The Company has not been and is not a party to any collective bargaining or other labor Contract. Except as set forth in Section 3.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter, since December 31, 2003, there has not been, there is not presently existing, and, to the Companys Knowledge, there is not threatened, (a) any strike, slowdown, picketing, work stoppage, or employee grievance process, (b) any Proceeding against or affecting the Company relating to the alleged violation of any Legal Requirement pertaining to labor relations or employment matters, including any written charge or written complaint filed by an employee or union with the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any comparable Governmental Body, organizational activity, or other labor or employment dispute against or affecting the Company or its premises, or (c) any application for certification of a collective bargaining agent. No event has occurred or circumstances exist that could provide the basis for any work stoppage or other labor dispute. There is no lockout of any employees by the Company, and no such action is contemplated by the Company. Except as set forth in Section 3.17 of the Company Disclosure Letter, to the Knowledge of the Company, the Company has complied with all Legal Requirements relating to employment, equal employment opportunity, nondiscrimination, immigration, wages, hours, benefits, collective bargaining, the payment of social security and similar taxes, occupational safety and health, and plant closing. The Company is not liable for the payment of any compensation, damages, taxes, fines, penalties or other material amounts, however designated, for the failure to comply with any of the foregoing Legal Requirements.
3.18 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The Company does not own any registered Patents, Marks or Copyrights and there are no registered Patents, Marks or Copyrights that are material to the operation of the business of Company, other than commercially available licenses of software that have been purchased by UAC and are adequate for its present needs and operations.
3.19 PAYMENT OF INTERCOMPANY ACCOUNTS
Except as disclosed in Section 4.2 of the Sellers Disclosure Letter, all intercompany receivables, payables and loans (Intercompany Accounts) between the Company on the one hand, and any of the Sellers or any of their Affiliates, on the other hand, have been cancelled and settled by way of a cash payment, as more particularly described in Section 3.19 of the Company Disclosure Letter.
3.20 AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS
Section 3.20 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and correct list as of all material Contracts, agreements or undertakings to which the Company, on the one hand, and any of the Sellers or their Affiliates on the other hand, are a party that are in effect as of the date hereof and any services or goods provided to or by the Company pursuant thereto.
3.21 BROKERS OR FINDERS
The Company has not incurred any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for
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brokerage or finders fees or agents commissions or other similar payments in connection with this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions.
3.22 BOOKS AND RECORDS
The Companys minute books and records of membership interests and other equity ownership interests, all of which have been made available to Buyer, are complete and correct in all material respects. The minute books of the Company contain accurate and complete records of all meetings held of, and actions taken by, the members, managers, board of manager or directors and officers of the Company, and no official meeting of any such members, managers, board of managers or directors or officers has been held for which minutes have not been prepared and are not contained in such minute books. At the Closing, all of such books and records will be in the possession of the Company and will be delivered to Buyer.
3.23 RELATIONSHIPS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Except as disclosed in Section 3.23 or Section 4.5 the Disclosure Letter, none of the Sellers, the Sellers Affiliates or the Companys Affiliates has, or (since December 31, 2002) has had, any interest in any material property (whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible), used in or pertaining to the Companys business. None of the Sellers or the Sellers Affiliates owns, or (since December 31, 2002) has owned (as of record or as a beneficial owner), an equity interest or any other financial or profit interest in, a Person that has (i) had business dealings or a material financial interest in any transaction with the Company or (ii) engaged in competition with the Company with respect to any services of the Company in any market presently served by the Company. None of the Sellers or the Sellers Affiliates is a party to any Applicable Contract with or has any claim or right against, the Company.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS
Each Seller represents and warrants to the Buyer (solely with respect to itself) as follows:
4.1 SELLERS INTEREST
The Seller has and, at the Closing, will convey to the Buyer, good and valid title to the Sellers Interest, free and clear of any Encumbrance.
4.2 PAYMENT OF INTERCOMPANY ACCOUNTS
Except as disclosed in Section 4.2 of the Sellers Disclosure Letter, all Intercompany Accounts other than Sellers Subordinated Debt between the Company on the one hand, and the Seller or any of the Sellers Affiliates, on the other hand, have been cancelled and settled by way of a cash payment, as more particularly described in Section 4.2 of the Sellers Disclosure Letter.
4.3 AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS
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Section 4.3 of the Sellers Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and correct list as of all material Contracts, agreements or undertakings to which the Company, on the one hand, and the Seller or any of the Sellers Affiliates on the other hand, are a party that are in effect as of the date hereof and any services or goods provided to or by the Company pursuant thereto.
4.4 BROKERS OR FINDERS
The Seller has not incurred any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders fees or agents commissions or other similar payments in connection with this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions.
4.5 RELATIONSHIPS WITH RELATED PERSONS
Except as disclosed in Section 3.23 of the Company Disclosure Letter or 4.5 of the Sellers Disclosure Letter, neither the Seller nor any of the Sellers Affiliates has, or (since December 31, 2002) has had, any interest in any property (whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible), used in or pertaining to the Companys business. Neither the Seller nor any of the Sellers Affiliates owns, or (since December 31, 2002) has owned (as of record or as a beneficial owner), an equity interest or any other financial or profit interest in, a Person that has (i) had business dealings or a material financial interest in any transaction with the Company or (ii) engaged in competition with the Company with respect to any services of the Company in any market presently served by the Company. Neither the Seller nor any of the Sellers Affiliates is a party to any Company Applicable Contract with or has any claim or right against the Company.
5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER
The Buyer represents and warrants to the Company and each Seller as follows:
5.1 ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING
The Buyer is a corporation duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Indiana with full power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted, to own or use the properties and assets that it purports to own or use and to perform the business described in the Subscription Offering. Indiana is the only jurisdiction in which the Buyer is currently authorized to do business and in which it intends to become authorized to do business at or before the Closing. The Buyer is duly qualified to do business as a foreign legal entity and is in good standing under the laws of each state or other jurisdiction in which either the ownership nor use of the properties owned or used by Buyer, or the nature of the activities conducted by it, requires such qualification qualified to do business as a foreign legal entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer has conducted no business operations since its incorporation on December 30, 2004, other than activities associated with the planning, negotiation and consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, the Plan of Exchange, the Subscription Offering, the Note Placement and the Noteholder Buyer. The Buyer has delivered the Company and the Sellers true and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of the Buyer, as currently in effect.
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5.2 AUTHORITY; NO CONFLICT
| (a) The Buyer has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other documents and agreements contemplated by this Agreement to be executed and delivered by the Buyer, and to perform the Contemplated Transactions. |
| (b) The execution and delivery by the Buyer of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Buyer. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Buyer, enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with its terms. |
| (c) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Buyer nor the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions by the Buyer of the Contemplated Transactions will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time): |
| (i) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of (A) any provision of the Organizational Documents of the Buyer, or (B) any resolution adopted by the board of directors of the Buyer; |
| (ii) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of, or give any Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge any of the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy, or obtain any relief, under any Legal Requirement or any Order to which the Buyer, or any of the assets owned or used by the Buyer, may be subject; |
| (iii) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of any of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental Body the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate, or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is held by the Buyer or that otherwise relates to the business of, or any of the assets owned or used by, the Buyer; |
| (iv) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation or breach of any provision of, or give any Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate, or modify, any Buyer Applicable Contract; or |
| (v) result in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or with respect to any of the assets owned or used by the Buyer, except as otherwise expressly agreed under the terms of this Agreement or in connection with financing arrangements entered into by the Buyer or its Affiliates. |
| (d) No consent is required in connection with the execution and delivery by the Buyer of this Agreement or the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions (other than regulatory clearance and investments by subscribers in connection |
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| with the Subscription Offering). All Class 3 Claimants and approximately [81%] in principal amount of Class 4 Claimants have agreed in writing to tender their UAC restructured and accrual notes to Buyer for purchase pursuant to the Noteholder Buyout following the Closing. |
5.3 INVESTMENT INTENT
The Buyer is acquiring the Interests for its own account and not with a view to its distribution within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act.
5.4 CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS
There is no pending Proceeding that has been commenced against the Buyer and that challenges, or may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal, or otherwise interfering with, any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and to the Buyers Knowledge, no such Proceeding has been threatened.
5.5 BROKERS OR FINDERS
Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Buyer has no obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders fees or agents commissions or other similar payment in connection with this Agreement.
6. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CLOSING
6.1 COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
After the date hereof and prior to the Closing or earlier termination of this Agreement, the Company agrees that, except as set forth in Section 6.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedule and except as contemplated in or permitted by this Agreement or in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, or to the extent the Buyer shall otherwise consent:
| (a) The business of the Company shall be conducted in the Ordinary Course of Business in substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted and, to the extent consistent therewith, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve its business organization intact and maintain its existing relations and goodwill with customers, suppliers, creditors, lessors and business associates. |
| (b) The Company shall not (i) amend its operating agreement other than amendments that are ministerial in nature or otherwise immaterial; (ii) split, combine or reclassify its outstanding Interests; (iii) declare, set aside or pay any distribution payable in cash, stock or property in respect of any Interests; or (iv) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its Interests or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of its Interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company may make regular tax distributions to Sellers; provided that such distributions (i) for 2004 taxable income shall not |
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| exceed the lesser of 47.5% of the Companys 2004 net taxable income, and (ii) for the portion of 2005 prior to closing shall not exceed 47.5% of proforma net taxable income as determined through the closing date by Companys Chief Financial Officer after taking into account the full amount of special or bonus compensation to be paid to employees for 2005 (whether in the normal course, or as a result of the Contemplated Transactions) prorated for the 2005 year to date prior to the Closing. |
| (c) The Company shall not issue, sell, or dispose of any Interests, or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, or options, warrants, calls, commitments or rights of any kind to acquire, any Interests or any other property or assets. |
| (d) Except for indebtedness incurred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall not incur any indebtedness except for indebtedness that is incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business. The Company shall guaranty Buyers senior secured notes to be issued in connection with the Closing in the manner contemplated in the Note Placement. |
| (e) The Company shall not repay principal on existing indebtedness except in accordance with the amortization schedule of such debt; |
| (f) The Company shall not make any acquisition of, or investment in, assets or stock of any other Person or entity, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business. |
| (g) The Company shall not sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of its assets, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business. |
| (h) The Company shall not terminate, establish, adopt, enter into, make any new grants or awards of unit-based compensation or other benefits under, amend or otherwise materially modify any Company Employee Benefit Plan or increase the salary, wage, bonus or other compensation of any managers, officers or employees except (i) for grants or awards to managers, officers and employees under any existing Company Employee Benefit Plan in such amounts and on such terms as are consistent with past practice, (ii) in the Ordinary Course of Business (which shall include normal periodic performance reviews and related plans and the provision of any individual Company Employee Benefit Plan consistent with past practice for newly hired, appointed or promoted officers and employees), (iii) for actions necessary to satisfy existing contractual obligations under any Company Employee Benefit Plan existing as of the date hereof or to comply with applicable law, or (iv) the Employee Retention Bonuses. |
| (i) The Company shall maintain insurance with financially responsible or nationally recognized insurers in such amounts and against such risks and losses as are consistent with the insurance maintained by the Company in the Ordinary Course of Business. |
| (j) The Company shall not change any material financial or tax accounting |
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| method, policies, practices or election, except as required by GAAP or applicable law. |
| (k) The Company shall promptly provide the Buyer with copies of all filings made by the Company with, and inform the Buyer of any communications received from, any state or federal court, administrative agency, commission or other Governmental Body in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions. |
| (l) The Company shall use its best efforts to promptly obtain any Required Consents. The Company shall promptly notify the Buyer of any failure or anticipated failure to obtain any such Required Consents and, if requested by the Buyer, shall provide copies of all of the Required Consents obtained by the Company to the Buyer. |
| (m) The Company shall not enter into any Contract with any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls or is under common control with or is controlled by the Company on terms to the Company less favorable than could be reasonably expected to have been obtained with an unaffiliated third party on an arms-length basis. |
| (n) The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain in effect or renew all existing Governmental Authorizations pursuant to which the Company operates. |
| (o) The Company shall not transfer or assign any Contracts to which the Company is a party to any of the Companys Affiliates. |
6.2 COVENANTS OF THE BUYER
| After the date hereof and prior to the Closing or earlier termination of this Agreement, the Buyer agrees that, except as set forth in Section 6.2 of the Buyer Disclosure Schedule and except as contemplated in or permitted by this Agreement or in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, or to the extent the Company shall otherwise consent: |
| (a) Buyer shall conduct only such business as is reasonably related, necessary and appropriate to accomplish the Contemplated Transactions. After the Plan of Exchange is effected, Buyer shall cause UAC to conduct its business only as contemplated in the Plan of Reorganization and the Noteholder Buyout. |
| (b) Except for indebtedness incurred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or in connection with the Contemplated Transactions (including the Note Placement, reimbursement obligations for expenses incurred in connection with Contemplated Transactions and obligations incurred in connection with the Creditor Buyout) the Buyer shall not incur any material indebtedness except for indebtedness that is incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business. |
| (c) The Buyer shall not make any material acquisition of, or investment in, assets or stock of any other Person or entity, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business and in connection with the Contemplated Transactions (including the Plan of Exchange). |
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| (d) The Buyer shall not sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose of any material portion of its assets, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business. |
| (e) The Buyer shall promptly provide the Company with copies of all filings made by the Buyer with, and inform the Company of any communications received from, any state or federal court, administrative agency, commission or other Governmental Body in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions. |
| (f) The Buyer shall use its reasonable best efforts to accomplish the Contemplated Transactions as promptly as practicable, and to assist the Company to promptly obtain any Required Consents. |
| (g) The Buyer shall not enter into any Contract with any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls or is under common control with or is controlled by the Buyer on terms to the Buyer less favorable than could be reasonably expected to have been obtained with an unaffiliated third party on an arms-length basis. |
| (h) Prior to Closing, Buyers Board of Directors shall have adopted a stock incentive plan under which stock options and restricted shares may be awarded to officers and key employees of Buyer and its subsidiaries (including the Company after the Closing) and at least 125,000 shares shall be available under such plan for awards to officers and employees of the Company. |
6.3 NO SOLICITATION; CONFIDENTIALITY
| (a) From the date hereof through the Closing, none of the parties nor their representatives (including, without limitation, investment bankers, attorneys and accountants) shall, directly or indirectly, enter into, solicit, initiate or continue any discussions or negotiations with, or encourage or respond to any inquiries or proposals by, or participate in any negotiations with, or provide any information to, or otherwise cooperate in any other way with, any person or other entity or group, concerning any sale of all or a portion of the Company, or of any Interests of the Company or any merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company (each such transaction being referred to herein as a Proposed Acquisition Transaction) other than with (i) the Buyer and its Representatives, or (ii) as required by law. The Company and Sellers shall not, directly or indirectly, through any officer, director, employee, representative, agent or otherwise, solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer for a Proposed Acquisition Transaction from any Person. |
| (b) The Company and each Seller shall promptly notify the Buyer if any discussions or negotiations are sought to be initiated, any inquiry or proposal is made, or any information is requested with respect to any Proposed Acquisition Transaction and notify the Buyer of the identity of the prospective purchaser or soliciting party and any other information relating to such inquiry or proposal known to the Company or such Seller. |
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7. ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
7.1 ACCESS TO COMPANY INFORMATION
Upon reasonable notice, the Company shall afford to the Representatives of the Buyer reasonable access, during normal business hours throughout the period prior to the Closing Date, to all of the Companys properties, books, records and Contracts and, during such period, the Company shall furnish promptly to the Buyer and its Representatives, (i) access to each report, schedule and other document the Company files with or receive from any federal or state regulatory agency or commission and (ii) access to all information concerning the Company and its managers and officers and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by the Buyer or its Representatives in connection with any filings, applications or approvals required or contemplated by this Agreement or for any other reason related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each party shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, hold in strict confidence all documents and information concerning the other furnished to it in connection with the Contemplated Transactions except as required by law or as provided herein.
7.2 ACCESS TO BUYER INFORMATION
Upon reasonable notice, the Buyer shall afford to the Representatives of the Company, reasonable access, during normal business hours throughout the period prior to the Closing Date, to all of the Buyers properties, books, records and Contracts and, during such period, the Buyer shall furnish promptly to the Buyer and its Representatives, (i) access to each report, schedule and other document the Buyer files with or receive from any federal or state regulatory agency or commission and (ii) access to all information concerning the Buyer and its managers and officers and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by the Company or its Representatives in connection with any filings, applications or approvals required or contemplated by this Agreement or for any other reason related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each party shall, and shall cause it Representatives to, hold in strict confidence all documents and information concerning the other furnished to it in connection with the Contemplated Transactions except as required by law or as provided herein (including such disclosures as shall be appropriate to include in the Registration Statement).
7.3 NO TRANSFER OR ENCUMBRANCES
Each Seller agrees that the Seller will not transfer, or incur any Encumbrance on, the Sellers Interest prior to the Closing.
7.4 TAX MATTERS
The Company, each Seller and the Buyer each agree that it will cooperate with the other parties to this Agreement in the reporting of the Contemplated Transactions and all other Tax Matters relating to the Contemplated Transactions. The Company shall prepare Form 1065 with respect to the transaction and provide same to the other parties within 120 days after Closing.
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7.5 FILING OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
The Buyer agrees to use its best efforts to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement one or more registration statements (Registration Statement) to register the shares of the Buyers common stock to be issued pursuant to the Plan of Exchange and in the Subscription Offering. Buyer shall keep Company informed of the progress of the registration and provide copies of all SEC staff comment letters to the Company regarding each Registration Statement.
7.6 ARRANGEMENTS FOR FUNDING OF CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTIONS
The Company shall advance to Buyer $6.0 million (or such lesser amount approved by Buyer) immediately prior to the Closing to facilitate completion of the Contemplated Transactions, provided, that Buyer shall repay such funds to the Company if the Closing does not occur with three (3) business days of the date of such advance. Buyer shall not disburse such funds except in connection with and for the purpose of consummating the closing of the Contemplated Transactions, including the Noteholder Buyout.
8. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
8.1 THE BUYER
The obligation of the Buyer to complete the Closing is subject to the fulfillment as of the Closing Date of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived by Buyer:
| (a) The Registration Statement for the shares of the Buyers common stock to be issued pursuant to the Plan of Exchange shall have been declared effective and the exchange of shares pursuant to the Plan of Exchange shall have been consummated. |
| (b) The Registration Statement for the shares of the Buyers common stock to be issued in the Subscription Offering shall have been declared effective, the Subscription Offering and Note Placement shall have closed, and Buyers Board of Directors shall have determined (in its reasonable discretion) that the proceeds of the Subscription Offering and Note Placement are sufficient in amount to pay the amount of the Cash Consideration, effect the Noteholder Buyout and pay reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the Contemplated Transactions. |
| (c) The representations and warranties of the Company and each Seller contained in this Agreement shall be true in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as though made on and as of the Closing Date. The Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Company on or prior to the Closing Date, and each Seller shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by such Seller on or prior to the Closing Date. |
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| (d) The Company shall have obtained, at its sole expense, all Required Consents and undertaken all actions required pursuant to the Required Consents. |
| (e) All conditions precedent to the obligations of UAC restructured noteholders to deliver and sell their UAC restructured and accrual notes to Buyer in connection with the Noteholder Buyout pursuant to the noteholder tender agreements in effect on the date hereof shall have been met. |
| (f) The Buyer shall have received an opinion dated as of the Closing Date of counsel to the Company in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.4(c). |
| (g) There shall not be pending by any Governmental Body any suit, action or proceeding challenging or seeking to restrain or prohibit, or to obtain material damages or a discovery order in respect of, this Agreement or the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions (including, without limitation, the purchase and sale of the Interests) or that has had or may have, in the reasonable judgment of the Buyer, a Material Adverse Effect on the Buyer or the Company. |
| (h) There shall have been no Material Adverse Change in the Company between the date of execution of this Agreement and the Closing. Without limiting the foregoing, the Companys consolidated net worth shall not be less than $13.5 million and its loan loss reserves as a percentage of loans shall not be less than 6.0%. |
| (i) The Buyer shall have received an executed Assignment Agreement from each Seller. |
| (j) The Company and each Seller shall have furnished the Buyer with such other documents reasonably requested by the Buyer to evidence compliance with the conditions set forth in this Agreement. |
| (k) The Company shall have advanced funds to Buyer in the amount required under Section 7.6. |
| (l) Provision shall have been made by the Company, by amendment of its existing subordinated debt or issuance of new subordinated debt, such that no less than $7.7 million of subordinated debt of the Company will remain outstanding following the Closing with a final maturity date of at leas two years and sixth months after the Closing and all such subordinated indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Companys guaranty obligation to RDV Corporation as contemplated in the Note Placement. |
| (m) The dividend limitation covenant contained in Section 7.2 of the Companys principal credit facility with Wells Fargo Financial Preferred Capital, Inc. (WFFPC) shall have been amended in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Buyer and WFFPC shall have agreed to such further waivers or modifications as shall be necessary to permit the Contemplated Transactions to be consummated without violating such agreement. |
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| (n) Buyer shall have received an opinion of KPMG LLP in form and substance acceptable to Buyer to the effect that, for purposes of assessing the continued availability under Section 382 of the IRC of net operating loss carryforwards of UAC, UAC should not have experienced an ownership change after giving effect to the Contemplated Transactions. |
8.2 THE COMPANY
| (a) The Company shall have received all required approvals of its lenders to the Contemplated Transactions. |
| (b) The representations and warranties of the Buyer contained in this Agreement shall be true in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as though made as of the Closing Date. The Buyer shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Buyer prior to the Closing Date. |
| (c) There shall not be pending by any Governmental Body any suit, action or proceeding challenging or seeking to restrain or prohibit the purchase and sale of the Interests or any of the Contemplated Transactions. |
| (d) All conditions precedent to the obligations of UAC restructured noteholders to deliver and sell their UAC restructured and accrual notes to Buyer in connection with the Noteholder Buyout pursuant to the noteholder tender agreements in effect or the date hereof shall have been met. |
| (e) The Company shall have received an opinion dated as of the Closing Date of counsel to the Buyer in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.4(c). |
8.3 EACH SELLER
| (a) The representations and warranties of the Buyer contained in this Agreement shall be true in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as though made as of the Closing Date. The Buyer shall have performed or complied in all material respects all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Buyer prior to the Closing Date. |
| (b) No Order shall have been entered, promulgated, issued or enforced by a Governmental Body preventing the purchase and sale of Sellers Interests pursuant to this Agreement. |
| (c) There shall not be pending by any Governmental Body any suit, action or proceeding challenging or seeking to restrain or prohibit the purchase and sale of the Interests or any of the Contemplated Transactions. |
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| (d) All conditions precedent to the obligations of UAC restructured noteholders to deliver and sell their UAC restructured and accrual notes to Buyer in connection with the Noteholder Buyout pursuant to the noteholder tender agreements in effect or the date hereof shall have been met. |
| (e) The Sellers shall have received an opinion dated as of the Closing Date of counsel to the Buyer in substantially the form of Exhibit 2.4(c). |
| (f) Buyer shall have taken any corporate action necessary to cause John W. Rose and William E. McKnight to be elected or appointed to the Board of Directors of Buyer effective upon the Closing. |
9. SELLERS REPRESENTATIVE
Each Seller hereby authorizes and empowers, John W. Rose, the initial Sellers Representative and his duly appointed successors in such capacity, as its agent, hereunder, to receive notices and to take such actions on the Sellers behalf as expressly provided for in this agreement. Such authorization includes authority to amend this Agreement or related documents and waive rights or conditions, and to negotiate and resolve disputes arising under this Agreement (including matters arising under Article 13) and the Contemplated Transactions between the Sellers, on the one hand, and the Buyer, on the other; provided, that the Sellers Representative shall only be empowered to effect amendments, waivers or settlements in respect of matters affecting the Sellers interests collectively in the same manner. Each Seller reserves the right to effectuate amendments, waivers and settlements in respect of matters that affect it in a manner significantly disproportionately and differently from other Sellers. Each Seller acknowledges that this appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest and authorizes Buyer to rely upon this appointment in accepting actions taken by the Sellers Representative on behalf of Sellers as authorized herein.
10. TERMINATION
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other Section of this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated and the Contemplated Transactions abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date:
| (a) by mutual written consent of the Buyer and the Company; |
| (b) by the Buyer if any of the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 shall have become incapable of fulfillment and shall not have been waived by the Buyer; |
| (c) by the Company if any of the conditions set forth in Section 8.2 shall have become incapable of fulfillment and shall not have been waived by the Company; |
| (d) by all of the Sellers if any of the conditions set forth in Section 8.3 shall have become incapable of fulfillment and shall not have been waived all of the Sellers; |
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| (e) by the Buyer or the Company, by written notice to the other party, if the Closing Date shall not have occurred on or before August 15, 2005. |
| Provided, however, that the right to terminate pursuant to this Section 10 shall not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement shall have proximately contributed to the incapability of fulfillment of the condition pursuant to which termination is sought or the failure of the Closing Date to occur on or before a specified date. |
| (f) In the event of termination of this Agreement by the Buyer, the Company or the Sellers, there shall be no liability on the part of either any Seller, Company or the Buyer or their respective officers or directors hereunder, except (a) that nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of such party contained in this Agreement and (b) that this Section and Sections 13, 14.1, the last sentence of Section 14.2, Sections 14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9, 14.10, 14.11, and 14.12 shall survive the termination. |
11. TAX MATTERS
11.1 PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS
| (a) The Sellers shall cause the Company to prepare and timely file or shall cause to be prepared and timely file and shall remit or cause to be remitted any taxes due in respect of the following Tax Returns with respect to the Company or in respect of its businesses, assets or operations: |
| (i) all Tax Returns having a due date on or before to the Closing Date for any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date; and |
| (ii) all Tax Returns having a due date following the Closing Date for any taxable period beginning before and ending on or before the Closing Date, but only if such Tax Returns constitute Seller Tax Returns. |
| (b) The Buyer shall prepare and timely file or shall cause to be prepared and timely file all Tax Returns and shall remit or cause to be remitted any Taxes due in respect of the following Tax Returns with respect to the Company or in respect of its businesses, assets or operations: |
| (i) all Tax Returns having a due date following the Closing Date for any taxable period beginning on or after the Closing Date; |
| (ii) all Tax Returns having a due date following the Closing Date for any taxable period beginning before and ending after the Closing Date; and |
| (iii) all Tax Returns having a due date following the Closing Date for any taxable period beginning before and ending on or before the Closing Date, unless |
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| such Tax Returns constitute Seller Tax Returns. |
| (c) For purposes of this Section 11.1: |
| (i) due date shall take into account any valid extension of the filing date, and |
| (ii) Seller Tax Return shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1. |
| (d) Each Seller hereby releases the Company and shall hold Company harmless in respect of any loss, cost, liability or expense arising from any inaccuracy or error in any Seller Tax Return. |
11.2 COOPERATION ON TAX MATTERS; TAX AUDITS
| (a) The parties and their respective Affiliates shall cooperate in the preparation of all Tax Returns for any Tax periods for which one party could reasonably require the assistance of the other party in obtaining any necessary information and any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes. Such cooperation shall include, but not be limited to, (i) timely signing and delivering such certificates or forms as may be necessary or appropriate to establish an exemption from (or otherwise reduce), or file Tax Returns or other reports with respect to, transfer taxes, (ii) furnishing prior years Tax Returns or return preparation packages to the extent related to the Companys illustrating previous reporting practices or containing historical information relevant to the preparation of such Tax Returns, and (iii) furnishing such other information within such partys possession requested by the party filing such Tax Returns as is relevant to their preparation, and the provision of other records and information reasonably relevant to any audit, litigation or other proceeding. Such cooperation and information also shall include without limitation promptly forwarding copies of appropriate notices and forms or other communications received from or sent to any applicable Governmental Body responsible for the imposition of Taxes (the Taxing Authority) which relate to the Company, and providing copies of all relevant Tax Returns to the extent related to the Company together with accompanying schedules and related workpapers, documents relating to rulings or other determinations by any Taxing Authority and records concerning the ownership and tax basis of property, which the requested party may possess. The parties and their respective Affiliates shall make their respective employees and facilities available on a mutually convenient basis to explain any documents or information provided hereunder. |
| (b) The Sellers (through Sellers Representative) shall have the sole right to represent the Companys interests in any audit or examination by any Taxing Authority (Tax Audit) relating to taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date and to employ counsel of their choice at their expense. None of the Buyer, any of its Affiliates or the Company may settle or otherwise dispose of any Tax Audit for which the Sellers may have a liability under this Agreement, or which may result in an increase in Sellers liability under |
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| this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Sellers Representative, which consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of the Sellers Representative, unless the Buyer fully indemnifies the Sellers in writing with respect to such liability in a manner satisfactory to the Sellers. |
| (c) The Buyer shall, and shall cause the Company to, prepare and provide to Sellers a package of all Tax information materials, including, without limitation, schedules and work papers (the Tax Package) required by the Sellers to enable the Sellers to prepare and file (or merely prepare) all Tax Returns required to be prepared and filed (or merely prepared) by them pursuant to this Section 11. |
| (d) The Sellers Representative may, in its sole and absolute discretion, amend any Seller Tax Return of the Company filed or required to be filed for any taxable periods ending on or before the Closing Date. |
| (e) Nothing in this Agreement purports to assign to Buyer the right of any Seller to receive any refund of Taxes paid by a Seller in respect of net taxable income of the Company reported to Seller and paid by Seller by virtue of being a Company owner for any Tax period or portion thereof ending on or before the Closing Date, should any such refund become available. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement, neither the Buyer nor any of its Affiliates shall have the right to receive or obtain any information relating to Taxes of the Sellers, any of their Affiliates, or any of their predecessors other than information relating solely to the Company.
12. COVENANTS SUBSEQUENT TO THE CLOSING DATE
12.1 FURTHER ASSURANCES
The parties agree (a) to furnish upon request to each other such further information, (b) to execute and deliver to each other such other documents, and (c) to do such other acts and things, all as the other party may reasonably request for the purpose of consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Following the Closing, the Sellers shall refer to Buyer or Company, as promptly as practicable, any telephone calls, letters, orders, notices, requests, inquiries, and other communications relating to the Company, Applicable Contracts and the Companys business.
12.2 INSPECTION AND PRESERVATION OF RECORDS
| (a) The Company, each Seller and the Buyer shall cooperate with each other fully with respect to reasonable actions required or requested to be undertaken with respect to Tax Audits and Tax Returns, administrative actions or Proceedings, litigation, employee records and any other like or unlike matters relating to the Company that may occur after the Closing. |
| (b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, from and after the Closing |
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| Date, the Buyer will permit, without any disruption to, or interference with, the Companys business in any material respects, each of the Sellers and their Representatives, upon reasonable prior written notice, at all reasonable times during regular business hours, to inspect and copy, at such Sellers expense, the books, files, records and accounts of the Company relating to periods prior to the Closing Date, in connection with the preparation, review or audit of any financial statements or Tax Returns, providing appropriate verification of documents, or preparing for, responding to, conducting or defending an actual or threatened legal action or other Proceeding. The Buyer shall maintain and preserve all of such books, files, records and accounts of the Company for the later of seven (7) years or the expiration of all statutes of limitations for Taxes for periods prior to the Closing Date. |
| (c) Upon Buyers or the Companys receipt of any written notice or other written communication from any Governmental Body with respect to any Tax attributable to the income of the Company relating to periods prior to and through the Closing Date (a Tax Notice), the Buyer shall, and shall cause the Company to, provide prompt notice within seven (7) days to the Sellers Representative of the Tax Notice. |
| (d) On and after the Closing Date, each of the Sellers will permit the Buyer and its Representatives at all reasonable times during regular business hours, to inspect and copy at Buyers expense the books, files, records and accounts of the Sellers insofar as they relate directly to the Company, for the purpose of preparing, reviewing or auditing of any financial statement or Tax Returns of the Company. Each of the Sellers shall maintain and preserve (or cause to be maintained and preserved) all such books, records, files and accounts for the later of seven (7) years or the expiration of all statutes of limitations for Taxes for periods to the Closing Date; provided, however, a Seller may dispose of any thereof at any time and from time to time if they first shall have afforded the Buyer the opportunity, upon ninety (90) days notice and at Buyers expense, to take possession thereof. |
| (e) The Buyer and each Seller agrees to render such reasonable assistance to the other, including permitting each other to have access to its employees, as may be reasonably requested in connection with obtaining information for the purposes set forth in the four preceding sentences. The Buyer and the Sellers will treat all information obtained pursuant to this Section 12.2 as confidential except to the extent that disclosure thereof (a) is necessary for attainment of the purpose or purposes for which such information was obtained or (b) is required by any Legal Requirement. In addition, Sellers and Buyer agree to provide each other with such reasonable further assistance and cooperation as may be reasonably requested by the other party for any proper purpose relating to the matters described in this Section 12.2, including, by way of illustration, assisting the other in preparing for, conducting or defending any Proceeding, and in connection therewith providing such documentary or physical evidence and expert or other testimony of employees or others as may be reasonably requested; provided, however, that in each such case, the requesting party shall pay, or reimburse the other party for, any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such other party in providing such assistance. The rights and obligations of the parties under this Section 12.2 shall be in addition to, and this Section 12.2 shall not be construed or interpreted to limit, the |
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| rights and obligations of the parties elsewhere in this Agreement. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement, neither the Buyer nor any of its Affiliates shall have the right to receive or obtain any information relating to Taxes of the Sellers, any of their Affiliates, or any of their predecessors other than information relating solely to the Company.
13. INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES
13.1 INDEMNIFICATION AND PAYMENT OF DAMAGES BY SELLERS
Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article 13, each of the Sellers, severally (but not jointly), will indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer, the Company, and their respective Representatives, stockholders, members (including RDV Corporation or its affiliate as pledgee of Company membership interests), managers, directors, officers, controlling persons, and Affiliates (collectively, the Buyer Indemnified Persons) for, and will pay to the Buyer Indemnified Persons the amount of, any loss, liability, claim, damage (including incidental and consequential damages), expense (including costs of investigation and defense and reasonable attorneys fees) or diminution of value, whether or not involving a third-party claim (collectively, Damages), arising, directly or indirectly, from or in connection with (i) any misrepresentation, breach of any representation or warranty or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or other obligation of such Seller set forth in this Agreement or any other certificate or document delivered by such Seller pursuant to this Agreement; (ii) any misrepresentation, breach of any representation or warranty or non-fulfillment at or prior to Closing of any covenant, agreement or other obligation of the Company set forth in this Agreement or any other certificate or document delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) any Tax attributable to the Company or a Seller in respect of all periods prior to the Closing Date (except to the extent of any reserve established expressly for such tax on the books of the Company as of the Closing consistent with the Companys past practice in the Ordinary Course of Business). For avoidance of doubt, the rights of Buyer Indemnified Persons for indemnification under this Article 13 shall include any Damages incurred or suffered by the Company even though such Damages may not be suffered directly by the Buyer Indemnified Person.
13.2 INDEMNIFICATION AND PAYMENT OF DAMAGES BY BUYER
The Buyer will indemnify and hold harmless each of the Sellers, and their Representatives, stockholders, controlling persons and Affiliates (collectively the Seller Indemnified Persons) and will pay to the Seller Indemnified Persons the amount of any Damages arising, directly or indirectly, from or in connection with (i) any misrepresentation, breach of any representation or warranty or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or other obligation of the Buyer set forth in this Agreement, and (ii) any Tax attributable to the income of the Company in respect of all periods from and after the Closing Date.
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13.3 SURVIVAL AND TIME LIMITATIONS
The Sellers will have no liability (for indemnification or otherwise) with respect to any breach of representation or warranty of the Company (other than those in Section 3.3) or of the Sellers (other than those in Sections 4.1 and 4.4) or based upon breach of any covenant or obligation of Seller or the Company to be performed and complied with prior to the Closing Date unless on or before March 31, 2006, the Buyer Indemnified Person notifies the Sellers Representative in writing of a claim specifying the factual basis of that claim in reasonable detail to the extent then known by Buyer. A claim with respect to any breach of representation or warranty of the Company set forth in Section 3.3 or a claim by Buyer Indemnified Persons for a breach of a Sellers representations or warranties set forth in Sections 4.1 and 4.4, or for indemnification or reimbursement pursuant to Article 13.1 (assuming such claim for indemnification or reimbursement has been timely made) may be made at any time after the Closing Date (provided it is in written form). The Buyer will have no liability (for indemnification or otherwise) with respect to any representation or warranty (other than those in Section 5.1, 5.2(a), 5.2(b), 5.3, and 5.4), or covenant or obligation to be performed and complied with prior to the Closing Date, unless on or before March 31, 2006, the Sellers Representative notifies Buyer in writing of a claim specifying the factual basis of that claim in reasonable detail to the extent then known by the Sellers. A claim by the Sellers with respect to a breach of representation in Section 5.1, 5.2(a), 5.2(b), 5.3, and 5.4, for reimbursement or indemnification pursuant to Section 13.2 (assuming such claim for indemnification or reimbursement has been timely made) or based upon any covenant or obligation of Buyer to a Seller may be made at any time (provided it is in written form).
13.4 LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT SELLERS
| (a) The Buyer Indemnified Persons may not assert any claim for Damages under clause (i) and (ii) of Section 13.1 until the aggregate amount of such claims under this Agreement exceeds $250,000.00 (the Threshold), and then Buyer Indemnified Persons may only assert claims for the excess of such aggregate claims over the Threshold. Except in the case of breach of Section 3.3 or in the case of fraud, the aggregate liability of the Sellers for all claims for Damages under Section 13.1 shall not exceed $5,000,000.00. Each Sellers obligations to indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Persons under Section 13.1 with respect to breaches of the representations, warranties and covenants and agreements of the Company, shall be several and not joint and shall be an obligation of such Seller only to the extent of such Sellers Percentage Interest in the Company sold by such Seller to the Buyer at the Closing; and no Seller shall be obligated to indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Persons in amounts in excess of such Sellers ratable percentage of such indemnity obligation that relate to the Companys representations and agreements. |
| (b) The Buyer and its Affiliates shall be entitled to set off against its obligation to pay the Holdback Amount (and interest thereon) any obligation under this Agreement to the Buyer or its Affiliates of the Seller. Such right of set off shall be exercised ratably as to Sellers proportionally based or their respective Percentage Interests in the Holdback Amount (and interest thereon). Such right of set off shall be effected by notice of the amount of set |
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| off, together with explanation of the basis for such set off, in reasonable detail, given to the Sellers Representative. |
| (c) On March 31, 2006, Buyer shall make payment to the Sellers in respect of the Holdback Amount, in an amount equal to the balance of the Holdback Amount (plus interest from the Closing at the rate of 10.0% per annum) less any amounts set off in respect of claims (or subject to set off in respect of timely submitted unresolved claims against a Seller or Sellers pursuant to Section 13.4(b)). Such amounts shall be paid to Sellers based on their Percentage Interests (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event that a claim or unresolved claim does not or did not apply ratably to all Sellers). |
13.5 EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
Each of the Sellers and the Buyer hereby acknowledge and agree that, from and after the Closing, their sole remedy with respect to any and all claims arising under this Agreement, respectively, shall be pursuant to the indemnification provisions set forth in this Article 13.
13.6 LOST PROFITS AND SPECIAL DAMAGES
Neither the Buyer nor any Sellers shall be required to indemnify, hold harmless or otherwise protect another party or any of their respective Affiliates or related persons for damage to reputation, lost business opportunities, lost profits, mental or emotional distress, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary or indirect damages, or interference with business operations, except to the extent such claims (i) are recovered by a third party, or (ii) result from any breach of any representation or warranty made in this Agreement.
13.7 PROCEDURE FOR INDEMNIFICATION THIRD PARTY CLAIMS
| (a) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under Section 13.1 or Section 13.2 of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding against it, such indemnified party will, if a claim is to be made against an indemnifying party under such Section, give notice to the indemnifying party of the commencement of such claim, but the failure to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve the indemnifying party of any liability or obligation that it may have to any indemnified party, except to the extent that the indemnifying party establishes that the defense of such action is unduly prejudiced by the indemnifying partys failure to give such notice. Any notice to Sellers as indemnifying parties shall be given to the Sellers Representative. |
| (b) If any Proceeding referred to in Section 13.7(a) is brought against an indemnified party and it gives notice to the indemnifying party of the commencement of such Proceeding, the indemnifying party will, unless the claim involves Taxes, be entitled to participate in such Proceeding and, to the extent that it wishes (unless (1) the indemnifying party is also a party to such Proceeding and the indemnified party determines in good faith that joint representation would be inappropriate, or (2) the indemnifying party fails to provide reasonable assurance to the indemnified party of its financial capacity to defend such |
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| Proceeding and provide indemnification with respect to such Proceeding), to assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such Proceeding, the indemnifying party will not, as long as it diligently conducts such defense, be liable to the indemnified party under this Section 13.7 for any fees of other counsel or any other expenses with respect to the defense of such Proceeding, in each case subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense of such Proceeding, other than reasonable costs of investigation. If the indemnifying party assumes the defense of a Proceeding, (i) no compromise or settlement of such claims may be effected by the indemnifying party without the indemnified partys consent unless (A) there is no finding or admission of any violation of Legal Requirements or any violation of the rights of any Person and no effect on any other claims that may be made against the indemnified party, and (B) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the indemnifying party; (ii) the indemnifying party will have no liability with respect to any compromise or settlement of such claims effected without its consent; and (iii) it will be conclusively established for the purposes of this Agreement that the claims made in that Proceeding are within the scope of and subject to indemnification. If notice is given to an indemnifying party of the commencement of any Proceeding and the indemnifying party does not, within ten (10) days after the indemnified partys notice is given, give notice to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such Proceeding, the indemnifying party will be bound by any determination made in such Proceeding or any compromise or settlement effected by the indemnified party. |
| (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an indemnified party determines in good faith that there is a reasonable probability that a Proceeding may adversely affect it or its Affiliates other than as a result of monetary damages for which it would be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the indemnified party may, by notice to the indemnifying party, assume the exclusive right to defend, compromise, or settle such Proceeding, but the indemnifying party will not be bound by any determination of a Proceeding so defended or any compromise or settlement effected without its consent (which may not be unreasonably withheld). |
13.8 PROCEDURE FOR INDEMNIFICATION OTHER CLAIMS
A claim for indemnification for any matter not involving a third-party claim may be asserted by prompt notice to the party from whom indemnification is sought. Any notice to Sellers as indemnifying parties shall be given to the Sellers Representative.
14. GENERAL PROVISIONS
14.1 EXPENSES
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each party to this Agreement will bear its respective expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution, and performance
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of this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, including all fees and expenses of agents, Representatives, counsel, and accountants. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the obligation of each party to pay its own expenses will be subject to any rights of such party arising from a breach of this Agreement by another party.
14.2 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
The parties acknowledge that the Buyers registration statements filed with respect to the Plan of Exchange and Subscription Offering and any required amendments or supplements thereto will contain detailed information concerning the Company and the Contemplated Transaction that will be publicly available and circulated and publicly. Buyer is authorized to make such public disclosures respecting the Company and the Contemplated Transactions as it deems necessary to effect the Plan of Exchange, the Subscription Offering and the Contemplated Transactions.
14.3 GOVERNING LAW
This agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Indiana without regard to conflicts of laws principles.
14.4 DISPUTE RESOLUTION
| (a) Agreement to Arbitrate. Except where injunctive or other equitable relief is reasonably necessary to prevent or mitigate immediate damage to the aggrieved party, in a dispute between the parties relating to this Agreement, the parties agree to utilize the arbitration procedure specified in this Section; provided, however, that in the event of a purported breach of the Agreement, the injured party shall provide notice to the breaching party and allow a period of 20 business days to cure the breach prior to initiating arbitration. |
| (b) Initial Notice; Attempted Settlement. A party seeking to initiate an arbitration proceeding shall give written notice (the Initial Notice) to the other party describing briefly the nature of its dispute and its claim and identifying an individual with authority to settle such dispute on its behalf (the Settlement Agent). The party receiving such notice shall have 10 days within which to designate its own Settlement Agent. The Settlement Agent of each Seller shall be the Sellers Representative. The Settlement Agents shall make such investigations as they deem appropriate and thereafter promptly shall commence discussions concerning resolution of such dispute. |
| (c) Arbitration Procedure. If the dispute has not been resolved within the later of (i) 30 days from the date of designation of a Settlement Agent by the party receiving the Initial Notice or (ii) 45 days from the giving of the Initial Notice, it shall be submitted to arbitration, as follows. The arbitration required by this provision shall be conducted expeditiously in accordance with the then current rules of the Center for Public Resources (CPR) Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration of Business Disputes (the CPR Rules), by a sole arbitrator. The sole arbitrator shall be a lawyer admitted to practice in Indiana from the approved list maintained by CPR who is willing to serve as arbitrator. The arbitrator shall be |
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| mutually selected. If the parties cannot agree upon a sole arbitrator, then one shall be chosen pursuant to the CPR Rules. The arbitration shall be governed by the Uniform Arbitration Act, Indiana Code § 34-4-2-1 et seq., and judgment upon the award and/or other relief rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitration shall take place in the City of Indianapolis, Indiana. In deciding the dispute(s) and/or issue(s), the arbitrator shall be bound by, and shall faithfully apply, the laws of the State of Indiana, including the laws of evidence but excepting the rules of procedure. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Agreement or otherwise the arbitrator is not empowered to award consequential, punitive, treble damages, damages for mental or emotional distress or exemplary damages, whether in common law or statutory in source. |
| (d) Costs; Cure of Breach. Costs of the arbitration shall be shared equally by the parties, but each party shall pay its own attorney fees incurred in connection with the arbitration. The parties agree to be bound by the decision of the arbitration tribunal. For purposes of this Section, if a dispute is based on the breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, obligation or any other agreement contained herein, and such breach is cured to the actual knowledge of the party giving the Initial Notice within 15 days from the date of designation of a Settlement Agent by the party receiving the Initial Notice, the party giving the Initial Notice shall withdraw or shall be liable for the costs of any arbitration that results in a finding that such cure has occurred. |
| (e) Arbitrators Award. The opinions and recommendations of the arbitrator shall be binding on the parties and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof; provided, however, that expenses and attorney fees may only be awarded to a party upon a finding of bad faith by the other party. In no event may the Arbitrators award exceed any applicable limits of liability set forth in Section 13. |
| (f) Enforcement of Agreement. Buyer and Sellers acknowledge and agree that Buyer would be irreparably damaged if the provisions of this Agreement are not performed by Sellers in accordance with their specific terms and that any breach of this Agreement by a Seller could not be adequately compensated in all cases by monetary damages alone. Accordingly, Buyer shall be entitled to enforce any provision of this Agreement by a decree of specific performance and to temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of any of the provisions of this Agreement, without posting any bond or other undertaking. Each party consents to the jurisdiction of the courts in Marion County, Indiana for this purpose and WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. |
14.5 NOTICES
All notices, consents, waivers, and other communications under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when (a) delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) sent by facsimile (with written confirmation of receipt), or (c) when received by the addressee, if sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service (receipt requested), in each case to the appropriate addresses and facsimile numbers set forth below (or to
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such other addresses and facsimile numbers as a party may designate by notice to the other parties):
| |
THE COMPANY: | Coastal Credit, LLC 3852 Virginia Beach Blvd Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452 Attn: William E. McKnight, President Telephone: 757 ###-###-#### Fax: 757 ###-###-#### |
|
SELLERS' REPRESENTATIVE: | John W. Rose FNB Corporation One FNB Boulevard Hermitage, PA 16148 Telephone: 724 ###-###-#### Fax: 724 ###-###-#### |
|
WITH A COPY TO: | Williams Mullen 222 Central Park Ave. Suite 1700 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462 Attn: Thomas R. Frantz. Esq |
|
BUYER: | White River Capital, Inc. 6051 El Tordo P.O. Box 1329 Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067 Attn: Mark R. Ruh, President Telephone: 858 ###-###-#### Fax: 858 ###-###-#### |
|
WITH A COPY TO: | Eric R. Moy Barnes & Thornburg LLP 11 South Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46204 Telephone: 317 ###-###-#### Fax: 317 ###-###-#### |
Notice of any matter that the party giving notice reasonably believes affects the Sellers collectively may be duly given by giving such notice only to the Sellers Representative. Notice affecting one Seller and not others shall be given to such Seller at the address for such Seller given on Schedule A. Any party may change the address to which notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other party notice in the manner herein set forth.
14.6 WAIVER
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The rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any right, power, or privilege under this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power, or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power, or privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power, or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power, or privilege.
14.7 ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATION
This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements between the parties with respect to its subject matter and constitutes (together with the documents referred to in this Agreement) a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement may not be amended except by a written agreement executed by the party to be charged with the amendment. Any amendment or waiver required to be provided by any Seller may be provided on behalf of each Seller by the Sellers Representative, unless such waiver or amendment would modify the amount of the Cash Consideration or Holdback Amount to be received by the Seller in a manner that would materially and adversely affect the economic interest of the Seller in the Contemplated Transactions.
14.8 ASSIGNMENTS, SUCCESSORS, AND NO THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS
No party may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the prior consent of the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will apply to, be binding in all respects upon, and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the parties. Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the parties to this Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement and all of its provisions and conditions are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their successors and assigns.
14.9 SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
14.10 SECTION HEADINGS, CONSTRUCTION
The headings of Sections in this Agreement are provided for convenience only and will not affect its construction or interpretation. All references to Section or Sections refer to the corresponding Section or Sections of this Agreement. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the word including does not limit the preceding words or terms.
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14.11 TIME OF ESSENCE
With regard to all dates and time periods set forth or referred to in this Agreement, time is of the essence.
14.12 COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.
14.13 DISCLOSURE LETTERS
Notwithstanding any specific reference to a section of this Agreement in any of the disclosures set forth in the Company, Buyer and Sellers Disclosure Letters and in any supplement thereto, such disclosures relate only to the representations and warranties in the Section of this Agreement to which they expressly relate and not to any other representation and warranty in this Agreement. Terms used in the Company, the Buyer and Sellers Disclosure Letters and not otherwise defined therein shall have the same meanings as are ascribed to such terms in this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.
BUYER:
WHITE RIVER CAPITAL, INC.
By: /s/ Mark R. Ruh Mark R. Ruh, President | | SELLERS:
/s/ William E. McKnight William E. McKnight |
COMPANY:
COASTAL CREDIT LLC
By: /s/ William E. McKnight William E. McKnight Manager and Chief Executive Officer | | CASTLE CREEK CAPITAL PARTNERS FUND IIA, LP By: Castle Creek Capital LLC Its: General Partner
By: /s/ William J. Ruh William J. Ruh Executive Vice President |
| | CASTLE CREEK CAPITAL PARTNERS FUND IIB,LP By: Castle Creek Capital LLC Its: General Partner
By: /s/ William J. Ruh William J. Ruh Executive Vice President |
| | REGIONS FIRST FINANCIAL, LLC
By: /s/ John W. Rose John W. Rose Vice President |
| | ELSA D. PRINCE LIVING TRUST
By: /a/ Elsa D. Prince Broekhuizen Elsa D. Prince Broekhuizen Trustee |
[schedules and exhibits omitted]