CPLA Capella Education Company (MM)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 18, 2015

 

 

Capella Education Company

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Minnesota		001-33140		41-1717955
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

225 South 6th Street, 9th Floor Minneapolis, Minnesota		55402
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (888) 227-3552

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d 2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d 2(b))

 

¨

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

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Item 1.01.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On December 18, 2015, Capella Education Company (the “Company”) entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N. A., as administrative agent (the “Agent”), swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”), which amended and restated in its entirety the Company’s existing credit agreement. The Credit Agreement provides the Company with a committed $100 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”), and includes an option pursuant to which the Company may elect to increase the size of the Facility to $150 million subject to certain conditions, including receipt of commitments by existing or new Lenders for the incremental amount. The commitments under the Facility will expire on December 18, 2020 and any loans outstanding on such date will mature and be payable on such date. The Company’s obligations under the Facility are guaranteed by all of its existing material domestic subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and such subsidiaries. Any future domestic subsidiaries will also be required to guarantee the Company’s obligations under the Facility and grant liens on substantially all of their assets to secure those obligations. Foreign subsidiaries will not be required to guarantee the obligations of the Company under the Facility or grant liens on their assets to secure those obligations except under limited circumstances.

A loan under the Facility will generally bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the election of the Company, either (i) a fixed rate for a selected interest period equal to LIBOR for that interest period plus a margin of between 1.75% and 2.25% (depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio), or (ii) a floating rate equal to the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus  ¹⁄₂ of 1%, (b) Bank of America’s prime rate, and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1%) plus a margin of between 0.75% and 1.25% (depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio). There is a floor on LIBOR of 0%.

A letter of credit fee and a fronting fee will be assessed on the amount available to be drawn under each letter of credit issued under the Facility at a rate per annum equal to, respectively, the margin on LIBOR rate loans and 0.125%.

In addition, the Company will be required to pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Facility at a rate per annum of between 0.30% and 0.40% (depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio).

An arrangement fee in in the amount of $200,000 was paid by the Company at the closing of the Facility to an affiliate of the Agent for structuring and syndicating the Facility. The Company also paid the Lenders at the closing of the Facility upfront fees in the aggregate amount of $410,000.

The Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain:

 

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a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter of at least 1.5 to 1.0,

 

•

a consolidated leverage ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter of no more than 2.0 to 1.0,

 

•

a DOE ratio (which is a composite score determined by the Department of Education) as of the end of each fiscal year of at least 2.0 to 1.0,

 

•

a cohort default rate for each school of no more than the maximum percentage permitted by the Department of Education for the applicable three consecutive cohort fiscal years or the applicable cohort fiscal year in order for the school to participate in Title IV student financial assistance programs, and

 

•

net institutional student loans as of the end of any fiscal quarter of no more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated net worth as of the end of such fiscal quarter.

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The Credit Agreement also contains other customary affirmative and negative covenants, including covenants that restrict the right of the Company and its subsidiaries to grant liens on their assets, make investments, incur indebtedness, merge, or lease, sell or otherwise dispose of assets. The Company will be permitted to pay dividends as long as no default exists and to repurchase stock if no default exists and, after giving effect to the repurchase on a pro forma basis, the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio does not exceed 1.0 to 1.0.

The Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, the occurrence of which would permit the Lenders to terminate their commitments, accelerate loans and require cash collateralization of letters of credit under the Facility, including failure to make payments under the Facility, failure to comply with covenants in the Credit Agreement and other loan documents, cross default to other material indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, failure of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to pay or discharge material judgments, bankruptcy of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and change of control of the Company.

The Lenders have performed and may continue to perform commercial banking and financial services for the Company and its subsidiaries for which they have received and will continue to receive customary fees.

The foregoing description of the Facility is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto.

 

Item 2.03.

Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation Under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The discussion under Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits.

 

10.1		Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 18, 2015 among Capella Education Company, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N. A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer
99.1		Press Release dated December 21, 2015

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

				CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY
Date: December 21, 2015				By		/s/ Renee L. Jackson
						Renee L. Jackson
						Vice President and General Counsel

Exhibit 10.1

PUBLISHED CUSIP NUMBER: 13959EAC7

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of December 18, 2015

among

CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY,

as the Borrower,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender

and

L/C Issuer,

and

The Other Lenders Party Hereto

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,

as

Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
ARTICLE I.		DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS			1
1.01		Defined Terms			1
1.02		Other Interpretive Provisions			27
1.03		Accounting Terms			27
1.04		Rounding			28
1.05		Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents			28
1.06		Additional Alternative Currencies			28
1.07		Change of Currency			29
1.08		Times of Day			29
1.09		Letter of Credit Amounts			30
ARTICLE II.		THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS			30
2.01		Revolving Loans			30
2.02		Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Revolving Loans			30
2.03		Letters of Credit			32
2.04		Swing Line Loans			41
2.05		Prepayments			43
2.06		Termination or Reduction of Commitments			45
2.07		Repayment of Loans			45
2.08		Interest			46
2.09		Fees			47
2.10		Computation of Interest and Fees			47
2.11		Evidence of Debt			47
2.12		Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback			48
2.13		Sharing of Payments by Lenders			50
2.14		Increase in Commitments			51
2.15		Cash Collateral			52
2.16		Defaulting Lenders			53
ARTICLE III.		TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY			55
3.01		Taxes			55
3.02		Illegality			60

 

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3.03		Inability to Determine Rates			60
3.04		Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans			61
3.05		Compensation for Losses			63
3.06		Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders			63
3.07		Survival			64
ARTICLE IV.		CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS			64
4.01		Conditions to Effectiveness of Agreement			64
4.02		Conditions to all Credit Extensions			66
ARTICLE V.		REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES			67
5.01		Existence, Qualification and Power			67
5.02		Authorization; No Contravention			67
5.03		Governmental Authorization; Other Consents			67
5.04		Binding Effect			68
5.05		Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect			68
5.06		Litigation			68
5.07		No Default			68
5.08		Ownership of Property; Liens			69
5.09		Environmental Compliance			69
5.10		Insurance			69
5.11		Taxes			69
5.12		ERISA Compliance			69
5.13		Subsidiaries; Equity Interests			70
5.14		Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act			70
5.15		Disclosure			71
5.16		Compliance with Laws			71
5.17		Taxpayer Identification Number			71
5.18		Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc			71
5.19		Solvent			72
5.20		OFAC			72
5.21		Anti-Corruption Laws			72
ARTICLE VI.		AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS			72
6.01		Financial Statements			72
6.02		Certificates; Other Information			73

 

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6.03		Notices			74
6.04		Payment of Obligations			75
6.05		Preservation of Existence, Etc			75
6.06		Maintenance of Properties			76
6.07		Maintenance of Insurance			76
6.08		Compliance with Laws			76
6.09		Books and Records			76
6.10		Inspection Rights			76
6.11		Use of Proceeds			77
6.12		Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security			77
6.13		Further Assurances			80
ARTICLE VII.		NEGATIVE COVENANTS			80
7.01		Liens			80
7.02		Investments			81
7.03		Indebtedness			82
7.04		Fundamental Changes			83
7.05		Dispositions			83
7.06		Restricted Payments			84
7.07		Change in Nature of Business			84
7.08		Transactions with Affiliates			85
7.09		Burdensome Agreements			85
7.10		Use of Proceeds			85
7.11		Financial Covenants			85
7.12		Information Regarding Collateral			86
7.13		Sanctions			86
7.14		Anti-Corruption Laws			86
ARTICLE VIII.		EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES			87
8.01		Events of Default			87
8.02		Remedies Upon Event of Default			89
8.03		Application of Funds			89
ARTICLE IX.		ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT			91
9.01		Appointment and Authority			91
9.02		Rights as a Lender			91

 

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9.03		Exculpatory Provisions			91
9.04		Reliance by Administrative Agent			92
9.05		Delegation of Duties			93
9.06		Resignation of Administrative Agent			93
9.07		Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders			95
9.08		No Other Duties, Etc			95
9.09		Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding			95
9.10		Collateral and Guaranty Matters			97
9.11		Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements			97
ARTICLE X.		MISCELLANEOUS			98
10.01		Amendments, Etc			98
10.02		Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication			99
10.03		No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement			102
10.04		Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver			102
10.05		Payments Set Aside			104
10.06		Successors and Assigns			105
10.07		Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality			109
10.08		Right of Setoff			110
10.09		Interest Rate Limitation			111
10.10		Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness			111
10.11		Survival of Representations and Warranties			111
10.12		Severability			111
10.13		Replacement of Lenders			112
10.14		Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc			113
10.15		Waiver of Jury Trial			114
10.16		No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility			114
10.17		Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents			115
10.18		USA PATRIOT Act			115
10.19		Judgment Currency			115
ARTICLE XI.		BORROWER GUARANTY			116
11.01		The Guaranty			116
11.02		Guaranty Unconditional			116

 

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11.03		Discharge Only Upon Payment In Full; Reinstatement In Certain Circumstances			117
11.04		Waiver by the Borrower			117
11.05		Delay of Subrogation			117
11.06		Stay of Acceleration			117

 

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SCHEDULES
		2.01		Commitments and Applicable Percentages
		5.13		Subsidiaries; Other Equity Investments
		7.01		Existing Liens
		7.02		Existing Investments
		7.03		Existing Indebtedness
		10.02		Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices
EXHIBITS
		Form of
		A		Revolving Loan Notice
		B		Swing Line Loan Notice
		C		Note
		D		Compliance Certificate
		E-1		Assignment and Assumption
		E-2		Administrative Questionnaire
		F		Guaranty
		G		Security Agreement

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of December 18, 2015, among CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY, a Minnesota corporation (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.

WHEREAS, the Borrower, various financial institutions and Bank of America, as administrative agent, are parties to a Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2011 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the parties hereto have agreed to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties hereto intend that this Agreement and the documents executed in connection herewith not effect a novation of the obligations of the Borrower under the Existing Credit Agreement, but merely a restatement of and, where applicable, an amendment to the terms governing such obligations;

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree that the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“Accreditation” means the status of public recognition granted by any Accrediting Body to an educational institution that meets the Accrediting Body’s standards and requirements.

“Accrediting Body” means any non-governmental entity or organization that has been recognized by the DOE as a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered by a postsecondary institution, and is an “institutional accrediting agency” as defined in 34 C.F.R. Part 602, including but not limited to, The Higher Learning Commission.

“Acquired Entity” means any Person or assets, as the case may be, acquired through an Acquisition.

“Acquisition” means any transaction or series of related transactions for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of any business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of 50% of the capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or equity of any Person, or otherwise causing any Person to become a Subsidiary, or (c) a merger or consolidation or any other combination with another Person (other than a Person that is a Subsidiary before giving effect to such merger or consolidation, provided that the Borrower or the Subsidiary is the surviving entity).

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“Administrative Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

“Administrative Agent’s Office” means, with respect to any currency, the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02 with respect to such currency, or such other address or account with respect to such currency as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in substantially the form of Exhibit E-2 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

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

“Aggregate Commitments” means the Commitments of all the Lenders.

“Agreement” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

“Alternative Currency” means each of Euro, Sterling, Canadian Dollars and each other currency (other than Dollars) that is approved in accordance with Section 1.06.

“Alternative Currency Equivalent” means, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in the applicable Alternative Currency as determined by the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of such Alternative Currency with Dollars.

“Alternative Currency Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of the Aggregate Commitments and $50,000,000. The Alternative Currency Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments.

“Applicable Percentage” means with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16. If the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

 

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“Applicable Rate” means, from time to time, the following percentages per annum, based upon the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as set forth below:

 

LEVEL		CONSOLIDATED LEVERAGE RATIO		EUROCURRENCY LOANS		BASE RATE LOANS		LETTER OF CREDIT FEE		COMMITMENT FEE
1		³ 1.50 to 1.0		2.25%		1.25%		2.25%		0.40%
2		³ 1.00 to 1.0 but < 1.50 to 1.0		2.00%		1.00%		2.00%		0.35%
3		< 1.00 to 1.0		1.75%		0.75%		1.75%		0.30%

Initially, the Applicable Rate shall be Level 3. Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a); provided, however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then, upon the request of the Required Lenders, Pricing Level 1 shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered.

“Applicable Time” means, with respect to any borrowings and payments in any Alternative Currency, the local time in the place of settlement for such Alternative Currency as may be determined by the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to be necessary for timely settlement on the relevant date in accordance with normal banking procedures in the place of payment.

“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

“Arranger” means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, in its capacity as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner.

“Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit E-1 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

“Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capital Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a Capital Lease.

“Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

 

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“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (c) the date of termination of the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.

“Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

“Bankruptcy Code” means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11 U.S.C. § 101, et. seq.).

“Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate,” and (c) the Eurocurrency Rate plus 1.00%. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

“Base Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

“Base Rate Revolving Loan” means a Revolving Loan that is a Base Rate Loan. All Base Rate Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.

“Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

“Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Borrowing” means a Revolving Borrowing or a Swing Line Borrowing, as the context may require.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office with respect to Obligations denominated in Dollars is located and:

(a) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in Dollars, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Dollars in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market;

 

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(b) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in Euro, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Euro in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, means a TARGET Day;

(c) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in the relevant currency are conducted by and between banks in the London or other applicable offshore interbank market for such currency; and

(d) if such day relates to any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in a currency other than Dollars or Euro in respect of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, or any other dealings in any currency other than Dollars or Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan (other than any interest rate settings), means any such day on which banks are open for foreign exchange business in the principal financial center of the country of such currency.

“Canadian Dollar” means the lawful currency of Canada.

“Capella University” means Capella University, Inc., a Minnesota corporation and Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

“Capital Expenditures” means amounts paid or Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the purchase or lease by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of assets that would be required to be capitalized and shown on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, other than any amounts paid or Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with Permitted Acquisitions.

“Capital Lease” means any lease which is or which should be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee in accordance with GAAP.

“Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender (as applicable) and the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations, Obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans, or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of either thereof (as the context may require), cash or deposit account balances or, if the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender benefitting from such collateral shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender (as applicable). “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

“Cash Management Agreement” means any agreement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements.

 

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“Cash Management Bank” means any Person that, at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement.

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

“Change of Control” means an event or series of events by which any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the equity securities of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right).

“Closing Date” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01.

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

“Cohort Default Rate” means the “official cohort default rate” as defined in 34 C.F.R. Part 668 Subpart N.

“Collateral” means all of the “Collateral” or other similar term referred to in the Collateral Documents and all of the other property that is or is intended under the terms of the Collateral Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

“Collateral Documents” means each Security Agreement and any other agreement pursuant to which any Loan Party grants collateral to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and any control agreements executed in connection therewith.

 

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“Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01, (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus

(a) the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (i) Consolidated Interest Charges for such period, (ii) the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes based on or measured by income used or included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income, (iii) the amount of depreciation and amortization expense deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, (iv) all non-cash expenses incurred for the issuance of employee stock options and other stock based compensation in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), and (v) all non-cash and nonrecurring charges, minus

(b) to the extent included in such Consolidated Net Income, all nonrecurring and non-cash gains for such period;

provided that for purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11(a) and (b), the Consolidated Net Income of any Person or business unit acquired in connection with a Permitted Acquisition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary during such period (plus, to the extent deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated Interest Charges, state, local and foreign income taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses, and non-cash expenses incurred for the issuance of employee stock options and other stock based compensation of such Person or business unit) shall be included on a pro forma basis for such period (assuming the consummation of each such acquisition and the incurrence or assumption of any Indebtedness in connection therewith occurred on the first day of such period) in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the SEC.

“Consolidated EBITDAR” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to (i) Consolidated EBITDA for such period, plus (ii) Consolidated Rental Expense deducted in the determination of Consolidated Net Income for such period.

“Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means as of any date of determination, the ratio of:

(a) an amount equal to (i) Consolidated EBITDAR for the period of the four fiscal quarters then most recently ended, minus (ii) Capital Expenditures during such period (other than Capital Expenditures financed with Capital Leases or purchase money Indebtedness), minus (iii) the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes based on or measured by income included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for such period, minus (iv) all dividends paid in cash during such period, to

 

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(b) the sum of (i) all principal payments (including Attributable Indebtedness but excluding required prepayments of the Loans pursuant to Section 2.05) required to be paid on a consolidated basis with respect to Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during the four fiscal quarters then most recently ended, plus (ii) Consolidated Interest Charges paid or required to be paid during such period, plus (iii) all Consolidated Rental Expense paid or required to be paid during such period.

“Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of all obligations, whether current or long-term, for borrowed money (including Obligations hereunder) and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments, (b) all purchase money Indebtedness, (c) all obligations (whether direct or contingent) arising under standby letters of credit and bank guaranties (whether or not drawn), bankers’ acceptances, surety bonds and similar instruments, (d) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), including non-contingent earn out obligations but excluding contingent earn out obligations regardless of whether such earn out obligations constitute indebtedness under GAAP; (e) Attributable Indebtedness in respect of Capital Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations, (f) without duplication, all Guarantees with respect to outstanding Indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (a) through (e) above of Persons other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and (g) all Indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

“Consolidated Interest Charges” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, and (b) the portion of rent expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to such period under Capital Leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the net income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (excluding extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses) for that period.

 

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“Consolidated Net Worth” means, as of any date of determination, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the consolidated shareholders’ equity of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of that date determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Rental Expense” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all accruals under all operating leases (including subleases but excluding payments under Capital Leases and Synthetic Leases).

“Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other contractual undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

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

“Credit Extension” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

“Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

“Default Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Eurocurrency Rate Loan plus 2% per annum, and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate plus 2% per annum.

“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.16(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations hereunder, including in respect of its Loans or participations in respect of Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans, within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations hereunder or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent

 

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company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

“Designated Jurisdiction” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory itself is the subject of any Sanction.

“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, grant of exclusive license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

“DOE” means the United States Department of Education and any successor agency administering federal student financial assistance under Title IV.

“DOE Ratio” means the Borrower’s composite score as of any fiscal year end, as determined by the Secretary of the DOE pursuant to Section 668.172 of 34 C.F.R.

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

“Dollar Equivalent” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any Alternative Currency, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of Dollars with such Alternative Currency.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

“Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii)).

“Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

 

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“EMU” means the economic and monetary union in accordance with the Treaty of Rome 1957, as amended by the Single European Act 1986, the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 and the Amsterdam Treaty of 1998.

“EMU Legislation” means the legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.

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

“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

“ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (f) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; or (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

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“Euro” and “EUR” mean the lawful currency of the Participating Member States introduced in accordance with the EMU Legislation.

“Eurocurrency Rate” means

(a) for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or a comparable or successor rate which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for deposits in the relevant currency (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

(b) for any interest with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to LIBOR or a comparable or successor rate which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to such date, for U.S. Dollar deposits with a term of one month commencing that day;

provided that, to the extent a comparable or successor rate is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection with any rate set forth in this definition, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided, further that, to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent; and if the Eurocurrency Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement.

“Eurocurrency Rate Loan” means a Revolving Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate”. Eurocurrency Rate Loans may be denominated in Dollars or in an Alternative Currency.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.

“Excluded Property” has the meaning specified in Section 6.12.

“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the Laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable Lending Office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, (c) any backup withholding

 

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tax that is required by the Code to be withheld from amounts payable to a Lender that has failed to comply with clause (A) of Section 3.01(e)(ii), and (d) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 10.13), any United States withholding tax that (i) is required to be imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender pursuant to the Laws in force at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office), (ii) is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with clause (B) of Section 3.01(e)(ii), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) or (c), or (iii) is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to satisfy the applicable requirements as in effect after December 31, 2012 of FATCA to establish that such payment is exempt from withholding under FATCA.

“Existing Credit Agreement” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

“FASB ASC” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

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

“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

“Fee Letter” means the fee letter, dated November 23, 2015, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Arranger.

“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes (including such a Lender when acting in the capacity of the L/C Issuer). For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

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

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

 

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“Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank) and any group or body charged with setting financial accounting or regulatory capital rules or standards (including, without limitation, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or any successor or similar authority to any of the foregoing).

“Guarantee” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person. The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if

 

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not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith; provided, however, with respect to any Guaranty described in clause (b) above, to the extent the Indebtedness or obligation secured thereby has not been assumed by the guarantor or is nonrecourse to the guarantor, the amount of such Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the lesser of the fair market value of the assets subject to such Lien or the Indebtedness or obligation secured thereby. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Guarantor” means, as of any day, Capella University, Sophia Learning, LLC, Capella Learning Solutions, LLC and each other Subsidiary that has guaranteed the Secured Obligations and granted Liens on its personal property to secure the Secured Obligations on or prior to that day (or is required to do so on that date) and that has not been released therefrom in accordance with the terms hereof or of any Guaranty or Collateral Document to which such Subsidiary is a party.

“Guaranty” means each guaranty issued by a Subsidiary of the Company in favor of the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

“HEA” means the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

“Hedge Bank” means any Person that, at the time it enters into an interest rate Swap Contract permitted under Article VI or VII, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract.

“Honor Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).

“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

(b) all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;

(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), including non-contingent earn out obligations but excluding contingent earn out obligations regardless of whether such earn out obligations constitute indebtedness under GAAP;

 

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(e) indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (d) and (f) of this definition (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

(f) Capital Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations;

(g) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or any other Person, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and

(h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of any Capital Lease or Synthetic Lease Obligation as of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable Indebtedness in respect thereof as of such date. The amount of any Indebtedness described in clause (e), if such Indebtedness has not been assumed or is limited in recourse to the property subject to such Lien, shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the lesser of the fair market value of the asset subject to such Lien or the indebtedness secured thereby.

“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

“Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).

“Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.

“Interest Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), on the tenth Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December and on the Maturity Date.

“Interest Period” means as to each Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurocurrency Rate Loan is disbursed or (in the case of any Eurocurrency Rate Revolving Loan) converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the

 

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Borrower in its Revolving Loan Notice or, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such other period that is twelve months or less requested by the Borrower and consented to by all the Lenders; provided that:

(i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless, in the case of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

(ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

(iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

“Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of capital stock or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other Indebtedness or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

“IP Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 5.18.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

“Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.

“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

 

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“L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

“L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Borrowing.

“L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

“L/C Issuer” means Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.

“L/C Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.09. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

“Lender” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto and, as the context requires, includes the Swing Line Lender.

“Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

“Letter of Credit” means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder. All Letters of Credit shall be issued in Dollars.

“Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.

“Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is seven days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).

“Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(h).

“Letter of Credit Sublimit” means an amount equal to $20,000,000. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

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“Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Revolving Loan or a Swing Line Loan.

“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, each Note, each Collateral Document, each Issuer Document, any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.15 of this Agreement, the Fee Letter, and the Guaranty.

“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.

“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the business, assets, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

“Maturity Date” means December 18, 2020 provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan that is subject to ERISA and which is of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

“Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

“Net Institutional Student Loans” means loans to students made under Capella University’s or any other Subsidiary’s institutional loan program net of allowances for credit losses.

“Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

“Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

 

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

“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

“Outstanding Amount” means (i) with respect to Revolving Loans, the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Revolving Loans occurring on such date, (ii) with respect to Swing Line Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Swing Line Loans occurring on such date; and (iii) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.

“Overnight Rate” means, for any day, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in an Alternative Currency, the rate of interest per annum at which overnight deposits in the applicable Alternative Currency, in an amount approximately equal to the amount with respect to which such rate is being determined, would be offered for such day by a branch or Affiliate of Bank of America in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency to major banks in such interbank market.

“Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

“Participating Member State” means each state so described in any EMU Legislation.

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

“Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

 

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“Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

“Permitted Acquisition” means an Acquisition which meets each of the following conditions:

(i) the Borrower shall have given to the Administrative Agent 10 days’ notice of the proposed closing date thereof (together with a summary thereof), it being understood that promptly upon receipt of such notice the Administrative Agent shall furnish a copy thereof to the Lenders or post a copy thereof on Syndtrak or another relevant website for access thereto by each Lender;

(ii) such Acquisition is non-hostile (i.e., the prior, effective written consent or approval to such Acquisition of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Acquired Entity is obtained);

(iii) the Acquired Entity represents a line of business substantially the same as or related or incidental to the lines of business carried on by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof;

(iv) if the Acquired Entity is an accredited, Title IV eligible institution and the total consideration for the Acquisition exceeds $25,000,000, such Acquired Entity is in good standing with all applicable Accrediting Bodies (it being understood that, for purposes hereof, an Acquired Entity shall be deemed not to be in good standing if it shall have received an order, notice or other decision from an Accrediting Body in a jurisdiction in which such Acquired Entity provides post secondary education, to the effect that the authority of such Acquired Entity to provide postsecondary education in such jurisdiction is or will be withdrawn, revoked or terminated);

(v) immediately before and after giving effect to such Acquisition, (a) no Default shall exist, and (b) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, both before and as determined on a pro forma basis, shall not exceed 1.75:1.0; and

(vi) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to the effect of the matters set forth in clauses (ii) through (v) above (it being understood that such certificate shall include reasonable calculations supporting the matters set forth therein).

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

“Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.

 

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“Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Pledged Foreign Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of which (i) 66 2/3% (or such greater percentage that, due to a change in an applicable Law after the date hereof, could not reasonably be expected to cause the undistributed earnings of such Foreign Subsidiary as determined for United States federal income tax purposes to be treated as a deemed dividend to such Foreign Subsidiary’s United States parent) of its issued and outstanding Equity Interests entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) and (ii) 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests not entitled to vote (within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.956-2(c)(2)) have been pledged to the Administrative Agent.

“Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).

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

“Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.

“Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Revolving Loans, a Revolving Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.

“Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders having more than 50% of the Aggregate Commitments or, if the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02, Lenders holding in the aggregate more than 50% of the Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Lender for purposes of this definition); provided that the Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party, solely for purposes of the delivery of certificates pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(v) or (vi), the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a

 

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Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest (other than Indebtedness convertible into Equity Interests) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest (other than Indebtedness convertible into Equity Interests), or on account of any return of capital to the Borrower’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Person thereof).

“Revaluation Date” means with respect to any Revolving Loan, each of the following: (i) each date of a Borrowing of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, (ii) each date of a continuation of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency pursuant to Section 2.02, and (iii) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require.

“Revolving Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Loans of the same Type, in the same currency and, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.

“Revolving Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

“Revolving Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Revolving Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Revolving Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

“Same Day Funds” means (a) with respect to disbursements and payments in Dollars, immediately available funds, and (b) with respect to disbursements and payments in an Alternative Currency, same day or other funds as may be determined by the Administrative Agent to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions in the relevant Alternative Currency.

“Sanction(s)” means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority.

“School” means a postsecondary institution of higher education and its additional locations, taken together, operated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary that participates in Title IV Programs.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

 

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“Secured Cash Management Agreement” means any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Cash Management Bank.

“Secured Hedge Agreement” means any interest rate Swap Contract permitted under Article VI or VII that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Hedge Bank.

“Secured Obligations” means the Obligations and all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement.

“Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Hedge Banks, the Cash Management Banks, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05, and the other Persons the Secured Obligations owing to which are or are purported to be secured by the Collateral under the terms of the Collateral Documents.

“Security Agreement” means each security agreement among any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit G (or any other form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent).

“Solvent” means, as to any Person at any time, that (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the amount of such Person’s liabilities (including disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as such value is established and liabilities evaluated for purposes of Section 101(31) of the Bankruptcy Code and; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured; (c) such Person is able to realize upon its property and pay its debts and other liabilities (including disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as they mature in the normal course of business; (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature; and (e) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute unreasonably small capital.

“Special Notice Currency” means at any time an Alternative Currency, other than the currency of a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development at such time located in North America or Europe.

“Spot Rate” for a currency means the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided that the Administrative Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency.

“Sterling” and “£” mean the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

 

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“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

“Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

“Swing Line Borrowing” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04.

“Swing Line Lender” means Bank of America in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.

“Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).

“Swing Line Loan Notice” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B or such other form as approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

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“Swing Line Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $10,000,000 and (b) the Aggregate Commitments. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments.

“Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

“TARGET Day” means any day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) payment system (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system (if any) determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement) is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.

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

“Threshold Amount” means $10,000,000.

“Title IV” means Title IV of HEA, and any amendments or successor statutes thereto.

“Title IV Programs” means the programs of federal student financial assistance administered by the DOE pursuant to Title IV as described in Section 668.1 of 34 C.F.R.

“Total Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations.

“Type” means with respect to a Revolving Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan.

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Illinois provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of Illinois, “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority

“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

“Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).

“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of a Person means (i) any Subsidiary all of the outstanding voting securities of which shall at the time be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person, or (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or similar business organization 100% of the ownership interests having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time be so owned or controlled.

 

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1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

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

(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

1.03 Accounting Terms.

(a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the

 

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computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.

(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

1.04 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

1.05 Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents. (a) The Administrative Agent shall determine the Spot Rates as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Credit Extensions and Outstanding Amounts denominated in Alternative Currencies. Such Spot Rates shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Spot Rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by the Borrower hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as so determined by the Administrative Agent.

(b) Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Borrowing or Eurocurrency Rate Loan is denominated in an Alternative Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Alternative Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Alternative Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent.

1.06 Additional Alternative Currencies. (a) The Borrower may from time to time request that Eurocurrency Rate Loans be made in a currency other than those specifically listed in the definition of “Alternative Currency;” provided that such requested currency is a lawful currency (other than Dollars) that is readily available and freely transferable and convertible into Dollars. In the case of any such request with respect to the making of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

 

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(b) Any such request shall be made to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m., 20 Business Days prior to the date of the desired Credit Extension (or such other time or date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion). The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof. Each Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent, not later than 11:00 a.m., ten Business Days after receipt of such request whether it consents, in its sole discretion, to the making of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in such requested currency.

(c) Any failure by a Lender to respond to such request within the time period specified in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a refusal by such Lender to permit Eurocurrency Rate Loans to be made in such requested currency. If the Administrative Agent and all the Lenders consent to making Eurocurrency Rate Loans in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternative Currency hereunder for purposes of any Borrowings of Eurocurrency Rate Loans. If the Administrative Agent shall fail to obtain consent to any request for an additional currency under this Section 1.06, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Borrower.

1.07 Change of Currency. (a) Each obligation of the Borrower to make a payment denominated in the national currency unit of any member state of the European Union that adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the date hereof shall be redenominated into Euro at the time of such adoption (in accordance with the EMU Legislation). If, in relation to the currency of any such member state, the basis of accrual of interest expressed in this Agreement in respect of that currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the London interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest in respect of the Euro, such expressed basis shall be replaced by such convention or practice with effect from the date on which such member state adopts the Euro as its lawful currency; provided that if any Borrowing in the currency of such member state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such Borrowing, at the end of the then current Interest Period.

(b) Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect the adoption of the Euro by any member state of the European Union and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the Euro.

(c) Each provision of this Agreement also shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect a change in currency of any other country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the change in currency.

1.08 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Central time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

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1.09 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

ARTICLE II. THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

2.01 Revolving Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “Revolving Loan”) to the Borrower in Dollars or in one or more Alternative Currencies from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Revolving Borrowing, (i) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Loans of any Lender, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment and (iii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies shall not exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit. Within the limits of each Lender’s Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01. Revolving Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Revolving Loans.

(a) Each Borrowing, each conversion of Revolving Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent which shall be given by a Revolving Loan Notice. Each such Revolving Loan Notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, (ii) four Business Days (or five Business Days in the case of a Special Notice Currency) prior to the requested date of any Borrowing or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies, and (iii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Revolving Loans; provided, however, that if the Borrower wishes to request Eurocurrency Rate Loans having an Interest Period other than one, two, three or six months in duration as provided in the definition of “Interest Period,” the applicable notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) four Business Days prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, or (ii) five Business Days (or six Business days in the case of a Special Notice Currency) prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies, whereupon the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Lenders of such

 

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request and determine whether the requested Interest Period is acceptable to all of them. Not later than 11:00 a.m., (i) three Business Days before the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, or (ii) four Business Days (or five Business days in the case of a Special Notice Currency) prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower (which notice may be by telephone) whether or not the requested Interest Period has been consented to by all the Lenders. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c), each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Revolving Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Revolving Loan Notice shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing of or a conversion of Revolving Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Revolving Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Revolving Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Revolving Loans are to be converted, (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto, and (vi) the currency of the Revolving Loans to be borrowed. If the Borrower fails to specify a currency in a Revolving Loan Notice requesting a Borrowing, then the Revolving Loans so requested shall be made in Dollars. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Revolving Loan in a Revolving Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Revolving Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans; provided, however, that in the case of a failure to timely request a continuation of Revolving Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, such Loans shall be continued as Eurocurrency Rate Loans in their original currency with an Interest Period of one month. Any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurocurrency Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in any such Revolving Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. No Revolving Loan may be converted into or continued as a Revolving Loan denominated in a different currency, but instead must be prepaid in the original currency of such Revolving Loan and reborrowed in the other currency.

(b) Following receipt of a Revolving Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount (and currency) of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable Revolving Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans or continuation of Revolving Loans denominated in a currency other than Dollars, in each case as described in the preceding subsection. In the case of a Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Revolving Loan available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office for the applicable currency not later than 1:00 p.m., in the case of any Revolving Loan denominated in Dollars, and not later than the

 

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Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent in the case of any Revolving Loan in an Alternative Currency, in each case on the Business Day specified in the applicable Revolving Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02, the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date the Revolving Loan Notice with respect to such Borrowing denominated in Dollars is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and, second, shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above.

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurocurrency Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurocurrency Rate Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurocurrency Rate Loans (whether in Dollars or any Alternative Currency) without the consent of the Required Lenders, and the Required Lenders may demand that any or all of the then outstanding Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency be prepaid, or redenominated into Dollars in the amount of the Dollar Equivalent thereof, on the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurocurrency Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in Bank of America’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

(e) After giving effect to all Revolving Borrowings, all conversions of Revolving Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Revolving Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than five Interest Periods in effect with respect to Revolving Loans.

2.03 Letters of Credit.

(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment.

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subsection (b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit

 

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issued for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Loans of any Lender, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment, and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.

(ii) The L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit, if:

(A) subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii), the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date; or

(B) the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless all the Lenders have approved such expiry date.

(iii) The L/C Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

(A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator entered after the Closing Date shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer adopted after the Closing Date or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer made or issued after the Closing Date shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;

(B) the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;

 

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(C) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $100,000, in the case of a commercial Letter of Credit, or $500,000, in the case of a standby Letter of Credit;

(D) the Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars;

(E) any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which the L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion; or

(F) the Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder.

(iv) The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.

(v) The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.

(vi) The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article IX included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.

(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.

(i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an

 

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initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may require.

(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Section 4.02 shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

(iii) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that the L/C Issuer shall not

 

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permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.

(iv) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.

(i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an “Honor Date”), the Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Revolving Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

(ii) Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the L/C Issuer at the Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Revolving Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.

 

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(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Revolving Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03.

(iv) Until each Lender funds its Revolving Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.

(v) Each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Revolving Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

(vi) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii), then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Loan included in the relevant Revolving Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(d) Repayment of Participations.

(i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.

(ii) If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(e) Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;

(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

(iv) any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or

 

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(v) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

(f) Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.

(g) Applicability of ISP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit.

 

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(h) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit; provided, however, any Letter of Credit Fees otherwise payable for the account of a Defaulting Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit as to which such Defaulting Lender has not provided Cash Collateral satisfactory to the L/C Issuer pursuant to this Section 2.03 shall, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, (i) be payable to the other Lenders in accordance with the upward adjustments in their respective Applicable Percentages allocable to such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.16(a)(iv), (ii) be payable to the L/C Issuer for its own account to the extent allocable to its Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Bank arising from such Letter of Credit and (iii) with regard to the remaining amount of any such fee, not be required to be paid. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.09. Letter of Credit Fees shall be (x) due and payable in arrears on the tenth Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand and (y) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.

(i) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at the rate per annum of 0.125%, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable on the tenth Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December in respect of the most recently-ended quarterly period (or portion thereof, in the case of the first payment), commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.09. In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable one Business Day after receipt by the Borrower of an invoice for the same and are nonrefundable.

(j) Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.

(k) Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the

 

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account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

2.04 Swing Line Loans.

(a) The Swing Line. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, may in its sole discretion make loans (each such loan, a “Swing Line Loan”) to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lender’s Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Loans of any Lender, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment, and provided, further, that the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.04, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.04. Each Swing Line Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.

(b) Borrowing Procedures. Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which shall be given by a Swing Line Loan Notice. Each such Swing Line Loan Notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $100,000 or, if less, the unused Swing Line Sublimit, and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a), or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower at its office by crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Swing Line Lender in immediately available funds.

 

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(c) Refinancing of Swing Line Loans.

(i) The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Lender make a Base Rate Revolving Loan in an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Revolving Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Revolving Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such Revolving Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral available with respect to the applicable Swing Line Loan) for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Revolving Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Revolving Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.

(ii) If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i), the request for Base Rate Revolving Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.

(iii) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate in effect from time to time, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Loan included in the relevant Revolving Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(iv) Each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.

(d) Repayment of Participations.

(i) At any time after any Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.

(ii) If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate. The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(e) Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Lender funds its Base Rate Revolving Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.

(f) Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.

2.05 Prepayments.

(a) The Borrower may, upon notice from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Revolving Loans in whole or in

 

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part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (A) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, (B) four Business Days (or five, in the case of prepayment of Loans denominated in Special Notice Currencies) prior to any date of prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies, and (C) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Revolving Loans; (ii) any prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; (iii) any prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies shall be in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; and (iv) any prepayment of Base Rate Revolving Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Revolving Loans to be prepaid, if Eurocurrency Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Each such prepayment shall be applied to the Revolving Loans of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.

(b) The Borrower may, upon notice to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (ii) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.

(c) If the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower at any time that the Total Outstandings at such time exceed an amount equal to 102% of the Aggregate Commitments then in effect, then, within two Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall prepay Loans and/or the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce such Outstanding Amount as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed 100% of the Aggregate Commitments then in effect; provided, however, that, the Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) unless after the prepayment in full of the Loans the Total Outstandings exceed the Aggregate Commitments then in effect. The Administrative Agent may, at any time and from time to time after the initial deposit of such Cash Collateral, request that additional Cash Collateral be provided in order to protect against the results of further exchange rate fluctuations.

 

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(d) If the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower at any time that the Outstanding Amount of all Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies at such time exceeds an amount equal to 105% of the Alternative Currency Sublimit then in effect, then, within two Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall prepay Loans in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce such Outstanding Amount as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed 100% of the Alternative Currency Sublimit then in effect.

(e) Notwithstanding the forgoing, a notice of prepayment of Loans delivered by the Borrower in connection with the termination of the Aggregate Commitments may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or a sale of the Borrower, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.

2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments. The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Commitments, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Commitments; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. five Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Commitments, and (iv) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments, the Alternative Currency Sublimit, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Commitments, such Sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the Aggregate Commitments. The amount of any such Aggregate Commitment reduction shall not be applied to the Alternative Currency Sublimit or the Letter of Credit Sublimit unless otherwise specified by the Borrower. Any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments shall be applied to the Commitment of each Lender according to its Applicable Percentage. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, a notice of termination of the Aggregate Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or a sale of the Borrower, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.

2.07 Repayment of Loans.

(a) The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.

 

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(b) The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date ten Business Days after such Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.

2.08 Interest.

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each Eurocurrency Rate Revolving Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurocurrency Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; (ii) each Base Rate Revolving Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate; and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) (i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Borrower shall, while any Event of Default exists, pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(iv) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

(c) Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

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2.09 Fees. In addition to certain fees described in subsections (h) and (i) of Section 2.03:

(a) Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee in Dollars equal to the Applicable Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Commitments exceed the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the tenth Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period. The commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

(b) Other Fees. (i) The Borrower shall pay to the Arranger and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts in Dollars fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

(ii) The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders in Dollars such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year), or, in the case of interest in respect of Revolving Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies as to which market practice differs from the foregoing, in accordance with such market practice. Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

2.11 Evidence of Debt.

(a) The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however,

 

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limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), currency, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

2.12 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.

(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein and except with respect to principal of and interest on Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in Same Day Funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder with respect to principal and interest on Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office in such Alternative Currency and in Same Day Funds not later than the Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent on the dates specified herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may require that any payments due under this Agreement be made in the United States. If, for any reason, the Borrower is prohibited by any Law from making any required payment hereunder in an Alternative Currency, the Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of the Alternative Currency payment amount. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent (i) after 2:00 p.m., in the case of payments in Dollars, or (ii) after the Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent in the case of payments in an Alternative Currency, shall in each case be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

 

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(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Revolving Borrowing of Eurocurrency Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Revolving Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Revolving Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Revolving Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Revolving Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Revolving Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in Same Day Funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the Overnight Rate, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Revolving Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Revolving Loan included in such Revolving Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in Same Day Funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at Overnight Rate.

A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

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(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Section 4.02 are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Revolving Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Revolving Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Revolving Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c).

(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

2.13 Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of the Revolving Loans made by it, or the participations in L/C Obligations or in Swing Line Loans held by it resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Revolving Loans or participations and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and subparticipations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:

(i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

(ii) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), (y) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.15, or (z) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Revolving Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).

 

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Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Loan Party in the amount of such participation.

2.14 Increase in Commitments.

(a) Request for Increase. Provided there exists no Default, upon notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders), the Borrower may from time to time, request an increase in the Aggregate Commitments by an amount (for all such requests) not exceeding $50,000,000; by adding to this Agreement one or more other Eligible Assignees (which may include any existing Lender, with the consent of such Lender in its sole discretion) (each such bank, a “Supplemental Lender”) with the approval of (x) the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent will be required in the case of any such Eligible Assignee that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender and (y) the L/C Issuer (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that (i) each Supplemental Lender shall have entered into an agreement pursuant to which such Supplemental Lender shall undertake a Commitment (or, if such Supplemental Lender is an existing Lender, pursuant to which its Commitment shall be increased), (ii) such Commitment of any Supplemental Lender that is not an existing Lender shall be in an amount of at least $5,000,000, and (iii) such Commitment (together with the increased Commitment(s) of all other Supplemental Lenders being provided at such time) shall be in an aggregate amount of at least $5,000,000.

(b) Required Supplemental Lender Documentation. Each such Supplemental Lender shall enter into an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and its counsel pursuant to which such Supplemental Lender shall, as of the effective date of such increase in the Commitments (which shall be a Business Day and, unless the Administrative Agent otherwise agrees, on which no issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit is scheduled to occur or no Borrowing is scheduled to be made, each a “Supplemental Commitment Date”), undertake a Commitment (or, if any such Supplemental Lender is an existing Lender, its Commitment shall be in addition to such Lender’s Commitment hereunder on such date) and such Supplemental Lender shall thereupon become (or continue to be) a “Lender” for all purposes hereof.

(c) Conditions to Effectiveness of Increase. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no increase in the Aggregate Commitments hereunder pursuant to this Section shall be effective unless:

(i) The Borrower shall have given the Administrative Agent notice of any such increase at least ten Business Days prior to the applicable Supplemental Commitment Date;

 

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(ii) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the applicable Supplemental Commitment Date;

(iii) the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the Supplemental Commitment Date signed by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party (x) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase, and (y) in the case of the Borrower, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, (A) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Supplemental Commitment Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 2.14, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01, and (B) no Default exists; and

(iv) The Borrower shall prepay any Revolving Loans outstanding on the Supplemental Commitment Date (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Revolving Loans ratable with any revised Applicable Percentages arising from the Supplemental Commitment.

(d) Notice to Lenders. If the Aggregate Commitments are increased in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of the amount of the Supplemental Commitment and the revised Applicable Percentages after giving effect to the same.

(e) Conflicting Provisions. This Section shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.13 or 10.01 to the contrary.

2.15 Cash Collateral.

(a) Certain Credit Support Events. Upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer (i) if the L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, or (ii) if, as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, the Borrower shall, in each case, immediately Cash Collateralize the then Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, immediately upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover all Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

 

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(b) Grant of Security Interest. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Lender, such Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders (including the Swing Line Lender), and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.15(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the applicable Fronting Exposure and other obligations secured thereby, the Borrower or the relevant Defaulting Lender will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency.

(c) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.15 or Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.16 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, Swing Line Loans, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.

(d) Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 10.06(b)(vi))) or (ii) the Administrative Agent’s good faith determination that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (x) that Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party shall not be released during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default (and following application as provided in this Section 2.15 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Section 8.03), and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

2.16 Defaulting Lenders.

(a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments. That Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 10.01.

 

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(ii) Reallocation of Payments. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.08), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, to be held as Cash Collateral for future funding obligations of that Defaulting Lender of any participation in any Swing Line Loan or Letter of Credit; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans or L/C Borrowings were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Borrowings owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Borrowings owed to, that Defaulting Lender. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.16(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(iii) Certain Fees. That Defaulting Lender (x) shall not be entitled to receive any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.09(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender) and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 2.03(h).

 

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(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.04, the “Applicable Percentage” of each non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Commitment of that Defaulting Lender; provided, that, (i) each such reallocation shall be given effect only if, at the date the applicable Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, no Default or Event of Default exists; and (ii) the aggregate obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (1) the Commitment of that non-Defaulting Lender minus (2) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Loans of that Lender.

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Revolving Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

ARTICLE III. TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

3.01 Taxes.

(a) Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall to the extent permitted by applicable Laws be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Taxes. If, however, applicable Laws require the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to withhold or deduct any Tax, such Tax shall be withheld or deducted in accordance with such Laws as determined by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e) below.

(i) If the Borrower or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States Federal backup

 

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withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

(ii) If the Borrower or the Administrative Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as required by such Laws, shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to the extent required by such Laws, shall timely pay the full amount so withheld or deducted by it to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Laws, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Laws.

(c) Tax Indemnifications. (i) Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) above, the Borrower shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the L/C Issuer, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) withheld or deducted by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent or paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The Borrower shall also, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender or the L/C Issuer for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required by clause (ii) of this subsection. A certificate as to the amount of any such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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(ii) Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) above, each Lender and the L/C Issuer shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, against any and all Taxes and any and all related losses, claims, liabilities, penalties, interest and expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) incurred by or asserted against the Borrower or the Administrative Agent by any Governmental Authority as a result of the failure by such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to deliver, or as a result of the inaccuracy, inadequacy or deficiency of, any documentation required to be delivered by such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (e). Each Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii). The agreements in this clause (ii) shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

(d) Evidence of Payments. Upon request by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

(e) Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation. (i) Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by applicable Laws or when reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable Laws or by the taxing authorities of any jurisdiction and such other reasonably requested information as will permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not payments made hereunder or under any other Loan Document are subject to Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, applicable Taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Lender by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise to establish such Lender’s status for withholding tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Borrower is resident for tax purposes in the United States,

 

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(A) any Lender that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or such other documentation or information prescribed by applicable Laws or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements; and

(B) each Foreign Lender that is entitled under the Code or any applicable treaty to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is applicable:

(I) executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,

(II) executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,

(III) executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY and all required supporting documentation,

(IV) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) executed originals of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, or

(V) executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Laws as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Laws to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

(iii) If a payment made to a Lender under this Agreement would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender fails to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b)

 

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or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to comply with its obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from any such payments.

(iv) Each Lender shall promptly (A) notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction, and (B) take such steps as shall not be materially disadvantageous to it, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, and as may be reasonably necessary (including the re-designation of its Lending Office) to avoid any requirement of applicable Laws of any jurisdiction that the Borrower or the Administrative Agent make any withholding or deduction for taxes from amounts payable to such Lender.

(v) For purposes of determining withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, from and after the effective date of this Agreement, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to treat) the Loans as not qualifying as a “grandfathered obligation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i).

(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or the L/C Issuer, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. If the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer in the event the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

 

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3.02 Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Eurocurrency Rate Loans (whether denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency) or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars or any Alternative Currency in the applicable interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Rate Loans in the affected currency or currencies or, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in Dollars, or to convert Base Rate Revolving Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, and such Loans are denominated in Dollars, convert all Eurocurrency Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

3.03 Inability to Determine Rates. If the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof that (a) deposits (whether in Dollars or an Alternative Currency) are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Revolving Loan (whether denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency) or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (c) the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Revolving Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Rate Loans in the affected currency or currencies shall be suspended, and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurocurrency Rate

 

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component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurocurrency Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in the affected currency or currencies or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Revolving Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans.

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e)) or the L/C Issuer;

(ii) subject any Lender or the L/C Issuer to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any Eurocurrency Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or the L/C Issuer in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 3.01 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any Excluded Tax payable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer); or

(iii) impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Rate Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but

 

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for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than 120 days prior to the date that such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 120-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

(e) Additional Reserve Requirements. The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency Liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurocurrency Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any other central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrower shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest or costs from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest or costs shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.

 

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3.05 Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or

(c) any assignment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13;

including any loss of anticipated profits, any foreign exchange losses and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained or from the performance of any foreign exchange contract. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurocurrency Rate Revolving Loan made by it at the Eurocurrency Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London offshore interbank market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurocurrency Rate Revolving Loan was in fact so funded.

3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender, the L/C Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall, as applicable, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.

 

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3.07 Survival. All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Administrative Agent.

ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

4.01 Conditions to Effectiveness of Agreement. This Agreement will become effective upon satisfaction or waiver in accordance with Section 10.01 of the following conditions precedent:

(a) The Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or electronic copies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date) and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

(i) executed counterparts of this Agreement and the Guaranty in such number as the Administrative Agent may request;

(ii) a Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;

(iii) a Security Agreement signed by each Loan Party, together with:

(A) certificates and instruments representing the Pledged Equity referred to therein accompanied by undated stock powers or instruments of transfer executed in blank,

(B) proper financing statements in form appropriate for filing under the Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions that the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created under the Security Agreement, covering the Collateral described in the Security Agreement,

(C) certified copies of UCC, United States Patent and Trademark Office, tax and judgment lien searches, or equivalent reports or searches, each of a recent date listing all effective financing statements, lien notices or comparable documents (together with copies of such financing statements and documents) that name any Loan Party as debtor and that are filed in those state and county jurisdictions in which any Loan Party is organized or maintains its principal place of business and such other searches that the Administrative Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate, none of which encumber the Collateral covered or intended to be covered by the Collateral Documents (other than Liens permitted by Section 7.01), and

 

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(D) evidence that all other actions, recordings and filings that the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created under the Security Agreement has been taken;

(iv) certificates of insurance, naming the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as an additional insured or loss payee, as the case may be, under all insurance policies maintained with respect to the assets and properties of the Loan Parties that constitutes Collateral;

(v) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party;

(vi) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that each Loan Party is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(vii) a favorable opinion of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to the matters as the Required Lenders may reasonably request;

(viii) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party either (A) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party and the validity against such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect, or (B) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so required;

(ix) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying (A) that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied, and (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the Audited Financial Statements that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

(x) a duly completed Compliance Certificate as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ended on September 30, 2015 (giving effect to the closing of this Agreement), signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower; and

(xi) such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or the Required Lenders reasonably may require.

 

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(b) Any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid.

(c) Unless waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have paid all reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) accrued and unpaid prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent), in each case to the extent invoiced in reasonable detail.

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

The delivery by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower of a notice of effectiveness shall be deemed to conclusively evidence that all conditions precedent set forth in this Section 4.01 have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01 and that this Agreement has become effective.

4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Revolving Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Revolving Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01.

(b) No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

(c) The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

 

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(d) In the case of a Credit Extension to be denominated in an Alternative Currency, there shall not have occurred any change in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls which in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, the Required Lenders (in the case of any Loans to be denominated in an Alternative Currency) or the L/C Issuer (in the case of any Letter of Credit to be denominated in an Alternative Currency) would make it impracticable for such Credit Extension to be denominated in the relevant Alternative Currency.

Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Revolving Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Revolving Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:

5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power. Each Loan Party (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.02 Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law.

5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents. Except for filings and other actions necessary to perfect and maintain the Administrative Agent’s Liens, no approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required to be made or obtained by any Loan Party in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or performance by any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or (b) the grant by any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Collateral Documents.

 

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5.04 Binding Effect. This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable Debtor Relief Laws and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

(a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their consolidated results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness, in each case to the extent required to be shown thereon in accordance with GAAP.

(b) The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries dated September 30, 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their consolidated results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.

(c) Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.06 Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (b) either individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.07 No Default. Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

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5.08 Ownership of Property; Liens. Each of the Borrower and each Subsidiary has good and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Liens permitted by Section 7.01.

5.09 Environmental Compliance. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries conduct in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties, and as a result thereof the Borrower has reasonably concluded that such Environmental Laws and claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.10 Insurance. The properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary operates.

5.11 Taxes. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all Federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against the Borrower or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.12 ERISA Compliance.

(a) Each “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA Section 3(2)) is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state laws. Each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service. To the best knowledge of the Borrower, nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.

(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan; (ii) the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is 60% or higher and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below 60% as of the most recent valuation date; (iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (v) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (vi) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan.

5.13 Subsidiaries; Equity Interests. As of the Closing Date, the Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Part (a) of Schedule 5.13, and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in such Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the amounts specified on Part (a) of Schedule 5.13 free and clear of all Liens except those created under the Collateral Documents and other Liens permitted by Section 7.01(c). As of the Closing Date, the Borrower has no equity investments in any other corporation or entity other than those specifically disclosed in Part (b) of Schedule 5.13. Set forth on Part (c) of Schedule 5.13 is a complete and accurate list of all Loan Parties as of the Closing Date, showing as of the Closing Date (as to each such Loan Party) the jurisdiction of its organization, the address of its principal place of business and its U.S. taxpayer identification number or, in the case of any non-U.S. Loan Party that does not have a U.S. taxpayer identification number, any unique identification number issued to it by the jurisdiction of its organization. The copy of the charter of each Loan Party and each amendment thereto provided pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(vi) is a true and correct copy of each such document, and each such charter, as amended by all such amendments thereto, is valid and in full force and effect.

5.14 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.

(a) The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.

(b) None of the Borrower, any Person Controlling the Borrower, or any Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

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5.15 Disclosure. The Borrower has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions set forth within or as exhibits to the Borrower’s most recent Form 10-K filed with the SEC and each Form 10-Q or Form 8-K filed with the SEC after such Form 10-K that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.

5.16 Compliance with Laws. The Borrower and each Subsidiary is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith either individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, of the operations of the Borrower and each Subsidiary are in compliance with (i) all applicable Laws the violation of which would terminate or materially impair the eligibility of the Borrower or any Subsidiary for participation, if applicable, in student financial assistance programs under Title IV, (ii) the federal Truth-in-Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq., and all other consumer credit laws applicable to the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the advancing of student loans, except for such laws and regulations the violation of which, in the aggregate, will not have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) all statutory and regulatory requirements for authorization to provide post-secondary education in the jurisdictions in which its educational facilities are located, except for such requirements the violation of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) if applicable, all requirements for continuing its Accreditations, except for such requirements the violation of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect and (v) all requirements concerning the limitation on the receipt of Title IV Program funding under the “90/10 Rule” codified at 34 C.F.R. § 600.5(d) and HEA except for such requirements the violation of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.17 Taxpayer Identification Number. The Borrower’s true and correct U.S. taxpayer identification number is set forth on Schedule 10.02.

5.18 Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries own, or possess the right to use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “IP Rights”) that are material and reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without, to the knowledge of the Borrower, material conflict with the rights of any other Person. To the knowledge of the Borrower, no material slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be

 

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employed, by the Borrower or any Subsidiary materially infringes upon any rights held by any other Person. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.19 Solvent. Each of the Borrower and Capella University is Solvent, and the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, are Solvent.

5.20 OFAC. Neither the Borrower, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, Affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated nationals, HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.

5.21 Anti-Corruption Laws. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

ARTICLE VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, the Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01, 6.02, and 6.03) cause each Subsidiary to:

6.01 Financial Statements. Deliver to the Administrative Agent, in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders:

(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of Ernst & Young or other independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit; and

(b) as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, the related consolidated statements of income or operations for such fiscal quarter and for the portion

 

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of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, and the related consolidated statements of cash flows for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, in each case setting forth in comparative form, as applicable, the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower as fairly presenting the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(c), the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under clause (a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in clauses (a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.

6.02 Certificates; Other Information. Deliver to the Administrative Agent, in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders:

(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower which delivery may be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes; provided that in the event a Lender requests executed originals of Compliance Certificates, the Borrower shall provide such Lender an executed original of each Compliance Certificate delivered hereunder until such time as the Lender notifies the Borrower that executed originals are not required;

(b) promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or written recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of the Borrower by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them;

(c) promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of the Borrower, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the Borrower may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto; and

(d) promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(c) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may

 

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be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto, on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon its request to the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arranger may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar, or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC”.

6.03 Notices. Promptly upon becoming aware, notify the Administrative Agent:

(a) of the occurrence of any Default;

 

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(b) of any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and the DOE (other than periodic audits or reviews in the ordinary course);

(c) of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority other than the DOE; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws, in each case which matter has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event; and

(e) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by the Borrower or any Subsidiary other than such change as is required by GAAP and disclosed in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.

6.04 Payment of Obligations. Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower or such Subsidiary; and (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its property unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc. (a) (i) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05; (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and notwithstanding any limitation contained therein, maintain in full force and effect (i) its status as an “eligible institution,” as defined in 34 C.F.R. Sections 600.2 and 600.5 (to the extent applicable),

 

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(ii) its eligibility to participate in all Title IV Programs in which and to the extent that it currently participates, (iii) its Accreditations, and (iv) all approvals to operate in each jurisdiction where the failure to have such approvals could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

6.06 Maintenance of Properties. (a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; and (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.07 Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons. All such property and liability insurance shall (i) provide for not less than 30 days’ prior notice (or 10 days in the case of nonpayment of premium) to the Administrative Agent of termination, lapse or cancellation of such insurance, (ii) name the Administrative Agent as mortgagee or loss payee (in the case of property insurance) or additional insured on behalf of the Secured Parties (in the case of liability insurance), as applicable, and (iii) be reasonably satisfactory in all other respects to the Administrative Agent.

6.08 Compliance with Laws. Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or properties (including, without limitation (i) all applicable Laws, the violation of which would terminate or materially impair the eligibility of the Borrower or any Subsidiary for participation, if applicable, in student financial assistance programs under Title IV, (ii) the federal Truth-in-Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq., and all other consumer credit laws applicable to the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the advancing of student loans, (iii) all statutory and regulatory requirements for authorization to provide post-secondary education in the jurisdictions in which its educational facilities are located, (iv) if applicable, all requirements for continuing its Accreditations, and (v) all requirements concerning the limitation on the receipt of Title IV Program funding under the “90/10 Rule” codified at 34 C.F.R. § 600.5(d) and HEA), except in such instances in which the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.09 Books and Records. (a) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; and (b) maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

6.10 Inspection Rights. Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to

 

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discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired (but not more than once per year at the Borrower’s expense), upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided, however, that when an Event of Default exists the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.

6.11 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions to (i) finance working capital and Capital Expenditures, (ii) make Restricted Payments to the extent permitted in Section 7.6, (iii) make Permitted Acquisitions and (iv) for other general corporate purposes not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.

6.12 Covenant to Guarantee Obligations and Give Security.

(a) Cause each of Capella University, Sophia Learning, LLC and Capella Learning Solutions, LLC to remain a Guarantor at all times, unless otherwise released from its obligations under the Guaranty and the Collateral Documents pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof.

(b) Notify the Administrative Agent (i) when any Person becomes a Subsidiary and (ii) if at the time of delivery of a Compliance Certificate the Consolidated EBITDA of Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors or Pledged Foreign Subsidiaries exceeds 20% of the Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and all its Subsidiaries with respect to the most recently ended four fiscal quarters, setting forth the Foreign Subsidiaries which will become either Pledged Foreign Subsidiaries or Guarantors, and

(A) within 10 days thereafter (or such longer period as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent) furnish to the Administrative Agent a description of the real and personal property of each Subsidiary that will become either a Pledged Foreign Subsidiary or a Guarantor, in detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(B) in the case of each new Domestic Subsidiary, promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days or such longer period as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent) cause such Subsidiary to guarantee the Secured Obligations and grant liens on its personal property to secure the Secured Obligations by executing and delivering to the Administrative a counterpart to the Guaranty (or such other document as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably deem appropriate for such purpose) and a Security Agreement;

(C) in the case of each new Foreign Subsidiary, promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days or such longer period as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent) cause such Subsidiary to guarantee the Secured Obligations and grant Liens on its personal property to secure the Secured Obligations, all pursuant to documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, unless such Foreign Subsidiary is a

 

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“controlled foreign corporation” under Section 957 of the Code and the Borrower delivers a certificate stating that there would be material adverse consequences to the Borrower if such Foreign Subsidiary became a Guarantor;

(D) in the case of each new Subsidiary which will become a Guarantor, promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days or such longer period as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent) pledge or cause to be pledged all Equity Interests owned by any Loan Party in such Subsidiary pursuant to an updated Schedule VI to the Security Agreement to which such Loan Party is a party, and make or deliver or cause to be delivered any filings and deliveries reasonably necessary in connection therewith to perfect the Liens therein;

(E) in the case of each Foreign Subsidiary that will become either a Pledged Foreign Subsidiary or a Guarantor as specified in the notice given under clause (ii) above, promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days or such longer period as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent), either (A) pledge or cause to be pledged Equity Interests owned by any Loan Party in such Subsidiary pursuant to an updated Schedule VI to the Security Agreement to which such Loan Party is a party sufficient to cause such Subsidiary to become a Pledged Foreign Subsidiary, and make or deliver or cause to be delivered any filings and deliveries reasonably necessary in connection therewith to perfect the Liens therein, or (B) cause such Subsidiary to guarantee the Secured Obligations and grant Liens on its personal property to secure the Secured Obligations, all pursuant to documents in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(F) deliver to the Administrative Agent documents of the types referred to in clauses (v) and (vi) of Section 4.01(a) and favorable opinions of counsel to such Person (which shall cover, among other things, the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation referred to in clauses (B) through clause (E), all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

(G) from time to time upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, at the Borrower’s expense, deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent such supplements, share certificates, stock powers, UCC filings and other documents, and take or cause to be taken such other action (including the filing of documents, and the payment of taxes and charges) as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request

(c) Upon the request of the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, within 90 days (or such longer period as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent) of request (i) with respect to any real property owned by a Loan Party with a fair market value in excess of the Threshold Amount, deliver such mortgages, deeds of trust, trust deeds, deeds to secure debt, other security and pledge agreements, title policies, flood insurance, surveys and engineering, soils and other environmental reports as reasonably specified by and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative

 

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Agent with respect to such real property and (ii) with respect to any Loan Party’s deposit accounts or securities accounts (other than those holding Excluded Property), use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver a control agreement among the Administrative Agent, such Loan Party and the bank or securities intermediary holding such accounts.

(d) In the event that Foreign Subsidiaries which are not Guarantors or Pledged Foreign Subsidiaries provide 20% or more of Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and all its Subsidiaries for any period of four fiscal quarters, the Borrower shall cause one or more of such Foreign Subsidiaries to either (i) become a Pledged Foreign Subsidiary, or (ii) guarantee and grant Liens to secure the Secured Obligations, in each case only to the extent necessary to reduce the amount of Consolidated EBITDA contributed by Foreign Subsidiaries for such period (on a pro forma basis) which are not Guarantors or Pledged Foreign Subsidiaries to not more than 20% of Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, in accordance with clause (E) of Section 6.12(b).

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.12 or Section 6.13 to the contrary, no Loan Party shall be required to grant a Lien on any of the following property, assets or rights (collectively, the “Excluded Property”) (i) Equity Interests in any Foreign Subsidiary other than as required to be pledged under clause (b) above, (ii) Equity Interests in any Person that is not a Subsidiary if granting a Lien on such Equity Interests would violate, or require the consent or approval of any third party pursuant to, the Organizational Documents of such Person, (iii) Equity Interests in Resource Development International (USA) Limited, Inc., so long as it maintains (x) assets not in excess of $50,000 and (y) revenues are not in excess of $50,000 for each four quarter period. (iv) any lease, license, permit or agreement or any property subject to a Lien permitted by Section 7.01(i) to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license, permit or agreement or violate, or require the consent or approval of any other party thereto pursuant to, the documents governing such Lien or the Indebtedness secured thereby or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC or other applicable Law, other than proceeds and receivables thereof the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC or other applicable Law notwithstanding such prohibition, provided that the Collateral shall include and such security interest shall attach immediately at such time as the condition causing such violation, invalidation or right of termination or requiring such consent shall be remedied and to the extent severable, shall attach immediately to any portion of such lease, license, permit, agreement or property subject to a Lien permitted by Section 7.01(i) that does not result in any of the consequences specified above, (v) leasehold interests in real property, (vi) any intent-to-use trademark application prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” or “Amendment to Allege Use” with respect thereto, to the extent, if any, that, and solely during the period, if any, in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of such intent-to-use trademark application under applicable federal law, (vii) vehicles and other goods subject to certificates of title and foreign intellectual property (other than to the extent perfection can be achieved with the filing of UCC-1 financing statements), (viii) federal funds received from the DOE under Title IV Programs and maintained in a fiduciary capacity pursuant to 34 C.F.R. §668.163 or otherwise in trust pursuant to 34 C.F.R. §668.161, and (ix) other assets for which the cost of obtaining or perfecting a security interest exceeds the value to the Lenders, in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent, of obtaining or perfecting such security interest.

 

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6.13 Further Assurances. Promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time, consistent with the other terms of the Loan Documents, in order to (i) carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents, (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, subject any Loan Party’s properties, assets, rights or interests to the Liens now or hereafter intended to be covered by any of the Collateral Documents, (iii) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority (subject to Liens permitted by Section 7.01) of any of the Collateral Documents and any of the Liens intended to be created thereunder and (iv) assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm more effectively unto the Secured Parties the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Secured Parties under any Loan Document or under any other instrument executed in connection with any Loan Document to which any Loan Party is or is to be a party.

ARTICLE VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, the Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

7.01 Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following:

(a) Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;

(b) Liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that (i) the property covered thereby is not changed, (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased except as contemplated by Section 7.03(b), (iii) the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed, and (iv) any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 7.03(b);

(c) Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

(d) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;

(e) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;

 

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

(g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;

(h) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h);

(i) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(e); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of acquisition;

(j) Liens on property or Equity Interests of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided that such Liens (i) exist at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary and are not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary, and (ii) do not extend to any property owned by the Borrower or its other Subsidiaries;

(k) Liens on property at the time the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries acquires the property (including by way of merger with or into the Borrower or any Subsidiary); provided that such Liens (i) exist at the time of such acquisition and are not created in contemplation or in connection with such acquisition, and (ii) do not extend to any other property owned by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries; and

(l) Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time that does not exceed $10,000,000 and such Liens do not encumber the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary.

7.02 Investments. Make any Investments, except:

(a) Investments held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of cash equivalents or short-term marketable debt securities;

(b) advances to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower and Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding, for travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes;

(c) Investments of the Borrower in any Guarantor and Investments of any Guarantor in the Borrower or in another Guarantor;

 

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(d) Investments by the Borrower or any Guarantor in any Subsidiary which is not a Guarantor; provided, however, that such Investments shall not at any time exceed 25% of Consolidated Net Worth;

(e) Permitted Acquisitions;

(f) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;

(g) Guarantees permitted by Section 7.03;

(h) Investments existing or approved by the board of directors of the Borrower on the date hereof and listed in Schedule 7.02; and

(i) Investments in addition to the Investments described in Sections 7.02(a)-(h) above not exceeding (x) $25,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year of the Borrower or (y) $50,000,000 in the aggregate since the Closing Date.

7.03 Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;

(b) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.03 and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder;

(c) Guarantees of the Borrower or any Guarantor in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder;

(d) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or property held or reasonably anticipated by such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a “market view;” and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;

(e) Indebtedness in respect of Capital Leases, Synthetic Lease Obligations and purchase money obligations for fixed or capital assets within the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(i); provided, however, that the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness at any one time outstanding shall not exceed $10,000,000;

 

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(f) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, that (i) such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary, and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted under this Section 7.03(f) shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; and

(g) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $35,000,000 at any time outstanding which is either (i) unsecured or (ii) secured within the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(j).

7.04 Fundamental Changes. Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or, except as permitted by Section 7.05, Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that, so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom:

(a) any Subsidiary may merge with (i) the Borrower, provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries, provided that when any Guarantor is merging with another Subsidiary, the Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person;

(b) any Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation, dissolution or otherwise) to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Guarantor, then the transferee must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor; and

(c) in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, any Person may merge (i) with the Borrower, provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (ii) any Subsidiary many merge with or into or consolidate with any other Person provided that (A) if such Subsidiary is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the surviving Person shall be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and (B) if such Subsidiary is a Guarantor, the surviving Person shall be a Guarantor.

7.05 Dispositions. Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:

(a) Dispositions of obsolete, worn out or excess property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;

(b) Dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(c) Dispositions of equipment or real property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

 

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(d) Dispositions of property by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or to a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property is a Guarantor, the transferee thereof must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor;

(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04; and

(f) Dispositions by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.05; provided that (i) at the time of such Disposition, no Default shall exist or would result from such Disposition and (ii) the aggregate book value of all property Disposed of in reliance on this clause (h) in any fiscal year shall not exceed $25,000,000;

provided, however, that any Disposition pursuant to clauses (a) through (c), and (f) shall be for fair market value.

7.06 Restricted Payments. Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that, so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of any action described below or would result therefrom:

(a) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower, the Guarantors and any other Person that owns an Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made;

(b) the Borrower and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the common stock or other common Equity Interests of such Person;

(c) the Borrower and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Equity Interests issued by it with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its common stock or other common Equity Interests;

(d) the Borrower may declare or pay cash dividends to its stockholders; and

(e) the Borrower may repurchase and purchase its Equity Interests and any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may repurchase and purchase its Equity Interests from minority owners so long as (i) no Default exists immediately before and after giving effect thereto and (ii) after giving effect to such repurchase or purchase on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 1.00:1.

7.07 Change in Nature of Business. Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof or any business substantially related or incidental thereto.

 

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7.08 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Borrower, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Borrower or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to transactions between or among the Borrower and any Guarantor or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or between and among any Guarantor or Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

7.09 Burdensome Agreements. Enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that (a) limits the ability (i) of any Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any Guarantor or to otherwise transfer property to the Borrower or any Guarantor, (ii) of any Subsidiary to Guarantee the Secured Obligations or (iii) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person in favor of the Administrative Agent (provided, however, that nothing in this clause (a) shall prohibit (1) any negative pledge or transfer restriction incurred or provided in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under (x) Section 7.03(e) solely to the extent any such negative pledge or transfer restriction relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness, or (y) if such Indebtedness is secured, Section 7.03(g) solely to the extent such negative pledge or transfer restriction relates to the property securing such Indebtedness, (2) any restriction on assignment, subletting or sublicensing contained in any lease, license, contract or agreement, (3) any restriction of any nature in respect of a Subsidiary contained in any agreement providing for the Disposition of such Subsidiary or of all or substantially all of its property and assets in a transaction permitted by Section 7.05, (4) any negative pledge or transfer restriction in respect of any property or assets contained in any agreement providing for the Disposition of such property or assets in a transaction permitted by Section 7.05, or (5) any negative pledge or transfer restriction in respect of the Equity Interests of any Person that is not a Subsidiary contained in the Organizational Documents of such Person); or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure an obligation of such Person if a Lien is granted to secure another obligation of such Person.

7.10 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.

7.11 Financial Covenants.

(a) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2015) to be less than 1.50:1.0.

(b) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2015) to exceed 2.0:1.0.

 

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(c) Composite DOE Financial Responsibility Ratio. Permit the DOE Ratio to be less than 2.0:1.0 as of the end of any fiscal year of the Borrower.

(d) Cohort Default Rate. Permit the Cohort Default Rate for any School to exceed: (i) the maximum percentage permitted by the DOE for the applicable three consecutive cohort fiscal years in order for such school to participate in Title IV Programs or (ii) the maximum percentage permitted by the DOE for the applicable cohort fiscal year in order for such school to participate in Title IV Programs. For purposes of this Section 7.11(d), a “cohort fiscal year” is a twelve month period commencing on October 1 of a year and ending on September 30 of the following year.

(e) Institutional Student Loans. Permit the aggregate Net Institutional Student Loans as of the end of any fiscal quarter to exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Worth as of the end of such fiscal quarter.

7.12 Information Regarding Collateral. (a) Not effect any change (i) in any Loan Party’s legal name, (ii) in the location of any Loan Party’s chief executive office, (iii) in any Loan Party’s identity or organizational structure, (iv) in any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number, if any, or (v) in any Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization (in each case, including by merging with or into any other entity, reorganizing, dissolving, liquidating, reorganizing or organizing in any other jurisdiction), until (A) it shall have given the Administrative Agent not less than 30 days’ prior written notice (in the form of certificate signed by a Responsible Officer), or such lesser notice period agreed to by the Administrative Agent, of its intention so to do, clearly describing such change and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (B) it shall have taken all action reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral, if applicable. Each Loan Party agrees to promptly provide the Administrative Agent with certified Organization Documents reflecting any of the changes described in the preceding sentence.

7.13 Sanctions. Directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other individual or entity, to fund any activities of or business with any individual or entity, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer, Swing Line Lender, or otherwise) of Sanctions.

7.14 Anti-Corruption Laws. Directly or indirectly use the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010, and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions.

 

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ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

8.01 Events of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

(a) Non-Payment. The Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or (ii) within three days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) within five Business Days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

(b) Specific Covenants. The Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.01, 6.02, 6.03(a), 6.05, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12 or Article VII; or

(c) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days; or

(d) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

(e) Cross-Default. (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness or Guarantee (other than Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than the Threshold Amount, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or Guarantee or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as so defined) under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by the Borrower or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than the Threshold Amount; or

 

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(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (a) The Borrower or any Subsidiary becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 30 days after its issue or levy; or

(h) Judgments. There is entered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments or orders) exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect or such judgment is not discharged; or

(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or

(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document;

 

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(k) Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control; or

(l) Collateral Documents. Any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to Section 4.01 or 6.12 shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms hereof or thereof ) cease to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 7.01) on the Collateral purported to be covered thereby.

8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:

(a) declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;

(c) require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount thereof); and

(d) exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

8.03 Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received on account of the Secured Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.15 and 2.16, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

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Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of any Lender or the L/C Issuer) and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Obligations, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, L/C Borrowings and Secured Obligations then owing under Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements, ratably among the Lenders, the L/C Issuer, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;

Fifth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.15; and

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.

Subject to Sections 2.03(c) and 2.15, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Secured Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be. Each Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank not a party to the Credit Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Article IX hereof for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

 

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ARTICLE IX. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

9.01 Appointment and Authority.

(a) Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except as expressly provided in Sections 9.06 and 9.10, the provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Hedge Bank and a potential Cash Management Bank) and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and the L/C Issuer for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Secured Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent), shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IX and Article XI (including Section 10.04(c), as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

9.02 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

9.03 Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or

 

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percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law; and

(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith breach as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

9.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with

 

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legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

9.05 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent.

(a) Notice. The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, subject, so long as no Event of Default exists, to the consent of the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above, provided that in no event shall any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

(b) Defaulting Lender. If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, subject, so long as no Event of Default exists, to the consent of the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

(c) Effect of Resignation or Removal. With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and

 

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under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (2) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(g) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section) . The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them (i) while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and (ii) after such resignation or removal for as long as any of them continues to act in any capacity hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including (a) acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Lenders and (b) in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.

(d) L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. Any resignation by or removal of Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. If Bank of America resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Revolving Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment by the Borrower of a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, (b) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all

 

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of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

9.08 No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the bookrunners or arrangers listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder.

9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(i) and (j), 2.09 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

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

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04.

 

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

The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Secured Obligations (including accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Secured Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, or any similar Laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, (b) at any other sale or foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable Law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Secured Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Secured Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that would vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the Equity Interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are used to consummate such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles to make a bid, (ii) to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or Equity Interests thereof shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by the vote of the Required Lenders, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in Section 10.01 of this Agreement, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to assign the relevant Secured Obligations to any such acquisition vehicle pro rata by the Secured Parties, as a result of which each of the Secured Parties shall be deemed to have received a pro rata portion of any Equity Interests and/or debt instruments issued by such an acquisition vehicle on account of the assignment of the Secured Obligations to be credit bid, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (iv) to the extent that Secured Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Secured Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of debt credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Secured Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Secured Parties pro rata and the Equity Interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of the Secured Obligations that had been assigned to the acquisition vehicle shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.

 

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9.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters. Without limiting the provisions of Section 9.09, each Lender (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) and the L/C Issuer irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion:

(a) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon termination of the Aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Secured Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements as to which arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank shall have been made) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit which have been Cash Collateralized), (ii) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document to a Person that is not a Loan Party, (iii) that constitutes Excluded Property, or (iv) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section 10.01;

(b) to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 7.01(i); and

(c) to release any Guarantor (other than Capella University) from its obligations under the Guaranty and Collateral Documents and release any Lien on the Equity Interests of any Pledged Foreign Subsidiary if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents or, after giving effect to such release, the Borrower would be in compliance with Section 6.12.

Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.10. In each case as specified in this Section 9.10, the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the Liens granted under the Collateral Documents or to subordinate its Liens on such item, or to release such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty and the Collateral Documents, or to release its Liens on the Equity Interests of such Pledged Foreign Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10.

The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

9.11 Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein or in any Guaranty or any Collateral Document, no

 

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Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefits of Section 8.03, any Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Guaranty or any Collateral Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral or Guaranty or Collateral Documents) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IX to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Secured Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.

ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS

10.01 Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(a) except as provided in Section 4.01, waive any condition set forth in Section 4.01(a) without the written consent of each Lender;

(b) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender;

(c) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

(d) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;

 

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(e) change Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender;

(f) amend Section 1.06 or the definition of “Alternative Currency” without the written consent of each Lender;

(g) change any provision of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender; or

(h) release the Liens under the Collateral Documents on all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions, without the written consent of each Lender;

(i) release any Guarantor from the Guaranty or release the Lien under the Collateral Documents on the Equity Interests of any Pledged Foreign Subsidiary without the written consent of each Lender, except to the extent the release of any Guarantor or Lien is permitted or required pursuant to Section 9.10 (in which case such release may be made by the Administrative Agent acting alone);

and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (iv) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto directly affected thereby. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.

(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified

 

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or registered mail or sent by facsimile or electronic mail as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

(i) if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and

(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail, FpML messaging, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Borrower may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT

 

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WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials or notices through the Platform, any other electronic messaging service or through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, facsimile number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders. The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic notices, Revolving Loan Notices and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the

 

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recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement. No failure by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuer; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the L/C Issuer in

 

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connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), and shall pay all fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

(b) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the L/C Issuer, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.01), (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith breach of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such other Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the L/C Issuer or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or the L/C Issuer in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or L/C Issuer in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d).

(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith breach of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after demand therefor accompanied by a reasonably detailed invoice.

(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

10.05 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part

 

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thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Overnight Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

10.06 Successors and Assigns.

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under any Loan Document (except in connection with a merger under Section 7.04) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts.

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned;

(B) the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and

 

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Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met.

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to rights in respect of the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans;

(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof;

(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender;

(C) the consent of the L/C Issuer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding); and

(D) the consent of the Swing Line Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment.

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

 

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(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made (A) to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) to a natural person.

(vi) Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05, and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.

(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at

 

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the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, a Defaulting Lender or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender.

(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 3.01(e) as though it were a Lender.

 

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(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(g) Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Commitment and Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Revolving Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Revolving Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions

 

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substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be a Lender pursuant to Section 2.14(c) or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary. For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.

10.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.16 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates

 

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may have. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

10.09 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in 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. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

10.12 Severability. If any provision of this 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 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

 

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invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.12, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

10.13 Replacement of Lenders. If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, (ii) if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, (iii) any Lender (a “Non-Consenting Lender”) does not consent to a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Loan Document that has been approved by the Required Lenders as provided in Section 10.1 but requires the unanimous consent of all Lenders or all Lenders directly affected thereby (as applicable), or (iv) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.06), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

(a) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 10.06(b);

(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and

(e) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a Non-Consenting Lender’s failure to consent to a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Loan Document, the applicable replacement bank, financial institution or fund consents to the proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination; provided that the failure by such Non-Consenting Lender to execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption shall not impair the validity of the removal of such Non-Consenting Lender and the mandatory assignment of such Non-Consenting Lender’s Commitments and outstanding Loans and participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 10.16 shall nevertheless be effective without the execution by such

 

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Non-Consenting Lender of an Assignment and Assumption. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS SITTING IN THE COUNTY OF COOK AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT ENTERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH ILLINOIS STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO 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 AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY 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 AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO 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.

 

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(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. 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 AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). 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 AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower and each other Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and the Arranger, are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower , each other Loan Party and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Arranger, on the other hand, (B) each of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower and each other Loan Party is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent nor the Arranger has any obligation to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor the Arranger has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and the Arranger with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

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10.17 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents. The words “delivery,” “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Loan Document or any other document executed in connection herewith shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided further without limiting the foregoing, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, any electronic signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

10.18 USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act. The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.

10.19 Judgment Currency. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in such currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable Law).

 

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ARTICLE XI. BORROWER GUARANTY

11.01 The Guaranty. The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees as a primary obligor the full and punctual payment when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) of all Secured Obligations of the Guarantors (including all interest and fees accruing after the commencement of a bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding with respect to a Guarantor, regardless of whether such interest or fees constitute an allowed claim in such proceeding). The guaranty set forth in this Article XI is a guaranty of payment and not merely of collection.

11.02 Guaranty Unconditional. The obligations of the Borrower under this Article XI shall be irrevocable, unconditional and absolute and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall not be released, discharged or otherwise affected by:

(a) any extension, renewal, settlement, compromise, waiver or release in respect of any obligation of any Guarantor under any Loan Document or any applicable Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise (other than payment in full of the Secured Obligations of the Guarantors (other than payment of (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements as to which arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank shall have been made));

(b) any modification or amendment of or supplement to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any applicable Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement;

(c) any release, impairment, non-perfection or invalidity of any direct or indirect security for any obligation of any Guarantor under any Loan Document or any applicable Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement;

(d) any change in the existence, structure or ownership of any Guarantor, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any Guarantor or any of its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of such Guarantor contained in any Loan Document or any applicable Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement (other than payment in full of the Secured Obligations of the Guarantors (other than payment of (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements as to which arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank shall have been made));

(e) the existence of any claim, set-off or other right which the Borrower may have at any time against any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any applicable Secured Hedge Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreement or any unrelated transaction;

 

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(f) any invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any other Loan Party for any reason of any Loan Document or any applicable Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement, or any provision of applicable Law or regulation purporting to prohibit the payment by any Guarantor of any amounts payable by it under its Guaranty, any other Loan Document or any applicable Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement; or

(g) any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this paragraph, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of or defense to the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

11.03 Discharge Only Upon Payment In Full; Reinstatement In Certain Circumstances. The Borrower’s obligations under this Article XI shall remain in full force and effect until all Secured Obligations of the Guarantors shall have been paid in full in cash (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements as to which arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank shall have been made). If at any time any amount payable by a Loan Party under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any applicable Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement is rescinded or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Loan Party or otherwise, the obligations hereunder of the Borrower, with respect to such payment shall be reinstated at such time as though such payment had been due but not made at such time.

11.04 Waiver by the Borrower. The Borrower irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against any other Loan Party or any other Person.

11.05 Delay of Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower under this Article XI, the Borrower shall not exercise any right of subrogation to any right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender until such time as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received payment in cash of the full amount of all Secured Obligations of the Guarantors (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements as to which arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank shall have been made).

11.06 STAY OF ACCELERATION. If acceleration of the time for payment of any amount payable by any Guarantor under any Loan Document or any applicable Secured Hedge Agreement or Secured Cash Management Agreement is stayed upon insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of such Guarantor, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of the Loan Documents shall nonetheless be payable by the Borrower under this Article XI forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent made at the written request of the Required Lenders.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

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SCHEDULE 2.01

COMMITMENTS

AND APPLICABLE PERCENTAGES

 

Lender		Commitment				Applicable Percentage
Bank of America, N.A.		$	32,500,000				32.500000000	%
PNC Bank, National Association		$	27,500,000				27.500000000	%
Associated Bank, National Association		$	20,000,000				20.000000000	%
Bank of the West		$	20,000,000				20.000000000	%
Total		$	100,000,000				100.000000000	%

 

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SCHEDULE 5.13

SUBSIDIARIES;

OTHER EQUITY INVESTMENTS

 

Part (a).

Subsidiaries.

 

Subsidiaries:		Equity Interests Owned By:		Percentage of Equity Interests Owned:
Capella University, Inc., a Minnesota Corporation		Borrower		100%
Sophia Learning, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company		Borrower		100%
Capella Learning Solutions, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company		Borrower		100%
Resource Development International (USA) Limited, Inc., a Florida profit corporation		Borrower		100%
Arden University Limited, a company registered in the United Kingdom (“Arden”)		Borrower		100%
Institute of Business and Management Limited, a company registered in the United Kingdom		Arden		100%
Resource Development International Limited, a company registered in the United Kingdom		Arden		100%
RDI Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong (“RDI HK”)		Arden		100%
RDI Management Learning Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong		RDI HK		80%
RDI Management Learning Limited, a company registered in Hong Kong		Borrower1		20%

 

 

1	The Borrower owns, directly or indirectly, the remaining 20% interest in RDI Management Learning Limited.

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Part (b).

Other Equity Investments.

See Schedule 7.02 (Existing Investments).

 

Part (c).

Loan Parties.

 

Loan Party:		Jurisdiction of Organization		Principle Place of Business		U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number
Capella Education Company		Minnesota		Capella Tower 225 South Sixth Street, 9th Floor Minneapolis, MN 55402		41-1717955
Capella University, Inc.		Minnesota		Capella Tower 225 South Sixth Street, 9th Floor Minneapolis, MN 55402		41-1740392
Sophia Learning, LLC		Delaware		Capella Tower 225 South Sixth Street, 9th Floor Minneapolis, MN 55402		27-1956864
Capella Learning Solutions, LLC		Delaware		Capella Tower 225 South Sixth Street, 9th Floor Minneapolis, MN 55402		46-1309172

 

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SCHEDULE 7.01

EXISTING LIENS

None.

 

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SCHEDULE 7.02

EXISTING INVESTMENTS

 

1.

Investments by the Borrower in a limited partnership that invests in innovative companies in the health care field made on or prior to the date of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to which this Schedule is attached or pursuant to commitments to invest that exist as of such date. As of September 30, 2015, the amount of this Investment was approximately $1.9 million. The Borrower has a commitment to invest up to an additional approximately $2.8 million through February 2024.

 

2.	The Investment approved by the Board of Directors of the Borrower on December 9, 2015 pursuant to resolution, a copy of which has been provided to the Administrative Agent.

 

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SCHEDULE 7.03

EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS

 

1.	Borrower and Capella University have surety bonds issued in a number of states for regulatory purposes as reflected on the attached appendix as of November 30, 2015 and similar surety bonds may be required for regulatory purposes in the future.

 

2.	Arden University Limited (and its Subsidiaries) has a £50,000 overdraft facility with Barclays Bank Plc.

 

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Appendix to Schedule 7.03

Surety Bonds

 

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Capella University

 

Bond Number		Issuing Carrier		Principal		Obligee		Bond Amount
41BSBBS9316		Hartford Fire Insurance Company		Capella Education Company		State of Wisconsin		$	25,000.00
41BSBBS9344		Hartford Fire Insurance Company		Capella University		Commonwealth of Kentucky		$	613,456.00
41BSBDF2612		Hartford Fire Insurance Company		Capella Education Company d/b/a Capella University		Dept. of Post Secondary Education		$	50,000.00
41BSBEB4088		Hartford Fire Insurance Company		Capella Education Company		State of South Carolina Commission on Higher Education		$	1,240,000.00
41BSBFG5257		Hartford Fire Insurance Company		Capella University		Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina		$	1,383,406.00
41BSBGF4349		Hartford Fire Insurance Company		Joel Woodlief		Postsecondary Education - Alabama		$	2,500.00
41BSBGF4350		Hartford Fire Insurance Company		Daniel Diebel		Postsecondary Education - Alabama		$	2,500.00
41BSBGU8341		Hartford Fire Insurance Company		Capella Education Company		AL Department of Postsecondary Education		$	2,500.00
41BSBGU8342		Hartford Fire Insurance Company		Capella Education Company		AL Department of Postsecondary Education		$	2,500.00
As of 11/30/2015						Total		$	3,321,862.00

 

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SCHEDULE 10.02

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S OFFICE;

CERTAIN ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES

BORROWER:

Capella Education Company

Capella Tower

225 South Sixth Street, 9^th Floor

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Attention: Steve Polacek

Telephone: 612-977-5810

Telecopier: 612-977-5060

Electronic Mail: steve.polacek@capella.edu

Website Address: www.capella.edu

U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number: 41-1717955

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

Administrative Agent’s Office

(for payments and Requests for Credit Extensions):

Bank of America, N.A.

Street Address: 901 Main St

Mail Code: TX1-492-14-01

City, State ZIP Code: Dallas, TX 75202-3714

Attention: Jennifer Ollek

Phone: 214-209-2642

Fax: 214-290-8374

E-Mail: jennifer.a.ollek@baml.com

Account No.: 1292-000-883

Ref: Capella Education Company

ABA# 026-009-593

Canadian Dollar (CDN)

Bank of America Canada

SWIFT: BOFACATT

Acct: 65042228

Attn: GCB #1207

Ref: Capella Education Company

Euro Dollar (EUR)

Bank of America London

SWIFT: BOFAGB22

Acct: 96272019

Attn: GCB #1207

Ref: Capella Education Company

 

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British Pound Sterling (GBP)

Bank of America London

SWIFT: BOFAGB22

Acct: 96272027

Attn: GCB #1207

Ref: Capella Education Company

Other Notices as Administrative Agent:

(agency related questions, financial reporting requirements, bank group related issues, etc)

Elizabeth Uribe Agency Officer

Bank of America

135 South La Salle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Mail Code: IL4-135-09-61

Telephone: (312) 828-5060

Fax: (877) 206-9473

E-Mail: elizabeth.uribe@baml.com

L/C ISSUER:

Bank of America, N.A.

Trade Operations

1 Fleet Way

PA6-580-02-30

Scranton, PA 18507

Attention: Malave, Alfonso

Phone: (570) 330-4212

Fax:: (570) 330-4186

E-Mail: alfonso.malave@baml.com

SWING LINE LENDER:

Bank of America, N.A.

Street Address: 901 Main St

Mail Code: TX1-492-14-01

City, State ZIP Code: Dallas, TX 75202-3714

Attention: Jennifer Ollek

Phone: 214-209-2642

Fax: 214-290-8374

E-Mail: jennifer.a.ollek@baml.com

Account No.: 1292-000-883

Ref: Capella Education Company

ABA# 026-009-593

 

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Collateral Agent        MAC Legal (house collateral documents only)

Bank of America, N.A.

Mail Code: TX1-492-14-06

Bank of America Plaza

901 Main St

Dallas. TX 75202-3714

Telephone: (214) 209-4116

Fax: (214) 290-9455

E-Mail: MAC.CAMUtility@BAML.com

LENDERS (main credit contact)

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

IL4-135-04-61

135 South LaSalle Street

Chicago, IL 60603

Attention:         Jonathan M. Phillips

Telephone:       (312) 992-6360

Facsimile:        (312) 453-3263

E-Mail:

jonathan.m.phillips@baml.com

BANK OF THE WEST

250 Marquette Ave., Suite 575

Minneapolis, MN 55401

Attention: Ole Koppang

Telephone: (612) 359-3600

Fax: (612) 339-6362

E-Mail: ole.koppang@bankofthewest.com

PNC BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

One N. Franklin, 28th Floor

Chicago, IL 60606

Attention: Michael Cortese

Telephone: (312) 338-2211

Facsimile: (312) 338-8128

E-Mail: michael.cortese@pnc.com

ASSOCIATED BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

525 W. Monroe St., Suite 2400

Chicago, IL 60603

Attention: Lynnette Ritter

Telephone: (312) 544-4518

Facsimile: (312) 861-5677

E-Mail: lynnette.ritter@associatedbank.com

 

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EXHIBIT A

FORM OF REVOLVING LOAN NOTICE

Date:             ,         

 

To:	Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Capella Education Company, a Minnesota corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.

The undersigned hereby requests (select one):

 

¨       A Borrowing of Revolving Loans		¨       A conversion or continuation of Revolving Loans
1.      On          (a Business Day).
2.      In the amount of $        .
3.      Comprised of                     .
[Type of Loan requested]
4.      In the following currency:                    .
5.      For Eurocurrency Rate Loans: with an Interest Period of          months.

The Revolving Borrowing, if any, requested herein complies with the proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.01 of the Agreement.

 

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EXHIBIT B

FORM OF SWING LINE LOAN NOTICE

Date:             ,         

 

To:	Bank of America, N.A., as Swing Line Lender

Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Capella Education Company, a Minnesota corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.

The undersigned hereby requests a Swing Line Loan:

 

1.	On          (a Business Day).

 

2.	In the amount of $         .

The Swing Line Borrowing requested herein complies with the requirements of the provisos to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a) of the Agreement.

 

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EXHIBIT C

FORM OF NOTE

 

                    

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “Borrower”) hereby promises to pay to                              or registered assigns (the “Lender”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.04(f) of the Agreement with respect to Swing Line Loans and in Section 2.12(a) of the Agreement with respect to payments in any Alternative Currency prohibited by Law, all payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in the currency in which such Loan was denominated in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. This Note is also entitled to the benefits of the Guaranty. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.

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THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

 

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LOANS AND PAYMENTS WITH RESPECT THERETO

 

Date

Type of Loan Made

Amount of Loan Made

End of Interest Period

Amount of Principal or Interest Paid This Date

Outstanding Principal Balance This Date

Notation Made By

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EXHIBIT D

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

Financial Statement Date:                     ,

 

To:	Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2015 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Capella Education Company, a Minnesota corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.

The Borrower hereby certifies as of the date hereof that this Certificate has been signed by the [chief executive officer/president/chief financial officer/treasurer/assistant treasurer/controller] of the Borrower, and that, such Responsible Officer is authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate to the Administrative Agent on the behalf of the Borrower, and that:

[Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal year-end financial statements]

1. The Borrower has delivered the year-end audited financial statements required by Section 6.01(a) of the Agreement for the fiscal year of the Borrower ended as of the above date, together with the report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant required by such section.

[Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal quarter-end financial statements]

1. The Borrower has delivered the unaudited financial statements required by Section 6.01(b) of the Agreement for the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ended as of the above date. Such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP as at such date and for such period, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

2. The Responsible Officer executing this Certificate on behalf of the Borrower has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Agreement and has made, or has caused to be made under his/her supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower during the accounting period covered by such financial statements.

3. A review of the activities of the Borrower during such fiscal period has been made under the supervision of the Responsible Officer executing this Certificate with a view to determining whether during such fiscal period the Borrower performed and observed all its Obligations under the Loan Documents, and

[select one:]

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[to the best knowledge of the undersigned, during such fiscal period the Borrower performed and observed each covenant and condition of the Loan Documents applicable to it, and no Default has occurred and is continuing.]

—or—

[to the best knowledge of the undersigned, during such fiscal period the following covenants or conditions have not been performed or observed and the following is a list of each such Default and its nature and status:]

4. The financial covenant analyses and information set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto is true and accurate on and as of the date of this Certificate.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate as of                     ,             .

 

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For the Quarter/Year ended                      (“Statement Date”)

SCHEDULE 1

to the Compliance Certificate

($ in 000’s)

 

I.		Section 7.11(a) – Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
		A.		Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the four fiscal quarters ending on above date (“Subject Period”):
				1.		Consolidated Net Income for Subject Period:		$
				2.		Consolidated Interest Charges for Subject Period:		$
				3.		Provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes based on or measured by income used or included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income for Subject Period:		$
				4.		Depreciation expenses for Subject Period:		$
				5.		Amortization expenses for Subject Period:		$
				6.		Non-cash expenses related to stock based compensation for Subject Period		$
				7.		Non-cash and nonrecurring charges for Subject Period		$
				8.		nonrecurring and non-cash gains for Subject Period		$
				9.		Consolidated EBITDA (lines I.A.1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +7 - 8):		$
		B.		Consolidated Rental Expense deducted in the determination of Consolidated Net Income for Subject Period:				$
		C.		Capital Expenditures paid in cash during Subject Period1:				$
		D.		provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes based on or measured by income included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA for Subject Period:				$
		E.		all dividends paid in cash during Subject Period:				$
		F.		Line I.A.9 + I.B – I.C – I.D – I.E:				$
		G		Consolidated Fixed Charges:

 

1	Other than Capital Expenditures financed with Capital Leases or purchase money Indebtedness.

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				1.		all principal payments2 required to be paid on a consolidated basis with respect to Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during Subject Period:		$
				2.		Consolidated Interest Charges paid or required to be paid during Subject Period:		$
				3.		Consolidated Rental Expense accrued during Subject Period:		$
				4.		Consolidated Fixed Charges (lines I.G.1 + 2 + 3):		$
		H.		Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (Line I.F ( I.G.4):				to 1
				Maximum permitted: 1.5:1.0
II.		Section 7.11(b) – Consolidated Leverage Ratio.
		A.		Consolidated Funded Indebtedness at Statement Date:				$
		B.		Consolidated EBITDA for Subject Period (Line I.A.9):				$
		C.		Consolidated Leverage Ratio (Line II.A ( II.B):				to 1
				Maximum permitted: 2.0:1.0
III.		Section 7.11(c) – Composite DOE Financial Responsibility Ratio.
		A.		DOE Ratio as of most recent fiscal year end:
				Minimum permitted: 2.0:1.0
IV.		Section 7.11(d) – Cohort Default Rate.
		A.		Cohort Default Rate of each School
				For the most recent “cohort fiscal year”
				[See Attached Schedule]:				[in][not in] compliance
V.		Section 7.11(e) – Institutional Student Loans.
		A.		10% of Consolidated Net Worth as of Statement Date:				$
		B.		Net Institutional Student Loans as of Statement Date:				$
				Maximum permitted: Line V.A

 

2	Including Attributable Indebtedness but excluding required prepayments of the Loans pursuant to Section 2.05 of the Agreement.

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For the Quarter/Year ended                      (“Statement Date”)

SCHEDULE 1

to the Compliance Certificate

Cohort Default Rate

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EXHIBIT E-1

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (this “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the][each]¹ Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the][each, an] “Assignor”) and [the][each]² Assignee identified in item 2 below ([the][each, an] “Assignee”). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of [the Assignors][the Assignees]³ hereunder are several and not joint.]⁴ Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, [the][each] Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee][the respective Assignees], and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the Assignor][the respective Assignors], subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of [the Assignor’s][the respective Assignors’] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities as Lenders] under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of [the Assignor][the respective Assignors] under the respective facilities identified below (including, without limitation, the Letters of Credit and the Loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)][the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the Loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as [the][an] “Assigned Interest”). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to [the][any] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by [the][any] Assignor.

 

1.		Assignor[s]:

 

 

1	For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignor(s), if the assignment is from a single Assignor, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is from multiple Assignors, choose the second bracketed language.

2	For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignee(s), if the assignment is to a single Assignee, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is to multiple Assignees, choose the second bracketed language.

3	Select as appropriate.

4	Include bracketed language if there are either multiple Assignors or multiple Assignees.

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2.		Assignee[s]:

[for each Assignee, indicate [Affiliate][Approved Fund] of [identify Lender]]

3. Borrower: Capella Education Company

4. Administrative Agent: Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement

5. Credit Agreement: Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2015 among Capella Education Company, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer, and Swing Line Lender

6. Assigned Interest[s]:

 

Assignor[s]

Assignee[s]

Aggregate Amount of Commitment/Loans for all Lenders

Amount of Commitment /Loans Assigned

Percentage              Assigned of Commitment/ Loans5

CUSIP Number

$

$

%

$

$

%

$

$

%

[7. Trade Date:                     ]⁶

Effective Date:             , 20     [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

 

 

5	Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/applicable Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

6	To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.

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The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

 

[Consented to and]7 Accepted:
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as
Administrative Agent
By:
Title:
[Consented to:
CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY8
By:
Title:

 

 

7	To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

8	To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties (e.g. Swing Line Lender, L/C Issuer) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

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ANNEX 1 TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties.

1.1. Assignor. [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the][[the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee. [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by [the][such] Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire [the][such] Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, and (vii) attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of Section 3.01(e) the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, [the][any] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest,

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fees and other amounts) to [the][the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the][the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Illinois.

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EXHIBIT E-2

ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE

1

ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE – (MULTICURRENCY)

CONFIDENTIAL

 

1. Information as of date (enter date):

 

 

2. Borrower or Deal Name: Capella Education Company

 

 

3. Legal Name of Lender of Record for Signature Page:

Markit Entity Identifier (MEI) #:

Fund Manager Name (if applicable):

Legal Address from Tax Document of Lender of Record:

Country:

Address:

City:             State/Province:            Postal Code:

 

 

 

4. Domestic Funding Address:		5. Eurodollar Funding Address (if different than #4):
Street Address:		Street Address:
Suite/ Mail Code:		Suite/ Mail Code:
City:                     State:		City:                     State:
Postal Code:                     Country:		Postal Code:                     Country:

 

 

6. Credit Contact Information:

Syndicate level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its related parties or their respective securities will be made available to the Credit Contact(s). The Credit Contacts identified must be able to receive such information in accordance with his/her institution’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and State securities laws.

 

Primary Credit Contact:		Secondary Credit Contact:
First Name:   Middle Name:   Last Name:   Title:   Street Address:   Suite/Mail Code:   City:   State:   Postal Code:   Country:   Office Telephone #:   Office Facsimile #:   Work E-Mail Address:   SyndTrak E-Mail Address:		First Name:   Middle Name:   Last Name:   Title:   Street Address:   Suite/Mail Code:   City:   State:   Postal Code:   Country:   Office Telephone #:   Office Facsimile #:   Work E-Mail Address:   SyndTrak E-Mail Address:

Additional SyndTrak User Access:

Enter E-Mail Addresses of any respective contact who should have access to SyndTrak below.

SyndTrak E-Mail Addresses:

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2

ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE – (MULTICURRENCY)

CONFIDENTIAL

 

 

Primary Operations Contact:		Secondary Operations Contact:
First:             MI:             Last:		First:             MI:             Last:
Title:		Title:
Street Address:		Street Address:
Suite/ Mail Code:		Suite/ Mail Code:
City:             State:		City:             State:
Postal Code:             Country:		Postal Code:             Country:
Telephone:             Facsimile:		Telephone:             Facsimile:
E-Mail Address:		E-Mail Address:
SyndTrak E-Mail Address:		SyndTrak E-Mail Address:
Does Secondary Operations Contact need copy of notices?    YES  ¨    NO   ¨
Letter of Credit Contact:		Draft Documentation Contact or Legal Counsel:
First:             MI:             Last:		First:             MI:             Last:
Title:		Title:
Street Address:		Street Address:
Suite/ Mail Code:		Suite/ Mail Code:
City:             State:		City:             State:
Postal Code:             Country:		Postal Code:             Country:
Telephone:             Facsimile:		Telephone:             Facsimile:
E-Mail Address:		E-Mail Address:

7. Currencies and Jurisdictions in Transaction:

 

PLEASE CHECK BOX OF THE CURRENCIES YOUR INSTITUTION CAN FUND UNDER THIS TRANSACTION:
¨		¨		¨
¨		¨		¨
¨		¨		¨
¨		¨		¨

 

PLEASE CHECK BOX IF YOUR INSTITUTION CAN FUND UNDER THE FOLLOWING JURISDICTIONS:
¨		¨		¨
¨		¨		¨
¨		¨		¨
¨		¨		¨

 

 

8. Lender’s Payment Instructions:

Please input payment instructions for each respective currency referenced within Section 6 above in fields below. If your respective institution is unable to fund any of the above currencies, please inform e-mail recipient identified in Section 1 of this Administrative Questionnaire Form immediately. If submitting payment instructions under separate cover, please indentify below.

Are Lender Payment Instructions attached separately?     YES  ¨   NO  ¨

If NO, please complete payment instructions on next page.

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3

ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE – (MULTICURRENCY)

CONFIDENTIAL

 

 

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4

ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE – (MULTICURRENCY)

CONFIDENTIAL

 

 

 

9. Lender’s Standby Letter of Credit, Commercial Letter of Credit, and Bankers’ Acceptance Fed Wire Payment Instructions (if applicable):

Pay to:

Bank Name:

ABA #:

City:                     State:

Account #:

Account Name:

Attention:

Use Lender’s US Dollars Wire Payment Instructions in Section #8 above?    YES  ¨    NO  ¨

 

 

10. Lender’s Organizational Structure and Tax Status

Please refer to the enclosed withholding tax instructions below and then complete this section accordingly:

Lender Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN):          -                                  

Tax Withholding Form Delivered to Bank of America (check applicable one):

W-9  ¨    W-8BEN  ¨    W-8BEN-E  ¨    W-8ECI   ¨    W-8EXP  ¨    W-8IMY   ¨

Tax Contact:

First:         MI:         Last:

Title:

Street Address:

Suite/ Mail Code:

City:                     State:

Postal Code:         Country:

Telephone:           Facsimile:

E-Mail Address:

SyndTrak E-Mail Address:

NON–U.S. LENDER INSTITUTIONS

1. Corporations:

If your institution is incorporated outside of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and is the beneficial owner of the interest and other income it receives, you must complete one of the following three tax forms, as applicable to your institution: a.) Form W-8BEN (Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner) or Form W-8BEN-E, b.) Form W-8ECI (Income Effectively Connected to a U.S. Trade or Business), or c.) Form W-8EXP (Certificate of Foreign Government or Governmental Agency).

A U.S. taxpayer identification number is required for any institution submitting a Form W-8 ECI. It is also required on Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN for certain institutions claiming the benefits of a tax treaty with the U.S. Please refer to the instructions when completing the form applicable to your institution. In addition, please be advised that U.S. tax regulations do not permit the acceptance of faxed forms. An original tax form must be submitted.

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5

ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE – (MULTICURRENCY)

CONFIDENTIAL

 

 

2. Flow-Through Entities

If your institution is organized outside the U.S., and is classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as either a Partnership, Trust, Qualified or Non-Qualified Intermediary, or other non-U.S. flow-through entity, an original Form W-8IMY (Certificate of Foreign Intermediary, Foreign Flow-Through Entity, or Certain U.S. branches for United States Tax Withholding) must be completed by the intermediary together with a withholding statement. Flow-through entities other than Qualified Intermediaries are required to include tax forms for each of the underlying beneficial owners.

Please refer to the instructions when completing this form. In addition, please be advised that U.S. tax regulations do not permit the acceptance of faxed forms. Original tax form(s) must be submitted.

U.S. LENDER INSTITUTIONS:

If your institution is incorporated or organized within the United States, you must complete and return Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification). Please be advised that we require an original form W-9.

Pursuant to the language contained in the tax section of the Credit Agreement, the applicable tax form for your institution must be completed and returned on or prior to the date on which your institution becomes a lender under this Credit Agreement. Failure to provide the proper tax form when requested will subject your institution to U.S. tax withholding.

 

*	Additional guidance and instructions as to where to submit this documentation can be found at this link

 

 

        

Tax Form Tool Kit &

Mailing Instructions

 

 

11. Bank of America’s Payment Instructions:

Input or attach Bank of America’s payment Instructions for each respective currency referenced within Section 7 below.

BANK OF AMERICA NA

ABA: 026009593

ACCT: 1292000883

ATTN: CREDIT SERVICES

RE: CAPELLA EDUCATION COMPANY

 

 

        

    FX SWIFTS

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EXHIBIT F

FORM OF GUARANTY

[SEE ATTACHED]

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AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Guaranty”) dated as of December 18, 2015 is executed by the undersigned (each a “Guarantor” and together, the “Guarantors”) in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent (as defined below), and the Guaranteed Parties (as defined below).

WHEREAS, Capella Education Company (the “Borrower”), various financial institutions and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2011 (the “Existing Credit Agreement);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement, Capella University, Inc., a direct subsidiary of the Borrower, executed and delivered a guaranty dated as of September 30, 2011 in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Guaranteed Parties (as defined therein), which was later joined by Sophia Learning, LLC, a direct subsidiary of the Borrower (the “Existing Guaranty”);

WHEREAS, the Borrower, various financial institutions (the “Lenders”) and the Administrative Agent have agreed to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 18, 2015 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement);

WHEREAS, in connection with the closing of the Credit Agreement, the parties hereto have agreed to amend and restate the Existing Guaranty pursuant to this Guaranty; and

WHEREAS, each of the undersigned will benefit from the making of loans and the issuance of letters of credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the making of certain other financial accommodations to the Borrower, and is willing to guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the undersigned agrees as follows:

STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, to induce the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer to enter into the Credit Agreement and in recognition of the direct benefits to be received by the Guarantors from the proceeds of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit, each Guarantor hereby agrees as follows:

1. Guaranty. Each Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally, absolutely and irrevocably guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely as surety, the full and

 

1

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punctual payment when due (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) of (i) all Secured Obligations of the Borrower to the Guaranteed Parties (as defined below) and (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and charges) paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent or any other Guaranteed Party in enforcing this Guaranty or any other applicable Loan Document against any Guarantor (all such obligations being herein collectively called the, the “Guaranteed Obligations”); provided that the Guaranteed Obligations, as to any of the Guarantors, shall not include any obligations under any Secured Hedge Agreement to the extent that all or a portion of such Guarantors’s guarantee of such obligations is or becomes illegal or unlawful under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation thereof). This Guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. Upon failure by the Borrower to pay punctually any of its Guaranteed Obligations when due and payable (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise), each Guarantor agrees to pay forthwith on demand from the Administrative Agent the amount then due and not so paid at the place and in the manner specified in the Credit Agreement. As used herein, “Guaranteed Parties” means the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, each Lender, each Cash Management Bank and each Hedge Bank.

2. Hedging Agreements. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, while any Guaranteed Obligations are outstanding with respect to a transaction under a Secured Hedge Agreement, each ECP Guarantor (as defined below) hereby jointly and severally, absolutely and unconditionally undertakes, for the benefit of each Supported Guarantor (as defined below) and any holder of such Guaranteed Obligations, to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time to enable each Supported Guarantor to pay such Guaranteed Obligations and to pay such funds to the holder of such Guaranteed Obligations upon the demand of either the Supported Guarantor or such holder. The undersigned agree that this keepwell provision constitutes a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of the Supported Guarantors for purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act. As used above, (a) “ECP Guarantor” means, with respect to any transaction under a Secured Hedge Agreement, any Guarantor that, at the time such transaction is entered into or, if later, when such Guarantor executes a Guaranty, is an “eligible contract participant” as defined in section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act (and related regulations of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission) by virtue of having total assets exceeding $10,000,000 and/or satisfying any other criteria relevant to such status under such section 1a(18) (and related regulations) and (b) “Supported Guarantor” means, at any time, any Guarantor that, at such time, is not an “eligible contract participant” as defined in section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act and related regulations of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, except by virtue of the support of the ECP Guarantors under this Section 2.

3. Guaranty Unconditional. The obligations of each Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be unconditional, absolute and irrevocable and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall not be released, discharged or otherwise affected by:

(a) any extension, renewal, settlement, compromise, waiver or release (including with respect to any collateral) in respect of any obligation of any other obligor under any of the Loan Documents, by operation of law or otherwise;

 

2

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(b) any modification or amendment of or supplement to any of the Loan Documents;

(c) any release, non-perfection or invalidity of any direct or indirect security for any obligation of any other obligor under any of the Loan Documents;

(d) any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of any obligor, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting any other obligor or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of any other obligor contained in any of the Loan Documents;

(e) the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights which any obligor may have at any time against any other obligor, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with any of the Loan Documents or any unrelated transactions, provided that nothing herein shall prevent the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim;

(f) any invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any other obligor for any reason of any of the Loan Documents, or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit the payment by any other obligor of principal, interest or any other amount payable under any of the Loan Documents;

(g) any law, regulation or order of any jurisdiction, or any other event, affecting any term of any obligation or the Guaranteed Parties’ rights with respect thereto; or

(h) any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by any obligor, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, any Lender or any Person or any other circumstance whatsoever (other than the defense of payment or performance) which might, but for the provisions of this paragraph, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of or defense to such Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty.

4. Discharge Only upon Payment in Full; Reinstatement in Certain Circumstances. Each Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect until the Commitments under the Credit Agreement shall have expired or been terminated, all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall have been made) and all Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements as to which arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank shall have been made) (the “Credit Exposure Elimination”). If at any time any payment of the principal of or interest on any Loan or any L/C Obligation or any other Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or otherwise, each Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty with respect to such payment shall be reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at the time of such reinstatement.

5. Waiver by the Guarantors. Each Guarantor expressly waives all setoffs and counterclaims and all presentments, demands for payment or performance, notices of

 

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nonpayment or nonperformance, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and all other notices or demands of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, and all notices of acceptance of this Guaranty or of the existence, creation or incurrence of new or additional Guaranteed Obligations, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any corporation or person against any other obligor or any other corporation or person. Each Guarantor warrants and agrees that each waiver set forth in this Section 5 is made with full knowledge of its significance and consequences, and such waivers shall be effective to the maximum extent permitted by law.

6. Subrogation. Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees not to exercise any rights that it may now have or hereafter acquire against the Borrower that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantor’s obligations under or in respect of this Guaranty, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of any Guaranteed Party against any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor or any collateral, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from any other Loan Party or any other insider guarantor, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right, unless and until the occurrence of the Credit Exposure Elimination. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor in violation of the immediately preceding sentence at any time prior to the date all Commitments under the Credit Agreement shall have terminated, no Letters of Credit shall be outstanding and all Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash, such amount shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of the Guaranteed Parties, shall be segregated from other property and funds of such Guarantor and shall forthwith be paid or delivered to the Administrative Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement or assignment) to be credited and applied to all amounts payable under this Guaranty, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents, or to be held as collateral for any amounts payable under this Guaranty thereafter arising. Upon the occurrence of the Credit Exposure Elimination, the Guaranteed Parties will, at any Guarantor’s request and expense, execute and deliver to such Guarantor appropriate documents, without recourse and without representation or warranty, necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation to such Guarantor of an interest in the obligations resulting from such payment made by such Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty.

7. Stay of Acceleration. If acceleration of the time for payment of any amount payable by the Borrower under any of the Loan Documents is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower, all Obligations otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of the Credit Agreement shall nonetheless be payable by the Guarantors under this Guaranty forthwith on demand by the Administrative Agent.

8. Continuing Guaranty; Assignments. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the Credit Exposure Elimination, (b) be binding upon each Guarantor, its successors and assigns and (c) inure to the benefit of and, subject to the provisions of Section 11, be enforceable by the Guaranteed Parties. Without limiting the generality of clause (c) of the immediately preceding sentence, any Lender and the L/C Issuer may assign or otherwise transfer all or any portion of its rights and obligations under the Credit

 

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Agreement to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender herein or otherwise, in each case as and to the extent provided in Section 9.06 or 10.06, as the case may be, of the Credit Agreement.

9. Payments; Application; Set-Off.

(a) All payments made by the Guarantors hereunder will be made in Dollars to the Administrative Agent, without set-off, counterclaim or other defense and, in accordance with the Credit Agreement, each Guarantor hereby agrees to comply with and be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement in respect of all payments made by it hereunder.

(b) All payments made hereunder shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement.

(c) If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Guaranteed Party is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Guaranteed Party to or for the credit or the account of any Guarantor against any and all of the obligations of such Guarantor now or hereafter existing under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document to such Guaranteed Party, irrespective of whether or not such Guaranteed Party shall have made any demand under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of such Guarantor are owed to a branch or office of such Guaranteed Party different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Guaranteed Party under this subsection are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Guaranteed Parties may have. Each Guaranteed Party agrees to notify the applicable Guarantor and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such set-off and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

10. No Waiver. The rights and remedies of the Guaranteed Parties expressly set forth in this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents are cumulative and in addition to, and not exclusive of, all other rights and remedies available at law, in equity or otherwise. No failure or delay on the part of any Guaranteed Party in exercising any right, power or privilege shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any Default. No course of dealing between the Guarantors and the Guaranteed Parties or their agents or employees shall be effective to amend, modify or discharge any provision of this Guaranty or any other Loan Document or to constitute a waiver of any Default. No notice to or demand upon any Guarantor in any case shall entitle any Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the right of any Guaranteed Party to exercise any right or remedy or take any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.

11. Enforcement. The Guaranteed Parties agree that this Guaranty may be enforced only by the Administrative Agent, acting upon the instructions or with the consent of the Required Lenders as provided for in the Credit Agreement, and that no Guaranteed Party shall

 

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have any right individually to enforce or seek to enforce this Guaranty or to realize upon any collateral or other security given to secure the payment and performance of the Guarantors’ obligations hereunder. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the Guaranteed Obligations, and a separate action or actions may be brought against each Guarantor whether or not action is brought against any other Loan Party and whether or not any other Loan Party is joined in any such action.

12. Amendments, Waivers, etc. No amendment, modification, waiver, discharge or termination of, or consent to any departure by any Guarantor from, any provision of this Guaranty, shall be effective unless in a writing signed by the Administrative Agent to concur in the action then being taken, and then the same shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

13. Addition, Release of Guarantors. Each Guarantor agrees that its obligations hereunder shall not be discharged, limited or otherwise affected by reason of the Administrative Agent’s actions in releasing any other guarantor, in each case without the necessity of giving notice to or obtaining the consent of any Guarantor.

14. Continuing Guaranty; Term; Successors and Assigns; Assignment; Survival. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and covers all of the Guaranteed Obligations as the same may arise and be outstanding at any time and from time to time from and after the date hereof, and shall (i) remain in full force and effect until satisfaction of the provisions of Section 4, (ii) be binding upon and enforceable against the Guarantor and its successors and assigns (provided, however, that no Guarantor may sell, assign or transfer any of its rights, interests, duties or obligations hereunder (except in connection with a merger under Section 7.04 of the Credit Agreement) without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent) and (iii) inure to the benefit of and, subject to the provisions of Section 11, be enforceable by each Guaranteed Party and its successors and permitted assigns.

15. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Appointment of Process Agent; Attorney-in-Fact.

(a) This Guaranty shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois.

(b) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Illinois sitting in the County of Cook and of the United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any other Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment entered in connection therewith, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Illinois state court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto 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 Guaranty or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that any Guaranteed Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Guaranty or any other Loan Document against any Guarantor or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

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(c) Each of the parties hereto 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 Guaranty or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in Section 15(b). Each of the parties hereto 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.

(d) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement. Nothing in any Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

16. Waiver of Jury Trial. 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 GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). 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 GUARANTY AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

17. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile or other electronic transmission as follows: (a) if to a Guarantor, at the address for notices set forth below its signature hereto, and (b) if to the Administrative Agent, at its address for notices set forth in the Credit Agreement; in each case, as such addresses may be changed from time to time pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and with copies to such other Persons as may be specified under the provisions of the Credit Agreement. Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in the Credit Agreement shall be effective as provided therein.

18. Severability. To the extent any provision of this Guaranty is prohibited by or invalid under the applicable law of any jurisdiction, such provision shall be ineffective only to

 

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the extent of such prohibition or invalidity and only in such jurisdiction, without prohibiting or invalidating such provision in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty in any jurisdiction.

19. Limitation. Wherever possible, each provision of this Guaranty will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Guaranty is prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision will be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Guaranty. Consistent with the foregoing, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty to the contrary, in the event that any action or proceeding is brought in whatever form and in whatever forum seeking to invalidate any Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty under any fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer theory, or similar avoidance theory, whether under state or federal law, such Guarantor, automatically and without any further action being required of such Guarantor or the Administrative Agent or any Guaranteed Party, shall be liable under this Guaranty only for an amount equal to the maximum amount of liability that could have been incurred under applicable law by such Guarantor under any guaranty of the Guaranteed Obligations (or any portion thereof) at the time of the execution and delivery of this Guaranty (or, if such date is determined not to be the appropriate date for determining the enforceability of such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder for fraudulent conveyance or transfer (or similar avoidance) purposes, on the date determined to be so appropriate) without rendering such a hypothetical guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, or any other grounds for avoidance (such highest amount determined hereunder being such Guarantor’s “Maximum Guaranty Amount”), and not for any greater amount, as if the stated amount of this Guaranty as to such Guarantor had instead been the Maximum Guaranty Amount. This paragraph is intended solely to preserve the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Guaranty to the maximum extent not subject to avoidance under applicable law, and neither any Guarantor nor any other Person shall have any right or claim under this paragraph with respect to the limitation described in this Guaranty, except to the extent necessary so that the obligations of each Guarantor under this Guaranty shall not be rendered voidable under applicable law.

20. Construction. The headings of the various sections and subsections of this Guaranty have been inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof. Unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular.

21. Effectiveness. This Guaranty shall become effective upon the execution and delivery by each Guarantor of a counterpart hereof.

22. Counterparts. This Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Guaranty. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Guaranty by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty. At any time after the date of this Guaranty, one or more additional persons or entities may become parties hereto by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a counterpart of this Guaranty. Immediately upon such execution and delivery (and without any further action), each such additional person or entity will become a party to, and will be bound by all of the terms of, this Guaranty.

 

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23. Security. The obligations of the undersigned under this Guaranty are secured pursuant to a Security Agreement dated as of even date herewith (as amended or otherwise modified from time to time) and may be secured by one or more other agreements (including one or more pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust or other similar documents).

24. Release. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty, at the request and sole expense of the Borrower, any Guarantor shall be released from its obligations hereunder in the event such Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Credit Agreement; provided that (a) no release shall be made pursuant to this paragraph unless the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, with reasonable notice prior to the date of the proposed release, a written request for release identifying the applicable Guarantor, certifying that such Guarantor has ceased to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Credit Agreement, and describing the terms of such transaction in reasonable detail, including the consideration therefor (on which documentation the Administrative Agent may conclusively rely absent written notice to the contrary) and (b) no Event of Default shall exist or result from such release. No such release shall affect the obligations of any of the other Guarantors, or impair the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender Party, hereunder against any of the other Guarantors.

25. Loan Document. This Guaranty is a Loan Document.

26. Effect on Existing Guaranty. Upon the effectiveness hereof, the Existing Guaranty is amended and restated in its entirety hereby and shall be of no further force or effect.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Guaranty has been duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

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S-2

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EXHIBIT G

FORM OF SECURITY AGREEMENT

[SEE ATTACHED]

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FORM OF

SECURITY AGREEMENT

THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of [            ], 20[    ] is [among] [between] [            ] ([each a “Debtor” and collectively the “Debtors”][the “Debtor”]) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (“Bank of America”), in its capacity as Administrative Agent (as defined below) for the Lenders (as defined below).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Capella Education Company (the “Borrower”), various financial institutions (the “Lenders”) and Bank of America, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), are parties to an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December [        ], 2015 (the “Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, [each][the] Debtor [(other than the Borrower)] has guaranteed all obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and certain hedging obligations and cash management obligations pursuant to an Amended and Restated Guaranty (the “Guaranty”) dated as of the date hereof; and

WHEREAS, the obligations of [each such][the] Debtor are to be secured pursuant to this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Definitions; Interpretation. (a) When used herein, (i) the terms Account, Account Debtor, Certificated Security, Chattel Paper, Commodity Account, Commodity Contract, Deposit Account, Document, Electronic Chattel Paper, Equipment, Fixtures, Goods, Instrument, Inventory, Investment Property, Money, Proceeds, Security, Security Entitlement, Securities Account and Uncertificated Security have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the UCC (as defined below) (ii) capitalized terms that are not defined have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement and (iii) the following terms have the following meanings (such meanings to be applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms):

Administrative Agent - see the recitals.

Agreement - see the introductory paragraph.

Applicable Date means the date of this Agreement or such later date on which the [applicable] Debtor delivers to the Administrative Agent an updated Schedule VI pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 2.

Assignee Deposit Account - see Section 4.

Bank of America - see the introductory paragraph.

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Borrower - see the recitals.

Collateral - see Section 2.

Computer Hardware and Software means, with respect to [any][the] Debtor, (i) all computer and other electronic data processing hardware, whether now or hereafter owned, licensed or leased by [such][the] Debtor, including all integrated computer systems, central processing units, memory units, display terminals, printers, card readers, tape drives, hard and soft disk drives, cables, electrical supply hardware, generators, power equalizers, accessories and all peripheral devices and other related computer hardware; (ii) all software programs, whether now or hereafter owned, licensed or leased by [such][the] Debtor, designed for use on the computers and electronic data processing hardware described in clause (i) above, including all operating system software, utilities and application programs in whatsoever form (source code and object code in magnetic tape, disk or hard copy format or any other listings whatsoever); (iii) all firmware associated therewith, whether now or hereafter owned, licensed or leased by [such][the] Debtor; (iv) all rights with respect thereto, including any and all licenses, options, warranties, service contracts, program services, test rights, maintenance rights, support rights, improvement rights, renewal rights and indemnifications, and any substitutions, replacements, additions or model conversions of any of the foregoing; and (v) all documentation for such hardware, software and firmware described in the preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), whether now or hereafter owned, licensed or leased by [such][the] Debtor, including flow charts, logic diagrams, manuals, specifications, training materials, charts and pseudo codes.

Costs and Expenses means[, with respect to any Debtor,] all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by [such][the] Debtor, (ii) protecting, preserving or maintaining any Collateral [of such Debtor], (iii) collecting the Secured Obligations of such Debtor, and (iv) enforcing any rights of the Administrative Agent hereunder in respect of the Collateral [of such Debtor].

Credit Agreement - see the recitals.

Debtor - see the introductory paragraph.

Default means an “Event of Default” as defined in the Credit Agreement.

General Intangibles means, with respect to [any][the] Debtor, all of [such][the] Debtor’s “general intangibles” as defined in the UCC and, in any event, includes all of [such][the] Debtor’s licenses, franchises, tax refund claims, guarantee claims, security interests and rights to indemnification.

Guaranty - see the recitals.

Intellectual Property means all of the following, whether now owned or hereafter acquired: trade secrets and other proprietary information; customer lists; trademarks, service marks, business names, trade names, designs, logos, indicia, and/or other source and/or business identifiers and the goodwill of the business relating thereto and all registrations or applications for registrations which have heretofore been or may hereafter be issued thereon throughout the

 

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world; copyrights (including copyrights for computer programs) and copyright registrations or applications for registrations which have heretofore been or may hereafter be issued throughout the world; inventions (whether or not patentable); patent applications and patents; industrial designs, industrial design applications and registered industrial designs; license agreements related to any of the foregoing and income therefrom; mask works, flow diagrams, specification sheets, source codes, object codes and other physical manifestations, embodiments or incorporations of any of the foregoing; the right to sue for all past, present and future infringements of any of the foregoing; and all common law and other rights throughout the world in and to all of the foregoing.

Issuer means the issuer of any Pledged Equity.

Non-Tangible Collateral means, with respect to [any][the] Debtor, [such][the] Debtor’s Accounts and General Intangibles.

Permitted Liens - see Section 3.

Pledged Equity means:

A. All of the Equity Interests described in Schedule VI opposite the name of [such][the] Debtor, all of the certificates and/or instruments representing such Equity Interests, and all cash, securities, dividends, rights and other property at any time and from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any of such Equity Interests;

B. All additional Equity Interests of any of the Issuers listed in Schedule VI opposite the name of [such][the] Debtor at any time and from time to time acquired by the Debtor in any manner, all of the certificates representing such additional shares, and all cash, securities, dividends, rights and other property at any time and from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any of such shares; and

C. All other property hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent by [such][the] Debtor in substitution for or in addition to any of the foregoing and all certificates and instruments representing or evidencing such property.

UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of Illinois.

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the rules of interpretation set forth in Section 1.2 of the Credit Agreement shall apply as if fully set forth herein, mutatis mutandis.

2. Grant of Security Interest. As security for the payment and performance of all Secured Obligations, [each][the] Debtor hereby assigns, pledges and conveys to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and grants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a continuing security interest in, all of [such][the] Debtor’s right, title, and interest in the following, wherever located, whether now or hereafter existing or acquired:

 

(i)

Accounts;

 

(ii)

Chattel Paper (including Electronic Chattel Paper);

 

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(iii)

Computer Hardware and Software;

 

(iv)

Deposit Accounts;

 

(v)

Documents;

 

(vi)

General Intangibles;

 

(vii)

Goods (including all its Equipment, Fixtures and Inventory), together with all accessions, additions, attachments, improvements, substitutions and replacements thereto and therefor;

 

(viii)

Instruments;

 

(ix)

Intellectual Property;

 

(x)

Investment Property (including Commodity Accounts, Commodity Contracts, Securities (whether Certificated Securities or Uncertificated Securities), Security Entitlements and Securities Accounts);

 

(xi)

Money (of every jurisdiction whatsoever);

 

(xii)

Pledged Equity; and

 

(xiii)

to the extent not included in the foregoing, other personal property of any kind or description;

together with all of [such][the] Debtor’s right, title and interest in all books, records, writings, data bases, information and other property relating to, used or useful in connection with, evidencing, embodying, incorporating or referring to any of the foregoing, all claims and/or insurance proceeds arising out of the loss, nonconformity or any interference with the use of, or any defects or infringements of rights in, or damage to, any of the foregoing, and all Proceeds, products, offspring, rents, issues, profits and returns of and from, and all distributions on and rights arising out of, any of the foregoing.

All of the foregoing are herein collectively called the “Collateral”.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, [no][the] Debtor [does not] grant[s] a security interest in, and the term “Collateral” and the types of Collateral described above shall not include, any Excluded Property.

[Each][The] Debtor agrees to deliver to the Administrative Agent, promptly upon receipt and in due form for transfer (i.e., endorsed in blank or accompanied by stock or bond powers executed in blank), each certificate evidencing any Pledged Equity that is a Certificated Security and which may at any time or from time to time be in or come into the possession or control of [such][the] Debtor; and prior to the delivery thereof to the Administrative Agent, such Pledged Equity shall be held by [such][the] Debtor separate and apart from its other property and in express trust for the Administrative Agent.

The Debtor[s] agree[s] that [they][it] will, from time to time promptly following the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent an updated Schedule VI showing the property then pledged hereunder. The Administrative Agent may, at its option, attach such updated Schedule VI to a counterpart hereof or file such updated Schedule VI in its records. The delivery of an updated Schedule VI is solely for the convenience of the parties hereto, and nothing in this paragraph requires that any property must be listed on a Schedule VI in order to constitute Collateral hereunder in accordance with the forgoing provisions of this Section 2.

3. Warranties. [Each][The] Debtor warrants that: (i) as of the date hereof, no financing statement (other than any that may have been filed on behalf of the Administrative Agent or in connection with Permitted Liens (as defined below) and any financing statement filed as a precautionary filing in connection with an operating lease) covering any of the Collateral is on file in any public office; (ii) [such][the] Debtor is the lawful owner of all Collateral, free of all liens and claims whatsoever, other than the security interest hereunder and liens and claims expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement (“Permitted Liens”), with full organizational power and authority to execute this Agreement and perform [such][the] Debtor’s obligations hereunder, and to subject the Collateral to the security interest hereunder; (iii) all information with respect to Collateral and Account Debtors set forth in any schedule, certificate or other writing at any time heretofore or hereafter furnished by [such][the] Debtor to the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party and all other written information heretofore or hereafter furnished by [such][the] Debtor to the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party in connection with the Credit Agreement was or will be true and correct in all material respects as of the date furnished; (iv) as of the date hereof, [such][the] Debtor’s true legal name as registered in the jurisdiction in which [such][the] Debtor is organized or incorporated, jurisdiction of organization or incorporation, federal employer identification number, if any, as designated by the state of its organization or incorporation, chief executive office and principal place of business, in each case as of the date hereof, are as set forth on Schedule I hereto (and [such][the] Debtor has not maintained its chief executive office and principal place of business at any other location at any time during the past five years through and including the date hereof); (v) each other location where [such][the] Debtor maintains a place of business or has any Goods (other than vehicles in transit), in each case as of the date hereof, is set forth on Schedule II hereto; (vi) except as disclosed on Schedule III, during the five years preceding the date hereof [such][the] Debtor has not been known by any legal name different from the one set forth on the signature page of this Agreement nor has [such][the] Debtor been the subject of any merger or other

 

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corporate reorganization; (vii) Schedule IV hereto contains a complete listing of all of [such][the] Debtor’s Intellectual Property which has been registered under any registration statute as of the date hereof; (viii) Schedule V sets forth a description of all Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts of [such][the] Debtor containing cash in excess of, or securities with a market value in excess of, $100,000 as of the date hereof; (ix) to the extent [such Debtor’s][the] Collateral consists of Certificated Securities, the pledge and delivery of the certificates evidencing such Certificated Securities pursuant to this Agreement will create a valid perfected security interest in such Certificated Securities in favor of the Administrative Agent; (x) all Equity Interests referred to in Schedule VI [opposite the name of such Debtor] are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, if applicable, and non-assessable; (xi) as to each Issuer whose name appears in Schedule VI [opposite the name of such Debtor], [such Debtor’s][the] Collateral represents on the Applicable Date not less than the applicable percent (as shown in Schedule VI) of the total Equity Interests issued and outstanding of such Issuer; and (xii) as of the Applicable Date, the information contained in Schedule VI [opposite the name of such Debtor] is true and accurate in all respects.

4. Collections, etc. Until such time during the existence of a Default as the Administrative Agent shall notify [such][the] Debtor of the revocation of such power and authority, [each][the] Debtor (a) may, in the ordinary course of its business, at its own expense, sell, lease or furnish under contracts of service any of the Inventory normally held by [such][the] Debtor for such purpose, use and consume, in the ordinary course of its business, any raw materials, work in process or materials normally held by [such][the] Debtor for such purpose, and use, in the ordinary course of its business (but subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement), the cash proceeds of Collateral and other money which constitutes Collateral, (b) will, at its own expense, endeavor to collect (except to the extent determined by [the][such] Debtor in good faith to be inconsistent with sound business practice), as and when due, all amounts due under any of the material Non-Tangible Collateral and (c) may grant, in the ordinary course of business, to any party obligated on any of the Non-Tangible Collateral, any rebate, refund or allowance to which such party may be lawfully entitled, and may accept, in connection therewith, the return of Goods, the sale or lease of which shall have given rise to such Non-Tangible Collateral. The Administrative Agent, however, may, at any time that a Default exists, whether before or after any revocation of such power and authority or the maturity of any of the Secured Obligations, notify any parties obligated on any of the Non-Tangible Collateral to make payment to the Administrative Agent of any amounts due or to become due thereunder and enforce collection of any of the Non-Tangible Collateral by suit or otherwise and surrender, release or exchange all or any part thereof, or compromise or extend or renew for any period (whether or not longer than the original period) any indebtedness thereunder or evidenced thereby. Upon request of the Administrative Agent during the existence of a Default, [each][the] Debtor will, at its own expense, notify any parties obligated on any of the Non-Tangible Collateral to make payment to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties of any amounts due or to become due thereunder.

Upon request by the Administrative Agent during the existence of a Default, [each][the] Debtor will forthwith, upon receipt, transmit and deliver to the Administrative Agent, in the form received, all cash, checks, drafts and other instruments or writings for the payment of money (properly endorsed, where required, so that such items may be collected by the Administrative Agent) which may be received by [such][the] Debtor at any time in full or partial payment or

 

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otherwise as proceeds of any of the Collateral. Except as the Administrative Agent may otherwise consent in writing, any such items which may be so received by [any][the] Debtor following a request by the Administrative Agent during the existence of a Default will not be commingled with any other of its funds or property, but will be held separate and apart from its own funds or property and upon express trust for the Administrative Agent until delivery is made to the Administrative Agent. [Each][The] Debtor will comply with the terms and conditions of any consent given by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the foregoing sentence.

During the existence of a Default, all items or amounts which are delivered by [any][the] Debtor to the Administrative Agent on account of partial or full payment or otherwise as proceeds of any of the Collateral shall be deposited to the credit of a deposit account (each an “Assignee Deposit Account”) of [such][the] Debtor maintained with the Administrative Agent, as security for payment of the Secured Obligations. No Debtor shall have any right to withdraw any funds deposited in the applicable Assignee Deposit Account. So long as a Default continues to exist, the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, in its discretion, and shall upon request of the [applicable] Debtor made not more than once in any week, apply all or any of the then balance, representing collected funds, in the Assignee Deposit Account, toward payment of the Secured Obligations, whether or not then due, in the order of application provided in Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement, and the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, in its discretion, release all or any of such balance to the [applicable] Debtor; provided that if such Default shall no longer exist, the Administrative Agent shall release the balance in the Assignee Deposit Account to the [applicable] Debtor.

During the existence of a Default, the Administrative Agent is authorized to endorse, in the name of the [applicable] Debtor, any item, howsoever received by the Administrative Agent, representing any payment on or other proceeds of any of the Collateral.

5. Certificates, Schedules and Reports. [Each][The] Debtor will from time to time deliver to the Administrative Agent such schedules, certificates and reports respecting all or any of the Collateral at the time subject to the security interest hereunder, and the items or amounts received by [such][the] Debtor in full or partial payment of any of the Collateral, each as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request. Any such schedule, certificate or report shall be executed by a duly authorized officer of [such][the] Debtor and shall be in such form and detail as the Administrative Agent may reasonably specify. [Each][The] Debtor shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of the occurrence of any event causing any loss or depreciation in the value of its Inventory or other Goods which is material to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and such notice shall specify or reasonably estimate the amount of such loss or depreciation.

6. Agreements of the Debtors. [Each][The] Debtor (a) will, upon request of the Administrative Agent, execute such financing statements and other documents (and pay the cost of filing or recording the same in all public offices reasonably deemed necessary by the Administrative Agent) and do such other acts and things (including delivery to the Administrative Agent of any Instruments or Certificated Securities which constitute Collateral), all as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request, to establish and maintain a valid security interest in the Collateral (free of all other liens, claims and rights of third parties whatsoever, other than Permitted Liens) to secure the payment of the Secured

 

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Obligations (and [each][the] Debtor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file any financing statement without its signature, to the extent permitted by applicable law, and/or to file a copy of this Agreement as a financing statement in any jurisdiction); (b) will not change its state of organization or incorporation or its name, identity or corporate structure such that any financing statement filed to perfect the Administrative Agent’s interests under this Agreement would become seriously misleading, unless [such][the] Debtor shall have given the Administrative Agent not less than 30 days’ prior notice of such change (provided that this Section 6(c) shall not be deemed to authorize any change or transaction prohibited under the Credit Agreement); (c) will keep its records concerning the Non-Tangible Collateral in such a manner as will enable the Administrative Agent or its designees to determine at any time the status of the Non-Tangible Collateral; (d) will furnish the Administrative Agent such information concerning [such][the] Debtor, the Collateral and the Account Debtors as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request; (e) will, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, permit the Administrative Agent and its designees, from time to time (but not more often than once per year at [the Borrower’s or] [any][the] Debtor’s expense, other than during the existence of a Default), on reasonable notice and at reasonable times and intervals during normal business hours (or at any time without notice during the existence of a Default) to inspect [such][the] Debtor’s Inventory and other Goods, and to inspect, audit and make copies of and extracts from all records and all other papers in the possession of [such][the] Debtor pertaining to the Collateral and the Account Debtors, and will, upon request of the Administrative Agent during the existence of a Default, deliver to the Administrative Agent all of such records and papers; (f) except as permitted by the Credit Agreement, will not sell, lease, assign or create or permit to exist any lien on or security interest in any Collateral other than Permitted Liens and liens and security interests in favor of the Administrative Agent; (g) will at all times keep its Inventory and other Goods insured in accordance with Section 6.07 of the Credit Agreement (it being understood that (A) so long as no Default shall be existing, the Administrative Agent shall deliver any proceeds of such insurance which may be received by it to [such][the] Debtor and (B) whenever a Default shall be existing, the Administrative Agent may apply any proceeds of such insurance which may be received by it toward payment of the Secured Obligations, whether or not due, in such order of application as the Administrative Agent may determine) and such policies or certificates thereof shall, if the Administrative Agent so requests, be deposited with or furnished to the Administrative Agent; (h) will take such actions as are reasonably necessary to keep its Inventory in good repair and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; (i) will take such actions as are reasonably necessary to keep its Equipment (other than obsolete, worn out or excess Equipment) in good repair and condition and in good working or running order, ordinary wear and tear excepted; (j) will promptly pay when due all license fees, registration fees, taxes, assessments and other charges which may be levied upon or assessed against the ownership, operation, possession, maintenance or use of its Equipment and other Goods (as applicable); provided that [such][the] Debtor shall not be required to pay any such fee, tax, assessment or other charge if the validity thereof is being contested by [such][the] Debtor in good faith by appropriate proceedings, so long as forfeiture of any substantial part of its Equipment or other Goods will not result from the failure of [such][the] Debtor to pay any such fee, tax, assessment or other charge during the period of such contest; (k) will take all steps reasonably necessary (except to the extent determined by [such][the] Debtor in good faith to be inconsistent with sound business practice) to protect, preserve and maintain all of its material rights in the Collateral; and (l) will, promptly upon any Responsible Officer of [such][the] Debtor obtaining

 

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knowledge that [such][the] Debtor has acquired a commercial tort claim (as defined in Section 9-102 of the UCC) that is reasonably likely to result in recovery by [such][the] Debtor of damages in excess of $100,000, notify the Administrative Agent in a writing signed by [such][the] Debtor of the details thereof and grant to the Administrative Agent in such writing a security interest therein and in the proceeds thereof, with such writing to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

[Each][The] Debtor hereby authorizes the filing of any financing statement, continuation statement, and amendment to financing statement in any jurisdiction and with any filing office as the Administrative Agent may determine, in its sole discretion, is necessary or advisable to perfect the security interest granted to the Administrative Agent hereunder or in connection herewith. Any such financing statement or amendment may describe the Collateral in the same manner as described in any security agreement or pledge agreement entered into by the parties in connection herewith, or may contain an indication or description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Administrative Agent may determine, in its sole discretion, is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure the perfection of its security interest in the Collateral, including describing such property as “all assets (or all personal property), whether now owned or hereafter acquired” or words of similar meaning.

Any expenses incurred in protecting, preserving and maintaining any Collateral shall be borne by the [applicable] Debtor. Whenever a Default shall be existing, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to bring suit to enforce any of the Intellectual Property or licenses thereunder, in which event the [applicable] Debtor shall at the request of the Administrative Agent do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all proper documents reasonably required by the Administrative Agent in aid of such enforcement and [such][the] Debtor shall promptly, upon demand, reimburse and indemnify the Administrative Agent for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in the exercise of its rights under this Section 6, except to the extent any of the foregoing result from the gross negligence, bad faith breach or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except to the extent required under applicable Law, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligations or liabilities regarding the Collateral or any thereof by reason of, or arising out of, this Agreement.

7. Holding in Name of Administrative Agent, etc. The Administrative Agent may from time to time after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default, without notice to the Debtor[s], take all or any of the following actions: (a) transfer all or any part of the Collateral into the name of the Administrative Agent or any nominee or sub-agent for the Administrative Agent, with or without disclosing that such Collateral is subject to the lien and security interest hereunder, (b) appoint one or more sub-agents or nominees for the purpose of retaining physical possession of the Collateral, (c) notify the parties obligated on any of the Collateral to make payment to the Administrative Agent of any amounts due or to become due thereunder, (d) endorse any checks, drafts or other writings in the name of [any][the] Debtor to allow collection of the Collateral, (e) enforce collection of any of the Collateral by suit or otherwise, and surrender, release or exchange all or any part thereof, or compromise or renew for any period (whether or not longer than the original period) any obligations of any nature of any party with respect thereto, and (f) take control of any proceeds of the Collateral.

 

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8. Voting Rights, Dividends, etc.

(a) Notwithstanding certain provisions of Section 7 hereof, so long as the Administrative Agent has not given the notice referred to in paragraph (b) below:

 

(i)

The Debtor[s] shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting or consensual rights and powers and stock purchase or subscription rights (but any such exercise by the Debtor[s] of stock purchase or subscription rights may be made only from funds of the Debtor[s] not comprising part of the Collateral required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent hereunder) relating or pertaining to the Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose; provided that [each][the] Debtor agrees that it will not exercise any such right or power in any manner which would violate this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

(ii)

The Debtor[s] shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all lawful dividends and other payments payable in respect of the Collateral which are paid in cash by any Issuer if such dividends and other payments are permitted by the Credit Agreement, but all dividends and distributions in respect of the Collateral or any part thereof made in shares of stock or securities or other property, whether resulting from a subdivision, combination or reclassification of Collateral or any part thereof or received in exchange for Collateral or any part thereof or as a result of any merger, consolidation, acquisition or other exchange of assets to which any Issuer may be a party or otherwise or as a result of any exercise of any stock purchase or subscription right, shall be and become part of the Collateral hereunder and, in the case of any such property that constitutes certificated securities, the certificates evidencing such certificated securities, if received by [any][the] Debtor, shall be forthwith delivered to the Administrative Agent in due form for transfer (i.e., endorsed in blank or accompanied by stock or bond powers executed in blank) to be held for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

(iii)

The Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the [applicable] Debtor, all such proxies, powers of attorney, dividend orders and other instruments as [such][the] Debtor may request for the purpose of enabling [such][the] Debtor to exercise the rights and powers which it is entitled to exercise pursuant to clause (i) above and to receive the dividends and payments which it is authorized to retain pursuant to clause (ii) above.

(b) Upon notice from the Administrative Agent during the existence of a Default, and so long as the same shall be continuing, all rights and powers which the Debtor[s] [are][is] entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 8(a)(i) hereof, and all rights of the Debtor[s] to receive and retain dividends pursuant to Section 8(a)(ii) hereof, shall forthwith cease, and all such rights and powers shall thereupon become vested in the Administrative Agent which shall have, during the continuance of such Default, the sole and exclusive authority to exercise such rights and powers and to receive such dividends and payments. Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall be retained by the Administrative Agent as additional Collateral hereunder and applied in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

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9. Default. (a) Whenever a Default exists, the Administrative Agent may exercise from time to time any rights and remedies available to it under the UCC, under any other applicable law and in the subsections set forth below in this Section 9.

(b) [Each][The] Debtor agrees, if a Default exists, (i) at the Administrative Agent’s request, to assemble, at its expense, all its Inventory and other Goods (other than Fixtures) at a convenient place or places acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and (ii) at the Administrative Agent’s request, to execute all such documents and do all such other things which may be necessary in order to enable the Administrative Agent or its nominee to be registered as owner of the Intellectual Property with any competent registration authority.

(c) [Each][The] Debtor hereby agrees and acknowledges that (i) with respect to Collateral that is: (A) perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or (B) is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market (including Investment Property), no notice of disposition need be given; and (ii) with respect to Collateral not described in clause (i) above, notification sent during the existence of a Default and ten days before any proposed disposition provides notice with a reasonable time before disposition.

(d) [Each][The] Debtor hereby agrees and acknowledges that a commercially reasonable disposition of Inventory, Equipment, Computer Hardware and Software or Intellectual Property may be by lease or license of, in addition to the sale of, such Collateral. [Each][The] Debtor further agrees and acknowledges that a disposition (i) made in the usual manner on any recognized market, (ii) at the price current in any recognized market at the time of disposition or (iii) in conformity with reasonable commercial practices among dealers in the type of property subject to the disposition shall, in each case, be deemed commercially reasonable.

(e) Any cash proceeds of any disposition by the Administrative Agent of any of the Collateral shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to payment of any and all of the Secured Obligations (including Costs and Expenses) in the order of application provided in Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement, and thereafter any surplus will be paid to the [applicable] Debtor or as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct. The Administrative Agent need not apply or pay over for application non-cash proceeds of collection and enforcement unless (i) the failure to do so would be commercially unreasonable and (ii) the [applicable] Debtor has provided the Administrative Agent with a written demand to apply or pay over such non-cash proceeds on such basis.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any remedial actions taken by the Administrative Agent shall be undertaken in a manner compliant with all material laws, regulations and accreditation requirements, and after any consents, approvals, registrations, certifications and authorizations required by law, regulations or accreditation requirements have been obtained.

10. General. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any of the Collateral in its possession if it takes such action for that purpose as any applicable Debtor requests in writing, but failure of the Administrative Agent to comply with any such request shall not of itself be deemed a failure to

 

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exercise reasonable care, and no failure of the Administrative Agent to preserve or protect any rights with respect to such Collateral against prior parties, or to do any act with respect to the preservation of such Collateral not so requested by [any][the] Debtor, shall be deemed a failure to exercise reasonable care in the custody or preservation of such Collateral.

All notices and requests hereunder shall be given, and deemed received, in accordance with Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement and sent (a) in the case of the Administrative Agent, at the address to which notices are to be sent to the Administrative Agent pursuant to such Section 10.02 and (b) in the case of [any][the] Debtor, to [such][the] Debtor in care of the Borrower at the address to which notices are to be sent to the Borrower pursuant to such Section 10.02.

No delay on the part of the Administrative Agent in the exercise of any right or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise by the Administrative Agent of any right or remedy shall preclude other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy.

If any of the Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by [any][the] Debtor to any Person that is not a Loan Party in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement, the Liens created hereby shall automatically terminate and be released with respect to such Collateral, without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act of any Person being necessary to give effect thereto. Upon the consummation of any such sale, transfer or other disposal of the Collateral, the Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of [such][the] Debtor, shall execute and deliver to [such][the] Debtor all releases and other documents, including UCC financing statement amendments, reasonably necessary to evidence the release of Liens created hereby on such Collateral.

So long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, at the request and sole expense of the Borrower, [any][the] Debtor shall be released from its obligations hereunder in the event [such][the] Debtor ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Credit Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no release shall be made pursuant to this paragraph unless the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, with reasonable notice prior to the date of the proposed release, a written request for release identifying the [relevant] Debtor, certifying that [such][the] Debtor has ceased to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Credit Agreement, and describing the terms of such transaction in reasonable detail, including the consideration therefor (on which documentation the Administrative Agent may conclusively rely absent written notice to the contrary).

At the request and sole expense of the Borrower, the Liens created hereby on the Equity Interests of any Pledged Foreign Subsidiary shall be released if such Pledged Foreign Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Credit Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no release shall be made pursuant to this paragraph unless the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, with reasonable notice prior to the date of the proposed release, a written request for release certifying that such Pledged Foreign Subsidiary has ceased to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Credit Agreement, and describing the terms of such transaction in reasonable detail, including the consideration therefor.

 

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The Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of [any][the] Debtor, shall execute and deliver to [such][the] Debtor all documents, including UCC financing statement amendments, reasonably requested by [such][the] Debtor to evidence that the Excluded Property is not part of the Collateral or subject to the Liens created hereby.

This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until all Secured Obligations have been paid in full (other than (A) Letters of Credit that have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall have been made), (B) contingent indemnification obligations and (C) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements as to which arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank shall have been made) and all Commitments have terminated. Upon any such termination, the Administrative Agent will, upon [any][the] Debtor’s request and at [such][the] Debtor’s sole expense, (i) deliver to [such][the] Debtor, without any representation, warranty or recourse of any kind whatsoever (other than that there are no liens, security interests or encumbrances in favor of the Administrative Agent), all of [such Debtor’s][the] Collateral held by the Administrative Agent hereunder as shall not have been sold or otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof, and (ii) execute and deliver to [such][the] Debtor such documents, including UCC financing statement amendments, as [such][the] Debtor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination and the release of the security interest granted hereby. If at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party to any of the Secured Obligations is or must be rescinded or returned by the Administrative Agent or such Secured Party for any reason whatsoever (including the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of [any][the] Debtor), such Secured Obligations shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence, notwithstanding such application by the Administrative Agent or such Secured Party, and this Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as to such Secured Obligations, all as though such application by the Administrative Agent or such Secured Party had not been made.

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW except to the extent that, pursuant to Illinois law, the perfection, the effect of perfection or nonperfection or the priority of any security interest granted hereunder may be determined in accordance with the laws of a different jurisdiction. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

This Agreement shall be binding upon the Debtor[s] and the Administrative Agent and their respective successors and assigns (provided that, except in connection with a merger under Section 7.04 of the Credit Agreement, [no][the] Debtor may [not] assign its obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent), and shall inure to the benefit of [each][the] Debtor and the Administrative Agent and their respective successors and assigns.

 

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This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

No amendment, modification or waiver of, or consent with respect to, any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed and delivered by the Administrative Agent and [each][the] Debtor, and then such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

[EACH][THE] DEBTOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS SITTING IN THE COUNTY OF COOK AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT; PROVIDED THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. [EACH][THE] DEBTOR FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE ADDRESS OF ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE SET FORTH ON SCHEDULE I HERETO (OR SUCH OTHER ADDRESS AS IT SHALL HAVE SPECIFIED IN WRITING TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AS ITS ADDRESS FOR NOTICES HEREUNDER) OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. [EACH][THE] DEBTOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

EACH OF [EACH][THE] DEBTOR, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND (BY ACCEPTING THE BENEFITS HEREOF) EACH SECURED PARTY HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR WHICH MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH OR ARISING FROM ANY FINANCING RELATIONSHIP EXISTING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE

 

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FOREGOING, AND AGREES THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY. [EACH][THE] DEBTOR ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IT HAS RECEIVED FULL AND SUFFICIENT CONSIDERATION FOR THIS PROVISION (AND EACH OTHER PROVISION OF EACH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY) AND THAT THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SECURED PARTIES, ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

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SCHEDULE I

TO SECURITY AGREEMENT

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

 

(A)	Full Legal Name, Type of Organization, Jurisdiction of Organization, Chief Executive Office/Sole Place of Business, Organizational Identification Number and federal employment identification number of [each][the] Debtor:

 

Full Legal Name		Type of Organization		Jurisdiction of Organization		Chief Executive Office/Principal Place of Business		Taxpayer ID #

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SCHEDULE II

TO SECURITY AGREEMENT

ADDRESSES OF ALL LOCATIONS AT WHICH GOODS ARE LOCATED

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SCHEDULE III

TO SECURITY AGREEMENT

CHANGES TO NAME; JURISDICTION; CORPORATE STRUCTURE

Changes in name, jurisdiction of organization and corporate structure within past five (5) years:

 

Debtor		Date of Change		Description of Change

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SCHEDULE IV

TO SECURITY AGREEMENT

LIST OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

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SCHEDULE V

TO SECURITY AGREEMENT

LIST OF DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS AND SECURITIES ACCOUNTS

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SCHEDULE VI

TO SECURITY AGREEMENT

PLEDGED EQUITY

 

Pledgor		Issuer		Certificate #		# of Pledged Shares		# of Shares Issued and Outstanding		Pledged Shares as % of Total Shares of Issuer Outstanding

Exhibit 99.1

News Release

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Investor Contact:

Heide Erickson

Capella Education Company

612.977.5172

Heide.Erickson@capella.edu

Media Contact:

Mike Buttry

Capella Education Company

612.977.5499

Mike.Buttry@capella.edu

Capella Education Company Enters into an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 21, 2015 - Capella Education Company (NASDAQ: CPLA), a provider of online post-secondary education, primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary Capella University, today announced that it has entered into an amended and restated revolving credit agreement. The amended credit agreement continues to provide $100 million of borrowing capacity, with a conditional increase option of an additional $50 million. The agreement has a term of five years ending Dec. 18, 2020 and replaces the previous five year agreement scheduled to expire Sept. 30, 2016.

“This credit facility provides Capella with additional financial flexibility to support long-term sustainable growth and flexibility to consider future strategic growth initiatives,” said Steve Polacek, senior vice president and chief financial officer.

Capella Education Company is entering into this amended credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A. as the administrative agent and a lender, and with other lenders including PNC Bank National Association, Associated Bank National Association, and Bank of the West.

Additional information is available in Capella Education Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today.

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Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this news release does not relate to historical financial information, including statements relating to future prospects and expectations regarding our growth, revenues, enrollment, and operating performance, and should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available at the time those statements are made or management’s good faith belief as of that time with regard to future events, and should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from historical results and from results presently anticipated or projected. The company undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements.

Among these risks and uncertainties are any failure to materially comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to us, including compliance with Title IV of the Higher Education Act and the regulations thereunder; complying with U.S. Department of Education rules, including those regarding incentive compensation and gainful employment disclosures, certifications and program requirements; maintaining our business in accordance with regional and specialized accreditation standards and state regulatory and program approval requirements; adapting to changes in the administration, funding and availability for Title IV programs; any governmental review of our business, marketing, or financial aid practices, including by any state attorneys general, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education or other state regulatory bodies; successfully growing our FlexPath programs; maintaining and expanding existing commercial relationships with employers and developing new employer and business partner relationships; successfully managing our PhD completion efforts; improving our conversion rate and effectively leveraging our brand-driven marketing strategy; keeping up with advances in technology important to the online learner experience; effectively managing data security risks; improving our learner persistence and cohort retention rate; and managing risks associated with the overall competitive environment and general economic conditions.

Other factors that could cause the company’s results to differ materially from those contained in its forward-looking statements include those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and any updates or developments described in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents the company files with the SEC.

About Capella Education Company

Founded in 1991, Capella Education Company (http://www.capellaeducation.com) is a leader in online education, primarily through our wholly owned subsidiary Capella University (http://www.capella.edu), a regionally accredited* online university with almost 37,000 learners as of Sept. 30, 2015. In addition, Capella Education Company offers online education through Arden University, formerly called Resource Development International Ltd. (RDI) (http://www.rdi.co.uk), an independent provider of United Kingdom (UK) university distance learning qualifications. Capella Education Company also owns Sophia (http://www.sophia.org), an innovative learning platform leveraging technology to support self-paced learning.

 

*	Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

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