AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITYAGREEMENT by THE WET SEAL, INC. as Lead Borrower and THE OTHERBORROWERS AND GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME and BANK OFAMERICA, N.A., as Collateral Agent Dated as of February 3, 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exhibit 10.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AGREEMENT
by
THE WET SEAL, INC.
as Lead Borrower
and
THE OTHER BORROWERS AND GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO
FROM TIME TO TIME
and
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Collateral Agent
Dated as of February 3, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
PREAMBLE | 1 | |||||
RECITALS | 1 | |||||
AGREEMENT | 3 | |||||
ARTICLE I | ||||||
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION | ||||||
SECTION 1.1. | Definitions | 3 | ||||
SECTION 1.2. | Interpretation | 5 | ||||
ARTICLE II | ||||||
GRANT OF SECURITY AND SECURED OBLIGATIONS | ||||||
SECTION 2.1. | Pledge; Grant of Security Interest | 5 | ||||
SECTION 2.2. | Secured Obligations | 6 | ||||
SECTION 2.3. | Security Interest | 6 | ||||
ARTICLE III | ||||||
PERFECTION; SUPPLEMENTS; FURTHER ASSURANCES; USE OF COLLATERAL |
| |||||
SECTION 3.1. | Financing Statements and Other Filings; Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest | 7 | ||||
SECTION 3.2. | Other Actions | 7 | ||||
SECTION 3.3. | Supplements; Further Assurances | 9 | ||||
ARTICLE IV | ||||||
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS | ||||||
SECTION 4.1. | Title | 10 | ||||
SECTION 4.2. | Limitation on Liens; Defense of Claims; Transferability of Collateral | 10 | ||||
SECTION 4.3. | Chief Executive Office; Change of Name; Jurisdiction of Organization | 10 |
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Page | ||||||
SECTION 4.4. | No Conflicts, Consents, etc. | 11 | ||||
SECTION 4.5. | Collateral | 12 | ||||
SECTION 4.6. | Insurance | 12 | ||||
SECTION 4.7. | Payment of Taxes; Compliance with Laws; Contested Liens; Claims | 12 | ||||
SECTION 4.8. | Access to Collateral, Books and Records; Other Information | 13 | ||||
ARTICLE V | ||||||
CERTAIN PROVISIONS CONCERNING ACCOUNTS | ||||||
SECTION 5.1. | Special Representations and Warranties | 13 | ||||
SECTION 5.2. | Maintenance of Records | 13 | ||||
SECTION 5.3. | Legend | 14 | ||||
SECTION 5.4. | Modification of Terms, Etc. | 14 | ||||
SECTION 5.5. | Collection | 14 | ||||
ARTICLE VI | ||||||
REMEDIES | ||||||
SECTION 6.1. | Remedies | 15 | ||||
SECTION 6.2. | Notice of Sale | 16 | ||||
SECTION 6.3. | Waiver of Notice and Claims | 17 | ||||
SECTION 6.4. | Certain Sales of Collateral | 17 | ||||
SECTION 6.5. | No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies | 18 | ||||
SECTION 6.6. | Application of Proceeds | 18 | ||||
SECTION 6.7. | Grant of License; Use of Assets | 19 | ||||
ARTICLE VII | ||||||
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||||
SECTION 7.1. | Concerning Collateral Agent | 19 | ||||
SECTION 7.2. | Collateral Agent May Perform; Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact | 20 | ||||
SECTION 7.3. | Expenses | 20 | ||||
SECTION 7.4. | Continuing Security Interest; Assignment | 21 | ||||
SECTION 7.5. | Termination; Release | 21 | ||||
SECTION 7.6. | Modification in Writing | 22 | ||||
SECTION 7.7. | Notices | 22 | ||||
SECTION 7.8. | GOVERNING LAW | 22 | ||||
SECTION 7.9. | CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 22 |
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Page | ||||||
SECTION 7.10. | Severability of Provisions | 24 | ||||
SECTION 7.11. | Execution in Counterparts; Effectiveness | 24 | ||||
SECTION 7.12. | No Release | 24 | ||||
SECTION 7.13. | Obligations Absolute | 25 | ||||
SECTION 7.14. | Amendment and Restatement | 25 |
SIGNATURES
SCHEDULE I | Filings, Registrations and Recordings | |
SCHEDULE II | Commercial Tort Claims | |
SCHEDULE III | Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper | |
SCHEDULE IV | Applicable Investment Property | |
SCHEDULE V | Chief Executive Office, Etc. |
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AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of February 3, 2011 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof, this Security Agreement) made by (i) THE WET SEAL, INC., a Delaware corporation having an office at 26972 Burbank, Foothill Ranch, California 92610, as lead borrower for itself and the other Borrowers (the Lead Borrower), (ii) THE OTHER BORROWERS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO (together with the Lead Borrower, the Original Borrowers) OR FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO BY EXECUTION OF A JOINDER AGREEMENT (the Additional Borrowers, and together with the Original Borrowers, the Borrowers), and (iii) THE GUARANTORS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO (the Original Guarantors) AND THE OTHER GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO BY EXECUTION OF A JOINDER AGREEMENT (the Additional Guarantors, and together with the Original Guarantor, the Guarantors), as pledgors, assignors and debtors (the Borrowers, together with the Guarantors, in such capacities and together with any successors in such capacities, the Grantors, and each, a Grantor), in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (successor in interest to Fleet Retail Group, Inc.), having an office at 100 Federal Street, 9th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, in its capacity as collateral agent for the Credit Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement defined below) pursuant to the Credit Agreement, as pledgee, assignee and secured party (in such capacities and together with any successors in such capacities, the Collateral Agent).
R E C I T A L S :
A. The Grantors are party to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2006 (as amended and in effect as of the date hereof, the Existing Credit Agreement) by and between, among others, the Grantors, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders party thereto.
B. The Borrowers and the Collateral Agent are party to that certain Security Agreement dated as of May 26, 2004 (as amended and in effect as of the date hereof, the Existing Borrower Security Agreement), pursuant to which, among other things, the Borrowers granted to Fleet Retail Group, Inc. (predecessor in interest to the Collateral Agent), for the benefit of the Secured Parties described therein, a security interest in substantially all of their assets as security for the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Existing Borrower Security Agreement).
C. The Guarantors and the Collateral Agent are party to that certain Security Agreement dated as of May 26, 2004 (as amended and in effect as of the date hereof, the Existing Guarantor Security Agreement, and together with the Existing Borrower Security Agreement, collectively, the Existing Security Agreements), pursuant to which, among other things, the Guarantors granted to Fleet Retail Group, Inc. (predecessor in interest to the Collateral Agent), for the benefit of the Secured Parties described therein, a security interest in substantially all of their assets as security for the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Existing Guarantor Security Agreement).
D. The Grantors, the Collateral Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders party thereto, among others, have, in connection with the execution and delivery of this Security Agreement, entered into that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Credit Agreement), pursuant to which, among other things, the Lenders have agreed to make Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement), and the L/C Issuer has agreed to issue Letters of Credit (as defined in the Credit Agreement), subject in each case to the terms and conditions thereof. The Credit Agreement amends and restates the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety.
E. The Guarantors have, pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Guarantee dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Guarantee), among other things, unconditionally guaranteed the Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee).
F. The Borrowers and the Guarantors will receive substantial benefits from the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Agreement in respect of the Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the Guaranteed Obligations and each is, therefore, willing to enter into this Security Agreement.
G. This Security Agreement is given by each Grantor in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Credit Parties to secure the payment and performance of all of the Secured Obligations (as hereinafter defined).
H. It is a condition to the obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer to enter into the Credit Agreement, amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement and make the Loans and issue Letters of Credit, as applicable, under the Credit Agreement, that each Grantor amend and restate the Existing Security Agreements in their entirety and execute and deliver the applicable Loan Documents, including this Security Agreement.
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A G R E E M E N T :
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Grantor and the Collateral Agent hereby agree that the Existing Security Agreements are amended and restated in their entirety as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 1.1 Definitions.
(a) Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement, capitalized terms used herein that are defined in the UCC shall have the meanings assigned to them in the UCC.
(b) Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein that are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
(c) The following terms shall have the following meanings:
Additional Guarantors shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereof.
Applicable Investment Property shall mean Investment Property to the extent consisting of Cash and Cash Equivalents.
Borrowers shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereof.
Claims shall mean any and all property taxes and other taxes, assessments and special assessments, levies, fees and all governmental charges imposed upon or assessed against, and all claims (including, without limitation, landlords, carriers, mechanics, workmens, repairmens, laborers, materialmens, suppliers and warehousemens Liens and other claims arising by operation of law) against, all or any portion of the Collateral.
Collateral shall have the meaning assigned to such term in SECTION 2.1 hereof.
Collateral Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereof.
Control shall mean (i) in the case of each DDA, control, as such term is defined in Section 9-104 of the UCC, and (ii) in the case of any security entitlement, control, as such term is defined in Section 8-106 of the UCC.
Control Agreements shall mean, collectively, the Blocked Account Agreements and the Securities Account Control Agreements.
Credit Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Recital D hereof.
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Excluded Property shall mean the following:
(a) any license, permit or lease held by any Grantor (i) that validly prohibits the creation by such Grantor of a security interest therein or thereon or (ii) to the extent that applicable Law prohibits the creation of a security interest therein or thereon; and
(b) any Intellectual Property;
provided, however, that in each case described in clause (a) of this definition, such property shall constitute Excluded Property only to the extent and for so long as such license, permit, lease or applicable Law validly prohibits the creation of a Lien on such property in favor of the Collateral Agent and, upon the termination of such prohibition (howsoever occurring), such property shall cease to constitute Excluded Property; provided further, that Excluded Property shall not include the right to receive any proceeds arising from any Excluded Property or any other rights referred to in Sections 9-406(f), 9-407(a) or 9-408(a) of the UCC or any Proceeds, substitutions or replacements of any Excluded Property (unless such Proceeds, substitutions or replacements would otherwise constitute Excluded Property).
Grantor shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereof.
Guarantee shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Recital E hereof.
Guarantors shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereof.
Investment Property shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.
Lead Borrower shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereof.
Letters of Credit unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the meaning given to such term in the UCC.
Secured Obligations shall mean the Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the Guaranteed Obligations; provided, however, that Other Liabilities shall be Secured Obligations solely to the extent that there is sufficient Collateral following satisfaction of the Obligations described in clause (a) of the definition of Obligations.
Securities Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the applicable regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to such Act.
Security Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such in the Preamble hereof.
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UCC or Uniform Commercial Code means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided, however, that if a term is defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code differently than in another Article thereof, the term shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9; provided further that, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, perfection, or the effect of perfection or non-perfection, of a security interest in any Collateral or the availability of any remedy hereunder is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, Uniform Commercial Code 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, as the case may be.
SECTION 1.2. Interpretation. The rules of interpretation specified in Article I of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Security Agreement.
ARTICLE II
GRANT OF SECURITY AND SECURED OBLIGATIONS
SECTION 2.1. Pledge; Grant of Security Interest. As collateral security for the payment and performance in full of the Secured Obligations, each Grantor hereby pledges and grants to the Collateral Agent for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Credit Parties, a lien on and security interest in and to all of the right, title and interest of such Grantor in, to and under the following personal property and interests in such personal property, wherever located, and whether now existing or hereafter arising or acquired from time to time (collectively, the Collateral):
(i) | all Accounts; |
(ii) | all Inventory; |
(iii) | all Applicable Investment Property; |
(iv) | all Goods relating to or arising from such Grantors Accounts and Inventory; |
(v) | all Documents, Instruments and Chattel Paper relating to or arising from such Grantors Accounts and Inventory; |
(vi) | all Letters of Credit and Letter-of-Credit Rights relating to or arising from such Grantors Accounts and Inventory; |
(vii) | all General Intangibles relating to or arising from such Grantors Accounts and Inventory; |
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(viii) | all Deposit Accounts; |
(ix) | all Supporting Obligations relating to or arising from such Grantors Accounts and Inventory; |
(x) | all Commercial Tort Claims relating to or arising from the foregoing Collateral, including, without limitation, those described on Schedule II hereof; |
(xi) | all books and records relating to or arising from the foregoing Collateral; and |
(xii) | all Proceeds and products of each of the foregoing and all accessions to, substitutions and replacements for, and rents, profits and products of, each of the foregoing, any and all proceeds of any insurance, indemnity, warranty or guaranty payable to such Grantor from time to time with respect to any of the foregoing. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in clauses (i) through (xii) above, the security interest created by this Security Agreement shall not extend to, and the term Collateral shall not include, any Excluded Property and the Grantors shall from time to time at the request of the Collateral Agent give written notice to the Collateral Agent identifying in reasonable detail the Excluded Property and shall provide to the Collateral Agent such other information regarding the Excluded Property as the Collateral Agent may request.
SECTION 2.2. Secured Obligations. This Security Agreement secures, and the Collateral is collateral security for, the payment and performance in full when due of the Secured Obligations.
SECTION 2.3. Security Interest. (a) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent at any time and from time to time to authenticate and file in any relevant jurisdiction any financing statements and amendments thereto that contain the information required by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of each applicable jurisdiction for the filing of any financing statement or amendment relating to the Collateral, including, without limitation, whether such Grantor is an organization, the type of organization and any organizational identification number issued to such Grantor. Each Grantor agrees to provide all information described in the immediately preceding sentence to the Collateral Agent promptly upon the Collateral Agents reasonable request therefor.
(b) Each Grantor hereby ratifies its prior authorization for the Collateral Agent to file in any relevant jurisdiction any financing statements or amendments thereto relating to the Collateral if filed prior to the date hereof.
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ARTICLE III
PERFECTION; SUPPLEMENTS; FURTHER ASSURANCES;
USE OF COLLATERAL
SECTION 3.1. Financing Statements and Other Filings; Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest. Each Grantor represents and warrants that the only filings, registrations and recordings necessary and appropriate to create, preserve, protect, publish notice of and perfect the security interest granted by each Grantor to the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Credit Parties) pursuant to this Security Agreement in respect of the Collateral are listed on Schedule I hereto. Each Grantor represents and warrants that all such filings, registrations and recordings have been delivered to the Collateral Agent in completed and, to the extent necessary or appropriate, duly executed form for filing in each governmental, municipal or other office specified in Schedule I. Each Grantor agrees that at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors, (i) such Grantor will maintain the security interest created by this Security Agreement in the Collateral as a perfected first priority (subject to, with respect to priority, Permitted Encumbrances having priority by operation of law) security interest and shall defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons (other than with respect to Permitted Encumbrances), (ii) such Grantor shall furnish to the Collateral Agent from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other reports in connection with the Collateral as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail and (iii) at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Collateral Agent, such Grantor shall promptly and duly execute and deliver, and file and have recorded, such further instruments and documents and take such further action as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, including the filing of any financing statements, continuation statements and other documents (including this Security Agreement) under the UCC (or other applicable Laws) in effect in any jurisdiction with respect to the security interest created hereby and the execution and delivery of Control Agreements, all in form reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and in such offices wherever required by applicable Law in each case to perfect, continue and maintain a valid, enforceable, first priority (subject to, with respect to priority, Permitted Encumbrances having priority by operation of law) security interest in the Collateral as provided herein and to preserve the other rights and interests granted to the Collateral Agent hereunder, as against the Grantors and third parties (other than with respect to Permitted Encumbrances), with respect to the Collateral.
SECTION 3.2. Other Actions. In order to further evidence the attachment, perfection and priority of, and the ability of the Collateral Agent to enforce, the Collateral Agents security interest in the Collateral, each Grantor represents, warrants and agrees, in each case at such Grantors own expense, with respect to the following Collateral that:
(a) Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper. As of the date hereof (i) no amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral is evidenced by any Instrument or Tangible Chattel Paper other than such Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper listed on Schedule III hereof and (ii) each Instrument and each item of Tangible Chattel Paper listed on Schedule III hereof, to the extent requested by the Collateral Agent, has been properly endorsed, assigned and delivered to the Collateral Agent, accompanied by instruments of transfer or assignment and letters of direction duly executed in blank. If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be evidenced by any Instrument or Tangible Chattel Paper, the Grantor acquiring such Instrument or Tangible Chattel Paper shall promptly endorse, assign and deliver the same to the Collateral Agent, accompanied by such instruments of transfer or assignment duly executed in blank as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request from time to time.
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(b) Investment Property. (i) As of the date hereof, it has no Applicable Investment Property other than that listed on Schedule IV hereof.
(ii) As between the Collateral Agent and the Grantors, the Grantors shall bear the investment risk with respect to the Investment Property, and the risk of loss of, damage to, or the destruction of the Investment Property. Each Grantor shall promptly pay all Claims and fees of whatever kind or nature with respect to the Investment Property. In the event any Grantor shall fail to make such payment contemplated in the immediately preceding sentence with respect to Applicable Investment Property, the Collateral Agent may do so for the account of such Grantor and the Grantors shall promptly reimburse and indemnify the Collateral Agent for all costs and reasonable expenses incurred by the Collateral Agent under this SECTION 3.2(b) and under SECTION 7.3 hereof.
(c) Electronic Chattel Paper and Transferable Records. As of the date hereof no amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral is evidenced by 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 Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction). If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be evidenced by any Electronic Chattel Paper or any transferable record, the Grantor acquiring such Electronic Chattel Paper or transferable record shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent thereof and shall take such action as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request to vest in the Collateral Agent control under UCC Section 9-105 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, Section 16 of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, as so in effect in such jurisdiction, of such transferable record. The Collateral Agent agrees with such Grantor that the Collateral Agent will arrange, pursuant to procedures reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and so long as such procedures will not result in the Collateral Agents loss of control, for the Grantor to make alterations to the Electronic Chattel Paper or transferable record permitted under UCC Section 9-105 or, as the case may be, Section 201 of the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act of Section 16 of the
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Uniform Electronic Transactions Act for a party in control to allow without loss of control, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after taking into account any action by such Grantor with respect to such Electronic Chattel Paper or transferable record.
(d) Letter-of-Credit Rights. If such Grantor is at any time a beneficiary under a Letter of Credit constituting Collateral now or hereafter issued in favor of such Grantor, (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any Letter of Credit issued pursuant to the Credit Agreement), such Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent thereof and such Grantor shall, at the request of the Collateral Agent, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, either (i) arrange for the issuer and any confirmer of such Letter of Credit to consent to an assignment to the Collateral Agent of, and to pay to the Collateral Agent, the proceeds of, any drawing under the Letter of Credit or (ii) arrange for the Collateral Agent to become the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, with the Collateral Agent agreeing, in each case, that the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit are to be applied as provided in the Credit Agreement.
(e) Commercial Tort Claims. As of the date hereof it holds no Commercial Tort Claims constituting Collateral other than those listed on Schedule II hereof. If any Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire such a Commercial Tort Claim, such Grantor shall immediately notify the Collateral Agent in a writing signed by such Grantor of the brief details thereof and grant to the Collateral Agent in such writing a security interest therein and in the Proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Security Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.
SECTION 3.3. Supplements; Further Assurances. Each Grantor shall take such further actions, and execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such additional assignments, agreements, supplements, powers and instruments, as the Collateral Agent may in its reasonable judgment deem necessary or appropriate, wherever required by Law, in order to perfect, preserve and protect the security interest in the Collateral as provided herein and the rights and interests granted to the Collateral Agent hereunder, to carry into effect the purposes hereof or better to assure and confirm unto the Collateral Agent or permit the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights, powers and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor shall make, execute, endorse, acknowledge, file or refile and/or deliver to the Collateral Agent from time to time upon reasonable request such lists, descriptions and designations of the Collateral, copies of warehouse receipts, receipts in the nature of warehouse receipts, bills of lading, documents of title, vouchers, invoices, schedules, confirmatory assignments, supplements, additional security agreements, conveyances, financing statements, transfer endorsements, powers of attorney, certificates, reports and other assurances or instruments. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Collateral Agent may institute and maintain, in its own name or in the name of any Grantor, such suits and proceedings as the Collateral Agent may be advised by counsel shall be necessary or expedient to prevent any impairment of the security interest in or the perfection
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thereof in the Collateral. All of the foregoing shall be at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors. The Grantors and the Collateral Agent acknowledge that this Security Agreement is intended to grant to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Credit Parties a security interest in and Lien upon the Collateral and shall not constitute or create a present assignment of any of the Collateral.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
In addition to, and without limitation of, each of the representations, warranties and covenants set forth in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, each Grantor represents, warrants and covenants as follows:
SECTION 4.1. Title. 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 (i) such as have been filed in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Security Agreement, and (ii) such as are permitted by the Credit Agreement. No Person other than the Collateral Agent has control or possession of all or any part of the Collateral, except as permitted by the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 4.2. Limitation on Liens; Defense of Claims; Transferability of Collateral. Each Grantor is as of the date hereof, and, as to Collateral acquired by it from time to time after the date hereof, such Grantor will be, the sole direct and beneficial owner of all Collateral pledged by it hereunder free from any Lien or other right, title or interest of any Person other than the Liens and security interest created by this Security Agreement and Permitted Encumbrances. Each Grantor shall, at its own cost and expense, defend title to the Collateral pledged by it hereunder and the security interest therein and Lien thereon granted to the Collateral Agent and the priority thereof against all claims and demands of all Persons, at its own cost and expense, at any time claiming any interest therein adverse to the Collateral Agent or any other Credit Party other than (i) with respect to claims or demands regarding priority of Liens, Permitted Encumbrances having priority by operation of law, and (ii) with respect to all other claims and demands, Permitted Encumbrances. There is no agreement, and no Grantor shall enter into any agreement or take any other action, that would restrict the transferability of any of the Collateral or otherwise impair or conflict with such Grantors obligations or the rights of the Collateral Agent hereunder.
SECTION 4.3 Chief Executive Office; Change of Name; Jurisdiction of Organization. (a) The exact legal name, type of organization, jurisdiction of organization, federal taxpayer identification number, organizational identification number and chief executive office of such Grantor is indicated next to its name on Schedule V hereof. Such Grantor shall furnish to the Collateral Agent prompt written notice of any change in (i) its corporate name or in
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any trade name used to identify it in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its properties; (ii) the location of its chief executive office, its principal place of business, any office in which it maintains books or records relating to Collateral owned by it or any office or facility at which Collateral owned by it is located (including the establishment of any such new office or facility); (iii) its identity or type of organization or organizational structure; (iv) its Federal Taxpayer Identification Number or organizational identification number assigned to it by its jurisdiction of organization; or (v) its jurisdiction of organization (in each case, including, without limitation, by merging with or into any other entity, reorganizing, dissolving, liquidating, reincorporating or incorporating in any other jurisdiction). Such Grantor agrees (A) not to effect or permit any such change unless all filings have been made under the UCC or otherwise that are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected first priority (subject to, with respect to priority, Permitted Encumbrances having priority by operation of law) security interest in all the Collateral and (B) to take all action reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Credit Parties in the Collateral intended to be granted hereunder. Each Grantor agrees to promptly provide the Collateral Agent with certified Organization Documents reflecting any of the changes described in the preceding sentence.
(b) The Collateral Agent may rely on opinions of counsel as to whether any or all UCC financing statements of the Grantors need to be amended as a result of any of the changes described in SECTION 4.3(a). If any Grantor fails to provide information to the Collateral Agent about such changes on a timely basis, the Collateral Agent shall not be liable or responsible to any party for any failure to maintain a perfected security interest in such Grantors property constituting Collateral, for which the Collateral Agent needed to have information relating to such changes. The Collateral Agent shall have no duty to inquire about such changes if any Grantor does not inform the Collateral Agent of such changes, the parties acknowledging and agreeing that it would not be feasible or practical for the Collateral Agent to search for information on such changes if such information is not provided by any Grantor.
SECTION 4.4 No Conflicts, Consents, etc. No consent of any party (including, without limitation, equity holders or creditors of such Grantor) and no consent, authorization, approval, license or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or regulatory body or other Person is required (A) for the grant of the security interest by such Grantor of the Collateral pledged by it pursuant to this Security Agreement or for the execution, delivery or performance hereof by such Grantor, (B) for the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the rights provided for in this Security Agreement or (C) for the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to this Security Agreement except, in each case, for such consents which have been obtained prior to the date hereof. Following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, if the Collateral Agent desires to exercise any remedies, consensual rights or attorney-in-fact powers set forth in this Security Agreement and determines it necessary to obtain any approvals or consents of any Governmental Authority or any other Person therefor, then, upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, such Grantor agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to assist and aid the Collateral Agent to obtain as soon as commercially practicable any necessary approvals or consents for the exercise of any such remedies, rights and powers.
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SECTION 4.5 Collateral. All information set forth herein, including the schedules annexed hereto, and all information contained in any documents, schedules and lists heretofore delivered to any Credit Party in connection with this Security Agreement, in each case, relating to the Collateral, is accurate and complete in all material respects. The Collateral described on the schedules annexed hereto constitutes all of the property of such type of Collateral owned or held by the Grantors.
SECTION 4.6 Insurance. Such Grantor shall (i) maintain or shall cause to be maintained such insurance as is required pursuant to Section 6.06 of the Credit Agreement; and (ii) furnish to the Collateral Agent, upon written request, full information as to the insurance carried. Each Grantor hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent (and all officers, employees or agents designated by the Collateral Agent) as such Grantors true and lawful agent (and attorney-in-fact), exercisable only after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, for the purpose of making, settling and adjusting claims in respect of the Collateral under policies of insurance, endorsing the name of such Grantor on any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment for the proceeds of such policies of insurance and for making all determinations and decisions with respect thereto. In the event that any Grantor at any time or times shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies of insurance required hereby or to pay any premium in whole or in part relating thereto, the Collateral Agent may, without waiving or releasing any obligation or liability of the Grantors hereunder or any Default or Event of Default, in its sole discretion, obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premium and take any other actions with respect thereto as the Collateral Agent deems advisable. All sums disbursed by the Collateral Agent in connection with this SECTION 4.6, including reasonable attorneys fees, court costs, reasonable and documented expenses and other charges relating thereto, shall be payable, upon demand, by the Grantors to the Collateral Agent and shall be additional Secured Obligations secured hereby.
SECTION 4.7 Payment of Taxes; Compliance with Laws; Contested Liens; Claims. Each Grantor represents and warrants that all Claims imposed upon or assessed against the Collateral have been paid and discharged except to the extent such Claims (i) constitute a Lien not yet due and payable, (ii) constitute a Permitted Encumbrance, or (iii) (A) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside and maintained by such Grantor in accordance with GAAP and such contest effectively suspends collection of the contested obligation and enforcement of any Lien securing such obligation, (B) no Lien has been filed with respect thereto, or (C) the failure to may payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Grantor shall comply with all applicable Law relating to the Collateral the failure to comply with which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Grantor may at its own expense contest the validity, amount or applicability of any Claims so long as the contest thereof shall be conducted in accordance with, and permitted pursuant to the provisions of, the Credit Agreement. Notwithstanding the
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foregoing provisions of this SECTION 4.7, no contest of any such obligation may be pursued by such Grantor if such contest would expose the Collateral Agent or any other Credit Party to (i) any possible criminal liability or (ii) any additional civil liability for failure to comply with such obligations unless such Grantor shall have furnished a bond or other security therefor satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, or such other Credit Party, as the case may be.
SECTION 4.8 Access to Collateral, Books and Records; Other Information. Without limitation or duplication of the provisions of Section 6.09 of the Credit Agreement, upon reasonable prior request to each Grantor, the Collateral Agent, its agents, accountants and attorneys shall have full and free access to visit and inspect, as applicable, during normal business hours, all of the Collateral including, without limitation, all of the books, correspondence and records of such Grantor relating thereto, provided that the Collateral Agent shall use reasonable efforts to minimize any disruption to the business of such Grantor. The Collateral Agent and its representatives may examine the same, take extracts therefrom and make photocopies thereof, and such Grantor agrees to render to the Collateral Agent, at such Grantors cost and expense, such clerical and other assistance as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent with regard thereto. Such Grantor shall, at any and all times, within a reasonable time after written request by the Collateral Agent, furnish or cause to be furnished to the Collateral Agent, in such manner and in such detail as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, additional information with respect to the Collateral.
ARTICLE V
CERTAIN PROVISIONS CONCERNING ACCOUNTS
SECTION 5.1. Special Representations and Warranties. As of the time when each of its Accounts is included in the Borrowing Base as an Eligible Credit Card Receivable each Grantor shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such Account and all records, papers and documents relating thereto (i) are genuine and correct and in all material respects what they purport to be, (ii) represent the legal, valid and binding obligation of the account debtor, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws relating to or limiting creditors rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability, evidencing indebtedness unpaid and owed by such account debtor, arising out of the performance of labor or services or the sale, lease, license, assignment or other disposition and delivery of the goods or other property listed therein or out of an advance or a loan, and (iii) are in all material respects in compliance and conform with all applicable material federal, state and local Laws and applicable Laws of any relevant foreign jurisdiction.
SECTION 5.2. Maintenance of Records. Each Grantor shall keep and maintain at its own cost and expense materially complete records of each Account, in a manner consistent with prudent business practice, including, without limitation, records of all payments received,
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all credits granted thereon, all merchandise returned and all other documentation relating thereto. Each Grantor shall, at such Grantors sole cost and expense, upon the Collateral Agents demand made at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, deliver all tangible evidence of Accounts, including, without limitation, all documents evidencing Accounts and any books and records relating thereto to the Collateral Agent or to its representatives (copies of which evidence and books and records may be retained by such Grantor). Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may transfer a full and complete copy of any Grantors books, records, credit information, reports, memoranda and all other writings relating to the Accounts to and for the use by any Person that has acquired or is contemplating acquisition of an interest in the Accounts or the Collateral Agents security interest therein in accordance with applicable Law without the consent of any Grantor.
SECTION 5.3. Legend. Each Grantor shall legend, at the request of the Collateral Agent made at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default and in form and manner reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, the Accounts and the other books, records and documents of such Grantor evidencing or pertaining to the Accounts with an appropriate reference to the fact that the Accounts have been collaterally assigned to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Credit Parties and that the Collateral Agent has a security interest therein.
SECTION 5.4. Modification of Terms, Etc. No Grantor shall rescind or cancel any indebtedness evidenced by any Account or modify any term thereof or make any adjustment with respect thereto except in the ordinary course of business consistent with prudent business practice, or extend or renew any such indebtedness except in the ordinary course of business consistent with prudent business practice or compromise or settle any dispute, claim, suit or legal proceeding relating thereto or sell any Account or interest therein except in the ordinary course of business consistent with prudent business practice or in accordance with the Credit Agreement without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.
SECTION 5.5. Collection. Each Grantor shall cause to be collected from the account debtor of each of the Accounts, as and when due in the ordinary course of business consistent with prudent business practice (including, without limitation, Accounts that are delinquent, such Accounts to be collected in accordance with generally accepted commercial collection procedures), any and all amounts owing under or on account of such Account, and apply forthwith upon receipt thereof all such amounts as are so collected to the outstanding balance of such Account. The costs and reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees) of collection, in any case, whether incurred by any Grantor, the Collateral Agent or any other Credit Party, shall be paid by the Grantors.
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ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES
SECTION 6.1 Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default the Collateral Agent may, and at the direction of the Required Lenders, shall, from time to time in respect of the Collateral, in addition to the other rights and remedies provided for herein, under applicable Law or otherwise available to it:
(i) Personally, or by agents or attorneys, immediately take possession of the Collateral or any part thereof, from any Grantor or any other Person who then has possession of any part thereof with or without notice or process of law, and for that purpose may enter upon any Grantors premises where any of the Collateral is located, remove such Collateral, remain present at such premises to receive copies of all communications and remittances relating to the Collateral and use in connection with such removal and possession any and all services, supplies, aids and other facilities of any Grantor;
(ii) Demand, sue for, collect or receive any money or property at any time payable or receivable in respect of the Collateral including, without limitation, instructing the obligor or obligors on any agreement, instrument or other obligation constituting part of the Collateral to make any payment required by the terms of such agreement, instrument or other obligation directly to the Collateral Agent, and in connection with any of the foregoing, compromise, settle, extend the time for payment and make other modifications with respect thereto; provided, however, that in the event that any such payments are made directly to any Grantor, prior to receipt by any such obligor of such instruction, such Grantor shall segregate all amounts received pursuant thereto in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and shall promptly pay such amounts to the Collateral Agent;
(iii) Sell, assign, grant a license to use or otherwise liquidate, or direct any Grantor to sell, assign, grant a license to use or otherwise liquidate, any and all investments made in whole or in part with the Collateral or any part thereof, and take possession of the proceeds of any such sale, assignment, license or liquidation;
(iv) Take possession of the Collateral or any part thereof, by directing any Grantor in writing to deliver the same to the Collateral Agent at any place or places so designated by the Collateral Agent, in which event such Grantor shall at its own expense: (A) forthwith cause the same to be moved to the place or places designated by the Collateral Agent and therewith delivered to the Collateral Agent, (B) store and keep any Collateral so delivered to the Collateral Agent at such place or places pending further action by the Collateral Agent and (C) while the Collateral shall be so stored and kept, provide such security and maintenance services as shall be necessary to protect the same and to preserve and maintain them in good condition. Each Grantors obligation to deliver the Collateral as contemplated in this SECTION 6.1 is of the essence hereof. Upon application to a court of equity having jurisdiction, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to a decree requiring specific performance by any Grantor of such obligation;
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(v) Withdraw all moneys, instruments, securities and other property in any bank, financial securities, deposit or other account of any Grantor constituting Collateral for application to the Secured Obligations as provided in Article VI hereof;
(vi) Exercise any and all rights as beneficial and legal owner of the Collateral, including, without limitation, perfecting assignment of and exercising any and all consensual and other rights and powers with respect to any Collateral; and
(vii) Exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC, and the Collateral Agent may also in its sole discretion, without notice except as specified in SECTION 6.2 hereof, sell, assign or grant a license to use the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any exchange, brokers board or at any of the Collateral Agents offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, and at such price or prices and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem commercially reasonable. The Collateral Agent or any other Credit Party or any of their respective Affiliates may be the purchaser, licensee, assignee or recipient of any or all of the Collateral at any such sale and shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold, assigned or licensed at such sale, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations owed to such Person as a credit on account of the purchase price of any Collateral payable by such Person at such sale. Each purchaser, assignee, licensee or recipient at any such sale shall acquire the property sold, assigned or licensed absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, all rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, each Grantor hereby waives any claims against the Collateral Agent arising by reason of the fact that the price at which any Collateral may have been sold, assigned or licensed at such a private sale was less than the price which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if the Collateral Agent accepts the first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to more than one offeree. In connection with any sale or other disposition of Inventory and Goods, the Collateral Agent and any agent or contractor conducting any such sale, may augment the Inventory with other goods (all of which other goods shall remain the sole property of the Collateral Agent or such agent or contractor). Any amounts realized from the sale of such goods which constitute augmentations to the Inventory (net of an allocable share of the costs and expenses incurred in their disposition) shall be the sole property of the Collateral Agent or such agent or contractor and neither any Grantor nor any Person claiming under or in right of any Grantor shall have any interest therein.
SECTION 6.2. Notice of Sale. Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that, to the extent notice of sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by applicable Law and unless the Collateral is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value, or is of a type
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customarily sold on a recognized market (in which event the Collateral Agent shall provide such Grantor such advance notice as may be practicable under the circumstances), ten (10) days prior notice to such Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or of the time after which any private sale or other intended disposition is to take place shall be commercially reasonable notification of such matters. No notification need be given to any Grantor if it has signed, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, a statement renouncing or modifying (as permitted under Law) any right to notification of sale or other intended disposition.
SECTION 6.3. Waiver of Notice and Claims. Each Grantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, notice or judicial hearing in connection with the Collateral Agents taking possession or the Collateral Agents disposition of any of the Collateral, including, without limitation, any and all prior notice and hearing for any prejudgment remedy or remedies and any such right which such Grantor would otherwise have under law, and each Grantor hereby further waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law: (i) all damages occasioned by such taking of possession, (ii) all other requirements as to the time, place and terms of sale or other requirements with respect to the enforcement of the Collateral Agents rights hereunder and (iii) all rights of redemption, appraisal, valuation, stay, extension or moratorium now or hereafter in force under any applicable Law. The Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any incorrect or improper payment made pursuant to this Article VIII in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Any sale of, or the grant of options to purchase, or any other realization upon, any Collateral shall operate to divest all right, title, interest, claim and demand, either at law or in equity, of the applicable Grantor therein and thereto, and shall be a perpetual bar both at law and in equity against such Grantor and against any and all Persons claiming or attempting to claim the Collateral so sold, optioned or realized upon, or any part thereof, from, through or under such Grantor.
SECTION 6.4. Certain Sales of Collateral.
(i) Each Grantor recognizes that, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in law, rules, regulations or orders of any Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, the Securities Act, and applicable state securities Laws), the Collateral Agent may be compelled, with respect to any sale of all or any part of the Collateral (including, without limitation, Applicable Investment Property), to limit purchasers to those who meet the requirements of such Governmental Authority (which requirements may include, with respect to Applicable Investment Property, that such purchasers shall agree, among other things, to acquire such Applicable Investment Property for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof). Each Grantor acknowledges that any such sales may be at prices and on terms less favorable to the Collateral Agent than those obtainable through a public sale without such restrictions (including, without limitation, a public offering made pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act), and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such restricted sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner and that, except as may be required by applicable Law, the Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to engage in public sales and no obligation to delay the sale of any Applicable Investment Property for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer thereof to register it for a form of public sale requiring registration under the Securities Act or under applicable state securities Laws, even if such issuer would agree to do so.
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(ii) If the Collateral Agent determines to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Applicable Investment Property, upon written request, the applicable Grantor shall from time to time furnish to the Collateral Agent all such information as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request in order to determine the number of securities included in the Applicable Investment Property which may be sold by the Collateral Agent as exempt transactions under the Securities Act and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, as the same are from time to time in effect.
(iii) Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this SECTION 6.4 will cause irreparable injury to the Collateral Agent and the other Credit Parties, that the Collateral Agent and the other Credit Parties have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this SECTION 6.4 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 and is continuing.
SECTION 6.5. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.
(i) No failure on the part of the Collateral Agent to exercise, no course of dealing with respect to, and no delay on the part of the Collateral Agent in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy; nor shall the Collateral Agent be required to look first to, enforce or exhaust any other security, collateral or guaranties. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
(ii) In the event that the Collateral Agent shall have instituted any proceeding to enforce any right, power or remedy under this Security Agreement by foreclosure, sale, entry or otherwise, and such proceeding shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Collateral Agent, then and in every such case, the Grantors, the Collateral Agent and each other Credit Party shall be restored to their respective former positions and rights hereunder with respect to the Collateral, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Collateral Agent and the other Credit Parties shall continue as if no such proceeding had been instituted.
SECTION 6.6. Application of Proceeds. The proceeds received by the Collateral Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral pursuant to the exercise by the Collateral Agent of its remedies shall be applied, together with any other sums then held by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Security Agreement, in accordance with and as set forth in Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement.
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SECTION 6.7 Grant of License; Use of Assets. For the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent, during the continuance of an Event of Default, to exercise rights and remedies under this Article VI at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, and for no other purpose, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, to the extent assignable, an irrevocable, non-exclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty, rent or other compensation to such Grantor) to use, assign, license or sublicense any assets of such Grantor (including, without limitation, all Fixtures, Equipment and Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor) and to occupy any Real Property owned or leased by such Grantor, wherever the same may be located and whether or not constituting Collateral, including in such license access to all media in which any of the licensed items may be recorded or stored and to all computer programs used for the compilation or printout hereof.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.1. Concerning Collateral Agent.
(i) The Collateral Agent has been appointed as collateral agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement. The actions of the Collateral Agent hereunder are subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement. The Collateral Agent shall have the right hereunder to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking action (including, without limitation, the release or substitution of the Collateral), in accordance with this Security Agreement and the Credit Agreement. The Collateral Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact in connection herewith and shall not be liable for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact. The Collateral Agent may resign and a successor Collateral Agent may be appointed in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as the Collateral Agent by a successor Collateral Agent, that successor Collateral Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Collateral Agent under this Security Agreement, and the retiring Collateral Agent shall thereupon be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Security Agreement. After any retiring Collateral Agents resignation, the provisions hereof shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Security Agreement while it was the Collateral Agent.
(ii) The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equivalent to that which the Collateral Agent, in its individual capacity, accords its own property consisting of similar instruments or interests, it being understood that neither the Collateral Agent nor any of the other Credit Parties shall have responsibility for, without limitation (i) ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges,
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maturities, tenders or other matters relating to any Applicable Investment Property, whether or not the Collateral Agent or any other Credit Party has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters or (ii) taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against any Person with respect to any Collateral. In no event shall the Collateral Agents or any other Credit Partys responsibility for the custody and preservation of the Collateral in its possession extend to matters beyond the control of such Person, including, without limitation, acts of God, war, insurrection, riot, governmental actions or acts of any corporate or other depository.
(iii) The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any written notice, statement, certificate, order or other document or any telephone message believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person, and, with respect to all matters pertaining to this Security Agreement and its duties hereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by it.
SECTION 7.2. Collateral Agent May Perform; Collateral Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. If any Grantor shall fail to perform any covenants contained in this Security Agreement or in the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, such Grantors covenants to (i) pay the premiums in respect of all required insurance policies hereunder, (ii) pay Claims, (iii) make repairs, (iv) discharge Liens or (v) pay or perform any other obligations of such Grantor with respect to any Collateral) or if any warranty on the part of any Grantor contained herein shall be breached, the Collateral Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) do the same or cause it to be done or remedy any such breach, and may expend funds for such purpose; provided, however, that Collateral Agent shall in no event be bound to inquire into the validity of any tax, lien, imposition or other obligation which such Grantor fails to pay or perform as and when required hereby. Any and all amounts so expended by the Collateral Agent shall be paid by the Grantors in accordance with the provisions of SECTION 7.3 hereof. Neither the provisions of this SECTION 7.2 nor any action taken by Collateral Agent pursuant to the provisions of this SECTION 7.2 shall prevent any such failure to observe any covenant contained in this Security Agreement nor any breach of warranty from constituting an Event of Default. Each Grantor hereby appoints the Collateral Agent its attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor, or otherwise, from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default in the Collateral Agents discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument consistent with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Security Documents which the Collateral Agent may deem necessary to accomplish the purposes hereof. The foregoing grant of authority is a power of attorney coupled with an interest and such appointment shall be irrevocable for the term hereof. Each Grantor hereby ratifies all that such attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
SECTION 7.3. Expenses. Each Grantor will upon demand pay to the Collateral Agent the amount of any and all amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement.
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SECTION 7.4 Continuing Security Interest; Assignment. This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall (i) be binding upon the Grantors, their respective successors and assigns, and (ii) inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the other Credit Parties and each of their respective successors, transferees and permitted assigns. No other Persons (including, without limitation, any other creditor of any Grantor) shall have any interest herein or any right or benefit with respect hereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (ii), any Credit Party may assign or otherwise transfer any indebtedness held by it secured by this Agreement to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Credit Party, herein or otherwise, subject, however, to the provisions of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 7.5. Termination; Release. (a) This Security Agreement, the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of itself and the other Credit Parties) and all other security interests granted hereby shall terminate with respect to all Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification claims for which a claim has not been asserted) when (i) the Aggregate Commitments shall have expired or been terminated and the L/C Issuer has no further obligation to issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement, (ii) the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees and other Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification claims for which a claim has not been asserted) shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, (iii) all Letters of Credit (as defined in the Credit Agreement) shall have (A) expired or terminated and have been reduced to zero, (B) been Cash Collateralized to the extent required by the Credit Agreement, or (C) been supported by another letter of credit in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent, and (iv) all Unreimbursed Amounts shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, provided, however, that (A) this Security Agreement, the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of itself and the other Secured Parties) and all other security interests granted hereby shall be reinstated if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Secured Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Secured Party or any Grantor upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of any Grantor or otherwise, and (B) in connection with the termination of this Security Agreement, the Collateral Agent may require such indemnities and collateral security as it shall reasonably deem necessary or appropriate to protect the Credit Parties against (x) loss on account of credits previously applied to the Secured Obligations that may subsequently be reversed or revoked, (y) any obligations that may thereafter arise with respect to the Other Liabilities, and (z) any Secured Obligations that may thereafter arise under Section 10.04 of the Credit Agreement.
(b) The Collateral shall be released from the Lien of this Security Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement. Upon termination hereof or any release of Collateral in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall, upon the request and at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors, assign, transfer and deliver to the Grantors, against receipt and without recourse to or warranty by the Collateral Agent, such of the Collateral to be released (in the case of a release) or all of the Collateral (in the case of termination of this Security Agreement) as may be in possession of the Collateral Agent and as shall not have been sold or otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof, and, with respect to any other Collateral, proper documents and instruments (including UCC-3 termination statements or releases) acknowledging the termination hereof or the release of such Collateral, as the case may be.
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(c) At any time that the respective Grantor desires that the Collateral Agent take any action described in clause (b) of this SECTION 7.5, such Grantor shall, upon request of the Collateral Agent, deliver to the Collateral Agent an officers certificate certifying that the release of the respective Collateral is permitted pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of this SECTION 7.5. The Collateral Agent shall have no liability whatsoever to any other Credit Party as the result of any release of Collateral by it as permitted (or which the Collateral Agent in good faith believes to be permitted) by this SECTION 7.5.
SECTION 7.6. Modification in Writing. No amendment, modification, supplement, termination or waiver of or to any provision hereof, nor consent to any departure by any Grantor therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and unless in writing and signed by the Collateral Agent and the Grantors. Any amendment, modification or supplement of or to any provision hereof, any waiver of any provision hereof and any consent to any departure by any Grantor from the terms of any provision hereof shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which made or given. Except where notice is specifically required by this Security Agreement or any other document evidencing the Secured Obligations, no notice to or demand on any Grantor in any case shall entitle any Grantor to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
SECTION 7.7. Notices. Unless otherwise provided herein or in the Credit Agreement, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be given in the manner and become effective as set forth in the Credit Agreement, as to any Grantor, addressed to it at the address of the Lead Borrower set forth in the Credit Agreement and as to the Collateral Agent, addressed to it at the address set forth in the Credit Agreement, or in each case at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties hereto complying as to delivery with the terms of this SECTION 7.7.
SECTION 7.8. GOVERNING LAW. THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
SECTION 7.9. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
(a) EACH GRANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY
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AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH GRANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH GRANTOR AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT ANY CREDIT PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY GRANTOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(b) EACH GRANTOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SECTION. EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
(c) EACH GRANTOR AGREES THAT ANY ACTION COMMENCED BY ANY GRANTOR ASSERTING ANY CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL BE BROUGHT SOLELY IN A COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT MAY ELECT IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION AND CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS WITH RESPECT TO ANY SUCH ACTION.
(d) EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 7.7. NOTHING IN THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
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(e) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY AND WHETHER INITIATED BY OR AGAINST ANY SUCH PERSON OR IN WHICH ANY SUCH PERSON IS JOINED AS A PARTY LITIGANT). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
SECTION 7.10. Severability of Provisions. If any provision of this Security Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Security Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 7.11. Execution in Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Security Agreement by telecopy, pdf or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Security Agreement.
SECTION 7.12. No Release. Nothing set forth in this Security Agreement shall relieve any Grantor from the performance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement on such Grantors part to be performed or observed under or in respect of any of the Collateral or from any liability to any Person under or in respect of any of the Collateral or shall impose any obligation on the Collateral Agent or any other Credit Party to perform or observe any such term, covenant, condition or agreement on such Grantors part to be so performed or observed or shall impose any liability on the Collateral Agent or any other Credit Party for any act or omission on the part of such Grantor relating thereto or for any breach of any representation or warranty on the part of such Grantor contained in this Security Agreement, the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or under or in respect of the Collateral or made in connection herewith or therewith. The obligations of each Grantor contained in this SECTION 7.12 shall survive the termination hereof and the discharge of such Grantors other obligations under this Security Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
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SECTION 7.13 Obligations Absolute. All obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of:
(i) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment, composition, liquidation or the like of any Grantor;
(ii) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;
(iii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the Secured Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;
(iv) any pledge, exchange, release or non-perfection of any other collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to any departure from any guarantee, for all or any of the Secured Obligations;
(v) any exercise, non-exercise or waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege under or in respect hereof, the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document except as specifically set forth in a waiver granted pursuant to the provisions of SECTION 7.6 hereof; or
(vi) any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Grantor (other than the termination of this Security Agreement in accordance with SECTION 7.5(a) hereof).
SECTION 7.14. Amendment and Restatement. This Security Agreement is an amendment and restatement of the Existing Security Agreements. This Security Agreement is in no way intended to constitute a novation of the Existing Security Agreements or the Obligations (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) existing under the Existing Credit Agreement and Existing Security Agreements. With respect to (i) any date or time period occurring and ending prior to the Effective Date, the Existing Security Agreements and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) shall govern the respective rights and obligations of any party or parties hereto also party thereto and shall for such purposes remain in full force and effect; and (ii) any date or time period occurring or ending on or after the Effective Date, the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed by this Security Agreement (including, without limitation, the schedules hereto) and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement). From and after the Effective Date, the provisions of this Security Agreement shall prevail in the event of any conflict or inconsistency between such provisions and those of the Existing Security Agreements. Any security granted pursuant to or in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) (whether pursuant to the Existing Security Agreements or otherwise) shall continue to secure the obligations of the Grantors arising pursuant to or in connection with
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the Credit Agreement (including all such obligations arising initially pursuant to or in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement)), except to the extent such security has been amended hereby and is no longer security or Collateral as set forth herein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantors and the Collateral Agent have caused this Security Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.
THE WET SEAL, INC., as a Grantor | ||
By: | /s/ Steven H. Benrubi | |
Name: | Steven H. Benrubi | |
Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
THE WET SEAL RETAIL, INC., as a Grantor | ||
By: | /s/ Steven H. Benrubi | |
Name: | Steven H. Benrubi | |
Title: | Secretary and Treasurer | |
WET SEAL CATALOG, INC., as a Grantor | ||
By: | /s/ Steven H. Benrubi | |
Name: | Steven H. Benrubi | |
Title: | Secretary and Treasurer | |
WET SEAL GC, LLC, as a Grantor | ||
By: | The Wet Seal, Inc., its Sole Member | |
By: | /s/ Steven H. Benrubi | |
Name: | Steven H. Benrubi | |
Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Signature Page to Amended and Restated Security Agreement
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Collateral Agent | ||
By: | /s/ Stephen J. Garvin | |
Name: | Stephen J. Garvin | |
Title: | Managing Director |
Signature Page to Amended and Restated Security Agreement