REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT NOTE $25,000,000.00 Chicago, Illinois January 8, 2010

EX-10.2 3 c55533exv10w2.htm EX-10.2 exv10w2
Exhibit 10.2
REVOLVING LINE OF CREDIT NOTE
$25,000,000.00   Chicago, Illinois
January 8, 2010
     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned SIGMATRON INTERNATIONAL, INC. (“Borrower”) promises to pay to the order of WELLS FARGO HSBC TRADE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“Bank”) at its office at 230 W. Monroe Street, 29th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606, or at such other place as the holder hereof may designate, in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, the principal sum of Twenty Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00), or so much thereof as may be advanced and be outstanding, with interest thereon, to be computed on each advance from the date of its disbursement as set forth herein. All references to Wells Fargo Bank in this Note shall mean Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
1. DEFINITIONS:
     As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth after each, and any other term defined in this Note shall have the meaning set forth at the place defined:
     (a) “Base Rate” means, for any day, a fluctuating rate equal to the highest of: (i) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (ii) a rate determined by Bank to be one and one-half percent (1.50%) above Daily One Month LIBOR in effect on such day, and (iii) the Federal Funds Rate plus one and one-half percent (1.50%).
     (b) “Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks in Illinois are authorized or required by law to close.
     (c) “Daily One Month LIBOR” means, for any day, the rate of interest equal to LIBOR then in effect for delivery for a one (1) month period.
     (d) “Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers for the immediately preceding day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; provided that if no such rate is so published on any day, then the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the rate most recently published.
     (e) “Fixed Rate Term” means a period commencing on a Business Day and continuing for 1, 2, 3, or 6 months, as designated by Borrower, during which all or a portion of the outstanding principal balance of this Note bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR; provided however, that no Fixed Rate Term may be selected for a principal amount less than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00); and provided further, that no Fixed Rate Term shall extend beyond the scheduled maturity date hereof. If any Fixed Rate Term would end on a day which is not a Business Day, then such Fixed Rate Term shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day.
     (f) “LIBOR” means the rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest whole 1/8 of 1%) and determined pursuant to the following formula:

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LIBOR =
  Base LIBOR
   
  100% - LIBOR Reserve Percentage    
          (i) “Base LIBOR” means the rate per annum for United States dollar deposits quoted by Wells Fargo Bank (A) for the purpose of calculating effective rates of interest for loans making reference to LIBOR, as the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate, with the understanding that such rate is quoted by wells Fargo Bank for the purpose of calculating effective rates of interest for loans making reference thereto, on the first day of a Fixed Rate Term for delivery of funds on said date for a period of time approximately equal to the number of days in such Fixed Rate Term and in an amount approximately equal to the principal amount to which such Fixed Rate Term applies, or (B) for the purpose of calculating effective rates of interest for loans making reference to the Daily One Month LIBOR Rate, as the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate in effect from time to time for delivery of funds for one (1) month in amounts approximately equal to the principal amount of such loans. Borrower understands and agrees that Wells Fargo Bank may base its quotation of the Inter-Bank Market Offered Rate upon such offers or other market indicators of the Inter-Bank Market as Wells Fargo Bank in its discretion deems appropriate including, but not limited to, the rate offered for U.S. dollar deposits on the London Inter-Bank Market.
          (ii) “LIBOR Reserve Percentage” means the reserve percentage prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for “Eurocurrency Liabilities” (as defined in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board, as amended), adjusted by Wells Fargo Bank for expected changes in such reserve percentage during the applicable term of this Note.
     (g) “Prime Rate” means at any time the rate of interest most recently announced within Wells Fargo Bank at its principal office as its Prime Rate, with the understanding that the Prime Rate is one of Wells Fargo Bank’s base rates and serves as the basis upon which effective rates of interest are calculated for those loans making reference thereto, and is evidenced by the recording thereof after its announcement in such internal publication or publications as Wells Fargo Bank may designate.
2. INTEREST:
     (a) Interest.
     (i) Rate. The outstanding principal balance of this Note shall bear interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed) either (i) at a fluctuating rate per annum one half percent (.50%) above the Base Rate in effect from time to time, or (ii) at a fixed rate per annum determined by Bank to be two and three quarter percent (2.75%) above LIBOR in effect on the first day of the applicable Fixed Rate Term, as selected by Borrower in accordance with paragraph (b) below. When interest is determined in relation to the Base Rate, each change in the rate of interest hereunder shall become effective on the date each Base Rate change is announced within Bank. With respect to each LIBOR selection hereunder, Bank is hereby authorized to note the date, principal amount, interest rate and Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto and any payments made thereon on Bank’s books and records (either manually or by electronic entry) and/or on any schedule attached to this Note, which notations shall be prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the information noted absent manifest error.

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     (ii) Minimum Rate. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, at no time shall LIBOR be less than .35% per annum (the “Floor Rate”), regardless of fluctuations in LIBOR that may cause LIBOR to be less than the Floor Rate.
     (b) Selection of Interest Rate Options. At any time any portion of this Note bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR, it may be continued by Borrower at the end of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto so that all or a portion thereof bears interest determined in relation to the Base Rate or to LIBOR for a new Fixed Rate Term designated by Borrower. At any time any portion of this Note bears interest determined in relation to the Base Rate, Borrower may convert all or a portion thereof so that it bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR for a Fixed Rate Term designated by Borrower. Borrower may select a LIBOR option for more than one Fixed Rate Term for portions of this Note on any Business Day provided not more than five (5) LIBOR-based loans shall be outstanding at any one time. At such time as Borrower requests an advance hereunder or wishes to select a LIBOR option for all or a portion of the outstanding principal balance hereof, and at the end of each Fixed Rate Term, Borrower shall give Bank notice specifying: (i) the interest rate option selected by Borrower; (ii) the principal amount subject thereto; and (iii) for each LIBOR selection, the length of the applicable Fixed Rate Term. Any such notice may be given by telephone (or such other electronic method as Bank may permit) so long as, with respect to each LIBOR selection, (A) if requested by Bank, Borrower provides to Bank written confirmation thereof not later than three (3) Business Days after such notice is given, and (B) such notice is given to Bank prior to 10:00 a.m. (Chicago, Illinois time) on the first day of the Fixed Rate Term, or at a later time during any Business Day if Bank, at its sole option but without obligation to do so, accepts Borrower’s notice and quotes a fixed rate to Borrower. If Borrower does not immediately accept a fixed rate when quoted by Bank, the quoted rate shall expire and any subsequent LIBOR request from Borrower shall be subject to a redetermination by Bank of the applicable fixed rate. If no specific designation of interest is made at the time any advance is requested hereunder or at the end of any Fixed Rate Term, Borrower shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate interest selection for such advance or the principal amount to which such Fixed Rate Term applied.
     (c) Taxes and Regulatory Costs. Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand, in addition to any other amounts due or to become due hereunder, but only to the extent related to LIBOR borrowings actually made hereunder, any and all (i) withholdings, interest equalization taxes, stamp taxes or other taxes (except income and franchise taxes or their equivalent) imposed by any domestic or foreign governmental authority and related in any manner to LIBOR, and (ii) future, supplemental, emergency or other changes in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage, assessment rates imposed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or similar requirements or costs imposed by any domestic or foreign governmental authority or resulting from compliance by Bank with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other governmental authority and related in any manner to LIBOR to the extent they are not included in the calculation of LIBOR. In determining which of the foregoing are attributable to any LIBOR option available to Borrower hereunder, any reasonable allocation made by Bank among its operations shall be conclusive and binding upon Borrower.
     (d) Payment of Interest. Interest accrued on this Note shall be payable on the first day of each month, commencing February 1, 2010.
     (e) Default Interest. From and after the maturity date of this Note, or such earlier date as all principal owing hereunder becomes due and payable by acceleration or otherwise, or at Bank’s option upon the occurrence, and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the

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outstanding principal balance of this Note shall bear interest at an increased rate per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed) equal to four percent (4%) above the rate of interest from time to time applicable to this Note.
3. BORROWING AND REPAYMENT:
     (a) Borrowing and Repayment. Borrower may from time to time during the term of this Note borrow, partially or wholly repay its outstanding borrowings, and reborrow, subject to all of the limitations, terms and conditions of this Note and of any document executed in connection with or governing this Note; provided however, that the total outstanding borrowings under this Note shall not at any time exceed the principal amount stated above. The unpaid principal balance of this obligation at any time shall be the total amounts advanced hereunder by the holder hereof less the amount of principal payments made hereon by or for Borrower, which balance may be endorsed hereon from time to time by the holder. The outstanding principal balance of this Note shall be due and payable in full on January 8, 2012.
     (b) Advances. Advances hereunder, to the total amount of the principal sum stated above, may be made in the amount of at least $1,000,000.00 and integral multiples of $100,000.00 by the holder at the oral or written request of any one of those persons who are authorized by Borrower to request advances and direct the disposition of any advances, as evidenced by an incumbency certificate issued to the holder by an officer of Borrower, until written notice of the revocation of such authority is received by the holder at the office designated above, or (ii) any person, with respect to advances deposited to the credit of any deposit account of Borrower, which advances, when so deposited, shall be conclusively presumed absent manifest error to have been made to or for the benefit of Borrower regardless of the fact that persons other than those authorized to request advances may have authority to draw against such account. The holder shall have no obligation to determine whether any person requesting an advance is or has been authorized by Borrower.
     (c) Application of Payments. Each payment made on this Note shall be credited first, to any interest then due and second, to the outstanding principal balance hereof. All payments credited to principal shall be applied first, to the outstanding principal balance of this Note which bears interest determined in relation to the Base Rate, if any, and second, to the outstanding principal balance of this Note which bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR, with such payments applied to the oldest Fixed Rate Term first.
4. PREPAYMENT:
     (a) Base Rate. Borrower may prepay principal on any portion of this Note which bears interest determined in relation to the Base Rate at any time, in any amount and without premium or penalty.
     (b) LIBOR. Borrower may prepay principal on any portion of this Note which bears interest determined in relation to LIBOR at any time and in the minimum amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00); provided however, that if the outstanding principal balance of such portion of this Note is less than said amount, the minimum prepayment amount shall be the entire outstanding principal balance thereof. In consideration of Bank providing this prepayment option to Borrower, or if any such portion of this Note shall become due and payable at any time prior to the last day of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto by acceleration or otherwise, Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand a fee which is the sum of the discounted monthly differences for each month from the month of prepayment

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through the month in which such Fixed Rate Term matures, calculated as follows for each such month:
  (i)   Determine the amount of interest which would have accrued each month on the amount prepaid at the interest rate applicable to such amount had it remained outstanding until the last day of the Fixed Rate Term applicable thereto.
 
  (ii)   Subtract from the amount determined in (i) above the amount of interest which would have accrued for the same month on the amount prepaid for the remaining term of such Fixed Rate Term at LIBOR in effect on the date of prepayment for new loans made for such term and in a principal amount equal to the amount prepaid.
 
  (iii)   If the result obtained in (ii) for any month is greater than zero, discount that difference by LIBOR used in (ii) above.
Borrower acknowledges that prepayment of such amount may result in Bank incurring additional costs, expenses and/or liabilities, and that it is difficult to ascertain the full extent of such costs, expenses and/or liabilities. Borrower, therefore, agrees to pay the above-described prepayment fee and agrees that said amount represents a reasonable estimate of the prepayment costs, expenses and/or liabilities of Bank. No other prepayment premium or penalty shall be due. If Borrower fails to pay any prepayment fee when due, the amount of such prepayment fee shall thereafter bear interest until paid at a rate per annum four percent (4%) above the Prime Rate in effect from time to time (computed on the basis of a 360-day year, actual days elapsed).
The Borrower shall be required to prepay amounts outstanding under the credit facilities described herein, without premium or penalty (other than any funding losses resulting from prepayment of the Line of Credit Note and the Term Loan bearing interest at LIBOR other than on the last day of the relevant interest period or other break funding costs) as follows: i) 100% of the net cash proceeds for the sale or disposition of assets outside the ordinary course or business; provided that so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, proceeds of insurance may be applied by the Borrower for the purchase of replacement property and the Borrower may retain the proceeds of the disposition of obsolete or worn out property consistent with reasonable and customary practices, (ii) 100% of the net cash proceeds of any issuance or sale by the Borrower of any indebtedness other than indebtedness permitted by Section 5.3 of the Credit Agreement; and (iii) 100% of the net cash proceeds of any issuance or sale by the Borrower of equity securities in each case applied first to the Term Loan in the inverse order of maturity and then to the Line of Credit.
5. EVENTS OF DEFAULT:
     This Note is made pursuant to and is subject to the terms and conditions of that certain Credit Agreement between Borrower and Bank dated as of January 8, 2010, as amended from time to time (the “Credit Agreement”). Any default in the payment or performance of any obligation under this Note, or any defined “Event of Default” under the Credit Agreement, shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this Note. Any capitalized term used herein not otherwise defined shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement.

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6. MISCELLANEOUS:
     (a) Remedies. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, the holder of this Note, at the holder’s option, may declare all sums of principal and interest outstanding hereunder to be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, notice of nonperformance, notice of protest, protest or notice of dishonor, all of which are expressly waived by Borrower, and the obligation, if any, of the holder to extend any further credit hereunder shall immediately cease and terminate. Borrower shall pay to the holder immediately upon demand the full amount of all payments, advances, charges, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (to include outside counsel fees and all allocated costs of the holder’s in-house counsel), expended or incurred by the holder in connection with the enforcement of the holder’s rights and/or the collection of any amounts which become due to the holder under this Note, and the prosecution or defense of any action in any way related to this Note, including without limitation, any action for declaratory relief, whether incurred at the trial or appellate level, in an arbitration proceeding or otherwise, and including any of the foregoing incurred in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding (including without limitation, any adversary proceeding, contested matter or motion brought by Bank or any other person) relating to Borrower or any other person or entity.
     (b) Obligations Joint and Several. Should more than one person or entity sign this Note as a Borrower, the obligations of each such Borrower shall be joint and several.
     (c) Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, but giving effect to federal laws applicable to national banks.
     (d) Amendment. This Note may be amended or modified only in writing signed by each party hereto. If any provision of this Note shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or any remaining provisions of this Note.
7. ARBITRATION:
     (a) Arbitration. The parties hereto agree, upon demand by any party, to submit to binding arbitration all claims, disputes and controversies between or among them (and their respective employees, officers, directors, attorneys, and other agents), whether in tort, contract or otherwise, in any way arising out of or relating to (i) any credit subject hereto, or this Note or any other contract, instrument or document relating to this Note, and their negotiation, execution, collateralization, administration, repayment, modification, extension, substitution, formation, inducement, enforcement, default or termination; or (ii) requests for additional credit.
     (b) Governing Rules. Any arbitration proceeding will (i) proceed in a location in Chicago, Illinois selected by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”); (ii) be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code), notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of the documents between the parties; and (iii) be conducted by the AAA, or such other administrator as the parties shall mutually agree upon, in accordance with the AAA’s commercial dispute resolution procedures, unless the claim or counterclaim is at least $1,000,000.00 exclusive of claimed interest, arbitration fees and costs in which case the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the AAA’s optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes (the commercial dispute resolution procedures or the optional procedures for large, complex commercial disputes to be referred to herein, as applicable, as

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the “Rules”). If there is any inconsistency between the terms hereof and the Rules, the terms and procedures set forth herein shall control. Any party who fails or refuses to submit to arbitration following a demand by any other party shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such other party in compelling arbitration of any dispute. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by any party that is a bank of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. §91 or any similar applicable state law.
     (c) No Waiver of Provisional Remedies, Self-Help and Foreclosure. The arbitration requirement does not limit the right of any party to (i) foreclose against real or personal property collateral; (ii) exercise self-help remedies relating to collateral or proceeds of collateral such as setoff or repossession; or (iii) obtain provisional or ancillary remedies such as replevin, injunctive relief, attachment or the appointment of a receiver, before during or after the pendency of any arbitration proceeding. This exclusion does not constitute a waiver of the right or obligation of any party to submit any dispute to arbitration or reference hereunder, including those arising from the exercise of the actions detailed in sections (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph.
     (d) Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers. Any arbitration proceeding in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000.00 or less will be decided by a single arbitrator selected according to the Rules, and who shall not render an award of greater than $5,000,000.00. Any dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000,000.00 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators; provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively participate in all hearings and deliberations. The arbitrator will be a neutral attorney licensed in the State of Illinois or a neutral retired judge of the state or federal judiciary of Illinois, in either case with a minimum of ten years experience in the substantive law applicable to the subject matter of the dispute to be arbitrated. The arbitrator will determine whether or not an issue is arbitratable and will give effect to the statutes of limitation in determining any claim. In any arbitration proceeding the arbitrator will decide (by documents only or with a hearing at the arbitrator’s discretion) any pre-hearing motions which are similar to motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim or motions for summary adjudication. The arbitrator shall resolve all disputes in accordance with the substantive law of Illinois and may grant any remedy or relief that a court of such state could order or grant within the scope hereof and such ancillary relief as is necessary to make effective any award. The arbitrator shall also have the power to award recovery of all costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other action as the arbitrator deems necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Illinois Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable law. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The institution and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of a provisional or ancillary remedy shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the controversy or claim to arbitration if any other party contests such action for judicial relief.
     (e) Discovery. In any arbitration proceeding, discovery will be permitted in accordance with the Rules. All discovery shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant to the dispute being arbitrated and must be completed no later than 20 days before the hearing date. Any requests for an extension of the discovery periods, or any discovery disputes, will be subject to final determination by the arbitrator upon a showing that the request for discovery is essential for the party’s presentation and that no alternative means for obtaining information is available.
     (f) Class Proceedings and Consolidations. No party hereto shall be entitled to join or consolidate disputes by or against others in any arbitration, except parties who have

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executed this Note or any contract, instrument or document relating to this Note, or to include in any arbitration any dispute as a representative or member of a class, or to act in any arbitration in the interest of the general public or in a private attorney general capacity.
     (g) Payment Of Arbitration Costs And Fees. The arbitrator shall award all costs and expenses of the arbitration proceeding.
     (h) Miscellaneous. To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the arbitrators and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any arbitration proceeding within 180 days of the filing of the dispute with the AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration proceeding may disclose the existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by a party required in the ordinary course of its business or by applicable law or regulation. If more than one agreement for arbitration by or between the parties potentially applies to a dispute, the arbitration provision most directly related to the documents between the parties or the subject matter of the dispute shall control. This Note may be amended or modified only in writing signed by each party hereto. If any provision of this Note shall be held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or any remaining provisions of this Note. This arbitration provision shall survive termination, amendment or expiration of any of the documents or any relationship between the parties.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Note as of the date first written above.
         
SIGMATRON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
 
By:   /s/ Linda K. Frauendorfer    
  Title: CFO   
     
 

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