellation or reduction in coverages in any insurance maintained by LSV or any Loan Party below those amounts listed on Schedule 9.16; or

 

(e) any other event (including (i) any violation of any Environmental Law or the assertion of any Environmental Claim or (ii) the enactment or effectiveness of any law, rule or regulation) which might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

10.1.6 Management Reports. Promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all detailed financial and management reports submitted to the Company or LSV by independent auditors in connection with each annual or interim audit made by such auditors of the books of the Company or LSV, as appropriate.

 

10.1.7 Projections. As soon as practicable, and in any event not later than 30 days prior to the commencement of each Fiscal Year, financial projections for the Company and its Subsidiaries and LSV and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year prepared in a manner consistent with the projections delivered by the Company to the Lenders prior to the Closing Date or otherwise in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Officer of the Company or LSV, as applicable, on behalf of the Company or LSV, as applicable, to the effect that (a) such projections were prepared by the Company or LSV, as applicable, in good faith, (b) the Company or LSV, as applicable, has a reasonable basis for the assumptions contained in such projections and (c) such projections have been prepared in accordance with such assumptions.

 

10.1.8 Other Information. Promptly from time to time, such other information concerning the Loan Parties or LSV as any Lender or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

10.2. Books, Records and Inspections. Keep, and cause each other Loan Party to keep, its books and records in accordance with sound business practices sufficient to allow the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP; permit, and cause each other Loan Party to permit, any Lender or the Administrative Agent or any representative thereof to inspect the properties and operations of the Loan Parties and LSV; and permit, and cause each other Loan Party to permit, at any reasonable time and with reasonable notice (or at any time without notice if an Event of Default exists), any Lender or the Administrative Agent or any representative thereof to visit any or all of its offices, to discuss its financial matters with its officers and its independent auditors (and each of the Company and LSV hereby authorizes such independent auditors to discuss such financial matters with any Lender or the Administrative Agent or any representative thereof), and to examine (and, at the expense of the Loan Parties or LSV, as appropriate, photocopy extracts from) any of its books or other records; and permit, and cause each other Loan Party to permit, the Administrative Agent and its representatives to

 

34


inspect the tangible assets of the Loan Parties and LSV, to perform appraisals of the equipment of the Loan Parties and LSV, and to inspect, audit, check and make copies of and extracts from the books, records, computer data, computer programs, journals, orders, receipts, correspondence and other data relating to Accounts and any other collateral. All such inspections or audits by the Administrative Agent shall be at the Company’s expense, provided that so long as no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists, the Company shall not be required to reimburse the Administrative Agent for inspections or audits more frequently than twice during any consecutive twelve month period.

 

10.3. Maintenance of Property; Insurance.

 

(a) Keep, and cause each other Loan Party to keep, all property useful and necessary in the business of the Loan Parties in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

 

(b) Maintain, and cause each other Loan Party to maintain, with responsible insurance companies, such insurance coverage as may be required by any law or governmental regulation or court decree or order applicable to it and such other insurance, to such extent and against such hazards and liabilities, as is customarily maintained by companies similarly situated, but which shall insure against all risks and liabilities of the type identified on Schedule 9.16 and shall have insured amounts no less than, and deductibles no higher than, those set forth on such schedule; and, upon request of the Administrative Agent, furnish to the Administrative Agent a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the nature and extent of all insurance maintained by the Loan Parties and LSV. The Company shall cause each issuer of an insurance policy to provide the Administrative Agent with an endorsement (i) showing the Administrative Agent as loss payee with respect to each policy of property or casualty insurance and naming the Administrative Agent as an additional insured with respect to each policy of liability insurance, (ii) providing that 30 days’ notice will be given to the Administrative Agent prior to any cancellation of, material reduction or change in coverage provided by or other material modification to such policy and (iii) reasonably acceptable in all other respects to the Administrative Agent. The Company shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a collateral assignment, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of each business interruption insurance policy maintained by the Company.

 

(c) UNLESS THE COMPANY PROVIDES THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT WITH EVIDENCE OF THE INSURANCE COVERAGE REQUIRED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT MAY PURCHASE INSURANCE AT THE COMPANY’S EXPENSE TO PROTECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S AND THE LENDERS’ INTERESTS IN THE COLLATERAL. THIS INSURANCE MAY, BUT NEED NOT, PROTECT ANY LOAN PARTY’S INTERESTS. THE COVERAGE THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURCHASES MAY NOT PAY ANY CLAIM THAT IS MADE AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE COLLATERAL. THE COMPANY MAY LATER CANCEL ANY INSURANCE PURCHASED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, BUT ONLY AFTER PROVIDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT WITH EVIDENCE THAT THE COMPANY HAS

 

35


OBTAINED INSURANCE AS REQUIRED BY THIS AGREEMENT. IF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURCHASES INSURANCE FOR THE COLLATERAL, THE COMPANY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS OF THAT INSURANCE, INCLUDING INTEREST AND ANY OTHER CHARGES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED WITH THE PLACEMENT OF THE INSURANCE, UNTIL THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CANCELLATION OR EXPIRATION OF THE INSURANCE. THE COSTS OF THE INSURANCE MAY BE ADDED TO THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE LOANS OWING HEREUNDER. THE COSTS OF THE INSURANCE MAY BE MORE THAN THE COST OF THE INSURANCE THE LOAN PARTIES MAY BE ABLE TO OBTAIN ON THEIR OWN.

 

10.4. Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes and Liabilities. (a) Comply, and cause each other Loan Party to comply, in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, decrees, orders, judgments, licenses and permits, except where failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) without limiting clause (a) above, ensure, and cause each other Loan Party to ensure, that no person who owns a controlling interest in or otherwise controls a Loan Party or LSV is or shall be (i) listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person List maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), Department of the Treasury, and/or any other similar lists maintained by OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statute, Executive Order or regulation or (ii) a person designated under Section 1(b), (c) or (d) of Executive Order No. 13224 (September 23, 2001), any related enabling legislation or any other similar Executive Orders, (c) without limiting clause (a) above, comply, and cause each other Loan Party to comply, with all applicable Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and anti-money laundering laws and regulations and (d) pay, and cause each other Loan Party to pay, prior to delinquency, all taxes and other governmental charges against it or any collateral, as well as claims of any kind which, if unpaid, could become a Lien on any of its property; provided that the foregoing shall not require any Loan Party or LSV to pay any such tax or charge so long as it shall contest the validity thereof in good faith by appropriate proceedings and shall set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of a claim which could become a Lien on any collateral, such contest proceedings shall stay the foreclosure of such Lien or the sale of any portion of the collateral to satisfy such claim.

 

10.5. Maintenance of Existence, etc. Maintain and preserve, and (subject to Section 11.5) cause each other Loan Party to maintain and preserve, (a) its existence and good standing in the jurisdiction of its organization and (b) its qualification to do business and good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of its business makes such qualification necessary (other than such jurisdictions in which the failure to be qualified or in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).

 

10.6. Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Loans, solely to finance the Related Transactions and pay fees, costs and expenses in connection therewith, and not use or permit any proceeds of any Loan to be used, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of “purchasing or carrying” any Margin Stock.

 

36


10.7. Employee Benefit Plans.

 

(a) Maintain, and cause each other member of the Controlled Group to maintain, each Pension Plan in substantial compliance with all applicable requirements of law and regulations.

 

(b) Make, and cause each other member of the Controlled Group to make, on a timely basis, all required contributions to any Multiemployer Pension Plan.

 

(c) Not, and not permit any other member of the Controlled Group to (i) seek a waiver of the minimum funding standards of ERISA, (ii) terminate or withdraw from any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Pension Plan or (iii) take any other action with respect to any Pension Plan that would reasonably be expected to entitle the PBGC to terminate, impose liability in respect of, or cause a trustee to be appointed to administer, any Pension Plan, unless the actions or events described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

10.8. Environmental Matters. If any release or threatened release or other disposal of Hazardous Substances shall occur or shall have occurred on any real property or any other assets of any Loan Party or LSV, the Company and LSV shall, or shall cause the applicable Loan Party to, cause the prompt containment and removal of such Hazardous Substances and the remediation of such real property or other assets as necessary to comply with all Environmental Laws and to preserve the value of such real property or other assets. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company and LSV shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party to, comply with any Federal or state judicial or administrative order requiring the performance at any real property of any Loan Party or LSV of activities in response to the release or threatened release of a Hazardous Substance. To the extent that the transportation of Hazardous Substances is permitted by this Agreement, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, dispose of such Hazardous Substances, or of any other wastes, only at licensed disposal facilities operating in compliance with Environmental Laws.

 

10.9. Further Assurances. Take, and cause each other Loan Party to take, such actions as are necessary or as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations of each Loan Party under the Loan Documents are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and each domestic Subsidiary (as well as all Capital Securities of each domestic Subsidiary and 65% of all Capital Securities of each direct foreign Subsidiary) and guaranteed by each domestic Subsidiary (including, upon the acquisition or creation thereof, any Subsidiary acquired or created after the Closing Date), in each case as the Administrative Agent may determine, including (a) the execution and delivery of guaranties, security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, financing statements and other documents, and the filing or recording of any of the foregoing and (b) the delivery of certificated securities and other Collateral with respect to which perfection is obtained by possession.

 

10.10. Deposit Accounts. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise consents in writing, in order to facilitate the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ maintenance and monitoring of their security interests in the Collateral, maintain all of their principal deposit accounts with the Administrative Agent.

 

37


10.11. Interest Rate Protection. Enter into, not later than 60 days after the Closing Date, a Hedging Agreement with a term reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent on an ISDA standard form with one or more Lenders or Affiliates thereof or with counterparties reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to hedge the interest rate with respect to not less than 50% of the principal amount of the Term Loans in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 11 NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Until the expiration or termination of the Commitments and thereafter until all Obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are paid in full, each of the Company and LSV agrees that, unless at any time the Required Lenders shall otherwise expressly consent in writing, it will:

 

11.1. Debt. Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except:

 

(a) Obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(b) Hedging Obligations approved by Administrative Agent and incurred in favor of a Lender or an Affiliate thereof for bona fide hedging purposes and not for speculation; and

 

(c) Contingent Liabilities arising with respect to customary indemnification obligations in favor of purchasers in connection with dispositions permitted under Section 11.5.

 

11.2. Liens. Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, create or permit to exist any Lien on any of its real or personal properties, assets or rights of whatsoever nature (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), except:

 

(a) Liens for taxes or other governmental charges not at the time delinquent or thereafter payable without penalty or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and, in each case, for which it maintains adequate reserves;

 

(b) Liens arising in the ordinary course of business (such as (i) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen and other similar Liens imposed by law and (ii) Liens in the form of deposits or pledges incurred in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment compensation and other types of social security (excluding Liens arising under ERISA) or in connection with surety bonds, bids, performance bonds and similar obligations) for sums not overdue or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and not involving any advances or borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of property or services and, in each case, for which it maintains adequate reserves;

 

38


(c) attachments, appeal bonds, judgments and other similar Liens, for sums not exceeding $100,000 arising in connection with court proceedings, provided the execution or other enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed and the claims secured thereby are being actively contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

 

(d) easements, rights of way, restrictions, minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar Liens not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of any Loan Party;

 

(e) Liens arising under the Loan Documents; and

 

(f) With respect to LSV only, other Liens arising after the Closing Date so long as the same do not attach to any distributions to be made by LSV to any of its partners or any other Collateral.

 

11.3. [Intentionally Omitted].

 

11.4. Restricted Payments. Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, (a) make any distribution to any holders of its Capital Securities, (b) purchase or redeem any of its Capital Securities, (c) pay any management fees or similar fees to any of its equityholders or any Affiliate thereof, (d) make any redemption, prepayment, defeasance, repurchase or any other payment in respect of any subordinated debt or (e) set aside funds for any of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) LSV may, and LSV agrees that it shall, distribute 100% of its Net Cash Flow on a quarterly basis, (ii) any Subsidiary may pay dividends or make other distributions to the Company or to a domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; (iii) the Company may make distributions to its members for each such member’s share of Incremental Taxes and (iv) the Company may redeem Capital Securities under Section 6.2 of the Company’s Limited Liability Agreement as in effect on the date hereof from the proceeds of a new issuance of the Company’s Capital Securities or otherwise contributed by the members of the Company.

 

11.5. Mergers, Consolidations, Sales. Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, (a) be a party to any merger or consolidation, or purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets or any Capital Securities of any class of, or any partnership or joint venture interest in, any other Person, (b) sell, transfer, convey or lease all or any substantial part of its assets or Capital Securities (including the sale of Capital Securities of any Subsidiary) except for sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business, or (c) sell or assign with or without recourse any receivables, except for (i) any such merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, conveyance, lease or assignment of or by any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary into the Company or into any other domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; (ii) any such purchase or other acquisition by the Company or any domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the assets or Capital Securities of any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; and (iii) sales and dispositions of assets (including the Capital Securities of Subsidiaries) for at least fair market value (as determined by the Manager of the Company) so long as the net book value of all assets sold or otherwise disposed of in any Fiscal Year does not exceed 1% of the net book value of the consolidated assets of the Loan Parties or LSV, as the case may be as of the last day of the preceding Fiscal Year.

 

39


11.6. Modification of Partnership Agreement/Conditional Payment Agreement/Organizational Documents. Not permit the LSV Partnership Agreement or Conditional Payment Agreement to be amended or modified in any way which either relates to the type, amount or timing of distributions to be made by LSV or which is materially adverse to the Lenders’ interests without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders or not permit the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of any Loan Party to be amended or modified in any way which could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the interests of the Lenders; not change, or allow any Loan Party to change, its state of formation or its organizational form.

 

11.7. Transactions with Affiliates. Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into, or cause, suffer or permit to exist any transaction, arrangement or contract with any of its other Affiliates (other than the Loan Parties) which is on terms which are less favorable than are obtainable from any Person which is not one of its Affiliates.

 

11.8. Unconditional Purchase Obligations. Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into or be a party to any contract for the purchase of materials, supplies or other property or services if such contract requires that payment be made by it regardless of whether delivery is ever made of such materials, supplies or other property or services.

 

11.9. Inconsistent Agreements. Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into any agreement containing any provision which would (a) be violated or breached by any borrowing by the Company hereunder or by the performance by any Loan Party of any of its Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (b) prohibit any Loan Party from granting to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, a Lien on any of its assets or (c) create or permit to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary or LSV to (i) pay dividends or make other distributions to the Company, or pay any Debt owed to the Company or any other Subsidiary or (ii) transfer any of its assets or properties to the Company, other than (A) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of all or a substantial part of the assets of any Subsidiary pending such sale, provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder and (B) customary provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment thereof.

 

11.10. Business Activities; Issuance of Equity. Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, engage in any line of business other than the businesses engaged in on the date hereof and businesses reasonably related thereto. Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, issue any Capital Securities other than (a) any issuance of shares of the Company’s common Capital Securities pursuant to any employee or director option program, benefit plan or compensation program or as contemplated by Section 11.4(iv) hereof, (b) any issuance by a Subsidiary to the Company or another Subsidiary in accordance with Section 11.4 and (c) any issuance of non-debt Capital Securities of LSV, so long as the Company shall continue to own at least 7.6% of LSV on a fully diluted basis provided that in any Fiscal Year, such issuances shall not result in a dilution of the Company’s percentage ownership interest in LSV by more than 8 basis points from its interest at the beginning of such Fiscal Year, the Lenders agreeing that any portion of such 8 basis point permitted dilution not used in any Fiscal Year may be carried forward and added to the permitted dilution in subsequent Fiscal Years.

 

40


11.11. Investments. Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, make or permit to exist any Investment in any other Person, except Investments by LSV in new funds established by it in the ordinary course of business consistent with industry practices and the following:

 

(a) contributions by the Company to the capital of any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, or by any Subsidiary to the capital of any other domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, so long as the recipient of any such capital contribution has guaranteed the Obligations and such guaranty is secured by a pledge of all of its Capital Securities and substantially all of its real and personal property, in each case in accordance with Section 10.9;

 

(b) Investments constituting Debt permitted by Section 11.1;

 

(c) Contingent Liabilities constituting Debt permitted by Section 11.1 or Liens permitted by Section 11.2;

 

(d) Cash Equivalent Investments;

 

(e) bank deposits in the ordinary course of business, provided that the aggregate amount of all such deposits of LSV and the Company which are maintained with any bank other than the Administrative Agent from and after 180 days from the Closing Date shall not at any time exceed $3,000,000, provided that to the extent such deposits exceed $3,000,000 as a result of account debtors not acting in accordance with payment instructions from the Company or LSV, as the case may be, the Company or LSV shall have three (3) Business Days to transfer funds from such other accounts to an account maintained with the Administrative Agent to be in compliance with the restrictions contained herein;

 

(f) Investments in securities of Account Debtors received pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such account debtors;

 

(g) Investments listed on Schedule 11.11 as of the Closing Date.

 

provided that (x) any Investment which when made complies with the requirements of the definition of the term “Cash Equivalent Investment” may continue to be held notwithstanding that such Investment if made thereafter would not comply with such requirements; (y) no Investment otherwise permitted by clause (b) or (c) shall be permitted to be made if, immediately before or after giving effect thereto, any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default exists.

 

11.12. Restriction of Amendments to Certain Documents. Not amend or otherwise modify, or waive any rights under the Related Agreements or Subordinated Debt Documents, if, in any case, such amendment, modification or waiver could be adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

 

41


11.13. Fiscal Year. Not change its Fiscal Year.

 

11.14. Financial Covenants.

 

11.14.1 Net Cash Flow. Not permit Net Cash Flow for any calendar quarter to be less than the applicable amount set forth below for such quarter:

 

At all times when aggregate outstanding principal balance of Term Loans is:


   Minimum Quarterly Net
Cash Flow Shall Be:


Greater than or equal to $70,000,000

   $ 31,250,000

Less than $70,000,000 but greater than or equal to $60,000,000

   $ 27,500,000

Less than $60,000,000 but greater than or equal to $50,000,000

   $ 25,000,000

Less than $50,000,000 but greater than or equal to $40,000,000

   $ 23,750,000

Less than $40,000,000 but greater than or equal to $30,000,000

   $ 22,500,000

At all times less than $30,000,000

   $ 20,000,000

 

11.14.2 Capital Expenditures. Not permit the aggregate amount of all Capital Expenditures (exclusive of Capital Expenditures of up to $1,000,000 for LSV’s build-out project which has been committed for and disclosed to the Administrative Agent as of the Closing Date) made by the Loan Parties or LSV to exceed $500,000 in any Fiscal Year in which LSV’s EBITDA (computed in accordance with LSV’s October, 2005 financial statements heretofore furnished to the Administrative Agent) less Capital Expenditures made by the Loan Parties and LSV in such Fiscal Year is less than $178,000,000.

 

11.15. Cancellation of Debt. Not, and not permit any other Loan Party to, cancel any claim or debt owing to it, except for reasonable consideration or in the ordinary course of business.

 

SECTION 12 EFFECTIVENESS; CONDITIONS OF LENDING, ETC.

 

The obligation of each Lender to make its Loans is subject to the following conditions precedent:

 

12.1. Initial Credit Extension. The obligation of the Lenders to make the initial Loans is, in addition to the conditions precedent specified in Section 12.2, subject to the conditions precedent that the Administrative Agent shall have received (a) evidence, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that the Company has received cash equity contributions in an amount not less than $9,200,000; (b) evidence, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that the Company has completed, or concurrently with the initial credit extension

 

42


hereunder will complete, the Related Transactions in accordance with the terms of the Related Agreements (without any amendment thereto or waiver thereunder unless consented to by the Lenders); and (c) all of the following, each duly executed and dated the Closing Date (or such earlier date as shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and the date on which all such conditions precedent have been satisfied or waived in writing by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders is called the “Closing Date”):

 

12.1.1 Notes. A Note for each Lender.

 

12.1.2 Authorization Documents. For each Loan Party, LSV and the SEI Parties, such Person’s (a) charter (or similar formation document), certified by the appropriate governmental authority; (b) good standing certificates in its state of incorporation (or formation) and in each other state requested by the Administrative Agent; (c) bylaws (or similar governing document); (d) resolutions of its board of directors (or similar governing body) approving and authorizing such Person’s execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is party and the transactions contemplated thereby; and (e) signature and incumbency certificates of its officers executing any of the Loan Documents (it being understood that the Administrative Agent and each Lender may conclusively rely on each such certificate until formally advised by a like certificate of any changes therein), all certified by its secretary or an assistant secretary (or similar officer) as being in full force and effect without modification.

 

12.1.3 Consents, etc. Certified copies of all documents evidencing any necessary corporate, limited liability company or partnership action, consents and governmental approvals (if any) required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties, LSV and the SEI Parties of the documents referred to in this Section 12.

 

12.1.4 Letter of Direction. A letter of direction containing funds flow information with respect to the proceeds of the Loans on the Closing Date.

 

12.1.5 Guaranty and Collateral Agreement. A counterpart of the Guaranty and Collateral Agreement executed by each Loan Party and the SEI Parties, together with all instruments, transfer powers and other items required to be delivered in connection therewith.

 

12.1.6 Subordination Agreements. Subordination Agreements with respect to all Subordinated Debt.

 

12.1.7 Opinions of Counsel. Opinions of counsel for each Loan Party LSV and the SEI Parties reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and all other opinions issued pursuant to the Related Transactions.

 

12.1.8 Insurance. Evidence of the existence of insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Section 10.3(b), together with evidence that the Administrative Agent has been named as a lender’s loss payee and an additional insured, as appropriate, on all related insurance policies.

 

43


12.1.9 Copies of Documents. Copies of the Related Agreements and the LSV Partnership Agreement certified by the secretary or assistant secretary (or similar officer) of the Company as being true, accurate and complete.

 

12.1.10 Payment of Fees. Evidence of payment by the Company of all accrued and unpaid fees, costs and expenses (to the extent invoiced) then due and payable on the Closing Date, together with all Attorney Costs of the Administrative Agent to the extent invoiced prior to the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of Attorney Costs as shall constitute the Administrative Agent’s reasonable estimate of Attorney Costs incurred or to be incurred by the Administrative Agent through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude final settling of accounts between the Company and the Administrative Agent).

 

12.1.11 Solvency Certificate. A solvency certificate reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent executed by a Senior Officer of the Company.

 

12.1.12 Pro Forma. A consolidated pro forma balance sheet of the Company as at the Closing Date, adjusted to give effect to the consummation of the Related Transactions and the financings contemplated hereby as if such transactions had occurred on such date, consistent in all material respects with the sources and uses of cash as previously described to the Lenders and the forecasts previously provided to the Lenders.

 

12.1.13 Search Results; Lien Terminations. Copies of Uniform Commercial Code search reports dated a date reasonably near to the Closing Date, listing all effective financing statements which name any Loan Party, LSV or the SEI Parties (under their present names and any previous names) as debtors, together with (a) copies of such financing statements and (b) such other Uniform Commercial Code termination statements as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

12.1.14 Filings, Registrations and Recordings. The Administrative Agent shall have received each document (including Uniform Commercial Code financing statements) required by the Collateral Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in form ready to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected Lien on the collateral described therein, prior to any other Liens (subject only to Liens permitted pursuant to Section 11.2), in proper form for filing, registration or recording.

 

12.1.15 Closing Certificate, Consents and Permits. A certificate executed by an officer of the Company and LSV on behalf of the Company and LSV certifying (a) the matters set forth in Section 12.2.1 as of the Closing Date and (b) the occurrence of the closing of the Related Transactions and that such closing has been consummated in accordance with the terms of the Related Agreements without waiver of any material condition thereof; together with evidence that all necessary governmental, regulatory, creditor, shareholder, partner and other material consents, approvals and exemptions required to be obtained in connection with the Related Transactions have been duly obtained and are in full force and effect.

 

44


12.1.16. Closing Fee and Other Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received the sum of $207,000 as and for a non-refundable closing fee and such other documents as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

 

12.2. Conditions. The obligation of each Lender to make the Loan is subject to the following further conditions precedent that:

 

12.2.1 Compliance with Warranties, No Default, etc. Both before and after giving effect to the borrowing, the following statements shall be true and correct:

 

(a) the representations and warranties of each Loan Party and LSV set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all respects with the same effect as if then made (except to the extent stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date); and

 

(b) no Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default shall have then occurred and be continuing.

 

12.2.2 Confirmatory Certificate. If requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, the Administrative Agent shall have received (in sufficient counterparts to provide one to each Lender) a certificate dated the date of such requested Loan and signed by a duly authorized representative of the Company as to the matters set out in Section 12.2.1 (it being understood that each request by the Company for the making of a Loan shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Company that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 12.2.1 will be satisfied at the time of the making of such Loan), together with such other documents as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request in support thereof.

 

SECTION 13 EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND THEIR EFFECT.

 

13.1. Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement:

 

13.1.1 Non-Payment of the Loans, etc. Default in the payment when due of the principal of any Loan; or default, and continuance thereof for five days, in the payment when due of any interest, fee, or other amount payable by the Company hereunder or by any Loan Party under any other Loan Document.

 

13.1.2 Non-Payment of Other Debt. Any default shall occur under the terms applicable to any Debt of any Loan Party or LSV in an aggregate amount (for all such Debt so affected and including undrawn committed or available amounts and amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) exceeding $1,000,000 and such default shall (a) consist of the failure to pay such Debt when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, or (b) accelerate the maturity of such Debt or permit the holder or holders thereof, or any trustee or agent for such holder or holders, to cause such Debt to become due and payable (or require any Loan Party or LSV to purchase or redeem such Debt or post cash collateral in respect thereof) prior to its expressed maturity.

 

45


13.1.3 Other Material Obligations. Default in the payment when due, or in the performance or observance of, any material obligation of, or condition agreed to by, any Loan Party or LSV with respect to any material purchase or lease of goods or services where such default, singly or in the aggregate with all other such defaults, might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

13.1.4 Bankruptcy, Insolvency, etc. Any Loan Party or LSV becomes insolvent or generally fails to pay, or admits in writing its inability or refusal to pay, debts as they become due; or any Loan Party or LSV applies for, consents to, or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or other custodian for such Loan Party or LSV or any property thereof, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or, in the absence of such application, consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver or other custodian is appointed for any Loan Party or LSV or for a substantial part of the property of any thereof and is not discharged within 60 days; or any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement, or other case or proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or any dissolution or liquidation proceeding, is commenced in respect of any Loan Party or LSV, and if such case or proceeding is not commenced by such Loan Party or LSV, it is consented to or acquiesced in by such Loan Party or LSV, or remains for 60 days undismissed; or any Loan Party or LSV takes any action to authorize, or in furtherance of, any of the foregoing.

 

13.1.5 Non-Compliance with Loan Documents. (a) Failure by any Loan Party or LSV to comply with or to perform any covenant set forth in Sections 10.1, 10.3(b) or 10.5 or Section 11; or (b) failure by any Loan Party or LSV to comply with or to perform any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (and not constituting an Event of Default under any other provision of this Section 13) and continuance of such failure described in this clause (b) for 30 days.

 

13.1.6 Representations; Warranties. Any representation or warranty made by any Loan Party or LSV herein or any other Loan Document is breached or is false or misleading in any material respect, or any schedule, certificate, financial statement, report, notice or other writing furnished by any Loan Party or LSV to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant hereto or thereto is false or misleading in any material respect on the date as of which the facts therein set forth are stated or certified.

 

13.1.7 Pension Plans. (a) Any Person institutes steps to terminate a Pension Plan if as a result of such termination the Company or any member of the Controlled Group could be required to make a contribution to such Pension Plan, or could incur a liability or obligation to such Pension Plan, in excess of $100,000; (b) a contribution failure occurs with respect to any Pension Plan sufficient to give rise to a Lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA; (c) the Unfunded Liability exceeds twenty percent of the Total Plan Liability, or (d) there shall occur any withdrawal or partial withdrawal from a Multiemployer Pension Plan and the withdrawal liability (without unaccrued interest) to Multiemployer Pension Plans as a result of such withdrawal (including any outstanding withdrawal liability that the Company or LSV or any member of the Controlled Group have incurred on the date of such withdrawal) exceeds $100,000.

 

46


13.1.8 Judgments . Final judgments which exceed an aggregate of $1,000,000 shall be rendered against any Loan Party or LSV and shall not have been paid, discharged or vacated or had execution thereof stayed pending appeal within 30 days after entry or filing of such judgments.

 

13.1.9 Invalidity of Collateral Documents, etc . Any Collateral Document shall cease to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or LSV (or any Person by, through or on behalf of any Loan Party or LSV) shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of any Collateral Document.

 

13.1.10 Invalidity of Subordination Provisions, etc . Any subordination provision in any document or instrument governing Subordinated Debt, or any subordination provision in any guaranty by any Subsidiary of any Subordinated Debt, shall cease to be in full force and effect, or any Loan Party or LSV or any other Person (including the holder of any applicable Subordinated Debt) shall contest in any manner the validity, binding nature or enforceability of any such provision.

 

13.1.11 Change of Control . A Change of Control shall occur.

 

13.1.11 Material Adverse Effect. The occurrence of any event having a Material Adverse Effect.

 

13.2 Effect of Event of Default. If any Event of Default described in Section 13.1.4 shall occur in respect of the Company, the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans and all other Obligations hereunder shall become immediately due and payable, all without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind; and, if any other Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Administrative Agent may (and, upon the written request of the Required Lenders shall) declare the Commitments to be terminated in whole or in part and/or declare all or any part of the Loans and all other Obligations hereunder to be due and payable, whereupon the Commitments shall immediately terminate (or be reduced, as applicable) and/or the Loans and other Obligations hereunder shall become immediately due and payable (in whole or in part, as applicable) (all or any, as applicable), all without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind. The Administrative Agent shall promptly advise the Company of any such declaration, but failure to do so shall not impair the effect of such declaration.

 

SECTION 14 THE AGENTS.

 

14.1. Appointment and Authorization. Each Lender hereby irrevocably (subject to Section 14.10) appoints, designates and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or

 

47


in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Administrative Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender or participant, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” herein and in other Loan Documents with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

 

14.2. Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel and other consultants or experts concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

14.3. Exculpation of Administrative Agent. None of the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall (a) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby (except to the extent resulting from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein as determined by a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction), or (b) be responsible in any manner to any Lender or participant for any recital, statement, representation or warranty made by any Loan Party or LSV or any Affiliate of the Company or LSV, or any officer thereof, contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien or security interest therein), or for any failure of the Company or LSV or any other party to any Loan Document to perform its Obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Company or LSV or any of the Company’s or LSV’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

 

14.4. Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, communication, signature, resolution, representation, notice, consent, certificate, electronic mail message, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message, statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Company), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent.

 

48


The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems appropriate and, if it so requests, confirmation from the Lenders of their obligation to indemnify the Administrative Agent against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Required Lenders and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon each Lender. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Section 12, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

14.5. Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from a Lender or the Company referring to this Agreement, describing such Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. The Administrative Agent will notify the Lenders of its receipt of any such notice. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default as may be requested by the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 13; provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent has received any such request, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default as it shall deem advisable or in the best interest of the Lenders.

 

14.6. Credit Decision. Each Lender acknowledges that the Administrative Agent has not made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereafter taken, including any consent and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of the Loan Parties or LSV, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to any Lender as to any matter, including whether the Administrative Agent has disclosed material information in its possession. Each Lender represents to the Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties or LSV, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Company hereunder. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other

 

49


condition and creditworthiness of the Company and LSV. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial or other condition or creditworthiness of the Company or LSV which may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent.

 

14.7. Indemnification. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, each Lender shall indemnify upon demand the Administrative Agent and its directors, officers, employees and agents (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of the Company and without limiting the obligation of the Company to do so), according to its applicable Pro Rata Share, from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities (as hereinafter defined); provided that no Lender shall be liable for any payment to any such Person of any portion of the Indemnified Liabilities to the extent determined by a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the applicable Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct. No action taken in accordance with the directions of the Required Lenders shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse the Administrative Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs and Taxes) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Company. The undertaking in this Section shall survive repayment of the Loans, cancellation of the Notes, any foreclosure under, or modification, release or discharge of, any or all of the Collateral Documents, termination of this Agreement and the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent.

 

14.8. Administrative Agent in Individual Capacity. LaSalle and its Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other business with the Loan Parties or LSV and Affiliates as though LaSalle were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without notice to or consent of any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that, pursuant to such activities, LaSalle or its Affiliates may receive information regarding the Company or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of the Company or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such information to them. With respect to their Loans (if any), LaSalle and its Affiliates shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though LaSalle were not the Administrative Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” include LaSalle and its Affiliates, to the extent applicable, in their individual capacities.

 

14.9. Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 30 days’ notice to the Lenders. If the Administrative Agent resigns

 

50


under this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall, with (so long as no Event of Default exists) the consent of the Company (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders. If no successor agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Lenders and the Company, a successor agent from among the Lenders. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor agent hereunder, such successor agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent’s appointment, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 14 and Sections 15.5 and 15.16 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date which is 30 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above.

 

14.10. Collateral Matters. The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Lien granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Collateral Document (i) upon termination of the Commitments and payment in full of all Loans and all other obligations of the Company hereunder; (ii) constituting property sold or to be sold or disposed of as part of or in connection with any disposition permitted hereunder; or (iii) subject to Section 15.1, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders. Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release, or subordinate its interest in, particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 14.10. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to give blockage notices in connection with any Subordinated Debt at the direction of Required Lenders and agrees that it will not act unilaterally to deliver such notices.

 

14.11. Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party or LSV, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Company) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 5, 15.5 and 15.17) allowed in such judicial proceedings; and

 

51


(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 5, 15.5 and 15.17.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

14.12. Other Agents; Arrangers and Managers. None of the Lenders or other Persons identified on the facing page or signature pages of this Agreement as a “syndication agent,” “documentation agent,” “co-agent,” “book manager,” “lead manager,” “arranger,” “lead arranger” or “co-arranger”, if any, shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than, in the case of such Lenders, those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders or other Persons so identified shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on any of the Lenders or other Persons so identified in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.

 

SECTION 15 GENERAL.

 

15.1. Waiver; Amendments. No delay on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in the exercise of any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by any of them of any right, power or remedy preclude other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. No amendment, modification or waiver of, or consent with respect to, any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and acknowledged by Lenders having aggregate Pro Rata Shares of not less than the aggregate Pro Rata Shares expressly designated herein with respect thereto or, in the absence of such designation as to any provision of this Agreement, by the Required Lenders, and then any such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given. No amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall (a) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such

 

52


Lender, (b) extend the date scheduled for payment of any principal (excluding mandatory prepayments) of or interest on the Loans or any fees payable hereunder without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (c) reduce the principal amount of any Loan, the rate of interest thereon or any fees payable hereunder, without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; or (d) release any party from its obligations under the Guaranty or all or any substantial part of the Collateral granted under the Collateral Documents, change the definition of Required Lenders, any provision of this Section 15.1 or reduce the aggregate Pro Rata Share required to effect an amendment, modification, waiver or consent, without, in each case, the written consent of all Lenders. No provision of Sections 6.1.2 or 6.3 with respect to the timing or application of mandatory prepayments of the Loans shall be amended, modified or waived without the consent of Lenders having a majority of the aggregate Pro Rata Shares of the Term Loans affected thereby. No provision of Section 14 or other provision of this Agreement affecting the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such shall be amended, modified or waived without the consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

15.2. Confirmations. The Company and each holder of a Note agree from time to time, upon written request received by it from the other, to confirm to the other in writing (with a copy of each such confirmation to the Administrative Agent) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans then outstanding under such Note.

 

15.3. Notices. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 2.2.2 and 2.2.3, all notices hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile transmission) and shall be sent to the applicable party at its address shown on Annex B or at such other address as such party may, by written notice received by the other parties, have designated as its address for such purpose. Notices sent by facsimile transmission shall be deemed to have been given when sent; notices sent by mail shall be deemed to have been given three Business Days after the date when sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid; and notices sent by hand delivery or overnight courier service shall be deemed to have been given when received. For purposes of Sections 2.2.2 and 2.2.3, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely on telephonic instructions from any person that the Administrative Agent in good faith believes is an authorized officer or employee of the Company, and the Company shall hold the Administrative Agent and each other Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense resulting from any such reliance.

 

15.4. Computations. Where the character or amount of any asset or liability or item of income or expense is required to be determined, or any consolidation or other accounting computation is required to be made, for the purpose of this Agreement, such determination or calculation shall, to the extent applicable and except as otherwise specified in this Agreement, be made in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied; provided that if the Company notifies the Administrative Agent that the Company wishes to amend any covenant in Sections 10 or 11.14 (or any related definition) to eliminate or to take into account the effect of any change in GAAP on the operation of such covenant (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Company that the Required Lenders wish to amend Sections 10 or 11.14 (or any related definition) for such purpose), then the Company’s compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant (or related definition) is amended in a manner satisfactory to the Company and the Required Lenders.

 

53


15.5. Costs, Expenses and Taxes. The Company agrees to pay on demand all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent (including Attorney Costs and any Taxes) in connection with the preparation, execution, syndication, delivery and administration (including perfection and protection of any Collateral and the costs of Intralinks (or other similar service), if applicable) of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and all other documents provided for herein or delivered or to be delivered hereunder or in connection herewith (including any amendment, supplement or waiver to any Loan Document), whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated, and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs and any Taxes) incurred by the Administrative Agent and each Lender after an Event of Default in connection with the collection of the Obligations or the enforcement of this Agreement the other Loan Documents or any such other documents or during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect thereof. In addition, the Company agrees to pay, and to save the Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from all liability for, any fees of the Company’s auditors in connection with any reasonable exercise by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of their rights pursuant to Section 10.2. All Obligations provided for in this Section 15.5 shall survive repayment of the Loans, cancellation of the Notes and termination of this Agreement. As of the date of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent is not aware of any Taxes payable under this Section 15.5.

 

15.6. Assignments; Participations.

 

15.6.1 Assignments.

 

(a) Any Lender may at any time after the making of the initial Loan hereunder assign to one or more Persons (any such Person, an “Assignee”) all or any portion of such Lender’s Loans, with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, and, so long as no Event of Default exists, the Company (which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and shall not be required for an assignment by a Lender to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender). Except as the Administrative Agent may otherwise agree, any such assignment shall be in a minimum aggregate amount equal to $5,000,000 or, if less, the remaining Commitment and Loans held by the assigning Lender. The Company and the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with the interests so assigned to an Assignee until the Administrative Agent shall have received and accepted an effective assignment agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (an “Assignment Agreement”) executed, delivered and fully completed by the applicable parties thereto and a processing fee of $3,500. No assignment may be made to any Person if at the time of such assignment the Company would be obligated to pay, or to the reasonable knowledge of Assignor it is substantially likely that the Company will be obligated to pay, any greater amount under Sections 7.6 or 8 to the Assignee than the Company is then obligated to pay to or for the account of the assigning Lender under such Sections (and if any assignment is made in violation of the foregoing, the Company will not be required to

 

54


pay such greater amounts). Any attempted assignment not made in accordance with this Section 15.6.1 shall be treated as the sale of a participation under Section 15.6.2. The Company shall be deemed to have granted its consent to any assignment requiring its consent hereunder unless the Company has expressly objected to such assignment within three Business Days after notice thereof.

 

(b) From and after the date on which the conditions described above have been met, (i) such Assignee shall be deemed automatically to have become a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to such Assignee pursuant to such Assignment Agreement, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder and (ii) the assigning Lender, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment Agreement, shall be released from its rights (other than its indemnification rights) and obligations hereunder. Upon the request of the Assignee (and, as applicable, the assigning Lender) pursuant to an effective Assignment Agreement, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent for delivery to the Assignee (and, as applicable, the assigning Lender) a Note in the principal amount of the Assignee’s Term Loan (and, as applicable, a Note in the principal amount of the principal amount of the Term Loan retained by the assigning Lender). Each such Note shall be dated the effective date of such assignment. Upon receipt by the assigning Lender of such Note, the assigning Lender shall return to the Company any prior Note held by it.

 

(c) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

15.6.2 Participations. Any Lender may at any time sell to one or more Persons participating interests in its Loans, Commitments or other interests hereunder (any such Person, a “Participant”). In the event of a sale by a Lender of a participating interest to a Participant, (a) such Lender’s obligations hereunder shall remain unchanged for all purposes, (b) the Company and the Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations hereunder and (c) all amounts payable by the Company shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such participation and shall be paid directly to such Lender. No Participant shall have any direct or indirect voting rights hereunder except with respect to any event described in Section 15.1 expressly requiring the unanimous vote of all Lenders or, as applicable, all affected Lenders. Each Lender agrees to incorporate the requirements of the preceding sentence into each participation agreement which such Lender enters into with any Participant. The Company agrees that if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due and payable (as a result of acceleration or otherwise), each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of set-off in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its participating

 

55


interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement; provided that such right of set-off shall be subject to the obligation of each Participant to share with the Lenders, and the Lenders agree to share with each Participant, as provided in Section 7.5. The Company also agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 7.6 or 8 as if it were a Lender (provided that on the date of the participation no Participant shall be entitled to any greater compensation pursuant to Section 7.6 or 8 than would have been paid to the participating Lender on such date if no participation had been sold and that each Participant complies with Section 7.6(d) as if it were an Assignee).

 

15.7. Register. The Administrative Agent shall maintain a copy of each Assignment Agreement delivered and accepted by it and register (the “Register”) for the recordation of names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of each Lender from time to time and whether such Lender is the original Lender or the Assignee and shall from time to time upon the Company’s request to do so, provide the Company with copies of such information in the Register as reasonably necessary for the Company to comply with its obligations under this Agreement or under any applicable requirement of law, regulation or other obligation. No assignment shall be effective unless and until the Assignment Agreement is accepted and registered in the Register. All records of transfer of a Lender’s interest in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, as to the ownership of the interests in the Loans. The Administrative Agent shall not incur any liability of any kind with respect to any Lender with respect to the maintenance of the Register.

 

15.8. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH NOTE SHALL BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

 

15.9. Confidentiality. As required by federal law and the Administrative Agent’s policies and practices, the Administrative Agent may need to obtain, verify, and record certain customer identification information and documentation in connection with opening or maintaining accounts, or establishing or continuing to provide services. The Administrative Agent and each Lender agree to use commercially reasonable efforts (equivalent to the efforts the Administrative Agent or such Lender applies to maintain the confidentiality of its own confidential information) to maintain as confidential all information provided to them by any Loan Party and designated as confidential, except that the Administrative Agent and each Lender may disclose such information (a) to Persons employed or engaged by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in evaluating, approving, structuring or administering the Loans and the Commitments; (b) to any assignee or participant or potential assignee or participant that has agreed to comply with the covenant contained in this Section 15.9 (and any such assignee or participant or potential assignee or participant may disclose such information to Persons employed or engaged by them as described in clause (a) above); (c) as required or requested by (and customarily complied with by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as appropriate) any federal or state regulatory authority or examiner, or any insurance industry association, or as reasonably believed by the Administrative Agent or such Lender to be compelled by any court

 

56


decree, subpoena or legal or administrative order or process; (d) as, on the advice of the Administrative Agent’s or such Lender’s counsel, is required by law; (e) in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy under the Loan Documents or in connection with any litigation to which the Administrative Agent or such Lender is a party; (f) to any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender; (g) to any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or any other Lender who may provide Bank Products to the Loan Parties or LSV; or (h) that ceases to be confidential through no fault of the Administrative Agent or any Lender. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions in this Agreement or any Loan Document to the contrary, any Person may disclose to any and all Persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Loan Documents and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided relating to such tax treatment and tax structure so long as such disclosure does not include the names of, or other identifying information regarding, the participants in the various transactions, or any commercial, economic or proprietary information regarding the transactions contemplated in any Loan Document, or any other information or the portion of any materials to the extent it is not relevant to the tax treatment or tax structure of the transactions, except to the extent permitted pursuant to clauses (a) through (h) above of this Section 15.9.

 

15.10. Severability. Whenever possible each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. All obligations of the Company and rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders expressed herein or in any other Loan Document shall be in addition to and not in limitation of those provided by applicable law.

 

15.11. Nature of Remedies. All Obligations of the Company and rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders expressed herein or in any other Loan Document shall be in addition to and not in limitation of those provided by applicable law. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

 

15.12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings of such Persons, verbal or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof (except as relates to the fees described in Section 5.3) and any prior arrangements made with respect to the payment by the Company of (or any indemnification for) any fees, costs or expenses payable to or incurred (or to be incurred) by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.

 

15.13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts and each such counterpart shall be

 

57


deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Agreement. Receipt of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall constitute effective delivery thereof. Electronic records of executed Loan Documents maintained by the Lenders shall deemed to be originals.

 

15.14. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and, to the extent provided herein, their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of the Company, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and, to the extent provided herein, the successors and assigns of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent. No other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. The Company may not assign or transfer any of its rights or Obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender.

 

15.15. Captions. Section captions used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.

 

15.16. Customer Identification - USA Patriot Act Notice. Each Lender and LaSalle (for itself and not on behalf of any other party) hereby notifies the Loan Parties and LSV that, pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, signed into law October 26, 2001 (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties and LSV, which information includes the name and address of the Loan Parties and LSV and other information that will allow such Lender or LaSalle, as applicable, to identify the Loan Parties and LSV in accordance with the Act.

 

15.17. INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY. IN CONSIDERATION OF THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS AND THE AGREEMENT TO EXTEND THE COMMITMENTS PROVIDED HEREUNDER, THE COMPANY HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, EXONERATE AND HOLD THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EACH LENDER AND EACH OF THE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AFFILIATES AND AGENTS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER (EACH A “LENDER PARTY”) FREE AND HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL ACTIONS, CAUSES OF ACTION, SUITS, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING ATTORNEY COSTS BUT EXCLUDING EXCLUDED TAXES (AND, FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EXCLUDING ALL TAXES TO WHICH THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR LENDERS ARE NOT OTHERWISE ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION OR COMPENSATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, OR WHICH HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE COMPENSATED FOR UNDER ANOTHER SECTION OF THIS AGREEMENT)(COLLECTIVELY, THE “INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES”), INCURRED BY THE LENDER PARTIES OR ANY OF THEM AS A RESULT OF, OR ARISING OUT OF, OR RELATING TO (A) ANY TENDER OFFER, MERGER, PURCHASE OF CAPITAL SECURITIES, PURCHASE OF ASSETS (INCLUDING THE RELATED TRANSACTIONS) OR OTHER SIMILAR TRANSACTION FINANCED OR PROPOSED TO BE FINANCED IN

 

58


WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, WITH THE PROCEEDS OF ANY OF THE LOANS, (B) THE USE, HANDLING, RELEASE, EMISSION, DISCHARGE, TRANSPORTATION, STORAGE, TREATMENT OR DISPOSAL OF ANY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE AT ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED BY ANY LOAN PARTY OR LSV, (C) ANY VIOLATION OF ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS WITH RESPECT TO CONDITIONS AT ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED BY ANY LOAN PARTY OR LSV OR THE OPERATIONS CONDUCTED THEREON, (D) THE INVESTIGATION, CLEANUP OR REMEDIATION OF OFFSITE LOCATIONS AT WHICH ANY LOAN PARTY OR LSV OR THEIR RESPECTIVE PREDECESSORS ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY DISPOSED OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES OR (E) THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT BY ANY OF THE LENDER PARTIES, EXCEPT FOR ANY SUCH INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES ARISING ON ACCOUNT OF THE APPLICABLE LENDER PARTY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT AS DETERMINED BY A FINAL, NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. IF AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FOREGOING UNDERTAKING MAY BE UNENFORCEABLE FOR ANY REASON, THE COMPANY HEREBY AGREES TO MAKE THE MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION TO THE PAYMENT AND SATISFACTION OF EACH OF THE INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES WHICH IS PERMISSIBLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. ALL OBLIGATIONS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION 15.17 SHALL SURVIVE REPAYMENT OF THE LOANS, CANCELLATION OF THE NOTES, ANY FORECLOSURE UNDER, OR ANY MODIFICATION, RELEASE OR DISCHARGE OF, ANY OR ALL OF THE COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

15.18. Nonliability of Lenders. The relationship between the Company on the one hand and the Lenders and the Administrative Agent on the other hand shall be solely that of borrower and lender. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Loan Party or LSV arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Loan Parties or LSV, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender undertakes any responsibility to any Loan Party or LSV to review or inform any Loan Party or LSV of any matter in connection with any phase of any Loan Party’s or LSV’s business or operations. The Company and LSV each agree, on behalf of itself and each other Loan Party or LSV, that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have liability to any Loan Party or LSV (whether sounding in tort, contract or otherwise) for losses suffered by any Loan Party or LSV in connection with, arising out of, or in any way related to the transactions contemplated and the relationship established by the Loan Documents, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection therewith, unless it is determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that such losses resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party from which recovery is sought. NO LENDER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE BY OTHERS OF ANY INFORMATION OR OTHER MATERIALS OBTAINED THROUGH INTRALINKS OR OTHER SIMILAR INFORMATION TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS IN

 

59


CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, NOR SHALL ANY LENDER PARTY HAVE ANY LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO, AND THE COMPANY AND LSV ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY, HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES AND AGREES NOT TO SUE FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ARISING OUT OF ITS ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE CLOSING DATE). The Company and LSV each acknowledges that it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party. No joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Loan Parties, LSV and the Lenders

 

15.19. FORUM SELECTION AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, SHALL BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED EXCLUSIVELY IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS; PROVIDED THAT NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FROM BRINGING SUIT OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. LSV AND THE COMPANY EACH HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION AS SET FORTH ABOVE. LSV AND THE COMPANY EACH FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. LSV AND THE COMPANY EACH HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

15.20. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF LSV, THE COMPANY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, ANY NOTE, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY LENDING RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE FOREGOING, AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY.

 

60


15.21. NO RECOURSE. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree and acknowledge that, notwithstanding any provision of the LSV Partnership Agreement or applicable law, the obligations of LSV under this Agreement or any other Loan Documents shall under no event, absent fraud or wilful or intentional misconduct, be liabilities of the partners of, or other Persons having ownership interests in, LSV and neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, nor any of their successors or assigns, nor any other Person, shall have recourse against any such partner or other Person having ownership interests in LSV, with respect to such obligations of LSV absent fraud or wilful or intentional misconduct.

 

[signature pages follow]

 

61


The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the date first set forth above.

 

LSV EMPLOYEE GROUP, LLC, as Borrower

By:

 

 


Name:

 

 


Title:

 

 


LSV ASSET MANAGEMENT, as a party solely for the limited purposes set forth in the Preamble hereto

By:

 

 


Name:

 

 


Title:

 

 


 

Credit Agreement Signature Page


LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent and as a initial sole Lender

By:

 

 


Name:

 

 


Title:

 

 


 

Credit Agreement Signature Page


ANNEX A

 

LENDERS AND PRO RATA SHARES

 

Lender


   Term Loan Commitment

   Pro Rata Share*/

 

LaSalle Bank National Association

   $ 82,800,000    100 %

TOTALS

   $ 82,800,000    100 %

 


ANNEX B

 

ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES

 

LSV EMPLOYEE GROUP, LLC

 

c/o LSV Asset Management1

North Wacker Drive, Suite 4000

Chicago, Illinois 60606

 

Attention: Tremaine Atkinson

Telephone: (312)  ###-###-####

Facsimile: (312)  ###-###-####

 

With a copy to:

 

SEI Investments Company

1 Freedom Valley Drive

Oaks, Pennsylvania

Attention: Jeffrey Klauder, General

CounselTelephone: (610)  ###-###-####

Facsimile: (484)  ###-###-####

 

LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent and a Lender

 

135 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Attention: Amy K. Weidner

Telephone: (312)  ###-###-####

Facsimile: (312)  ###-###-####

 

With a copy to:

 

Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LL

P7800 Sears Tower

Chicago, Illinois 60606

Attention: Kenneth G. Kolmin

Telephone: (312)  ###-###-####

Facsimile: (312)  ###-###-####