Form 8-K
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): July 25,
2007
BEAZER
HOMES USA, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
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001-12822
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54-2086934
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(State
or other jurisdiction
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(Commission
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(IRS
Employer
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of
incorporation)
|
File
Number)
|
Identification
No.)
|
|
|
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1000
Abernathy Road, Suite 1200
Atlanta
Georgia 30328
(Address
of Principal
Executive
Offices)
(770)
829-3700
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former
name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check
the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
o |
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR
230.425)
|
o |
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
|
o |
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.14d-2(b))
|
o |
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.13e-4(c))
|
Item
1.01. Entry
into a Material Definitive Agreement
On
July
25, 2007, Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a $500 million
(expandable up to $1 billion), four-year unsecured revolving credit (the
“Credit
Facility”) with Wachovia Bank National Association as Administrative Agent,
Citicorp North America, Inc. as Syndication Agent, BNP Paribas, The Royal
Bank
of Scotland and Guaranty Bank as Documentation Agents, Regions Bank as Senior
Managing Agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Managing Agent, and the
following other Lenders: City National Bank, PNC Bank, N.A. UBS Loan Finance,
LLC and Comerica Bank. The Credit Facility will replace the Company’s existing
revolving credit facility (referenced in Item 1.02), and will be used for
general corporate purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries. All of the
lenders named above, directly or through affiliates, have pre-existing
relationships with the Company.
The
principal amount of the loans under the Credit Facility may not exceed $500
million; provided, that at any time within four years of the closing date,
the
Company may request increases, subject to agent approval, in the aggregate
commitments of the lenders, up to an amount not to exceed $1 billion. The
Credit
Facility includes a $25 million swing line commitment and has a $350 million
sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit. Substantially all
of the
Company’s significant subsidiaries (as defined in the Credit Facility) are
guarantors of the obligations under the Credit Facility. Each guarantor
subsidiary is a 100% owned subsidiary of the Company.
The
Credit Facility contains customary representations, warranties and covenants,
including covenants limiting liens, guaranties, mergers and consolidations,
substantial asset sales, investments and loans, sale and leasebacks and other
fundamental changes. In addition, the Credit Facility contains covenants
to the
effect that (i) the Company will maintain a minimum consolidated tangible
net
worth (as defined in the Credit Facility) of $1 billion, increasing by 50%
of
net income in future periods, (ii) the Company shall maintain an interest
coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility) of not less than 1.1 to
1.0
for any fiscal quarter ending on or before September 30, 2009, 1.5 to 1.0
for
the quarter ending December 31, 2009 and 1.75 to 1.0 thereafter, (iii) the
Company will not permit the leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Facility)
to exceed 1.9 to 1.0 and (iv) the Company’s ratio of adjusted land value to the
sum of consolidated tangible net worth plus 50% of consolidated subordinated
debt (as those terms are defined in the Credit Facility) shall not exceed
1.25
to 1.0. At any time that the interest coverage ratio is less than 1.75 to
1.0 as
permitted by the Credit Facility, the Company is required to maintain
unrestricted cash not included in the borrowing base calculation plus borrowing
base availability (as those terms are defined in the Credit Facility) of
at
least $120 million. The Company’s borrowings under the Credit Facility may also
be limited based on the amount of borrowing base available.
In
the
event of a default by the Company under the Credit Facility, including
cross-defaults relating to specified other debt of the Company or its
consolidated subsidiaries equal to or exceeding $5 million, the lenders may
terminate the commitments under the Credit Facility and declare the amounts
outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, payable
immediately. In addition, the lenders may enforce any and all rights and
remedies created under the Credit Facility or applicable law or equity,
including set-off rights. For events of default relating to insolvency,
bankruptcy or receivership, the commitments are automatically terminated
and the
amounts outstanding become payable immediately.
The
Company has the option to elect two types of loans under the Credit Facility.
If
the Company elects the Alternative Base Rate Loan (“ABR” as defined in the
Credit Facility), the Company’s rate per annum will be equal to the ABR in
effect from time to time as interest accrues. If the Company elects to borrow
U.S. dollars as a Eurodollar Loan, the Company’s rate per annum will be equal to
the Eurodollar Rate for such interest period adjusted for the Applicable
Eurodollar Margin (as defined in the Credit Facility). The applicable Eurodollar
Margin varies, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio and the ratings of its
senior unsecured long-term debt. During the term of the Credit Facility,
the
Company will pay a commitment fee to the Administrative Agent, for the account
of the Lenders, equal to (a) 0.25% if the average daily unused portion of
the
aggregate commitment during the fiscal quarter ending on or immediately prior
to
such date of determination equals or exceeds 50% of the aggregate commitment,
and (b) 0.20% if the average daily unused portion of the aggregate commitment
during the fiscal quarter ending on or immediately prior to such date of
determination is less than 50% of the aggregate commitment.
Loans
made and other obligations incurred under the Credit Facility will mature
on
July 25, 2011. The Company also issued a press release on July 26, 2007
announcing its entering into the Credit Facility, a copy of which is also
filed
herewith as exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by this reference.
Item
1.02. Termination
of a Material Definitive Agreement
The
Credit Facility replaced as of July 25, 2007 the existing Credit Agreement
dated
as of August 22, 2005 between the Company and the lenders parties thereto,
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, BNP Paribas, Guaranty
Bank
and Wachovia Bank, National Association as Syndication Agents, The Royal
Bank of
Scotland plc as Documentation Agent, Citicorp North America, Inc., Sun Trust
Bank and Washington Mutual Bank, FA as Managing Agents, Comerica Bank, PNC
Bank,
National Association and UBS Loan Finance LLC as Co-Agents and J.P. Morgan
Securities Inc. as Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner. There were $91.0 million
of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement that have been
transferred to the Credit Facility. There were no other borrowings outstanding
under this credit facility at the time of termination. The material
relationships described in Item 1.01 are incorporated herein by
reference.
Item
2.02. Results
of Operations and Financial Condition
On
July
26, 2007, Beazer Homes USA, Inc. reported earnings and results of operations
for
the quarter ended June 30, 2007. A copy of the press release is attached
hereto
as exhibit 99.2. For additional information, please see the press
release.
Item
2.03 Creation
of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangement
The
disclosure contained in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by
reference.
Item
9.01 Financial
Statements and Exhibits
(d)
Exhibits
10.1 |
Credit
Agreement dated as of July 25, 2007 among Beazer Homes USA,
Inc., the
Lenders Parties Thereto, Wachovia Bank, National Association,
as Agent,
BNP Paribas, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Guaranty Bank,
as
Documentation Agents and Regions Bank, as Senior Managing Agent
and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Managing
Agent
|
99.1 |
Press
Release announcing entering into Credit Facility dated July
26,
2007.
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99.2 |
Press
Release announcing financial results for the quarter ended June
30, 2007
dated July 26, 2007.
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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 hereunto
duly authorized.
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BEAZER
HOMES USA, INC.
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|
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Date:
July 26, 2007
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By:
/s/
Allan P.
Merrill
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Allan
P. Merrill
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|
Executive
Vice President and
Chief
Financial Officer
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Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION
COPY
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
_________________________________
Dated
as
of July 25, 2007
BEAZER
HOMES USA, INC.,
THE
LENDERS PARTY THERETO,
WACHOVIA
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as
Agent,
and
CITICORP
NORTH AMERICA, INC.,
as
Syndication Agent,
and
BNP
PARIBAS,
THE
ROYAL
BANK OF SCOTLAND
and
GUARANTY
BANK,
as
Documentation Agents
and
REGIONS
BANK,
as
Senior
Managing Agent
and
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as
Managing Agent
WACHOVIA
CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
and
CITIGROUP
GLOBAL MARKETS INC.
Joint
Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
_________________________________
$500,000,000
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
_________________________________
Table
of Contents
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Page |
ARTICLE
I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
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1
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Section
1.01 Defined Terms
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1
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Section
1.02 Accounting Terms
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18
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ARTICLE
II AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE LOANS
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18
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Section
2.01 The Facility.
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18
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Section
2.02 Reductions of and Increases in Aggregate Commitment.
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19
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Section
2.03 Notice and Manner of Borrowing
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21
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Section
2.04 Non-Receipt of Funds by Agent
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22
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Section
2.05 Determination of Applicable Eurodollar Margin
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22
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Section
2.06 Conversions and Renewals
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24
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Section
2.07 Interest
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24
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Section
2.08 Interest Rate Determination
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25
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Section
2.09 Fees
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26
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Section
2.10 Notes
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26
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Section
2.11 Prepayments
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27
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Section
2.12 Method of Payment
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27
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Section
2.13 Use of Proceeds
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28
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Section
2.14 Yield Protection
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28
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Section
2.15 Changes in Capital Adequacy Regulations
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29
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Section
2.16 Availability of Eurodollar Loans
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29
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Section
2.17 Funding Indemnification
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29
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Section
2.18 Lender Statements; Survival of Indemnity
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29
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Section
2.19 Extension of Termination Date
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30
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Section
2.20 Replacement of Certain Lenders
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32
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Section
2.21 Swing Line
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33
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Section
2.22 Facility Letters of Credit.
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33
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ARTICLE
III CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
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41
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Section
3.01 Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans
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41
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Section
3.02 Conditions Precedent to All Loans
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43
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ARTICLE
IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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44
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Section
4.01 Incorporation, Formation, Good Standing, and Due
Qualification
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44
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Section
4.02 Power and Authority
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44
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Section
4.03 Legally Enforceable Agreement
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44
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Section
4.04 Financial Statements
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44
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Section
4.05 Labor Disputes and Acts of God
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45
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Section
4.06 Other Agreements
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45
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Section
4.07 Litigation
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45
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Section
4.08 No Defaults on Outstanding Judgments or Orders
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45
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Section
4.09 Ownership and Liens
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46
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Section
4.10 Subsidiaries and Ownership of Stock
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46
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Section
4.11 ERISA
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46
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Section
4.12 Operation of Business
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46
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Section
4.13 Taxes
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47
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Section
4.14 Laws; Environment
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47
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Section
4.15 Investment Company Act
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48
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Section
4.16 OFAC
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48
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Section
4.17 Accuracy of Information
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48
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ARTICLE
V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
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48
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Section
5.01 Maintenance of Existence
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48
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Section
5.02 Maintenance of Records
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49
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Section
5.03 Maintenance of Properties
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49
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Section
5.04 Conduct of Business
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49
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Section
5.05 Maintenance of Insurance
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49
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Section
5.06 Compliance with Laws
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49
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Section
5.07 Right of Inspection
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49
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Section
5.08 Reporting Requirements
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50
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Section
5.09 Subsidiary Reporting Requirements
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53
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Section
5.10 Environment
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53
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Section
5.11 Use of Proceeds
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54
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Section
5.12 Ranking of Obligations
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54
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Section
5.13 Taxes
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54
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Section
5.14 Wholly-Owned Status
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54
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Section
5.15 New Subsidiaries
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54
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ARTICLE
VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS
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54
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Section
6.01 Liens
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54
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Section
6.02 Secured Debt
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55
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Section
6.03 Mergers, Etc
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55
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Section
6.04 Leases
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55
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Section
6.05 Sale and Leaseback
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56
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Section
6.06 Sale of Assets
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56
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Section
6.07 Investments
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56
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Section
6.08 Guaranties, Etc
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57
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Section
6.09 Transactions With Affiliates
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57
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Section
6.10 Housing Inventory
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57
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Section
6.11 Amendment or Modification of Senior Indentures
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58
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Section
6.12 Non-Guarantors
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58
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Section
6.13 Negative Pledges
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58
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ARTICLE
VII FINANCIAL COVENANTS
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58
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Section
7.01 Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth
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58
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Section
7.02 Leverage Ratio
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59
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Section
7.03 Borrowing Base Debt
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59
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Section
7.04 Interest Coverage Ratio
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59
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Section
7.05 Land Inventory
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59
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Section
7.06 Minimum Liquidity
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59
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ARTICLE
VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT
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59
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Section
8.01 Events of Default
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59
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Section
8.02 Set Off
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62
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ARTICLE
IX AGENCY PROVISIONS
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63
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Section
9.01 Authorization and Action
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63
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Section
9.02 Liability of Agent
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63
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Section
9.03 Rights of Agent as a Lender
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64
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Section
9.04 Independent Credit Decisions
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64
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Section
9.05 Indemnification
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64
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Section
9.06 Successor Agent
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65
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Section
9.07 Sharing of Payments, Etc
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65
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Section
9.08 Withholding Tax Matters
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65
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Section
9.09 Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents, Managing Agents or
Co-Agents
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66
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ARTICLE
X MISCELLANEOUS
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66
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Section
10.01 Amendments, Etc
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66
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Section
10.02 Notices, Etc
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67
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Section
10.03 No Waiver
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67
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Section
10.04 Costs, Expenses, and Taxes
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67
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Section
10.05 Integration
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68
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Section
10.06 Indemnity
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68
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Section
10.07 CHOICE OF LAW
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68
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Section
10.08 Severability of Provisions
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68
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Section
10.09 Counterparts
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69
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Section
10.10 Headings
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69
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Section
10.11 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION
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69
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Section
10.12 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
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69
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Section
10.13 Governmental Regulation
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69
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Section
10.14 No Fiduciary Duty
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69
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Section
10.15 Confidentiality
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70
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Section
10.16 USA Patriot Act Notification
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70
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Section
10.17 Register
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70
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ARTICLE
XI BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENTS; PARTICIPATIONS
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70
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Section
11.01 Successors and Assigns
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70
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Section
11.02 Assignments.
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71
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Section
11.03 Participations
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71
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Section
11.04 Pledge to Federal Reserve Bank
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72
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|
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LIST
OF
SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS
Schedule
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Description
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Reference
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Schedule
I
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Commitments
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2.01
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Schedule
II
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Existing
Letters of Credit
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|
Definition
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Schedule
III
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|
Guarantors
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|
Definition
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Schedule
4.0
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|
Claims
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|
4.07
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Schedule
4.10
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|
Subsidiaries
of Borrower
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4.10
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Schedule
4.14
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|
Environmental
Matters
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4.10,
5.06, 5.10, 8.01(10)
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Exhibit
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Description
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Reference
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Exhibit
A
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Form
of Guaranty
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Definition
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Exhibit
B
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Form
of Note
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Definition
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Exhibit
C
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Commitment
and Acceptance
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2.02.2(a)
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Exhibit
D
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Form
of Certificate for Borrowings
and
Facility Letters of Credit
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2.22.3(iii),
3.02
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Exhibit
E
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Opinion
of Borrower’s
Counsel
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3.01(5)
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Exhibit
F
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Assignment
Agreement
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11.02(b)(ii)
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CREDIT
AGREEMENT dated as of July 25, 2007 among BEAZER HOMES USA, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders that are signatories hereto and
WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent (the “Agent”) for the Lenders and
an Issuer (as hereinafter defined).
AGREEMENT
In
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth,
the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
Section
1.01 Defined
Terms.
As used
in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings (terms
defined in the singular shall have the same meaning when used in the plural
and
vice versa):
“ABR
Loan” means a Loan which bears interest at the Alternate Base Rate.
“Acquisition”
means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on
or
after the date of this Agreement by which the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (i) acquires any going concern or all or substantially all of
the
assets of any Person or division thereof, whether through purchase of assets,
merger or otherwise or (ii) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction
or as the most recent transaction in a series of transactions) at least a
majority (in number of votes or by percentage of voting power) of the Common
Equity of another Person.
“Adjusted
Land Value” means, as of any date, (i) the book value of all Land, less (ii) the
sum of (a) the book value of Finished Lots that are subject to bona
fide
contracts of sale with Persons that are not Affiliates and (b) the lesser of
(1)
the product of (x) the number of Housing Units with respect to which the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including any company or other entity acquired
in
an Acquisition by the Borrower or a Subsidiary as of such date) entered into
bona
fide
contracts of sale with Persons that are not Affiliates during the six-month
period ending on such date and (y) the average book value of all Finished Lots
as of such date and (2) forty percent (40%) of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth
as of such date.
“Adjusted
LIBO Rate”
means,
with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period, an interest rate
per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to
(a)
the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve
Rate.
“Administrative
Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the
Agent.
“Affected
Lender” is defined in Section 2.20(a).
“Affiliate”
means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (1) which directly or
indirectly controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
such
Person or a Subsidiary of such Person; (2) which directly or indirectly
beneficially owns or holds five percent (5%) or more of any class of voting
equity interests of such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person; or (3) five
percent (5%) or more of the voting equity interests of which is directly or
indirectly beneficially owned or held by such Person or a Subsidiary of such
Person. The term “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.
“Agent”
means Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking
association.
“Agent’s
Fee Letter” means that certain fee letter dated June 11, 2007 from the Agent and
Arrangers to the Borrower and accepted by the Borrower on June 12,
2007.
“Aggregate
Commitment” means, at any time, the aggregate Commitments of all the Lenders
initially in the amount of $500,000,000 as the same may be reduced or increased
from time to time pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
“Agreement”
means this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented, or modified from time
to
time.
“Alternate
Base Rate”
means,
for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in
effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such
day plus ½ of 1%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the
Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective from and
including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal
Funds Effective Rate, respectively.
“Applicable
Commitment Rate” means, as at any date of determination, a rate per annum equal
to (a) 0.25% if the average daily unused portion of the Aggregate Commitment
during the fiscal quarter ending on or immediately prior to such date of
determination equals or exceeds 50% of the Aggregate Commitment, and (b) 0.20%
if the average daily unused portion of the Aggregate Commitment during the
fiscal quarter ending on or immediately prior to such date of determination
is
less than 50% of the Aggregate Commitment.
“Applicable
Eurodollar Margin” means, as at any date of determination, the margin indicated
in Section 2.05 as then applicable to Eurodollar Loans (under Section
2.07(a)(ii)).
“Applicable
Letter of Credit Rate” means, as at any date of determination, a rate per annum
equal to the Applicable Eurodollar Margin.
“Approved
Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making,
purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit
in the ordinary course of its business and 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.
“Arrangers”
means Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and Citigroup Global Markets
Inc.
“Assignment
and Assumption” is defined in Section 11.02(b)(ii).
“Base
Indenture 2001” has the meaning set forth in the definition of the term “Senior
Notes”.
“Base
Indenture 2002” has the meaning set forth in the definition of the term “Senior
Notes”.
“Base
Indenture 2004” has the meaning set forth in the definition of the term “Senior
Notes”.
“Board”
means
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of
America.
“BMC”
means Beazer Mortgage Corporation, a Delaware corporation and Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower.
“Borrowing”
means a borrowing consisting of Loans of the same type made, renewed or
converted on the same day.
“Borrowing
Base” means, with respect to an Inventory Valuation Date for which it is to be
determined, an amount equal to the sum of the following unencumbered assets
of
the Borrower and the Guarantors: (i) an amount equal to (a) one hundred percent
(100%) of the Unrestricted Cash minus (b) $20,000,000.00, (ii) one-hundred
percent (100%) of the book value of Receivables, (iii) ninety percent (90%)
of
the book value of Housing Units Under Contract, (iv) seventy-five percent (75%)
of the book value of Speculative Housing Units, (v) seventy percent (70%) of
the
book value of Finished Lots, and (vi) fifty percent (50%) of the book value
of
Lots under Development (subject to the limitation set forth below).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowing Base shall not include any amounts
under clause (vi) above to the extent that the sum of such amounts exceeds
thirty-five percent (35%) of the total Borrowing Base. The term “unencumbered”
means that such asset is not subject to any Lien (except for Liens permitted
under Sections 6.01(1), (2) or (6) and except for Liens permitted under Section
6.01(5) in excess of the amount of such Judgment or similar Lien permitted
under
Section 6.01(5)).
“Borrowing
Base Availability” means, on any date, the excess (if any) of the Borrowing Base
as most recently determined in accordance with this Agreement over the amount
of
Borrowing Base Debt on such date.
“Borrowing
Base Certificate” means a written certificate in a form acceptable to the
Required Lenders setting forth the amount of the Borrowing Base with respect
to
the calendar month most recently completed, certified as true and correct by
the
Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower.
“Borrowing
Base Debt” means the sum of all Consolidated Debt, excluding (i) Secured Debt,
(ii) Debt that is subordinated to the Obligations to the satisfaction of the
Required Lenders, (iii) Performance Letters of Credit (to the extent not drawn
upon), (iv) performance bonds (to the extent not drawn upon) and (v) Debt of
any
Joint Venture.
“Business
Day” means (i) with respect to any Borrowing, payment or rate selection of
Eurodollar Loans, a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks
generally are open in Charlotte, North Carolina and New York City for the
conduct of substantially all of their commercial lending activities and on
which
dealings in United States dollars are carried on in the London interbank market
and (ii) for all other purposes, a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on
which banks generally are open in Charlotte, North Carolina and New York City
for the conduct of substantially all of their commercial lending
activities.
“Capital
Lease” means all leases which have been or should be capitalized on the books of
the lessee in accordance with GAAP.
“Cash
Equivalents” means:
(a) marketable
obligations with a maturity of 360 days or less issued or directly and fully
guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or
instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United
States of America is pledged in support thereof);
(b) demand
and time deposits and certificates of deposit or acceptances with a maturity
of
180 days or less of any financial institution that is a member of the Federal
Reserve System having combined capital and surplus and undivided profits not
less that $500 million and is assigned at least a “B” rating by Thomson
Financial BankWatch;
(c) commercial
paper maturing no more than 180 days from the date of creation thereof issued
by
a corporation that is not the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower, and
is
organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America or the
District of Columbia and rated at least A-1 by S&P or at least P-1 by
Moody's;
(d) repurchase
obligations with a term of not more than ten days for underlying securities
of
the types described in clause (a) above entered into with any commercial bank
meeting the specifications of clause (b) above; and
(e) investments
in money market or other mutual funds substantially all of whose assets comprise
securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (d) above.
“Change
of Control” means any of the following: (i) the sale, lease, conveyance or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower or (except
for an Internal Reorganization) of a Significant Guarantor or Significant
Subsidiary, as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person or
“group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) in one or a
series of transactions; (ii) the acquisition by any Person or group of fifty
percent (50%) or more of the aggregate voting power of all classes of Common
Equity of the Borrower or (except for an Internal Reorganization) of a
Significant Guarantor or Significant Subsidiary in one transaction or a series
of related transactions; (iii)
the
liquidation or dissolution of the Borrower or (except for an Internal
Reorganization) of a Significant Guarantor or Significant Subsidiary; (iv)
any
transaction or a series of related transactions (as a result of a tender offer,
merger, consolidation or otherwise but excluding an Internal Reorganization)
that results in, or that is in connection with, (a) any Person or group
acquiring “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the aggregate
voting power of all classes of Common Equity of the Borrower, a Significant
Guarantor or a Significant Subsidiary, or of any Person or group that possesses
“beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the aggregate voting
power of all classes of Common Equity of the Borrower, a Significant Guarantor
or a Significant Subsidiary, or (b) less than fifty percent (50%) (measured
by
the aggregate voting power of all classes) of the Common Equity of the Borrower
being registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act; (v) a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower, a Significant Guarantor
or a
Significant Subsidiary, not being comprised of persons who (a) were members
of
the Board of Directors of such Borrower, Significant Guarantor or Significant
Subsidiary, as of the date of this Agreement (“Original Directors”), or (b) were
nominated for election or elected to the Board of Directors of such Borrower,
Significant Guarantor, or Significant Subsidiary, with the affirmative vote
of
at least a majority of the directors who themselves were Original Directors
or
who were similarly nominated for election or elected; or (vi) with respect
to
any Significant Guarantor or Significant Subsidiary which is not a corporation,
any loss by the Borrower of the right or power directly, or indirectly through
one or more intermediaries, to control the activities of any such Significant
Guarantor or Significant Subsidiary. Nothing herein contained shall modify
or
otherwise affect the provisions of Section 6.06.
“Closing
Date” means the date on which the conditions to the first advance of the Loans
set forth in Article III are satisfied.
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and
the
regulations and published interpretations thereof.
“Collateral
Shortfall Amount” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section
8.01.
“Commitment”
means, for each of the Lenders, the obligation of such Lender to make Loans
and
to purchase participations in Facility Letters of Credit in the aggregate not
exceeding the amount set forth in Schedule I hereto as its “Commitment,” as such
amount may be decreased from time to time pursuant to the terms or increased
pursuant to Section 2.02.2; provided,
however,
that
the Commitment of a Lender may not be increased without its prior written
approval.
“Commitment
and Acceptance” is defined in Section 2.02.2(a).
“Common
Equity” of any Person means any and all shares, rights to purchase, warrants or
options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations, or other
equivalents of or interests in (however designated) the equity (which includes,
but is not limited to, common stock, preferred stock and partnership and joint
venture interests) of such Person (excluding any debt securities convertible
into, or exchangeable for, such equity) to the extent that the foregoing is
entitled to (i) vote in the election of directors of such Person or (ii) if
such
Person is not a corporation, vote or otherwise participate in the selection
of
the governing body, partners, managers or other persons that will control the
management and policies of such Person.
“Commonly
Controlled Entity” means an entity, whether or not incorporated, which is under
common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or 414(c)
of the Code.
“Consolidated
Debt” means the Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a
consolidated basis (but shall not include Debt of any Subsidiary which is not
a
Guarantor, except to the extent that such Debt is guaranteed by the Borrower
or
a Guarantor).
“Consolidated
Subordinated Debt” means, as of any date, all Consolidated Debt, the payment of
which is, either expressly by its terms or otherwise, subordinated to payment
of
the Obligations to the satisfaction of the Required Lenders.
“Consolidated
Tangible Assets” of the Borrower means, as of any date, the total amount of
assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (less applicable reserves) on a
consolidated basis at the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such
date (or on such date if such date is the last day of the fiscal quarter),
as
determined in accordance with GAAP, less (i) Intangible Assets and (ii)
appropriate adjustments on account of minority interests of other Persons
holding equity Investments in Subsidiaries, in the case of each of clauses
(i)
and (ii) above, as would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately
preceding such date (or on such date if such date is the last day of the fiscal
quarter), prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth” of the Borrower means, at any date, the consolidated
stockholders’ equity of the Borrower determined in accordance with GAAP, less
Intangible Assets, all determined as of such date.
“Debt”
means, without duplication, with respect to any Person (1) indebtedness or
liability for borrowed money, including, without limitation, subordinated
indebtedness (other than trade accounts payable and accruals incurred in the
ordinary course of business); (2) obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures,
notes, or other similar instruments; (3) obligations for the deferred purchase
price of property (including, without limitation, seller financing of any
Inventory) or services, provided,
however,
that
Debt shall not include obligations with respect to options to purchase real
property that have not been exercised; (4) obligations as lessee under Capital
Leases to the extent that the same would, in accordance with GAAP, appear as
liabilities in the Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet; (5) current
liabilities in respect of unfunded vested benefits under Plans and incurred
withdrawal liability under any Multiemployer Plan; (6) reimbursement obligations
under letters of credit (including contingent obligations with respect to
letters of credit not yet drawn upon); (7) obligations under acceptance
facilities; (8) all guaranties, endorsements (other than for collection or
deposit in the ordinary course of business), and other contingent obligations
to
purchase, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to invest in any other
Person or entity, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss, provided,
however, that “Debt” shall not include guaranties of performance obligations;
(9) obligations secured by any Liens on any property of such Person, whether
or
not the obligations have been assumed; (10) net liabilities under interest
rate
swap, exchange or cap agreements (valued as the termination value thereof,
computed in accordance with a method approved by the International Swaps and
Derivatives Association and agreed to by such Person in the applicable
agreement); and (11) such Person’s pro rata share of the obligations and
liabilities (described in (1) through (10) above) of any Joint Venture in which
such Person holds an interest.
“Default”
means any of the events specified in Section 8.01, whether or not any
requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, or any other
condition, has been satisfied.
“Dollars”
and the sign “$” mean lawful money of the United States of America.
“EBITDA”
means, for any period, on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (other than those Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors), the sum
of
the amounts for such period of (i) Net Income (but excluding from such Net
Income for the applicable period any income derived from any Investment in
a
Joint Venture referred to in Section 6.07(10) to the extent that such income
exceeds the cash distributions thereof received by the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries (other than those Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors) in such
period), plus
(ii)
charges against income for foreign, federal, state and local taxes, plus
(iii)
Interest Expense, plus
(iv)
depreciation, plus
(v)
amortization expense, including, without limitation, amortization of goodwill
and other intangible assets and amortization of deferred compensation expense,
plus
(vi)
extraordinary losses (and all other non-cash items reducing Net Income,
including but not limited to impairment charges for land and other long-lived
assets and option deposit forfeitures), minus
(vii)
interest income, minus
(viii)
extraordinary gains (and any unusual gains and non-cash credits arising in
or
outside of the ordinary course of business not included in extraordinary gains
that have been included in the determination of such Net Income), all determined
in accordance with GAAP.
“Entitled
Land” means all Lots that are neither Lots under Development nor Finished
Lots.
“ERISA”
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from
time
to time, and the regulations and published interpretations thereof.
“Eurodollar
Loan” means any Loan when and to the extent that the interest rate therefor is
determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.
“Eurodollar
Rate”
means,
with respect to a Eurodollar Loan for the relevant Interest Period, the sum
of
(a) the Adjusted LIBO Rate applicable to such Interest Period plus (b) the
Applicable Eurodollar Margin.
“Event
of
Default” means any of the events specified in Section 8.01, provided that any
requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, or any other
condition, has been satisfied.
“Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to
time.
“Existing
Letters of Credit” means those Letters of Credit issued for the account of the
Borrower prior to the date hereof and listed on Schedule II hereto.
“Extension
Request” is defined in Section 2.19(a).
“Facility”
means the revolving credit and letter of credit facilities described in Section
2.01, together with the Swing Line facility described in Section
2.21.
“Facility
Increase” is defined in Section 2.02.2(a).
“Facility
Letter of Credit” means (a) each Existing Letter of Credit and (b) any Letter of
Credit issued by an Issuer for the account of the Borrower in accordance with
Section 2.22.
“Facility
Letter of Credit Collateral Account” is defined in Section 2.22.13.
“Facility
Letter of Credit Fee” means a fee, payable with respect to each Facility Letter
of Credit issued by an Issuer, in an amount per annum equal to the product
of
(i) the Applicable Letter of Credit Rate (determined as of the date on which
the
quarterly installment of such fee is due) and (ii) the undrawn outstanding
amount of such Facility Letter of Credit, which fee shall be calculated in
the
manner provided in Section 2.22.7.
“Facility
Letter of Credit Obligations” means, at any date, the sum of (i) the aggregate
undrawn face amount of all outstanding Facility Letters of Credit, and (ii)
the
aggregate amount paid by an Issuer on any Facility Letters of Credit to the
extent (if any) not reimbursed by the Borrower or by the Lenders under Section
2.22.4.
“Facility
Letter of Credit Sublimit” means $350,000,000.
“Federal
Funds Effective Rate” means, for each day, a fluctuating interest rate per annum
equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal Funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal
Funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business
Day,
for the immediately preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of
New
York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business
Day,
the average of the quotations at approximately 11:00 A.M. Charlotte, North
Carolina time on such day on such transactions received by the Agent from three
Federal Funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Agent in its sole
discretion.
“Financial
Letter of Credit” means any Letter of Credit of the Borrower or a Guarantor that
is not a Performance Letter of Credit.
“Finished
Lots” means Lots in respect of which a building permit, from the applicable
local governmental authority, has been or could be obtained; provided,
however,
that
the term “Finished Lots” shall not include any Land upon which the construction
of a Housing Unit has commenced.
“Fitch”
means Fitch, Inc.
“GAAP”
means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States in effect
from time to time (subject to the provisions of Section 1.02).
“Guarantor”
means (a) the Subsidiaries of Borrower identified on Schedule
III
hereto
and (b) any Person that, pursuant to a Supplemental Guaranty, guarantees the
Obligations.
“Guaranty”
means (a) the guaranty of the Obligations in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit
A
or (b) a
Supplemental Guaranty.
“Housing
Unit” means a dwelling, including the Land on which such dwelling is located,
whether such dwelling is a Single Family Housing Unit or a Multifamily Housing
Unit (including condominiums but excluding mobile homes), which dwelling is
either under construction or completed and is (or, upon completion of
construction thereof, will be) available for sale; the term “Housing Unit”
includes a Speculative Housing Unit.
“Housing
Unit Closing” means a closing of the sale of a Housing Unit by the Borrower or a
Subsidiary (including any company or other entity acquired in an Acquisition
by
the Borrower or a Subsidiary) to a bona fide
purchaser for value that is not an Affiliate.
“Housing
Unit Under Contract” means a Housing Unit owned by the Borrower or a Subsidiary
as to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary has a bona fide
contract
of sale, in a form customarily employed by the Borrower or such Subsidiary
and
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, entered into not more than (a) 15 months
prior to the date of determination (in the case of Single Family Housing Units)
or (b) 24 months prior to the date of determination (in the case of Multifamily
Housing Units), in either case with a Person who is not an Affiliate, under
which contract no defaults then exist and not less than $1,000.00 toward the
purchase price has been paid; provided,
however,
that in
the case of any Housing Unit the purchase of which is to be financed in whole
or
in part by a loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed
by
the Veterans Administration, the required minimum down payment shall be the
amount (if any) required under the rules of the relevant agency.
“Incur”
means to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume, guarantee, extend
the
maturity of or otherwise become liable with respect to any Debt; provided,
however, that neither the accrual of interest (whether such interest is payable
in cash or kind) nor the accretion of original issue discount shall be
considered an Incurrence of Debt.
“Intangible
Assets” means, at any time, the amount (to the extent reflected in determining
consolidated stockholders equity of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) of (i)
Investments in any Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors and (ii) all unamortized
debt discount and expense, unamortized deferred charges, good will, patents,
trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and all other items which
would be treated as intangibles on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Interest
Coverage Ratio” means, for any period, the ratio of (a) EBITDA to (b) the sum
(on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than
those
Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors)) of all interest incurred (whether
expensed or capitalized), less the amount of interest income for such
period.
“Interest
Deficit” is defined in Section 2.08(b).
“Interest
Expense” means, for any period, the total interest expense of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries (other than those Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors),
whether paid directly or amortized through cost of sales (including the interest
component of Capital Leases). Notwithstanding that GAAP may otherwise provide,
the Borrower shall not be required to include in Interest Expense the amount
of
any premium paid to prepay Debt.
“Interest
Period”
means,
with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the period commencing on the date of such
Eurodollar Loan and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar
month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the Borrower may
elect; provided,
that
(i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such
Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless,
in
the case of a Eurodollar Loan only, such next succeeding Business Day would
fall
in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on
the
next preceding Business Day and (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a
Eurodollar Loan that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month
(or
on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last
calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day
of
the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes, the date of
a
Eurodollar Loan initially shall be the date on which such Eurodollar Loan is
made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion
or
continuation of such Eurodollar Loan.
“Internal
Reorganization” means any reorganization between or among the Borrower and any
Subsidiary or Subsidiaries or between or among any Subsidiary and one or more
other Subsidiaries or any combination thereof by way of liquidations, mergers,
consolidations, conveyances, assignments, sales, transfers and other
dispositions of all or substantially all of the assets of a Subsidiary (whether
in one transaction or in a series of transactions); provided that
(a) the
Borrower shall preserve and maintain its status as a validly existing
corporation and (b) all assets, liabilities, obligations and guarantees of
any
Subsidiary party to such reorganization will continue to be held by such
Subsidiary or be assumed by the Borrower or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the
Borrower.
“Inventory”
means all Housing Units, Lots, goods, merchandise and other personal property
wherever located to be used for or incorporated into any Housing
Unit.
“Inventory
Valuation Date” means the last day of the most recent calendar month of the
Borrower with respect to which the Borrower is required to have delivered a
Borrowing Base Certificate pursuant to Section 5.08(6).
“Investment”
has the meaning provided therefor in Section 6.07. The amount of any Investment
shall include (a) in the case of any loan or advance, the outstanding amount
of
such loan or advance and (b) in the case of any equity Investment, the amount
of
the “net equity investment” as determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Issuance
Date” means the date on which a Facility Letter of Credit is issued, amended or
extended.
“Issuer”
means, with respect to each Existing Letter of Credit, the Issuer thereof
identified in Schedule
II,
and
with respect to each Facility Letter of Credit issued on or after the Closing
Date, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., PNC Bank, National Association, Wachovia Bank,
or such other Lender selected by the Borrower with the approval of the Agent,
to
issue such Facility Letter of Credit, provided
such
other Lender consents to act in such capacity.
“Joint
Venture” means any Person (other than a Subsidiary) in which the Borrower or a
Subsidiary holds any stock, partnership interest, joint venture interest,
limited liability company interest or other equity interest.
“Land”
means land owned by the Borrower or a Subsidiary, which land is being developed
or is held for future development or sale.
“Lenders”
means each of the Persons listed on Schedule
I
and any
other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to a Commitment
and
Acceptance or pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, other than any such
Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and
Assumption.
“Lending
Office” means, with respect to any Lender, the Lending Office of such Lender (or
of an affiliate of such Bank) heretofore designated in writing by such Lender
to
the Agent or such other office or branch of such Lender (or of an affiliate
of
such Lender) as that Lender may from time to time specify to the Borrower and
the Agent as the office or branch at which its Loans (or Loans of a type
designated in such notice) are to be made and maintained.
“Letter
of Credit” of a Person means a letter of credit or similar instrument which is
issued by a financial institution upon the application of such Person or upon
which such Person is an account party or for which such Person is in any way
liable.
“Leverage
Ratio” means, as of any date, the ratio of (a) an amount equal to (i)
Consolidated Debt minus (ii) the excess (if any) of (A) the average of the
month-end balances of Unrestricted Cash for the fiscal quarter then, or most
recently, ended, over (B) $20,000,000 to (b) Consolidated Tangible Net
Worth.
“LIBO
Rate”
means,
with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period, the rate appearing
on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page, or on any successor or substitute page of such
service, or any successor to or substitute for such service, providing rate
quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service,
as determined by the Agent from time to time for purposes of providing
quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London
interbank market, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days
prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar
deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that
such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBO
Rate”
with
respect to such Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period shall be the rate
at
which dollar deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such
Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the Agent in
immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately
11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such
Interest Period.
“Lien”
means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, hypothecation,
assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), or
preference, priority, or other security agreement or preferential arrangement,
charge, or encumbrance of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without
limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any
financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the
foregoing, and the filing of any financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction to evidence any of the
foregoing).
“Loan”
means, with respect to a Lender, a Loan made by such Lender pursuant to Section
2.01.1 and any conversion or continuation thereof and, unless the context
otherwise indicates, shall include Swing Loans made pursuant to Section
2.21.
“Loan
Document(s)” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Guaranties, the Reimbursement
Agreements, and any and all documents delivered hereunder or pursuant
hereto.
“Lots”
means all Land owned by the Borrower and/or a Subsidiary which is zoned by
the
municipality in which such real property is located for residential building
and
use, and with respect to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary has obtained
all
necessary approvals for its subdivision for Housing Units; provided,
however,
that
the term “Lots” shall not include any Land upon which the construction of a
Housing Unit has commenced.
“Lots
under Development” means Lots with respect to which construction of streets or
other subdivision improvements has commenced but which are not Finished
Lots.
“Minimum
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth” has the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 7.01.
“Moody’s”
means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
“Multiemployer
Plan” means a plan described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA in respect of which
the Borrower, a Subsidiary or a Commonly Controlled Entity is an “employer” as
defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
“Multifamily
Housing Unit” means any
residential dwelling that has twenty (20) or more units or four (4) or more
stories.
“Net
Income” means, for any period, the net earnings (or loss) after taxes of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such
period.
“New
Lender” means a Lender or other entity (in each case approved by the Agent,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) that elects, upon request
by
Borrower, to issue a Commitment or, in the case of an existing Lender, to
increase its existing Commitment, pursuant to Section 2.02.2.
“Note”
means a promissory note in substantially the form of Exhibit
B
hereto,
executed and delivered by the Borrower payable to the order of a Lender in
the
amount of its Commitment, including any amendment, modification, restatement,
renewal or replacement of such promissory note.
“Obligations”
means (a) the due and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the
Loans
and the Notes, (b) the due and punctual payment of the Facility Letter of Credit
Obligations, and (c) the due and punctual payment of fees, expenses,
reimbursements, indemnifications and other present and future monetary
obligations of the Borrower and each Guarantor to the Lenders or to any Lender,
the Agent, any Issuer or any indemnified party, in each case arising under
the
Loan Documents.
“Original
Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of August 22,
2005, among Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the lenders party thereto,
as amended from time to time.
“Participant”
is defined in Section 11.03.
“PBGC”
means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to
any
or all of its functions under ERISA.
“Performance
Letter of Credit” means any Letter of Credit of the Borrower or a Guarantor that
is issued for the benefit of a municipality, other governmental authority,
utility, water or sewer authority, or other similar entity for the purpose
of
assuring such beneficiary of the Letter of Credit of the proper and timely
completion of construction work.
“Permitted
Acquisition” means any Acquisition (other than by means of a hostile takeover,
hostile tender offer or other similar hostile transaction) of a business or
entity engaged primarily in the business of home building; provided that,
immediately before and after giving effect to such Acquisition, no Default
or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
“Person”
means an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust, joint stock
company, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated association, joint
venture, governmental authority, or other entity of whatever
nature.
“Plan”
means any pension plan which is covered by Title IV of ERISA and in respect
of
which (a) the Borrower or a Subsidiary or a Commonly Controlled Entity is an
“employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA and (b) the Borrower or a
Subsidiary has any material liability; provided,
however,
that
the term “Plan” shall not include any Multiemployer Plan.
“Prime
Rate” means that interest rate so denominated and set by Wachovia Bank from time
to time as an interest rate basis for borrowings. The Prime Rate is but one
of
several interest rate bases used by Wachovia Bank. Wachovia Bank lends at
interest rates above and below the Prime Rate.
“Prohibited
Transaction” means any transaction set forth in Section 406 of ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code that could subject the Borrower or any Subsidiary to any
material liability.
“Pro
Rata
Share” means, at any time for any Lender, the ratio that such Lender’s
Commitment bears to the Aggregate Commitment; provided,
however,
that if
the Aggregate Commitment has terminated or been terminated in full, the Pro
Rata
Share shall be the ratio that (x) the sum of such Lender’s outstanding Loans and
Facility Letter of Credit Obligations bears to (y) the sum of all outstanding
Loans and Facility Letter of Credit Obligations; and provided,
further,
that
this definition is subject to the provisions of Section 2.02.2(c) (if and when
applicable).
“Quarterly
Payment Date” means October 1, 2007 and the first day of each January, April,
July and October thereafter.
“Ratings”
is defined in Section 2.05(a).
“Receivables”
means the net proceeds payable to, but not yet received by, the Borrower or
a
Subsidiary following a Housing Unit Closing.
“Refinancing
Debt” means Debt that refunds, refinances or extends any applicable Debt
(“Refinanced Debt”) but only to the extent that (i) the Refinancing Debt is
subordinated to or pari
passu
with the
Obligations to the same extent as such Refinanced Debt, if at all, (ii) such
Refinancing Debt is in an aggregate amount that is equal to or less than the
sum
of (A) the aggregate amount then outstanding under the Refinanced Debt,
plus
(B)
accrued and unpaid interest on such Refinanced Debt, plus
(C)
reasonable fees and expenses incurred in obtaining such Refinancing Debt, it
being understood that this clause (ii) shall not preclude the Refinancing Debt
from being a part of a Debt financing that includes other or additional Debt
otherwise permitted herein, (iii) such Refinancing Debt is Incurred by the
same
Person that initially Incurred such Refinanced Debt or by another Person of
which the Person that initially Incurred such Refinanced Debt is a Subsidiary,
and (iv) such Refinancing Debt is Incurred within 60 days after such Refinanced
Debt is so refunded, refinanced or extended.
“Register”
is defined in Section 10.17.
“Regulation
D” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
as
from time to time in effect and any successor thereto or other regulation or
official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to reserve
requirements applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve
System.
“Regulation
U” means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
as
from time to time in effect and any successor or other regulation or official
interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to the extension of credit
by
banks for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stocks applicable to
member banks of the Federal Reserve System.
“Regulation
X” means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
as
from time to time in effect and any successor or other regulation or official
interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to the extension of credit
by
foreign lenders for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (as
defined therein).
“Reimbursement
Agreement” means, with respect to a Facility Letter of Credit, such form of
application therefor and form of reimbursement agreement therefor (whether
in a
single or several documents, taken together) as the applicable Issuer may employ
in the ordinary course of business for its own account, with the modifications
thereto as may be agreed upon by such Issuer and the Borrower and as are not
materially adverse (in the reasonable judgment of such Issuer and the Agent)
to
the interests of the Lenders; provided,
however,
in the
event of any conflict between the terms of any Reimbursement Agreement and
this
Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.
“Rejecting
Lender” is defined in Section 2.19(a).
“Rejecting
Lender’s Termination Date” is defined in Section 2.19(a).
“Replacement
Lender” is defined in Section 2.20.
“Reportable
Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043 of ERISA with respect
to a Plan (excluding any such event with respect to which the PBGC has waived
the 30-day notice requirement).
“Required
Lenders” means Lenders whose Pro Rata Shares are equal to or greater than
66-2/3%.
“S&P”
means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services.
“Secured
Debt” means all Debt of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (excluding Debt
owing to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) that is secured by a Lien
on
assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Senior
Debt” means the Senior Notes or, if the Senior Notes are refinanced, the
Refinancing Debt with respect thereto.
“Senior
Indentures” means the Base Indenture 2001, the Base Indenture 2002, the Base
Indenture 2004, the Supplemental Indentures and any other Indenture hereafter
entered into by the Borrower pursuant to which the Borrower Incurs any
Refinancing Debt with respect to any of the Senior Notes.
“Senior
Notes” means (i) the 8-3/8% Senior Notes due 2012 of the Borrower issued in the
original principal amount of $350,000,000, pursuant to the Indenture dated
April
17, 2002 (the
“Base Indenture 2002”)
and
First Supplemental Indenture dated April 17, 2002, (ii) the 8-5/8% Senior Notes
due 2011 of the Borrower issued in the original principal amount of $200,000,000
pursuant to the Indenture dated May 21, 2001 (the
“Base Indenture 2001”)
and
First Supplemental Indenture dated May 21, 2001, (iii) the 6½% Senior Notes due
2013 of the Borrower issued in the original principal amount of $200,000,000
pursuant to the Base Indenture 2002 and Second Supplemental Indenture dated
November 13, 2003, (iv) the 4-5/8% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 of the
Borrower issued in the original principal amount of $180,000,000 pursuant to
the
Indenture dated June 8, 2004 (the “Base
Indenture 2004”),
(v)
the 6-7/8% Senior Notes due 2015 of the Borrower issued in the original
principal amount of $350,000,000 pursuant to the Base Indenture 2002 and Fifth
Supplemental Indenture dated June 8, 2005, and (vi) the 8.125% Senior Notes
due
2016 of the Borrower issued in the original principal amount of $275,000,000
pursuant to the Base Indenture 2002 and the Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated
June 6, 2006.
“Significant
Guarantor” means, at any date of determination thereof, any Guarantor that
(together with its Subsidiaries) accounts for ten percent (10%) or more of
the
Consolidated Tangible Assets as of the last day of the most recent fiscal
quarter then ended and ten percent (10%) or more of the consolidated net
revenues for the twelve-month period ending on the last day of the most recent
fiscal quarter then ended, in each case of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole. Such percentage shall be determined on the basis of financial
reports that shall be available not later than 25 days (or, in the case of
the
last fiscal quarter of the fiscal year, 35 days) following the end of such
fiscal quarter.
“Significant
Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination thereof, any Subsidiary that
(together with its Subsidiaries) accounts for five percent (5%) or more of
the
Consolidated Tangible Assets as of the last day of the most recent fiscal
quarter then ended and five percent (5%) or more of the consolidated net
revenues for the twelve-month period ending on the last day of the most recent
fiscal quarter then ended, in each case of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole. Such percentage shall be determined on the basis of financial
reports that shall be available not later than 25 days (or, in the case of
the
last fiscal quarter of the fiscal year, 35 days) following the end of such
fiscal quarter.
“Single
Family Housing Unit” means any residential dwelling that is not a Multifamily
Housing Unit.
“Speculative
Housing Unit” means any Housing Unit owned by the Borrower or a Subsidiary that
is not a Housing Unit Under Contract.
“Statutory
Reserve Rate”
means
a
fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one
and
the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum
reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental
reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board to which the Agent
is
subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency
Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall
include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans shall
be
deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve
requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets
that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation
D or
any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted
automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve
percentage.
“Subsidiary”
means, as to the Borrower or a Guarantor, in the case of a corporation, a
corporation of which shares of stock having ordinary voting power (other than
stock having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to
elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation
are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled,
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by the
Borrower or such Guarantor, as the case may be, or in the case of an entity
which is not a corporation, the activities of which are controlled directly,
or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by the Borrower or
such
Guarantor, as the case may be.
“Supplemental
Guaranty” means a Supplemental Guaranty in the form provided for in, and
attached to, the form of Guaranty attached hereto as Exhibit
A.
“Supplemental
Indentures” means the Supplemental Indentures identified in the definition of
the term “Senior Notes”.
“Swing
Line Commitment” means the commitment of the Swing Line Lender to make Swing
Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.21(a). The Swing Line Commitment is in the
amount of $25,000,000.
“Swing
Line Lender” means Wachovia Bank or any assignee to which Wachovia Bank assigns
the Swing Line Commitment in accordance with Section 11.02.
“Swing
Line Loan” is defined in Section 2.21(a).
“Taxes”
means any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions,
charges or withholdings, and any and all liabilities with respect to the
foregoing, imposed by the United States. but excluding, in the case of each
Lender or applicable Lending Office, the Issuer and the Agent, (a) taxes imposed
on or measured by its overall net income, and franchise taxes imposed on it,
by
(i) the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender, the Issuer or the
Agent is incorporated or organized or (ii) the jurisdiction in which the
Agent’s, Issuer’s or such Lender’s principal executive office or such Lender’s
applicable Lending Office is located and (b) taxes that are in effect and would
apply at the time such Person becomes a Lender, Issuer or Agent
hereunder.
“Termination
Date” means July 24, 2011, subject, however, to earlier termination in whole of
the Aggregate Commitment pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and to
extension of such date as provided in Section 2.19.
“Title
Companies” means Security Title Insurance Company, a Vermont corporation, Beazer
Title Agency of Arizona, LLC, an Arizona limited liability company, and Beazer
Title Agency, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company, each of which is a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Borrower.
“UHIC”
means United Homes Insurance Corporation, a Vermont corporation and Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower.
“Unrestricted
Cash” of a Person means the cash and Cash Equivalents of such Person that would
not be identified as “restricted” on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in
accordance with GAAP.
“Wachovia
Bank” means Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national banking
association.
“Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary” of any Person means (i) a Subsidiary, of which one hundred percent
(100%) of the outstanding Common Equity (except for directors’ qualifying shares
or certain minority interests owned by other Persons solely due to local law
requirements that there be more than one stockholder, but which interest is
not
in excess of what is required for such purpose) is owned directly by such Person
or through one or more other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person, or (ii)
any entity other than a corporation in which such Person, directly or
indirectly, owns all of the outstanding Common Equity of such
entity.
Section
1.02 Accounting
Terms.
(a) All
accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in
accordance with GAAP consistent with those applied in the preparation of the
financial statements referred to in Section 4.04, and all financial data
submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in accordance with such
principles.
(b) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in determining the
Borrower’s compliance with the provisions of Article VII hereof, GAAP shall not
include modifications of generally accepted accounting principles that become
effective after the date hereof.
ARTICLE
II
AMOUNTS
AND TERMS OF THE LOANS
Section
2.01 The
Facility.
Section
2.01.1 Revolving
Credit Facility.
(a) On
and after the Closing Date and prior to the Termination Date, upon the terms
and
conditions set forth in this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations
and warranties of the Borrower herein set forth, each Lender severally agrees
to
make Loans to the Borrower, provided
that (i)
in no event may the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans
(including, in the case of the Swing Line Lender, outstanding Swing Line Loans)
and the Facility Letter of Credit Obligations of any Lender exceed its
Commitment, and (ii) in no event may the sum of the aggregate principal amount
of all outstanding Loans, (including all outstanding Swing Line Loans) and
the
Facility Letter of Credit Obligations exceed the Aggregate
Commitment.
(b) On
and
after the Closing Date and prior to the Termination Date, each Lender severally
agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in reliance
upon the representations and warranties of Borrower herein set forth, to
participate in Facility Letters of Credit issued pursuant to Section 2.22 for
the account of the Borrower, provided that
(i)
in no event may the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans and
Facility Letter of Credit Obligations of any Lender exceed its Commitment and
(ii) in no event may the aggregate amount of all Facility Letter of Credit
Obligations exceed the lesser of (A) the Facility Letter of Credit Sublimit
and
(B) an amount equal to the Aggregate Commitment minus the sum of all outstanding
Loans (including all outstanding Swing Line Loans).
(c) Loans
hereunder (other than Swing Line Loans) shall be made ratably by the several
Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares. Participations
in
Facility Letters of Credit hereunder shall be ratable among the several Lenders
in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.
(d) All
Obligations shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the Termination Date
unless such Obligations shall sooner become due and payable pursuant to Section
8.01 or as otherwise provided in this Agreement.
(e) Each
Borrowing which shall not utilize the Aggregate Commitment in full shall be
in
an amount not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in the case of a
Borrowing consisting of Eurodollar Loans and Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($500,000) in the case of a Borrowing consisting of ABR Loans and, in either
case, if in excess of the specified amount, in integral multiples of One Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($100,000). Each Borrowing shall consist of a Loan made by
each
Lender in the proportion of its Pro Rata Share. Within the limits of the
Aggregate Commitment, the Borrower may borrow, repay pursuant to Section 2.11,
and reborrow Loans under this Section 2.01. On such terms and conditions, the
Loans may be outstanding as ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans. Each type of Loan
shall be made and maintained at the applicable Lender’s Lending Office for such
type of Loan. The failure of any Lender to make any requested Loan to be made
by
it on the date specified for such Loan shall not relieve any other Lender of
its
obligation (if any) to make such Loan on such date, but no Lender shall be
responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make such Loan to be made
by
such other Lender. The provisions of this Section 2.01.1(e) shall not apply
to
Swing Line Loans.
Section
2.01.2 Borrowing
Base.
At any
time at which the Borrower’s senior unsecured long-term debt does not have a
rating of BBB- or higher from S&P or Baa3 or higher from Moody’s, (a) the
aggregate amount of Borrowing Base Debt at any one time outstanding may not
exceed the Borrowing Base as of the most recent Inventory Valuation Date, and
(b) no Loan shall be made, and no Facility Letter of Credit shall be issued
or
amended, that would have the effect of increasing the then outstanding amount
of
the Borrowing Base Debt to an amount exceeding such Borrowing Base, provided
that a Loan shall not be deemed to have increased the amount of the Borrowing
Base Debt to the extent that the proceeds of such Loan are immediately used
to
repay a Swing Line Loan theretofore included in the Borrowing Base
Debt.
Section
2.01.3 Swing
Line Loans.
No Loan
shall be made at any time that any Swing Line Loan is outstanding, except for
Loans that are used, on the day on which made, to repay in full the outstanding
principal balance of the Swing Line Loans.
Section
2.02 Reductions
of and Increases in Aggregate Commitment.
Section
2.02.1 Reduction
of Aggregate Commitment.
The
Borrower shall have the right, upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior
notice to the Agent, to terminate in whole or reduce in part the unused portion
of the Aggregate Commitment, provided
that
each partial reduction shall be in the amount of at least Five Million Dollars
($5,000,000), and provided further
that no
reduction shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto, and to any
prepayment made therewith, the sum of (i) the outstanding and unpaid principal
amount of the Loans and (ii) the Facility Letter of Credit Obligations shall
exceed the Aggregate Commitment. Each reduction in part of the unused portion
of
each Lender’s Commitment shall be made in the proportion that such Commitment
bears to the total amount of the Aggregate Commitment. Any Commitment, once
reduced or terminated, may not be reinstated (except as otherwise provided
in
Section 8.01(v)) and may not be increased (except in accordance with Section
2.02.2).
Section
2.02.2 Increase
in Aggregate Commitment.
(a) Request
for Facility Increase.
The
Borrower may, at any time and from time to time, request, by notice to the
Agent, the Agent’s approval of an increase of the Aggregate Commitment (a
“Facility Increase”) within the limitations hereafter described, which request
shall set forth the amount of each such requested Facility Increase. Within
twenty (20) days of such request, the Agent shall advise the Borrower of its
approval or disapproval of such request; failure to so advise the Borrower
shall
constitute disapproval. If the Agent approves any such Facility Increase, then
the Aggregate Commitment may be increased (up to the amount of such approved
Facility Increase, in the aggregate) by having one or more New Lenders increase
the amount of their then existing Commitments or become Lenders, subject to
and
in accordance with this provisions of this Section 2.02.2. Any Facility Increase
shall be subject to the following limitations and conditions: (i) any increase
(in the aggregate) in the Aggregate Commitment, any increase in any Commitment
and any new Commitment shall (unless otherwise agreed to by the Borrower and
the
Agent) not be less than $5,000,000 (and (unless otherwise agreed to by the
Borrower and the Agent) shall be in integral multiples of $1,000,000 if in
excess thereof); (ii) no Facility Increase pursuant to this Section 2.02.2
shall
increase the Aggregate Commitment to an amount in excess of $1,000,000,000;
(iii) the Borrower and each New Lender shall have executed and delivered a
commitment and acceptance (the “Commitment and Acceptance”) substantially in the
form of Exhibit
C
hereto,
and the Agent shall have accepted and executed the same; (iv) the Borrower
shall
have executed and delivered to the Agent such Note or Notes as the Agent shall
require to reflect such Facility Increase; (v) the Borrower shall have delivered
to the Agent opinions of counsel (substantially similar to the forms of opinions
provided for in Section 3.01(6), modified to apply to the Facility Increase
and
each Note and Commitment and Acceptance executed and delivered in connection
therewith); (vi) the Guarantors shall have consented in writing to the Facility
Increase and shall have agreed that their Guaranties continue in full force
and
effect; and (vii) the Borrower and each New Lender shall otherwise have executed
and delivered such other instruments and documents as the Agent shall have
reasonably requested in connection with such Facility Increase. The form and
substance of the documents required under clauses (iii) through (vii) above
shall be fully acceptable to the Agent. The Agent shall provide written notice
to all of the Lenders hereunder of any Facility Increase.
(b) New
Lenders’ Loans and Participation in Facility Letters of
Credit.
Upon
the effective date of any increase in the Aggregate Commitment pursuant to
the
provisions hereof (the “Increase Date”), which Increase Date shall be mutually
agreed upon by the Borrower, each New Lender and the Agent, (i) such New Lender
shall be deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received,
without recourse or warranty from the Lenders, an undivided interest and
participation in any Facility Letter of Credit then outstanding, ratably, such
that each Lender (including each New Lender) holds a participation interest
in
each such Facility Letter of Credit in the amount of its then Pro Rata Share
thereof; (ii) on such Increase Date, the Borrower shall repay all outstanding
ABR Loans and reborrow an ABR Loan in a like amount from the Lenders (including
the New Lender); (iii) such New Lender shall not participate in any then
outstanding Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan; (iv) if the Borrower shall at any
time on or after such Increase Date convert or
continue
any Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan that was outstanding on such Increase Date,
the Borrower shall be deemed to repay such Loan on the date of the conversion
or
continuation thereof and then to re-borrow as a Loan a like amount on such
date
so that the New Lender shall make a Loan on such date in the amount of its
Pro
Rata Share of such Borrowing; and (v) such New Lender shall make its Pro Rata
Share of all Loans made on or after such Increase Date (including those referred
to in clauses (ii) and (iv) above) and shall otherwise have all of the rights
and obligations of a Lender hereunder on and after such Increase Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of a Default prior to the
date on which such New Lender is holding its Pro Rata Share of all Loans
hereunder, such New Lender shall, upon notice from the Agent given on or after
the date on which the Obligations are accelerated or become due following such
Default, pay to the Agent (for the account of the other Lenders, to which the
Agent shall pay their ratable shares thereof upon receipt) a sum equal to such
New Lender’s Pro Rata Share of each Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan then
outstanding with respect to which such New Lender does not then hold an
interest; such payment by such New Lender shall constitute an ABR Loan
hereunder.
(c)
Required
Lenders.
Solely
for purposes of the calculation of Pro Rata Shares as used in the definition
of
“Required Lenders,” until such time as a New Lender holds its Pro Rata Share of
all outstanding Loans (if any), the amount of such New Lender’s new Commitment
or the increased amount of its Commitment shall be excluded from the amount
of
the Commitments and Aggregate Commitment and there shall be included in lieu
thereof at any time an amount equal to the sum of the outstanding Loans and
the
participation interests in Facility Letters of Credit held by such New Lender
with respect to its new Commitment or the increased amount of its
Commitment.
(d)
No
Obligation to Increase Commitment.
Nothing
contained herein shall constitute, or otherwise be deemed to be, a commitment
or
agreement on the part of the Borrower or the Agent to give or grant any Lender
the right to increase its Commitment hereunder at any time or a commitment
or
agreement on the part of any Lender to increase its Commitment hereunder at
any
time, and no Commitment of a Lender shall be increased without its prior written
approval.
Section
2.03 Notice
and Manner of Borrowing.
The
Borrower shall give the Agent notice of any Loans under this Agreement, on
the
Business Day of each ABR Loan, and at least three (3) Business Days before
each
Eurodollar
Loan,
specifying: (1) the date of such Loan; (2) the amount of such Loan; (3) the
type
of Loan (whether an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar Loan); and (4) in the case of
a
Eurodollar Loan, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto,
provided,
however,
that
(a) no Interest Period may extend beyond the Termination Date and (b) not more
than eight (8) Interest Periods for Eurodollar Loans may be outstanding at any
one time. All notices given by the Borrower under this Section 2.03 shall be
irrevocable and shall be given not later than 11:00 A.M. Charlotte, North
Carolina time on the day specified above for such notice. The Agent shall notify
each Lender of each such notice not later than noon Charlotte, North Carolina
time on the date it receives such notice from the Borrower if such notice is
received by the Agent at or before 11:00 A.M. Charlotte, North Carolina time.
In
the event such notice from the Borrower is received after 11:00 A.M. Charlotte,
North Carolina time, it shall be treated as if received on the next succeeding
Business Day, and the Agent shall notify each Lender of such notice as soon
as
practicable but not later than noon Charlotte, North Carolina time on the next
succeeding Business Day. Not later than 2:00 P.M. Charlotte, North Carolina
time
on the date of such Loans, each Lender will make available to the Agent in
immediately available funds, such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such Loans. After
the Agent’s receipt of such funds, on the date of such Loans and upon
fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in Article III, the Agent
will make such Loans available to the Borrower in immediately available funds
by
crediting the amount thereof to the Borrower’s account with the Agent. The
provisions of this Section 2.03 shall not apply to Swing Line
Loans.
Section
2.04 Non-Receipt
of Funds by Agent.
(a)
Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date
(in
the case of a Eurodollar Loan), or by 1:00 P.M. Charlotte, North Carolina time
on the date (in the case of an ABR Loan), on which such Lender is to provide
funds to the Agent for a Loan to be made by such Lender that such Lender will
not make available to the Agent such funds, the Agent may assume that such
Lender has made such funds available to the Agent on the date of such Loan
in
accordance with Section 2.03 and the Agent in its sole discretion may, but
shall
not be obligated to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the
Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent such Lender
shall not have given the notice provided for above and shall not have made
such
funds available to the Agent, such Lender agrees to repay to the Agent forthwith
on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each
day
from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date
such
amount is repaid to the Agent, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for three
Business Days and thereafter at the Alternate Base Rate. If such Lender shall
repay to the Agent such corresponding amount, such amount so repaid shall
constitute such Lender’s applicable Loan for purposes of this Agreement. If such
Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon Agent’s demand
therefor, the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall
immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Agent with interest thereon,
for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until
the date such amount is repaid to the Agent, at the rate of interest applicable
at the time to such proposed Loan. Nothing set forth in this Section shall
affect the rights of the Borrower with respect to any Lender that defaults
in
the performance of its obligation to make a Loan hereunder.
(b) Unless
the Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on
which any payment is due to the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not
make such payment in full, the Agent may assume that the Borrower has made
such
payment in full to the Agent on such date and the Agent in its sole discretion
may, but shall not be obligated to, in reliance upon such assumption, cause
to
be distributed to each Lender on such due date an amount equal to the amount
then due such Lender. If and to the extent the Borrower shall not have so made
such payment in full to the Agent, each Lender shall repay to the Agent
forthwith on demand such amount distributed to such Lender together with
interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is distributed to
such
Lender until the date such Lender repays such amount to the Agent, at the
Federal Funds Effective Rate for three Business Days and thereafter at the
Alternate Base Rate.
(c) The
provisions of this Section 2.04 shall not apply to Swing Line
Loans.
Section
2.05 Determination
of Applicable Eurodollar Margin.
(a) The
Applicable Eurodollar Margin shall be determined by reference to the Leverage
Ratio and the Ratings in accordance with the following pricing grid and the
provisions of this Section 2.05:
|
LEVEL
I
|
LEVEL
II
|
LEVEL
III
|
LEVEL
IV
|
LEVEL
V
|
Ratings
|
BBB/Baa2
or
higher
|
BBB-/Baa3
|
BB+/Ba1
|
BB/Ba2
|
BB-/Ba3
or lower or
one
or less Ratings
|
Leverage
Ratio
|
Less
than 1.00x
|
Greater
than or equal to 1.00x and less than 1.25x
|
Greater
than or equal to 1.25x and less than 1.75x
|
Greater
than or equal to 1.75x
|
Greater
than or equal to 1.75x
|
Applicable
Eurodollar Margin
|
0.75%
|
0.875%
|
1.125%
|
1.375%
|
1.625%
|
“Ratings”
means (i) at any time at which Moody's, S&P and Fitch all publicly announce
ratings of the Borrower's senior unsecured long-term debt, the second highest
of
such three ratings and (ii) at any time at which Moody’s and S&P publicly
announce ratings of the Borrower’s senior unsecured long-term debt but Fitch
does not, the higher of such two ratings (i.e., lower pricing); provided,
however, that (in the case of either clause (i) or clause (ii)) the Ratings
shall not be at Level I or II unless the Borrower has ratings from both S&P
and Moody’s of BBB- and Baa3 or better.
In
the
event of a difference of one level between the Ratings and Leverage Ratio
pricing levels, the lower pricing shall apply; if the difference is more than
one level, the level one level lower than the higher pricing shall
apply.
The
Applicable Eurodollar Margin shall be increased by (i) 0.125% during any fiscal
quarter of the Borrower immediately following any fiscal quarter of the Borrower
at the end of which the Interest Coverage Ratio, as determined in Section 7.04,
is less than 1.75 to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00 and (ii)
0.35% during any fiscal quarter of the Borrower immediately following any fiscal
quarter of the Borrower at the end of which the Interest Coverage Ratio, as
determined in Section 7.04, is less than 1.50 to 1.00.
(b) The
Applicable Eurodollar Margin under the foregoing pricing grid shall be
determined (i) with reference to the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of each
fiscal quarter and (ii) with reference to the Ratings at the time of each change
in such Ratings. In the case of the Leverage Ratio such determination shall
be
made from the then most recent annual or quarterly financial statements of
the
Borrower delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 5.08(1) and 5.08(2),
and
the adjustment, if any, to the Applicable Eurodollar Margin shall take place
on,
and be effective from and after, the fifth Business Day after the date on which
the Agent has received such financial statements. In the case of the Ratings,
any change in such Ratings shall result in a change in the Applicable Eurodollar
Margin as of the beginning of the next succeeding applicable Interest Period
for
Eurodollar Loans.
(c) If,
as a
result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements
of
the Borrower or a calculation error, the Borrower or the Agent determines that
(i) the Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable
date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Leverage Ratio would
have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrower shall immediately
and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Agent, for the account of the
applicable Lenders, promptly on demand by the Agent (or, after the
occurrence
of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to Borrower
under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, automatically and
without further action by the Agent, any Lender, or any Issuer), an amount
equal
to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid
for
such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such
period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Agent, any
Lender, or any Issuer, as the case may be under Article VIII. The
Borrower's obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of
the
Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.
Section
2.06 Conversions
and Renewals.
The
Borrower may elect from time to time to convert all or a part of one type of
Loan into another type of Loan or to renew all or part of a Loan by giving
the
Agent notice at least one (1) Business Day before conversion into an ABR Loan,
and at least three (3) Business Days before the conversion into or renewal
of a
Eurodollar Loan, specifying: (1) the renewal or conversion date; (2) the amount
of the Loan to be converted or renewed; (3) in the case of conversions, the
type
of Loan to be converted into; and (4) in the case of renewals of or a conversion
into a Eurodollar Loan, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto;
provided
that (a)
the minimum principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan outstanding after a renewal
or conversion shall be One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) and the minimum amount
of each ABR Loan outstanding after a renewal or conversion shall be Two Hundred
Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) and in each case in integral multiples of
$100,000 if in excess of such minimum amounts; (b) Eurodollar Loans may be
converted on a Business Day that is not the last day of the Interest Period
for
such Loan only if the Borrower pays on the date of conversion all amounts due
pursuant to Section 2.17; (c) the Borrower may not renew a Eurodollar Loan
or
convert an ABR Loan into a Eurodollar Loan at any time that a Default has
occurred that is continuing; (d) no Interest Period may extend beyond the
Termination Date; and (e) not more than eight (8) Interest Periods for
Eurodollar Loans may be outstanding at any one time. Each such notice shall
be
accompanied by a Borrowing Base Certificate dated as at the date of such notice.
All conversions and renewals shall be made in the proportion of the Lenders’
respective Pro Rata Shares. All notices given by the Borrower under this Section
2.06 shall be irrevocable and shall be given not later than 11:00 A.M.
Charlotte, North Carolina time on the day which is not less than the number
of
Business Days specified above for such notice. The Agent shall notify each
Lender of each such notice not later than noon Charlotte, North Carolina time
on
the date it receives such notice from the Borrower if such notice is received
by
the Agent at or before 11:00 A.M. Charlotte, North Carolina time. In the event
such notice from the Borrower is received after 11:00 A.M. Charlotte, North
Carolina time, it shall be treated as if received on the next succeeding
Business Day, and the Agent shall notify each Lender of such notice as soon
as
practicable but not later than noon Charlotte, North Carolina time on the next
succeeding Business Day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Borrower shall
fail to give the Agent the notice as specified above for the renewal or
conversion of a Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the Interest Period with
respect thereto, such Eurodollar Loan shall automatically be converted into
an
ABR Loan on the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan. The provisions
of
this Section 2.06 shall not apply to Swing Line Loans.
Section
2.07 Interest.
(a) The
Borrower shall pay interest to the Agent, for the account of the applicable
Lender or Lenders on the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of the Loans
at
the following rates:
(i) If
an ABR
Loan or Swing Line Loan, then at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base
Rate in effect from time to time as interest accrues; and
(ii) If
a
Eurodollar Loan, then at a rate per annum for the Interest Period applicable
to
such Eurodollar Loan equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest
Period.
(b) Any
change in the interest rate based on the Alternate Base Rate resulting from
a
change in the Alternate Base Rate shall be effective (without notice) as of
the
opening of business on the day on which such change in the Alternate Base Rate
becomes effective. Interest on each Eurodollar Loan shall be calculated on
the
basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed. Interest
on
each ABR Loan and Swing Line Loan calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate
shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days (as appropriate)
for the actual number of days elapsed and interest on each ABR Loan and Swing
Line Loan calculated based on the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be
calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days
elapsed.
(c) Interest
on the Loans shall be paid (in an amount set forth in a statement delivered
by
the Agent to the Borrower, provided,
however,
that
the failure of the Agent to deliver such statement shall not limit or otherwise
affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder) in immediately available
funds
to the Agent at the office of Agent from time to time designated by it in
writing for the account of the applicable Lending Office of each applicable
Lender as follows:
|
(1)
|
For
each ABR Loan and Swing Line Loan on the first day of each calendar
month
commencing on the first such date after such
Loan;
|
|
(2)
|
For
each Eurodollar Loan, on the last day of the Interest Period with
respect
thereto, except that, if such Interest Period is longer than three
months,
interest shall also be paid on the last day of the third month of
such
Interest Period; and
|
|
(3)
|
If
not sooner paid, then on the Termination Date or such earlier date
as the
Loans may be due or declared due
hereunder.
|
(d) Any
principal amount of any Loan not paid when due (at maturity, by acceleration,
or
otherwise) shall bear interest thereafter until paid in full, payable on demand,
at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate or the applicable
Eurodollar Rate, as the case may be, for such Loan in effect from time to time
as interest accrues, plus two percent (2%) per annum.
Section
2.08 Interest
Rate Determination.
(a) The
Agent shall determine each Adjusted LIBO Rate. The Agent shall give prompt
notice to the Borrower and the Lenders of the applicable interest rate
determined by the Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
(b) If
the
provisions of this Agreement or any Note would at any time require payment
by
the Borrower to a Lender of any amount of interest in excess of the maximum
amount then permitted by the law applicable to any Loan, the interest payments
to such Lender shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that such Lender
shall not receive interest in excess of such maximum amount. If, as a result
of
the foregoing a Lender shall receive interest payments hereunder or under a
Note
in an amount less than the amount
otherwise
provided hereunder, such deficit (hereinafter called “Interest Deficit”) will
cumulate and will be carried forward (without interest) until the termination
of
this Agreement. Interest otherwise payable to a Lender hereunder and under
a
Note for any subsequent period shall be increased by the maximum amount of
the
Interest Deficit that may be so added without causing such Lender to receive
interest in excess of the maximum amount then permitted by the law on the
applicable Loans. The amount of the Interest Deficit relating to the Loans
shall
be treated as a prepayment premium (to the extent permitted by law) and paid
in
full at the time of any optional prepayment by the Borrower to the applicable
Lenders of all the applicable Loans at that time outstanding pursuant to Section
2.11. The amount of the Interest Deficit relating to the applicable Loans at
the
time of any complete payment of the Loans at that time outstanding (other than
an optional prepayment thereof pursuant to Section 2.11) shall be canceled
and
not paid.
Section
2.09 Fees.
(a) The
Borrower shall pay to the Arrangers on the Closing Date a one time,
nonrefundable fee in the amount provided for in the Agent’s Fee Letter. The
Agent shall deliver to each Lender its applicable fee (as set forth in the
invitation letter dated as of June 9, 2007 from the Arrangers to such Lenders)
promptly upon the Agent’s receipt thereof.
(b) The
Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender (subject
to
adjustment in the case of the Swing Line Lender as hereinafter provided) a
commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of such Lender’s Commitment
(in an amount set forth in a statement delivered by the Agent to the Borrower,
provided,
however,
that
the failure of the Agent to deliver such statement shall not limit or otherwise
affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder) from the date of this
Agreement until the Termination Date at the Applicable Commitment Rate, payable
in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date during the term of such Commitment,
commencing October 1, 2007, and ending on the Termination Date or, in the case
of a Rejecting Lender, on such Rejecting Lender’s Termination Date. The
commitment fees shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days for
the
actual number of days elapsed. Upon receipt of any commitment fees, the Agent
will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed such payments to the Lenders
in
the proportion of their Pro Rata Shares (subject to adjustment in the case
of
the Swing Line Lender as hereinafter provided). For purposes of determining
the
commitment fee payable to (i) the Swing Line Lender, the unused portion of
the
Swing Ling Lender’s Commitment shall be reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount
of any Swing Line Loans then outstanding, and (ii) any Lender, the unused
portion of such Lender’s Commitment shall be reduced dollar-for-dollar by its
Pro Rata Share of Facility Letter of Credit Obligations.
(c) The
Borrower shall pay to the Agent and the Arrangers such additional fees as are
specified in the Agent’s Fee Letter.
Section
2.10 Notes.
All
Loans made by each Lender under this Agreement shall be evidenced by, and repaid
with interest in accordance with, a single Note of the Borrower in substantially
the form of Exhibit
B
hereto,
in each case duly completed, dated the date of this Agreement and payable to
such Lender for the account of its applicable Lending Office, such Note to
represent the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans made by such Lender.
Each Lender is hereby authorized by the Borrower, but no Lender shall be
required, to endorse on the schedule attached to the Note or Notes held by
it
the amount and type of such applicable Loan and each renewal, conversion, and
payment of principal amount received by such applicable Lender for the account
of its applicable Lending Office on account of its applicable Loans, which
endorsement shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive as to the
outstanding balance of such Loans made by such Lender; provided,
however,
that
the failure to make such notation with respect to any Loan or renewal,
conversion, or payment shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations
of
the Borrower under this Agreement or the Note or Notes held by such Lender.
All
Loans shall be repaid on the Termination Date.
Section
2.11 Prepayments.
(a) The
Borrower may, upon notice to the Agent not later than noon (Charlotte, North
Carolina time) on the date of prepayment in the case of ABR Loans and at least
three (3) Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent in the case of Eurodollar
Loans, prepay (including, without limitation, all amounts payable pursuant
to
the terms of Section 2.17) the Loans in whole or in part with accrued interest
to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid, provided
that (1)
each partial payment shall be in a principal amount of not less than One Million
Dollars ($1,000,000) in the case of a Eurodollar Loan and Two Hundred Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($250,000) in the case of an ABR Loan; and (2) Eurodollar
Loans
may be prepaid only on the last day of the Interest Period for such Loans;
provided,
however,
that
such prepayment of Eurodollar Loans may be made on any other Business Day if
the
Borrower pays at the time of such prepayment all amounts due pursuant to Section
2.17. Upon receipt of any such prepayments, the Agent will promptly thereafter
cause to be distributed the Pro Rata Share of such prepayment to each Lender
for
the account of its applicable Lending Office, except that prepayments of Swing
Line Loans shall be made solely to the Swing Line Lender.
(b) The
Borrower shall immediately upon a Change in Control prepay the Notes in full
and
all accrued interest to the date of such prepayment, and in the case of
Eurodollar Loans all amounts due pursuant to Section 2.17.
Section
2.12 Method
of Payment.
The
Borrower shall make each payment under this Agreement and under any of the
Notes
not later than noon Charlotte, North Carolina time on the date when due in
lawful money of the United States to the Agent for the account of the applicable
Lending Office of each Lender (or, in the case of Swing Line Loans, for the
account of the Swing Line Lender) in immediately available funds. The Agent
will
promptly thereafter cause to be distributed (1) the Pro Rata Share of such
payments of principal and interest with respect to Loans (other than Swing
Line
Loans) in like funds to each Lender for the account of its applicable Lending
Office, (2) such payments of principal and interest with respect to Swing Line
Loans solely to the Swing Line Lender and (3) other fees payable to any Lender
to be applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If any such
payment is not received by a Lender on the Business Day on which the Agent
received such payment (or the following Business Day if the Agent’s receipt
thereof occurs after 3:00 P.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time)), such Lender
shall be entitled to receive from the Agent interest on such payment at the
Federal Funds Effective Rate for three Business Days and thereafter at the
Alternate Base Rate (which interest payment shall not be an obligation for
the
Borrower’s account, including under Section 10.04 or Section 10.06). The
Borrower hereby authorizes each Lender, if and to the extent payment is not
made
when due under this Agreement or under any of the Notes, to charge from time
to
time against any account of the Borrower with such Lender any amount as due.
Whenever any payment to be made under this Agreement or under any of the Notes
shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment
shall
be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall
be
included in the computation of the payment of interest and the commitment fee,
as the case may be, except, in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, if the result
of
such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month,
such
payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.
Section
2.13 Use
of Proceeds.
The
proceeds of the Loans hereunder shall be used by the Borrower (a) to repay
in
full all amounts owing under the Original Credit Agreement (except for Existing
Letters of Credit), (b) for working capital and general corporate purposes
of
the Borrower and the Guarantors to the extent permitted in this Agreement and
(c) to repay Swing Line Loans. The Borrower will not, directly or indirectly,
use any part of such proceeds for the purpose of repaying the Senior Notes
or
for purchasing or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation
U
or to extend credit to any Person for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
any
such margin stock, or for any purpose which violates, or is inconsistent with,
Regulation X.
Section
2.14 Yield
Protection.
If any
law or any governmental or quasi-governmental rule, regulation, policy,
guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law), or any
interpretation thereof, or the compliance of any Lender or Issuer
therewith,
|
(i)
|
subjects
any Lender or Issuer or any applicable Lending Office to any tax,
duty,
charge or withholding on or from payments due from the Borrower (excluding
federal taxation of the overall net income of any Lender or Issuer
or
applicable Lending Office), or changes the basis of taxation of payments
to any Lender or Issuer in respect of its Loans or Facility Letters
of
Credit or other amounts due it hereunder,
or
|
|
(ii)
|
imposes
or increases or deems applicable any reserve, assessment, insurance
charge, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of,
deposits
with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or
Issuer or
any applicable Lending Office (other than reserves and assessments
taken
into account in determining the interest rate applicable to Loans),
or
|
|
(iii)
|
imposes
any other condition the result of which is to increase the cost to
any
Lender or Issuer or any applicable Lending Office of making, funding
or
maintaining loans or issuing or participating in letters of credit
or
reduces any amount receivable by any Lender or Issuer or any applicable
Lending Office in connection with loans, or requires any Lender or
Issuer
or any applicable Lending Office to make any payment calculated by
reference to the amount of loans held, letters of credit issued or
interest received by it, by an amount deemed material by such Lender
or
Issuer,
|
then,
within fifteen (15) days of demand by such Lender or Issuer, the Borrower shall
pay such Lender or Issuer that portion of such increased expense incurred or
reduction in an amount received which such Lender or Issuer reasonably
determines is attributable to making, funding and maintaining its Loans and
its
Commitment and issuing or participating in Letters of Credit.
Section
2.15 Changes
in Capital Adequacy Regulations.
If a
Lender or Issuer determines the amount of capital required or expected to be
maintained by such Lender or Issuer, any Lending Office of such Lender or Issuer
or any corporation controlling such Lender or Issuer is increased as a result
of
a Change, then, within 10 days of demand by such Lender or Issuer, the Borrower
shall pay such Lender or Issuer the amount necessary to compensate for any
shortfall in the rate of return on the portion of such increased capital which
such Lender or Issuer determines is attributable to this Agreement, its Loans
or
its obligation to make Loans hereunder (after taking into account such Lender’s
or Issuer’s policies as to capital adequacy); provided,
however,
that a
Lender or Issuer shall impose such cost upon the Borrower only if such Lender
or
Issuer is generally imposing such cost on its other borrowers having similar
credit arrangements. “Change” means (i) any change after the date of this
Agreement in the Risk-Based Capital Guidelines or (ii) any adoption of or change
in any other law, governmental or quasi-governmental rule, regulation, policy,
guideline, interpretation, or directive (whether or not having the force of
law)
after the date of this Agreement which affects the amount of capital required
or
expected to be maintained by any Lender or Issuer or any Lending Office or
any
corporation controlling any Lender or Issuer. “Risk-Based Capital Guidelines”
means (i) the risk-based capital guidelines in effect in the United States
on
the date of this Agreement, including transition rules, and (ii) the
corresponding capital regulations promulgated by regulatory authorities outside
the United States implementing the July 1988 report of the Basle Committee
on
Banking Regulation and Supervisory Practices Entitled “International Convergence
of Capital Measurements and Capital Standards,” including transition rules, and
any amendments to such regulations adopted prior to the date of this
Agreement.
Section
2.16 Availability
of Eurodollar Loans.
If any
Lender determines that maintenance of its Eurodollar Loans at the Lending Office
selected by the Lender would violate any applicable law, rule, regulation,
or
directive, whether or not having the force of law (and it is not reasonably
possible for the Lender to designate an alternate Lending Office without being
adversely affected thereby), or if the Required Lenders determine that (i)
deposits of a type and maturity appropriate to match fund Eurodollar Loans
are
not available or (ii) the interest rate applicable to Eurodollar Loans does
not
accurately reflect the cost of making or maintaining such Eurodollar Loans,
then
the Agent shall suspend the availability of Eurodollar Loans and require any
Eurodollar Loans to be repaid.
Section
2.17 Funding
Indemnification.
If any
payment of a Eurodollar Loan occurs on a date which is not the last day of
the
applicable Interest Period, whether because of acceleration, prepayment or
otherwise, or a Eurodollar Loan is not made on the date specified by the
Borrower for any reason other than default by the Lenders, the Borrower will
indemnify each Lender for any loss or cost incurred by it resulting therefrom,
including, without limitation, any loss or cost in liquidating or employing
deposits required to fund or maintain the Eurodollar Loan.
Section
2.18 Lender
Statements; Survival of Indemnity.
To the
extent reasonably possible, each Lender shall designate an alternate Lending
Office with respect to its Eurodollar Loans to reduce any liability of the
Borrower to such Lender under Sections 2.14 and 2.15 or to avoid the
unavailability of Eurodollar Loans. Each Lender shall deliver a written
statement of such Lender as to the amount due, if any, under Sections 2.14,
2.15
or 2.17. Such written statement shall set forth in reasonable detail the
calculations upon which
such
Lender determined such amount and shall be final, conclusive and binding on
the
Borrower in the absence of manifest error. Determination of amounts payable
under such Sections in connection with a Eurodollar Loan shall be calculated
as
though each Lender funded its Eurodollar Loan through the purchase of a deposit
of the type and maturity corresponding to the deposit used as a reference in
determining the Eurodollar Rate applicable to such Loan, whether in fact that
is
the case or not. Unless otherwise provided herein, the amount specified in
the
written statement shall be payable on demand after receipt by the Borrower
of
the written statement. The obligations of the Borrower under Sections 2.14,
2.15
and 2.17 shall survive payment of the Obligations and termination of this
Agreement.
Section
2.19 Extension
of Termination Date.
(a) Not
more than once in any fiscal year of the Borrower, the Borrower may request
an
extension of the Termination Date to the first or second anniversary of the
then
scheduled Termination Date (but in no event later than the fourth anniversary
of
the effective date of such requested extension) by submitting a request for
an
extension to the Agent not less than 180 days prior to the then scheduled
Termination Date. At the time of or prior to the delivery of such request,
the
Borrower shall propose to the Agent the amount of the fees that the Borrower
would agree to pay with respect to such extension if approved by the Lenders.
Promptly upon (but not later than five Business Days after) the Agent’s receipt
and approval of the extension request and fee proposal (as so approved, the
“Extension Request”), the Agent shall deliver to each Lender a copy of, and
shall request each Lender to approve, the Extension Request. Each Lender
approving the Extension Request shall deliver its written approval no later
than
60 days after such Lender’s receipt of the Extension Request. If the written
approval of the Extension Request by the Lenders whose Pro Rata Shares equal
or
exceed 66-2/3% in the aggregate is received by the Agent within such 60-day
period, the Termination Date shall be extended to the first or second
anniversary of the then scheduled Termination Date (as specified in the
Extension Request) but only with respect to the Lenders that have given such
written approval. Except to the extent that a Lender that did not give its
written approval to such Extension Request (“Rejecting Lender”) is replaced as
provided in Section 2.20, prior to the Termination Date (as determined prior
to
such Extension Request), then on such date (the “Rejecting Lender’s Termination
Date”) (i) the Commitment of each such Rejecting Lender shall terminate, (ii)
the Aggregate Commitment shall be reduced by the aggregate amount of such
terminated Commitments and (iii) all Loans and other Obligations to each such
Rejecting Lender shall be paid in full by the Borrower. If the sum of the
principal balance of all Loans outstanding and all Facility Letter of Credit
Obligations following the payment provided for in clause (iii) above exceeds
the
Aggregate Commitment (as reduced as provided in clause (ii) above), the Borrower
shall, on the Rejecting Lender’s Termination Date, repay outstanding Loans or
cause to be canceled, released and returned to the applicable Issuer outstanding
Facility Letters of Credit in the amounts necessary to cause the sum of the
principal balance of all Loans outstanding and all Facility Letter of Credit
Obligations to equal but not exceed the Aggregate Commitment (as
reduced).
(b) Within
ten days of the Agent’s notice to the Borrower that the Lenders whose Pro Rata
Shares equal or exceed 66-2/3% in the aggregate have approved an Extension
Request, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender
that
has approved the Extension Request the applicable extension fees specified
in
the Extension Request.
(c) If
Lenders whose Pro Rata Shares equal or exceed 66-2/3% in the aggregate approve
the Extension Request, the Borrower, upon notice to the Agent and any Rejecting
Lender, may, subject to the provisions of the last sentence of Section 2.19(d),
terminate the Commitment of such Rejecting Lender (or such portion of such
Commitment as is not assigned to a Replacement Lender in accordance with Section
2.20), which termination shall occur as of a date set forth in such Borrower’s
notice but in no event more than thirty (30) days following such notice (subject
to the provisions of Section 2.20(b)). The termination of a Rejecting Lender’s
Commitment shall be effected in accordance with Section 2.19(d).
(d) If
the
Borrower elects to terminate the Commitment of a Rejecting Lender pursuant
to
Section 2.19(c), the Borrower shall pay to the Rejecting Lender all Obligations
due and owing to it hereunder or under any other Loan Document, including,
without limitation, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans
owed
to such Rejecting Lender, together with accrued interest thereon through the
date of such termination, amounts payable under Sections 2.14 and 2.15 and
the
fees payable to such Rejecting Lender under Section 2.09(b). Upon request by
the
Borrower or the Agent, the Rejecting Lender will deliver to the Borrower and
the
Agent a letter setting forth the amounts payable to the Rejecting Lender as
set
forth above. Upon the termination of such Rejecting Lender’s Commitment and
payment of the amounts provided for in the immediately preceding sentence,
the
Borrower shall have no further obligations to such Rejecting Lender under this
Agreement and such Rejecting Lender shall cease to be a Lender, provided,
however,
that
such Rejecting Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections
2.14, 2.15, 2.17, 10.04 and 10.06, as well as to any fees accrued for its
account hereunder not yet paid, and shall continue to be obligated under Section
9.05 with respect to obligations and liabilities accruing prior to the
termination of such Rejecting Lender’s Commitment. If, as a result of the
termination of the Rejecting Lender’s Commitment, any payment of a Eurodollar
Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the applicable Interest
Period, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders
(including any Rejecting Lender) any loss or cost incurred by the Lenders
(including any Rejecting Lender) resulting therefrom in accordance with Section
2.17. Upon the effective date of the termination of the Rejecting Lender’s
Commitment, the Aggregate Commitment shall be reduced by the amount of the
terminated Commitment of the Rejecting Lender, and each other Lender shall
be
deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received (subject
to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 2.19(d)), without
recourse or warranty, from the Rejecting Lender, an undivided interest and
participation in any Facility Letter of Credit then outstanding, ratably, such
that each Lender (excluding the Rejecting Lender but including any Replacement
Lender that acquires an interest in the Facility hereunder from such Rejecting
Lender) holds a participation interest in each Facility Letter of Credit in
proportion to the ratio that such Rejecting Lender’s Commitment (upon the
effective date of such termination of the Rejecting Lender’s Commitment) bears
to the Aggregate Commitment (as reduced by the termination of such Rejecting
Lender’s Commitment or a part thereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, upon
the termination of the Commitment of such Rejecting Lender under this Section
2.19(d), the sum of the outstanding principal balance of the Loans and the
Facility Letter of Credit Obligations would exceed the Aggregate Commitment
(as
reduced), the Borrower may not terminate such Rejecting Lender’s Commitment
unless the Borrower, on or prior to the effective date of such termination,
prepays, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, outstanding Loans
or causes to be canceled, released and returned to the applicable Issuer
outstanding Facility Letters of Credit in sufficient amounts such that, on
the
effective date of such termination, the sum of the outstanding principal balance
of the Loans and the Facility Letter of Credit Obligations does not exceed
the
Aggregate Commitment (as reduced).
Section
2.20 Replacement
of Certain Lenders.
(a) In
the event a Lender (“Affected Lender”): (i) shall have requested compensation
from the Borrower under Sections 2.14 or 2.15 to recover additional costs
incurred by such Lender that are not being incurred generally by the other
Lenders, (ii) shall have delivered a notice pursuant to Section 2.16 claiming
that such Lender is unable to extend Eurodollar Loans to the Borrower for
reasons not generally applicable to the other Lenders, (iii) shall have invoked
Section 10.13 or (iv) is a Rejecting Lender pursuant to Section 2.19, then,
in
any such case, the Borrower or the Agent may effect the replacement of such
Affected Lender in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.20,
provided,
however,
that if
the replacement of such Affected Lender is by reason of clause (iv) above,
the
replacement of such Affected Lender shall be subject to the provisions of
Section 2.20(b). The Borrower or the Agent may elect to replace an Affected
Lender and make written demand on such Affected Lender (with a copy to the
Agent
in the case of a demand by the Borrower and a copy to the Borrower in the case
of a demand by the Agent) for the Affected Lender to assign, and, if a
Replacement Lender (as hereinafter defined) notifies the Affected Lender of
its
willingness to purchase the Affected Lender’s interests in the Facility and the
Agent and the Borrower consent thereto in writing, then such Affected Lender
shall assign pursuant to one or more duly executed Assignment and Assumption
in
substantially and in all material respects in the form and substance of
Exhibit
F
five (5)
Business Days after the date of such demand, to one or more financial
institutions that comply with the provisions of Section 11.02 that the Borrower
or the Agent, as the case may be, shall have engaged for such purpose (each
a
“Replacement Lender”), all (or, to the extent required or permitted under
Section 2.20(b), a part) of such Affected Lender’s rights and obligations (from
and after the date of such assignment) under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents in accordance with Section 11.02. The Agent agrees, upon the
occurrence of such events with respect to an Affected Lender and upon the
written request of the Borrower, to use its reasonable efforts to obtain
commitments from one or more financial institutions to act as a Replacement
Lender. As a condition to any such assignment, the Affected Lender shall have
concurrently received, in cash, all amounts (except as otherwise provided in
Section 2.20(b)) due and owing to the Affected Lender hereunder or under any
other Loan Document, including, without limitation, the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the Loans owed to such Lender, together with accrued
interest thereon through the date of such assignment, amounts payable under
Sections 2.14 and 2.15 with respect to such Affected Lender and the fees payable
to such Affected Lender under Section 2.09(b); provided
that
upon such Affected Lender’s replacement, such Affected Lender shall (except as
otherwise provided in Section 2.20(b)) cease to be a party hereto but shall
continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.17, 10.04
and
10.06, as well as to any fees accrued for its account hereunder and not yet
paid, and shall continue to be obligated under Section 9.05 with respect to
obligations and liabilities accruing prior to the replacement of such Affected
Lender.
(b) In
the
event that the Affected Lender is a Rejecting Lender, the Borrower may elect
to
have a part of the Rejecting Lender’s rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents assigned pursuant to this Section 2.20,
provided
that the
Borrower also elects, pursuant to Section 2.19(c), to terminate the entire
amount of such Rejecting Lender’s Commitment not so assigned, which termination
shall be effective on the date on which such assignment of the Rejecting
Lender’s rights and obligations is consummated under this Section
2.20.
Section
2.21 Swing
Line.
(a) The
Swing Line Lender agrees, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth,
to
make loans (“Swing Line Loans”) to the Borrower from time to time during the
period from the date of this Agreement, up to but not including the Termination
Date, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any time outstanding
the
lesser of (i) the Swing Line Commitment or (ii) the amount by which the Swing
Line Lender’s Commitment exceeds the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount
of the Loans made by the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.01.1 and (B)
the Swing Line Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Facility Letter of
Credit Obligations, subject in each case to the limitations set forth in Section
2.01.3.
(b) Each
Swing Line Loan which shall not utilize the Swing Line Commitment in full shall
be in an amount not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) and, if in excess
thereof, in integral multiples of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000). Within
the
limits of the Swing Line Commitment, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow
under this Section 2.21.
(c) The
Borrower shall give the Swing Line Lender notice of any request for a Swing
Line
Loan not later than 3:00 p.m. Charlotte, North Carolina time on the Business
Day
of such Swing Line Loan, specifying the amount of such requested Swing Line
Loan. Each such notice shall be accompanied by a Borrowing Base Certificate
dated as of the date of such notice (and by the notice provided for in Section
2.21(d)). All notices given by the Borrower under this Section 2.21(c) shall
be
irrevocable. Upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in Article
III, the Swing Line Lender will make the Swing Line Loan available to the
Borrower in immediately available funds by crediting the amount thereof to
the
Borrower’s account with the Swing Line Lender.
(d) On
the
fifth Business Day following the making of a Swing Line Loan, such Swing Line
Loan shall be paid in full from the proceeds of a Loan made pursuant to Section
2.01.1. Each notice given by the Borrower under Section 2.21(c) shall include,
or, if it does not include, shall be deemed to include, an irrevocable notice
under Section 2.03 requesting the Lenders to make an ABR Loan on the fifth
succeeding Business Day in the full amount of such Swing Line Loan.
Section
2.22 Facility
Letters of Credit.
Section
2.22.1 Issuance
of Facility Letters of Credit.
(a)
Each Issuer agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
to
issue from time to time for the account of the Borrower, through such offices
or
branches as it and the Borrower may jointly agree, one or more Facility Letters
of Credit in accordance with this Section 2.22, during the period commencing
on
the date hereof and ending on the thirtieth (30th) day prior to the Termination
Date.
(b) The
Borrower shall not request, and no Issuer shall issue, a Facility Letter of
Credit for any purpose other than for purposes for which Loan proceeds may
by
used.
Section
2.22.2 Limitations.
An
Issuer shall not issue, amend or extend, at any time, any Facility Letter of
Credit:
(i) if
the
aggregate maximum amount then available for drawing under Letters of Credit
issued by such Issuer, after giving effect to the Facility Letter of Credit
or
amendment or extension thereof requested hereunder, shall exceed any limit
imposed by law or regulation upon such Issuer;
(ii) if,
after
giving effect to the issuance, amendment or extension of the Facility Letter
of
Credit requested hereunder, the aggregate principal amount of the Facility
Letter of Credit Obligations would exceed the Facility Letter of Credit
Sublimit;
(iii) if,
after
giving effect to the issuance, amendment or extension of the Facility Letter
of
Credit requested hereunder, Borrowing Base Debt would exceed the Borrowing
Base
as of the most recent Inventory Valuation Date;
(iv) if,
after
giving effect to the issuance, amendment or extension of the Facility Letter
of
Credit requested hereunder, the sum of (A) the outstanding and unpaid principal
amount of the Loans and (B) the Facility Letter of Credit Obligations would
exceed the Aggregate Commitment;
(v) unless
such Issuer receives written notice from the Agent on or before the proposed
Issuance Date of such Facility Letter of Credit that the issuance, amendment
or
extension of such Facility Letter of Credit is within the limitations specified
in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this Section 2.22.2;
(vi) that
has
an expiration date (taking into account any automatic renewal provisions
thereof) later than thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled Termination Date;
or
(vii) that
is
in a currency other than U.S. Dollars or that provides for drawings other than
by sight draft.
Section
2.22.3 Conditions.
The
issuance, amendment or extension of any Facility Letter of Credit is subject
to
the satisfaction in full of the following conditions on the Issuance
Date:
(i) the
Borrower shall have delivered to the Issuer at such times and in such manner
as
the Issuer may reasonably prescribe a Reimbursement Agreement and such other
documents and materials as may be reasonably required pursuant to the terms
thereof, and the proposed Facility Letter of Credit shall be reasonably
satisfactory to such Issuer in form and content, provided, however, in the
event
of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the
Reimbursement Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control;
(ii) as
of the
Issuance Date no order, judgment or decree of any court, arbitrator or
governmental authority shall enjoin or restrain such Issuer from issuing the
Facility Letter of Credit and no law, rule or regulation applicable to the
Issuer and no directive from any governmental authority with jurisdiction over
the Issuer shall prohibit such Issuer from issuing Letters of Credit generally
or from issuing that Facility Letter of Credit;
(iii) The
following statements shall be true, and the Agent and such Issuer shall have
received a certificate, substantially in the form of the certificate attached
hereto as Exhibit
D,
signed
by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower dated the Issuance Date stating
that:
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(a)
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The
representations and warranties contained in Article IV of this Agreement
are correct in all material respects on and as of such Issuance Date
as
though made on and as of such Issuance Date except to the extent
that any
such representation or warranty is stated to relate solely to an
earlier
date, in which case such representation or warranty is correct in
all
material respects as of such earlier
date;
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(b)
|
No
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would
result
from the issuance, amendment or extension of such Facility Letter
of
Credit; and
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(c)
|
If
applicable under Section 7.03, upon the issuance, amendment or extension
of the requested Facility Letter of Credit on such Issuance Date,
the
aggregate outstanding amount of Borrowing Base Debt shall not exceed
the
Borrowing Base as of the most recent Inventory Valuation Date;
and
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(iv) The
Issuer and the Agent shall have received such other approvals, opinions, or
documents as either may reasonably request.
Section
2.22.4 Procedure
for Issuance of Facility Letters of Credit.
(a) The
Borrower shall give the applicable Issuer and the Agent not less than two (2)
Business Days’ prior written notice of any requested issuance of a Facility
Letter of Credit under this Agreement (except that, in lieu of such written
notice, the Borrower may give the Issuer and the Agent telephonic notice of
such
request if confirmed in writing by delivery to such Issuer and the Agent (i)
immediately (A) of a telecopy of the written notice required hereunder which
has
been signed by an authorized officer of the Borrower or (B) of an e-mail
containing all information required to be contained in such written notice
and
(ii) promptly (but in no event later than the requested Issuance Date) of the
written notice required hereunder containing the original signature of an
authorized officer of the Borrower). Such notice shall specify (i) the stated
amount of the Facility Letter of Credit requested, which amount shall be in
compliance with the requirements of Section 2.22.2, (ii) the requested Issuance
Date, which shall be a Business Day, (iii) the date on which such requested
Facility Letter of Credit is to expire, which date shall be in compliance with
the requirements of Section 2.22.2(vi), (iv) the purpose for which such Facility
Letter of Credit is to be issued, which purpose shall be in compliance with
the
requirements of Section 2.22.1(b), and (v) the Person for whose benefit the
requested Facility Letter of Credit is to be issued. At the time such request
is
made, the Borrower shall also provide the Agent with a copy of the form of
the
Facility Letter of Credit it is requesting be issued. Such notice, to be
effective, must be received by the Issuer and the Agent not later than 3:00
p.m.
(Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the last Business Day on which notice can
be
given under this Section 2.22.4. Promptly after receipt of such notice, the
Issuer shall confirm with the Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Agent
has received a copy of such notice from the Borrower and, if not, the Issuer
shall promptly provide the Agent with a copy thereof.
(b) Promptly
following receipt of a request for issuance of a Facility Letter of Credit
in
accordance with Section 2.22.4(a), such Issuer shall approve or disapprove,
in
its reasonable discretion, the issuance of such requested Facility Letter of
Credit, but the issuance of such approved Facility Letter of Credit shall
continue to be subject to the provisions of this Section 2.22.
(c) Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.22 (including, without limitation,
Sections 2.22.2 and 2.22.3), the applicable Issuer shall, on the Issuance Date,
issue the requested Facility Letter of Credit in accordance with such Issuer’s
usual and customary business practices unless such Issuer has actually received
written or telephonic notice from the Borrower specifically revoking the request
to issue such Facility Letter of Credit. The Issuer shall promptly give the
Agent written notice, or telephonic notice confirmed promptly thereafter in
writing, of the issuance, amendment, extension or cancellation of a Facility
Letter of Credit, and the Agent shall promptly thereafter so notify all
Lenders.
(d) No
Issuer
shall extend or amend any Facility Letter of Credit unless the requirements
of
this Section 2.22.4 are met as though a new Facility Letter of Credit were
being
requested and issued.
(e) Any
Lender may, but shall not be obligated to, issue to the Borrower or any of
its
Subsidiaries Letters of Credit (that are not Facility Letters of Credit) for
its
own account, and at its own risk. None of the provisions of this Section 2.22
shall apply to any Letter of Credit that is not a Facility Letter of
Credit.
Section
2.22.5 Duties
of Issuer.
Any
action taken or omitted to be taken by an Issuer under or in connection with
any
Facility Letter of Credit, if taken or omitted in the absence of willful
misconduct or gross negligence, shall not put such Issuer under any resulting
liability to any Lender or, assuming that such Issuer has complied in all
material respects with the procedures specified in Section 2.22.4, relieve
any
Lender of its obligations hereunder to such Issuer. In determining whether
to
pay under any Facility Letter of Credit, such Issuer shall have no obligation
to
the Lenders other than to confirm that any documents required to be delivered
under such Facility Letter of Credit appear to have been delivered in compliance
and that they appear to comply on their face with the requirements of such
Facility Letter of Credit.
Section
2.22.6 Participation.
(a)
Immediately upon the Closing Date (in the case of the Existing Letters of
Credit), and immediately upon issuance after the Closing Date by an Issuer
of
any Facility Letter of Credit in accordance with Section 2.22.4, each Lender
shall be deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received
from such Issuer, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and
participation ratably (in the proportion of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share) in
such Facility Letter of Credit (including, without limitation, all obligations
of the Borrower with respect thereto other than amounts owing to such Issuer
under Section 2.15).
(b) In
the
event that an Issuer makes any payment under any Facility Letter of Credit
and
the Borrower shall not have repaid such amount to such Issuer on or before
the
date of such payment by such Issuer, such Issuer shall promptly so notify the
Agent, which shall promptly so notify each Lender. Upon receipt of such notice,
each Lender shall promptly and unconditionally pay to the Agent for the account
of such Issuer the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such payment in
same day funds, and the Agent shall promptly pay such amount, and any other
amounts received by the Agent for such Issuer’s account pursuant to this Section
2.22.6, to such Issuer. If the Agent so notifies such Lender prior to noon
(Charlotte, North Carolina time) on any Business Day, such Lender shall make
available to the Agent for the account of such Issuer such Lender’s ratable
share of the amount of such payment on such Business Day in same day funds.
If
and to the extent such Lender shall not have so made its ratable share of the
amount of such payment available to the Agent for the account of the Issuer,
such Lender agrees to pay to the Agent for the account of the Issuer forthwith
on demand such amount, together with interest thereon, for each day from the
date such payment was first due until the date such amount is paid to the Agent
for the account of the Issuer, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate. The failure
of any Lender to make available to the Agent for the account of an Issuer such
Lender’s ratable share of any such payment shall not relieve any other Lender of
its obligation hereunder to make available to the Agent for the account of
such
Issuer its ratable share of any payment on the date such payment is to be
made.
(c) The
payments made by the Lenders to an Issuer in reimbursement of amounts paid
by it
under a Facility Letter of Credit (as well as the Issuer’s ratable share, as
Lender, of any amount that is drawn under a Facility Letter of Credit and not
reimbursed by the Borrower) shall constitute, and the Borrower hereby expressly
acknowledges and agrees that such payments shall constitute, Loans hereunder
(notwithstanding that the amounts thereof may not comply with the provisions
of
Section 2.01.1(e)). Such Loans shall be ABR Loans, subject to the Borrower’s
rights under this Article II.
(d) Upon
the
request of the Agent or any Lender, each Issuer shall furnish to the requesting
Agent or Lender copies of any Facility Letter of Credit or Reimbursement
Agreement to which such Issuer is party.
(e) The
obligations of the Lenders to make payments to the Agent for the account of
an
Issuer with respect to a Facility Letter of Credit shall be irrevocable, not
subject to any qualification or exception whatsoever and shall be made in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement under all
circumstances, including, without limitation, the following:
(i) any
lack
of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents;
(ii) the
existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which the Borrower may
have at any time against a beneficiary named in a Facility Letter of Credit
or
any transferee of any Facility Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any
such
transferee may be acting), the Issuer, the Agent, any Lender, or any other
Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any Facility Letter of
Credit, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions
(including any underlying transactions between the Borrower or any Subsidiary
and the beneficiary named in any Facility Letter of Credit);
(iii) any
draft, certificate or any other document presented under the Facility 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;
(iv) the
surrender or impairment of any security for the performance or observance of
any
of the terms of any of the Loan Documents;
(v) any
failure by the Agent or an Issuer to make any reports required pursuant to
Section 2.22.8; or
(vi) the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default.
(f) For
purposes of determining the unused portion of the Aggregate Commitment and
the
unused portion of a Lender’s Commitment under Sections 2.02.1 and 2.09(b), the
Aggregate Commitment shall be deemed used to the extent of the aggregate undrawn
face amount of the outstanding Facility Letters of Credit and the Lender’s
Commitment shall be deemed used to the extent of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of
the aggregate undrawn face amount of the outstanding Facility Letters of
Credit.
Section
2.22.7 Compensation
for Facility Letters of Credit.
(a) The
Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent, in the case of each Facility Letter of
Credit, the Facility Letter of Credit Fee therefor, payable quarterly in arrears
not later than five (5) Business Days following Agent’s delivery to Borrower of
the quarterly statement specifying the amount of the Facility Letter of Credit
Fees properly due and payable hereunder with respect to the preceding calendar
quarter (which payment shall be a pro rata portion of the annual Facility Letter
of Credit Fee for such preceding calendar quarter) and on the Termination Date
(which payment shall be in the amount of all accrued and unpaid Facility Letter
of Credit Fees). Facility Letter of Credit Fees shall be calculated, on a pro
rata basis for the period to which such payment applies, for actual days on
which such Facility Letter of Credit was outstanding during such period, on
the
basis of a 360-day year. The Agent shall, with reasonable promptness following
receipt from all Issuers of the reports provided for in Section 2.22.8 for
the
months of March, June, September and December, respectively, deliver to the
Borrower a quarterly statement of the Facility Letter of Credit Fees then due
and payable. The Agent shall promptly remit such Facility Letter of Credit
Fees,
when received by the Agent, as follows: (i) to each Issuer, solely for its
own
account, with respect to each Facility Letter of Credit issued by such Issuer,
an amount per annum equal to the product of (A) 0.125% per annum and (B) the
undrawn outstanding amount of such Facility Letter of Credit and (ii) to all
Lenders, ratably, the balance of such Facility Letter of Credit Fees. Facility
Letters of Credit Fees shall be payable hereunder with respect to the Existing
Letters of Credit from and after the Closing Date.
(b) An
Issuer
shall also have the right to receive, solely for its own account, its
out-of-pocket costs of issuing and servicing Facility Letters of Credit, as
the
Borrower may agree in writing.
Section
2.22.8 Issuer
Reporting Requirements.
Each
Issuer shall, no later than the third (3rd)
Business Day following the last day of each month, provide to the Agent a
schedule of the Facility Letters of Credit issued by it showing the Issuance
Date, account party, original face amount, amount (if any) paid thereunder,
expiration date and the reference number of each Facility Letter of Credit
outstanding at any time during such month (and indicating, with respect to
each
Facility Letter of Credit, whether it is a Financial Letter of Credit or
Performance Letter of Credit) and the aggregate amount (if any) payable by
the
Borrower to such Issuer during the month pursuant to Section 2.15. Copies of
such reports shall be provided promptly to each Lender by the Agent. The
reporting requirements hereunder are in addition to those set forth in Section
2.22.4.
Section
2.22.9 Indemnification;
Nature of Issuer’s Duties.
(a) In
addition to amounts payable as elsewhere provided in this Section 2.22, the
Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save the Agent, each
Issuer and each Lender harmless from and against any and all claims, demands,
liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys’ fees) arising from the claims of third parties against the Agent, any
Issuer or any Lender as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (i) the issuance
of any Facility Letter of Credit other than, in the case of an Issuer, as a
result of its willful misconduct or gross negligence, or (ii) the failure of
an
Issuer to honor a drawing under a Facility Letter of Credit as a result of
any
act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any government, court or
other
governmental agency or authority.
(b) As
among
the Borrower, the Lenders, the Agent and each Issuer, the Borrower assumes
all
risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of Facility Letters of Credit
by,
the respective beneficiaries of such Facility Letters of Credit. In furtherance
and not in limitation of the foregoing, neither an Issuer nor the Agent nor
any
Lender shall be responsible: (i) for the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy,
genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection
with the application for and issuance of the Facility Letters of Credit, even
if
it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient,
inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) for the validity or sufficiency of any
instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a
Facility 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; (iii) for failure of the beneficiary of a Facility Letter of Credit
to comply fully with conditions required in order to draw upon such Facility
Letter of Credit; (iv) for errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in
transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex,
facsimile transmission or otherwise; (v) for errors in interpretation of
technical terms; (vi) for any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise
of
any document required in order to make a drawing under any Facility Letter
of
Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) for the misapplication by the
beneficiary of a Facility Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under
such Facility Letter of Credit; or (viii) for any consequences arising from
causes beyond the control of the Agent, such Issuer and the Lenders including,
without limitation, any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any
government, court or other governmental agency or authority. None of the above
shall affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of any of such Issuer’s rights or
powers under this Section 2.22.9.
(c) In
furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific provisions
hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted by an Issuer under or in
connection with the Facility Letters of Credit or any related certificates,
if
taken or omitted in good faith, shall not put such Issuer, the Agent or any
Lender under any resulting liability to the Borrower or relieve the Borrower
of
any of its obligations hereunder to any such Person, but the foregoing shall
not
relieve such Issuer of its obligation to confirm that any documents required
to
be delivered under a Facility Letter of Credit appear to have been delivered
in
compliance and that they appear to comply on their face with the requirements
of
such Facility Letter of Credit.
(d) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.22.9, the Borrower shall
have no obligation to indemnify an Issuer under this Section 2.22.9 in respect
of any liability incurred by an Issuer arising primarily out of the willful
misconduct or gross negligence of such Issuer, as determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction, or out of the wrongful dishonor by such Issuer of a
proper demand for payment made under the Facility Letters of Credit issued
by
such Issuer, unless such dishonor was made at the request of the
Borrower.
Section
2.22.10 Designation
or Resignation of Issuer.
(a)
Upon request by the Borrower and approval by the Agent, a Lender may at any
time
agree to be designated as an Issuer hereunder, which designation shall be set
forth in a written instrument or instruments delivered by the Borrower, the
Agent and such Lender. The Agent shall promptly deliver to the other Lenders
a
copy of such instrument or instruments. From and after such designation and
unless and until such Lender resigns as an Issuer in accordance with Section
2.22.10(b), such Lender shall have all of the rights and obligations of an
Issuer hereunder.
(b) An
Issuer
shall continue to be the Issuer unless and until (i) it shall have given the
Borrower and the Agent notice that it has elected to resign as Issuer and (ii)
unless there is, at the time of such notice, at least one other Issuer, another
Lender shall have agreed to be the replacement Issuer and shall have been
approved in writing by the Agent and the Borrower. A resigning Issuer shall
continue to have the rights and obligations of the Issuer hereunder solely
with
respect to Facility Letters of Credit theretofore issued by it notwithstanding
the designation of a replacement Issuer hereunder, but upon its notice of
resignation (or, if at the time of such notice, there is not at least one other
Issuer, then upon such designation of a replacement Issuer), the resigning
Issuer shall not thereafter issue any Facility Letters of Credit (unless it
shall again thereafter be designated as an Issuer in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 2.22.10). The assignment of, or grant of a
participation interest in, all or any part of its Commitment or Loans by a
Lender that is also the Issuer shall not constitute an assignment or transfer
of
any of its rights or obligations as an Issuer.
Section
2.22.11 Termination
of Issuer’s Obligation.
In the
event that the Lenders’ obligations to make Loans terminate or are terminated as
provided in Section 8.01, each Issuer’s obligation to issue Facility Letters of
Credit shall also terminate.
Section
2.22.12 Obligations
of Issuer and Other Lenders.
Except
to the extent that a Lender shall have agreed to be designated as an Issuer,
no
Lender shall have any obligation to accept or approve any request for, or to
issue, amend or extend, any Letter of Credit, and the obligations of an Issuer
to issue, amend or extend any Facility Letter of Credit are expressly limited
by
and subject to the provisions of this Section 2.22.
Section
2.22.13 Facility
Letter of Credit Collateral Account.
The
Borrower agrees that it will, upon the request of the Agent or the Required
Lenders and until the final expiration date of any Facility Letter of Credit
and
thereafter as long as any amount is payable to the Issuer or the Lenders in
respect of any Facility Letter of Credit, maintain a special collateral account
pursuant to arrangements satisfactory to the Agent (the “Facility Letter of
Credit Collateral Account”) at the Agent’s office at the address specified
pursuant to Section 10.02, in the name of the Borrower but under the sole
dominion and control of the Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders and in which
such Borrower shall have no interest other than as set forth in Section 8.01.
The Borrower hereby pledges, assigns and grants to the Agent, on behalf of
and
for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and the Issuer, a security interest
in
all of the Borrower’s right, title and interest in and to all funds which may
from time to time be on deposit in the Facility Letter of Credit Collateral
Account to secure the prompt and complete payment and performance of (a) the
obligations of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuer and (if applicable) the
Lenders for amounts (if any) from time to time drawn on Facility Letters of
Credit and interest thereon and other sums from time to time payable under
Reimbursement Agreements, and (b) if and when all such obligations of the
Borrower have been paid in full and no Facility Letters of Credit remain
outstanding, all other Obligations. The Agent will invest any funds on deposit
from time to time in the Facility Letter of Credit Collateral Account in
certificates of deposit of Wachovia Bank having a maturity not exceeding 30
days. Nothing in this Section 2.22.13 shall either obligate the Agent to require
the Borrower to deposit any funds in the Facility Letter of Credit Collateral
Account or limit the right of the Agent to release any funds held in the
Facility Letter of Credit Collateral Account in each case other than as required
by Section 8.01.
Section
2.22.14 Issuer’s
Rights.
All of
the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Borrower to
the
Lenders under this Agreement and of the Borrower under any other Loan Document
shall inure to the benefit of each Issuer (unless the context otherwise
indicates).
ARTICLE
III
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
Section
3.01 Conditions
Precedent to Initial Loans.
The
Lenders shall not be required to make the initial Loans hereunder or to issue
or
participate in any Facility Letters of Credit hereunder unless and until (a)
the
Borrower has paid to the Agent the applicable fees referred to in Sections
2.09(a) and (c), (b) all principal, interest, fees and other amounts payable
under the Original Credit Agreement have been paid in full (which payment may
be
made in whole or in part from the proceeds of the initial Loans hereunder),
except for the Existing Letters of Credit, and (c) the Agent shall have received
each of the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agent:
(1) Notes.
A Note
payable to each Lender duly executed by the Borrower;
(2) Guaranty.
The
Guaranty duly executed by the Guarantors;
(3) Evidence
of all corporate action by the Borrower.
Certified copies of all corporate action taken by the Borrower, including
resolutions of its Board of Directors, authorizing the execution, delivery
and
performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and each other document
to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement;
(4) Incumbency
and signature certificate of Borrower.
A
certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Borrower certifying
the names and true signatures of the officers of the Borrower authorized to
sign
the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the other documents to be
delivered by the Borrower under this Agreement;
(5) Certificate
of Incorporation of Borrower.
Copies
of the certificate of incorporation of the Borrower, together with all
amendments, and a certificate of good standing, all certified by the appropriate
governmental officer in its jurisdiction of incorporation;
(6) Opinions
of counsel for Borrower.
A
favorable opinion of Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, counsel for the
Borrower and for the Guarantors, in substantially the form of Exhibit
E;
(7) Evidence
of all corporate, partnership or limited liability company action by
Guarantors.
With
respect to each corporate Guarantor, certified (as of the date of this
Agreement) copies of all corporate action taken by such Guarantor, including
resolutions of its Board of Directors, authorizing the execution, delivery,
and
performance of the applicable Guaranty, and with respect to each limited
partnership Guarantor and limited liability company Guarantor, partnership
action or limited liability company action (as applicable) taken by such
Guarantor, including any and all necessary partnership consents or limited
liability company consents (as applicable) authorizing the execution, delivery,
and performance of the applicable Guaranty;
(8) Articles
or Certificate of Incorporation of Guarantors.
Copies
of the articles or certificate of incorporation of each corporate Guarantor,
together with all amendments, all certified by the appropriate governmental
officer in its jurisdiction of incorporation;
(9) Incumbency
and signature certificate of Guarantors.
A
certificate (dated as of the date of this Agreement) of the Secretary or
Assistant Secretary of each corporate Guarantor or the general partner of each
partnership Guarantor or managing member of each limited liability company
certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of each such corporate
Guarantor and the representative or officer of each partnership Guarantor or
limited liability company Guarantor authorized to sign the
Guaranty;
(10) Opinion
of counsel for Certain Guarantors.
With
respect to such Guarantors (other than those formed or organized to do business
under the laws of Delaware or Georgia) as the Agent may require, a favorable
opinion of counsel to each such Guarantor in the state in which it is formed
or
organized to do business (as approved by the Agent), in form similar to that
furnished with respect to the Guarantors formed or organized to do business
under the laws of Delaware or Georgia and reasonably satisfactory to the
Agent;
(11) Partnership
agreement.
A true
and complete copy of the limited partnership agreement of each limited
partnership Guarantor, including without limitation any and all amendments
and
modifications thereto, and any and all filed partnership
certificates;
(12) Limited
Liability Company Documents.
A true
and complete copy of the limited liability company agreement or operating
agreement of each limited liability company Guarantor, including without
limitation any and all amendments and modifications thereto, and a certified
copy of such Guarantor’s certificate of formation;
(13) Good
Standing Certificates.
For
each Guarantor a certificate of good standing from the appropriate governmental
officer in its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation; and
(14) Other
Documents.
Such
other and further documents as any Lender or its counsel may have reasonably
requested.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Agent, at
its
election, may waive, with respect to the Guarantors, the requirement for
delivery of the documents identified in items (8), (11) and (12)
above.
Section
3.02 Conditions
Precedent to All Loans.
The
obligation of each Lender to make each Loan (including, in the case of the
Swing
Line Lender, any Swing Line Loan) shall be subject to the further conditions
precedent that (except as hereinafter provided) on the date of such
Loan:
|
(1)
|
The
following statements shall be true and the Agent shall have received
a
certificate, substantially in the form of the certificate attached
hereto
as Exhibit
D,
signed by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower dated the date
of such
Loan, stating that:
|
|
(a)
|
The
representations and warranties contained in Article IV of this Agreement
are correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such
Loan as
though made on and as of such date except to the extent that any
such
representation or warranty is stated to relate solely to an earlier
date,
in which case such representation or warranty is correct in all material
respects as of such earlier date;
|
|
(b)
|
No
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or would
result from such Loan; and
|
|
(c)
|
If
applicable under Section 7.03, upon the making of the requested Loans,
the
aggregate outstanding amount of Borrowing Base Debt shall not exceed
the
Borrowing Base as of the most recent Inventory Valuation Date;
and
|
|
(2)
|
The
Agent shall have received such other approvals, opinions, or documents
as
any Lender through the Agent may reasonably
request.
|
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the case of a Loan (provided for in Section 2.20(d)) made
to
repay a Swing Line Loan, the satisfaction of the foregoing conditions with
respect to such Swing Line Loan shall constitute satisfaction of such conditions
with respect to the Loan made on the next succeeding Business Day to repay
such
Swing Line Loan.
ARTICLE
IV
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
The
Borrower represents and warrants that:
Section
4.01 Incorporation,
Formation, Good Standing, and Due Qualification.
The
Borrower, each Subsidiary, and each of the Guarantors is (in the case of a
corporation) a corporation duly incorporated or (in the case of a limited
partnership) a limited partnership duly formed or (in the case of a limited
liability company) a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing,
and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation
or
formation; has the power and authority to own its assets and to transact the
business in which it is now engaged or proposed to be engaged in; and is duly
qualified and in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in
which such qualification is required.
Section
4.02 Power
and Authority.
The
execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and the Guarantors of the
Loan Documents to which each is a party have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate, partnership or limited liability company action, as the
case may be, and do not and will not (1) require any consent or approval of
the
stockholders of such corporation, partners of such partnership or members of
such limited liability company (except such consents as have been obtained
as of
the date hereof); (2) contravene such corporation’s charter or bylaws, such
partnership’s partnership agreement or such limited liability company’s articles
or certificate of formation or operating agreement; (3) violate, in any material
respect, any provision of any law, rule, regulation (including, without
limitation, Regulations U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System), order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination, or award
presently in effect having applicability to such corporation, partnership or
limited liability company; (4) result in a breach of or constitute a default
under any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other material agreement,
lease, or instrument to which such corporation, partnership or limited liability
company is a party or by which it or its properties may be bound or affected;
(5) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien, upon or
with
respect to any of the properties now owned or hereafter acquired by such
corporation, partnership or limited liability company; and (6) cause such
corporation, partnership or limited liability company to be in default, in
any
material respect, under any such law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree, determination, or award or any such indenture, agreement,
lease or instrument.
Section
4.03 Legally
Enforceable Agreement.
This
Agreement is, and each of the other Loan Documents when delivered under this
Agreement will be legal, valid, and binding obligations of the Borrower or
each
Guarantor, as the case may be, enforceable against the Borrower or each
Guarantor, as the case may be, in accordance with their respective terms, except
to the extent that such enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally.
Section
4.04 Financial
Statements.
The
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at March
31,
2007, and the consolidated statements of operations, cash flow and changes
to
stockholders’ equity of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period of two
fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2007, are complete and correct and fairly
present as at such date the financial condition of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries and the results of their operations for the periods covered by
such
statements, all in
accordance
with GAAP consistently applied (subject to year-end adjustments), and since
March 31, 2007, there has been no material adverse change in the condition
(financial or otherwise), business, or operations of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries. There are no liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, fixed
or contingent, which are material but are not reflected in the financial
statements or in the notes thereto, other than liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of business since March 31, 2007. No information, exhibit,
or
report furnished by the Borrower to any Lender in connection with the
negotiation of this Agreement, taken together, contained any material
misstatement of fact or omitted to state a material fact or any fact necessary
to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading.
Section
4.05 Labor
Disputes and Acts of God.
Neither
the business nor the properties of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any
Guarantor are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout, or
other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God
or of
the public enemy, or other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance),
materially and adversely affecting such business or properties or the operation
of the Borrower or such Subsidiary or such Guarantor.
Section
4.06 Other
Agreements.
Neither
the Borrower nor any Significant Subsidiary nor any Significant Guarantor is
a
party to any indenture, loan, or credit agreement, or to any lease or other
agreement or instrument or subject to any charter, corporate or other
restriction which could have a material adverse effect on the business,
properties, assets, operations, or conditions, financial or otherwise, of the
Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary or any Significant Guarantor, or the
ability of the Borrower or any Significant Guarantor to carry out its
obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party. Neither the
Borrower nor any Significant Subsidiary nor any Significant Guarantor is in
default in any material respect in the performance, observance, or fulfillment
of any of the obligations, covenants, or conditions contained in any agreement
or instrument material to its business to which it is a party.
Section
4.07 Litigation.
Except
as disclosed in Schedules
4.07
or
4.14
hereto
or reflected in or reserved for in the financial statements referred to in
Section 4.04, there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any
Guarantor, threatened action or proceeding against or affecting the Borrower
or
any Significant Subsidiary or any Significant Guarantor before any court,
governmental agency, or arbitrator, which may, in any one case or in the
aggregate, materially adversely affect the financial condition, operations,
properties, or business of the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary or any
Significant Guarantor or the ability of the Borrower or any Significant
Guarantor to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is
a
party.
Section
4.08 No
Defaults on Outstanding Judgments or Orders.
Except
for judgments with respect to which the liability of the Borrower, each
Significant Subsidiary and each Significant Guarantor does not exceed
$10,000,000 in the aggregate for all such judgments, (a) the Borrower, each
Significant Subsidiary and each Significant Guarantor have satisfied all
judgments, and (b) neither the Borrower nor any Significant Subsidiary nor
any
Significant Guarantor is in default with respect to any judgment, writ,
injunction, decree, ruling or order of any court, arbitrator, or federal, state,
municipal, or other governmental authority, commission, board, bureau, agency,
or instrumentality, domestic or foreign.
Section
4.09 Ownership
and Liens.
The
Borrower and each Subsidiary and each Guarantor have title to, or valid
leasehold interests in, all of their respective properties and assets, real
and
personal, including the properties and assets and leasehold interests reflected
in the financial statements referred to in Section 4.04 (other than any
properties or assets disposed of in the ordinary course of business), and none
of the properties and assets owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any
Guarantor and none of their leasehold interests is subject to any Lien, except
such as may be permitted pursuant to Section 6.01.
Section
4.10 Subsidiaries
and Ownership of Stock.
Set
forth in Schedule
4.10
hereto
is a complete and accurate list of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower, showing
the
jurisdiction of incorporation or formation of each and showing the percentage
of
the Borrower’s ownership of the outstanding stock or partnership interest or
membership interest of each Subsidiary. All of the outstanding capital stock
of
each such corporate Subsidiary has been validly issued, is fully paid and
nonassessable, and is owned by the Borrower free and clear of all Liens. The
limited partnership agreement of each such limited partnership Subsidiary is
in
full force and effect and has not been amended or modified, except for such
amendments or modifications as are delivered to the Agent under Section
3.01(11). Each of the Guarantors is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the
Borrower.
Section
4.11 ERISA.
The
Borrower and each Subsidiary and each Guarantor are in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA. Neither a Reportable
Event nor a Prohibited Transaction has occurred and is continuing with respect
to any Plan; no notice of intent to terminate a Plan has been filed, nor has
any
Plan been terminated; no circumstances exist which constitute grounds entitling
the PBGC to institute proceedings to terminate, or appoint a trustee to
administer, a Plan, nor has the PBGC instituted any such proceedings; neither
the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has completely or partially
withdrawn from a Multiemployer Plan under circumstances that could subject
the
Borrower or any Subsidiary to material withdrawal liability; the Borrower and
each Commonly Controlled Entity have met their minimum funding requirements
under ERISA with respect to all of their Plans and the present value of all
vested benefits under each Plan does not materially exceed the fair market
value
of all Plan assets allocable to such benefits, as determined on the most recent
valuation date of the Plan and in accordance with the provisions of ERISA;
and
neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has incurred any
material liability to the PBGC under ERISA.
Section
4.12 Operation
of Business.
The
Borrower, each Subsidiary and each Guarantor possess all licenses, permits,
franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade names, or rights thereto,
to conduct their respective businesses substantially as now conducted and as
presently proposed to be conducted and the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
and each Guarantor are not in violation of any valid rights of others with
respect to any of the foregoing where the failure to possess such licenses,
permits, franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names or rights
thereto or the violation of the valid rights of others with respect thereto
may,
in any one case or in the aggregate, adversely affect in any material respect
the financial condition, operations, properties, or business of the Borrower
or
any Significant Subsidiary or any Significant Guarantor or the ability of the
Borrower or any Significant Guarantor to perform its obligation under the Loan
Documents to which it is a party.
Section
4.13 Taxes.
All
federal and state income tax liabilities or income tax obligations, and all
other material income tax liabilities or material income tax obligations, of
the
Borrower, each Subsidiary and each Guarantor have been paid or have been accrued
by or reserved for by the Borrower. The Borrower constitutes the parent of
an
affiliated group of corporations for purposes of filing a consolidated United
States federal income tax return.
Section
4.14 Laws;
Environment.
Except
as disclosed in Schedule
4.14
hereto,
(a) the Borrower, each Subsidiary and each Guarantor have duly complied, and
their businesses, operations, assets, equipment, property, leaseholds, or other
facilities are in compliance, in all material respects, with the provisions
of
all federal, state, and local statutes, laws, codes, and ordinances and all
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including without limitation
those
relating to the environment, health and safety), except where the failure to
so
comply could not reasonably be expected to, in any one case or in the aggregate,
adversely affect in any material respect the financial condition, operations,
properties or business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the ability of
the
Borrower or any Guarantor to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents
to
which it is a party; (b) the Borrower, each Subsidiary and each Guarantor have
been issued and will maintain all required federal, state, and local permits,
licenses, certificates, and approvals relating to (1) air emissions; (2)
discharges to surface water or groundwater; (3) noise emissions; (4) solid
or
liquid waste disposal; (5) the use, generation, storage, transportation, or
disposal of toxic or hazardous substances or hazardous wastes (intended hereby
and hereafter to include any and all such materials listed in any federal,
state, or local law, code, or ordinance and all rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder as hazardous); or (6) other environmental, health or
safety matters, to the extent for any of the foregoing that failure to maintain
the same may, in any one case or in the aggregate, adversely affect in any
material respect the financial condition, operations, properties, or business
of
the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary or any Significant Guarantor or
the
ability of the Borrower or any Significant Guarantor to perform its obligations
under the Loan Documents to which it is a party; (c) neither the Borrower nor
any Subsidiary nor any Guarantor has received notice of, or has actual knowledge
of any violations of any federal, state, or local environmental, health, or
safety laws, codes or ordinances or any rules or regulations promulgated
thereunder with respect to its businesses, operations, assets, equipment,
property, leaseholds, or other facilities, which violation may, in any one
case
or in the aggregate, adversely affect in any material respect the financial
condition, operations, properties, or business of the Borrower or any
Significant Subsidiary or any Significant Guarantor or the ability of the
Borrower or any Significant Guarantor to perform its obligations under the
Loan
Documents to which it is a party; (d) except in accordance with a valid
governmental permit, license, certificate or approval, there has been no
material emission, spill, release, or discharge into or upon (1) the air; (2)
soils, or any
improvements
located thereon; (3) surface water or groundwater; or (4) the sewer, septic
system or waste treatment, storage or disposal system servicing the premises,
of
any toxic or hazardous substances or hazardous wastes at or from the premises,
in each case related to the premises of the Borrower, each Subsidiary and each
Guarantor; and accordingly the premises of the Borrower, each Subsidiary and
each Guarantor have not been adversely affected, in any material respect, by
any
toxic or hazardous substances or wastes; (e) there has been no complaint, order,
directive, claim, citation, or notice by any governmental authority or any
person or entity with respect to violations of law or damages by reason of
Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s (1) air emissions; (2) spills, releases, or
discharges to soils or improvements located thereon, surface water, groundwater
or the sewer, septic system or waste treatment, storage or disposal systems
servicing the premises; (3) noise emissions; (4) solid or liquid waste disposal;
(5) use, generation, storage, transportation, or disposal of toxic or hazardous
substances or hazardous waste; or (6) other environmental, health or safety
matters affecting the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Guarantor or its business,
operations, assets, equipment, property, leaseholds, or other facilities; and
(f) neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary nor any Guarantor has any material
indebtedness, obligation, or liability, absolute or contingent, matured or
not
matured, with respect to the storage, treatment, cleanup, or disposal of any
solid wastes, hazardous wastes, or other toxic or hazardous substances
(including without limitation any such indebtedness, obligation, or liability
with respect to any current regulation, law, or statute regarding such storage,
treatment, cleanup, or disposal).
Section
4.15 Investment
Company Act.
Neither
the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof is an “investment company” or a company
“controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section
4.16 OFAC.
Neither
Borrower nor any Guarantor is (or will be) a person with whom any Lender is
restricted from doing business under regulations of the Office of Foreign Asset
Control (“OFAC”) of the Department of the Treasury of the United States of
America (including, those Persons named on OFAC’s Specially Designated and
Blocked Persons list) or under any statute, executive order (including, the
September 24, 2001 Executive Order Blocking Property and Prohibiting
Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism),
or other governmental action and is not and shall not engage in any dealings
or
transactions or otherwise be associated with such persons. In addition, Borrower
hereby agrees to provide to any Lender with any additional information that
such
Lender deems necessary from time to time in order to ensure compliance with
all
applicable Laws concerning money laundering and similar activities.
Section
4.17 Accuracy
of Information.
The
representations and warranties by the Borrower or any Guarantor contained herein
or in any other Loan Document or made hereunder or in any other Loan Document
and the certificates, schedules, exhibits, reports or other documents provided
or to be provided by the Borrower or any Guarantor in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including, without limitation,
the
negotiation of and compliance with the Loan Documents), when taken together
as a
whole, do not contain and will not contain a misstatement of a material fact
or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein in order to make
the
statements contained therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
made, not misleading at the time such statements were made or are deemed
made.
ARTICLE
V
AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
So
long
as any Note shall remain unpaid or any Facility Letter of Credit Obligations
shall remain outstanding or any Lender shall have any Commitment under this
Agreement, the Borrower will (unless otherwise agreed to by the Required Lenders
in writing):
Section
5.01 Maintenance
of Existence.
Preserve and maintain, and cause each Subsidiary to preserve and maintain
(except for a Subsidiary that ceases to maintain its existence solely as a
result of an Internal Reorganization), its corporate, limited partnership or
limited liability company existence and good standing in the jurisdiction of
its
incorporation or formation and qualify and remain qualified to transact business
in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required except where the
failure to so qualify to transact business could not reasonably be expected
to
affect in any material respect the financial condition, operations, properties
or business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
Section
5.02 Maintenance
of Records.
Keep
and cause each Subsidiary to keep, adequate records and books of account, in
which complete entries will be made in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied, reflecting all financial transactions of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries.
Section
5.03 Maintenance
of Properties.
Maintain, keep, and preserve, and cause each Subsidiary to maintain, keep,
and
preserve, all of its properties (tangible and intangible) necessary or useful
in
the proper conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary
wear and tear excepted.
Section
5.04 Conduct
of Business.
Continue, and cause each Subsidiary to continue (except in the case of a
Subsidiary that ceases to engage in business solely as a result of an Internal
Reorganization), to engage in a business of the same general type and in the
same manner as conducted by it on the date of this Agreement.
Section
5.05 Maintenance
of Insurance.
Maintain, and cause each Subsidiary to maintain, insurance with financially
sound reputable insurance companies or associations (or, in the case of
insurance for construction warranties and builder default protection for buyers
of Housing Units from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or UHIC) in such
amounts and covering such risks as are usually carried by companies engaged
in
the same or a similar business and similarly situated, which insurance may
provide for reasonable deductibility from coverage thereof.
Section
5.06 Compliance
with Laws.
Comply,
and cause each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all
applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders, the noncompliance with which
could not reasonably be expected to, in any one case or in the aggregate,
adversely affect in any material respect the financial condition, operations,
properties or business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the ability of
the
Borrower or any Guarantor to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents
to
which it is a party, and such compliance to include, without limitation, paying
before the same become delinquent all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges imposed upon it or upon its property, other than any such taxes,
assessments and charges being contested by the Borrower in good faith which
will
not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Borrower;
and with respect to the matters disclosed in Schedule
4.14,
implement prudent measures to achieve compliance with all relevant laws and
regulations within a reasonable time and in accordance with requirements
negotiated with applicable regulatory agencies.
Section
5.07 Right
of Inspection.
At any
reasonable time and from time to time, permit any Lender or any agent or
representative thereof to examine and make copies of and abstracts from the
records and books of account of, and visit the properties of, the Borrower
and
any Subsidiary, and to discuss the affairs, finances, and accounts of the
Borrower and any Subsidiary with any of their respective officers and directors
and the Borrower’s independent accountants.
Section
5.08 Reporting
Requirements.
Furnish
to the Agent for delivery to each of the Lenders:
(1) Quarterly
financial statements.
As soon
as available and in any event within fifty (50) days after the end of each
of
the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, an unaudited
condensed consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as
of
the end of such quarter, unaudited condensed consolidated statements of
operations and cash flow of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period
commencing at the end of the previous fiscal year and ending with the end of
such quarter, and unaudited condensed consolidated statements of changes in
stockholders’ equity of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the portion of the
fiscal year ended with the last day of such quarter, all in reasonable detail
and stating in comparative form the respective figures for the corresponding
date and period in the previous fiscal year and all prepared in accordance
with
GAAP consistently applied and certified by the chief financial officer of the
Borrower (subject to year-end adjustments); the timely filing by the Borrower
of
the Borrower’s quarterly 10-Q report with the Securities and Exchange Commission
shall satisfy the foregoing requirements.
(2) Annual
financial statements.
As soon
as available and in any event within ninety-five (95) days after the end of
each
fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year, consolidated statements
of
operations and cash flow of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal
year, and consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, all in reasonable detail
and
stating in comparative form the respective figures for the corresponding date
and period in the prior fiscal year and all prepared in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied and accompanied by an opinion thereon acceptable to the
Agent by Deloitte & Touche or other independent accountants selected by the
Borrower and acceptable to the Agent; the timely filing by the Borrower of
the
Borrower’s annual 10-K report with the Securities and Exchange Commission shall
satisfy the foregoing requirements.
(3) Financial
projections.
On
August 15, 2007 and each anniversary thereof, two-year financial projections
(including a consolidated income statement, balance sheet and statement of
cash
flows for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) broken down by quarters, and as
soon as available (but not later than June 15 of each year), a mid-year update
of the financial projections for the current year.
(4) Variance
analysis.
(a)
Within fifty (50) days of the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters
of
each fiscal year of the Borrower, a quarterly variance analysis comparing actual
quarterly results versus the most recently projected quarterly results for
the
fiscal quarter most recently ended (including consolidated income statements
of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, an analysis of revenues, closings and
operating profits of the Borrower and each Subsidiary on a state by state basis,
and such other items as are requested by any of the Lenders), together with
a
written explanation of material variances.
(b) Within
ninety-five (95) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a
quarterly variance analysis comparing actual quarterly results versus the most
recently projected quarterly results for the fiscal year most recently ended
(including consolidated income statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
accompanied by an opinion thereon acceptable to the Agent by Deloitte &
Touche or other independent accountants selected by the Borrower and acceptable
to the Agent, an analysis of revenues, closings and operating profits of the
Borrower and each Subsidiary on a state by state basis, and such other items
as
are requested by any of the Lenders), together with a written explanation of
material variances.
(5) Management
letters.
Promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of any reports submitted to the Borrower
or any Subsidiary by independent certified public accountants in connection
with
examination of the financial statements of the Borrower or any Subsidiary made
by such accountants.
(6) Borrowing
Base Certificate.
Within
thirty-five (35) days after the end of each calendar month (without regard
to
whether the provisions of Sections 2.01.3 and 7.03 are then applicable), a
Borrowing Base Certificate, with respect to the Inventory Valuation Date
occurring on the last day of such calendar month.
(7) Compliance
certificate.
Within
fifty (50) days after the end of each of the first three quarters, and within
ninety-five (95) days after the end of each fourth quarter, of each fiscal
year
of the Borrower, a certificate of the President or chief financial officer
of
the Borrower certifying (a) the Borrower’s compliance with all financial
covenants including, without limitation, those set forth in Section 6.10 and
Article VII hereof, which certificate shall set forth in reasonable detail
the
computation thereof and (b) certifying that to the best of his knowledge no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, or if a Default
or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature
thereof and the action which is proposed to be taken with respect
thereto.
(8) Land
Bank Inventory.
Within
fifty (50) days after the end of each of the first three quarters, and within
ninety-five (95) days after the end of each fourth quarter, of each fiscal
year
of the Borrower, a certificate of the President or Chief Operating Officer
of
the Borrower certifying the Land as at such date, which lists by state of
location all Land, delineating Finished Lots, Lots under Development, Entitled
Land and estimated undeveloped Lots.
(9) Accountant’s
report.
Simultaneously with the delivery of the annual financial statements referred
to
in Section 5.08(2), a certificate of the independent public accountants who
audited such statements to the effect that, in making the examination necessary
for the audit of such statements, they have obtained no knowledge of any
condition or event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, or if such
accountants shall have obtained knowledge of any such condition or event,
specifying in such certificate each such condition or event of which they have
knowledge and the nature and status thereof.
(10) Notice
of litigation.
Promptly after the commencement thereof, notice of all actions, suits, and
proceedings before any court or governmental department, commission, board,
bureau, agency, or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, affecting the Borrower
or any Subsidiary which, if determined adversely to the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, would reasonably be expected to result in a judgment against the
Borrower or such Subsidiary in excess of $10,000,000 (to the extent not covered
by insurance) or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on the financial condition, properties, or operations of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary.
(11) Notice
of Defaults and Events of Default.
As soon
as possible and in any event within ten (10) days after the occurrence of each
Default or Event of Default, a written notice setting forth the details of
such
Default or Event of Default and the action which is proposed to be taken by
the
Borrower with respect thereto.
(12) ERISA
reports.
As soon
as possible, and in any event within thirty (30) days after the Borrower knows
or has reason to know that any circumstances exist that constitute grounds
entitling the PBGC to institute proceedings to terminate a Plan subject to
ERISA
with respect to the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity, and promptly
but
in any event within two (2) Business Days of receipt by the Borrower or any
Commonly Controlled Entity of notice that the PBGC intends to terminate a Plan
or appoint a trustee to administer the same, and promptly but in any event
within five (5) Business Days of the receipt of notice concerning the imposition
of withdrawal liability in excess of $50,000 with respect to the Borrower or
any
Commonly Controlled Entity, the Borrower will deliver to each Lender a
certificate of the chief financial officer of the Borrower setting forth all
relevant details and the action which the Borrower proposes to take with respect
thereto.
(13) Reports
to other creditors.
Promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement, report,
document, notice, certificate, and correspondence furnished to any other party
pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan, credit, or similar agreement
and
not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other
clause of this Section 5.08.
(14) Proxy
statements, etc.
Promptly
after the sending or filing thereof, copies of all proxy statements, financial
statements, and reports which the Borrower or any Subsidiary sends to its
stockholders, and copies of all regular, periodic, and special reports, and
all
registration statements which the Borrower or any Subsidiary files with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental authority which may
be
substituted therefor, or with any national securities exchange.
(15) Borrowing
Base Certificate Prior to Acquisition.
Not
less than ten (10) days prior to the consummation of any Permitted Acquisition
(without regard to whether the provisions of Sections 2.01.3 and 7.03 are then
applicable), a Borrowing Base Certificate that includes all assets that would
have been included in the Borrowing Base had the Permitted Acquisition been
consummated as of the last day of the most recent calendar month, provided,
however, that such Borrowing Base Certificate shall expressly state that it
is
delivered in anticipation of, and shall only be effective hereunder (if then
applicable) for purposes of Borrowings made at the time of or after, the
consummation of such Permitted Acquisition (it being understood that, until
the
consummation of such Permitted Acquisition, the previously delivered Borrowing
Base Certificate shall remain in effect) and shall further expressly state
that,
before and after giving effect to such Acquisition, no Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing.
(16) General
information.
Such
other information respecting the condition or operations, financial or
otherwise, of the Borrower or any Subsidiary as any Lender may from time to
time
reasonably request.
Section
5.09 Subsidiary
Reporting Requirements.
In the
event any of the following statements are prepared with respect to any
Subsidiary, then upon written request from any Lender, furnish to the Agent
for
delivery to each of the Lenders the following with respect to any
Subsidiary:
(1) Quarterly
financial statements.
An
unaudited balance sheet of such Subsidiary as of the end of most recently
completed fiscal quarter, statements of operations and cash flow of such
Subsidiary for the period commencing at the end of the previous fiscal year
and
ending with the end of such quarter, and statements of changes in stockholders’
equity of such Subsidiary for the portion of the fiscal year ended with the
last
day of such quarter, all in reasonable detail and stating in comparative form
the respective figures for the corresponding date and period in the previous
fiscal year and all prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and
certified by the chief financial officer of such Subsidiary (subject to year-end
adjustments).
(2) Annual
financial statements.
A
balance sheet of such Subsidiary as of the end of such fiscal year, statements
of operations and cash flow of such Subsidiary for such fiscal year, and
statements of changes in stockholders’ equity of such Subsidiary for such fiscal
year, all in reasonable detail and stating in comparative form the respective
figures for the corresponding date and period in the prior fiscal year and
all
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and as to the consolidated
statements accompanied by an opinion thereon reasonably acceptable to the Agent
by Deloitte & Touche or other independent accountants selected by the
Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Agent.
Section
5.10 Environment.
Be and
remain, and cause each Subsidiary to be and remain, in compliance with the
provisions of all federal, state, and local environmental, health, and safety
laws, codes and ordinances, and all rules and regulations issued thereunder,
except where the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to,
in
any one case or in the aggregate, adversely affect in any material respect
the
financial condition, operations, properties or business of the Borrower or
any
Subsidiary or the ability of the Borrower or any Guarantor to perform its
obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party; with respect to
matters disclosed in Schedule
4.14,
implement prudent measures to achieve compliance with all relevant laws and
regulations within a reasonable time and in accordance with requirements
negotiated with applicable regulatory agencies; notify the Agent promptly of
any
notice of a hazardous discharge or environmental complaint received from any
governmental agency or any other party (and the Agent shall notify the Lenders
promptly following its receipt of any such notice from the Borrower); notify
the
Agent promptly of any hazardous discharge from or affecting its premises if
(i)
the storage, treatment or cleanup of such hazardous discharge (all in accordance
with applicable laws and regulations) or (ii) the diminution in the value of
the
assets affected by such hazardous discharge, is reasonably expected to exceed
$10,000 (and the Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly following its receipt
of any such notice from the Borrower); promptly contain and remove the
same,
in
compliance with all applicable laws; promptly pay any fine or penalty assessed
in connection therewith; permit any Lender to inspect the premises, to conduct
tests thereon, and to inspect all books, correspondence, and records pertaining
thereto; and at such Lender’s request, and at the Borrower’s expense, provide a
report of a qualified environmental engineer, satisfactory in scope, form,
and
content to the Required Lenders, and such other and further assurances
reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders that the condition has been
corrected.
Section
5.11 Use
of Proceeds.
Use the
proceeds of the Loans solely as provided in Section 2.13.
Section
5.12 Ranking
of Obligations.
Ensure
that at all times its Obligations under the Loan Documents shall be and
constitute unconditional general obligations of the Borrower ranking at least
pari passu
with all
its other unsecured Debt.
Section
5.13 Taxes.
Pay and
cause each Subsidiary to pay when due all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges and levies upon it or its income, profits or property, except those
which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with
respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside.
Section
5.14 Wholly-Owned
Status.
Ensure
that at all times each of the Guarantors is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the
Borrower.
Section
5.15 New
Subsidiaries.
Within
fifty (50) days after the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower during
which
any Person shall have become a Subsidiary, cause such Subsidiary to execute
and
deliver to the Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a Supplemental Guaranty
and an opinion of counsel, certified copies of resolutions, articles of
incorporation or other formation documents, incumbency certificates and other
documents with respect to such Subsidiary and its Guaranty substantially similar
to the documents delivered pursuant to Section 3.01 with respect to the
Guarantors, all of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent in form
and substance; provided that if and so long as any such Subsidiary has total
assets the book value of which is not more than $5,000,000, the Borrower shall
not be required to comply with this Section. None of the Title Companies nor
UHIC nor BMC shall be required to deliver a Guaranty.
ARTICLE
VI
NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
So
long
as any Note shall remain unpaid or any Facility Letter of Credit Obligations
shall remain outstanding or any Lender shall have any Commitment under this
Agreement, the Borrower and each Guarantor will not (unless otherwise agreed
to
by the Required Lenders in writing):
Section
6.01 Liens.
Create,
incur, assume, or suffer to exist, or permit any Subsidiary to create, incur,
assume, or suffer to exist, any Lien, upon or with respect to any of its
properties, now owned or hereafter acquired, except the following:
(1) Liens
for
taxes or assessments or other government charges or levies if not yet due and
payable or, if due and payable, if they are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate reserves are
maintained;
(2) Liens
imposed by law, such as mechanics’, materialmen’s, landlords’, warehousemen’s,
and carriers’ Liens, and other similar Liens, securing obligations incurred in
the ordinary course of business which are not past due for more than ninety
(90)
days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and
for which appropriate reserves have been established;
(3) Liens
under workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, Social Security, or similar
legislation (other than Liens imposed by ERISA);
(4) Liens,
deposits, or pledges to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts
(other than contracts for the payment of money), Capital Leases (permitted
under
the terms of this Agreement), public or statutory obligations, surety, stay,
appeal, indemnity, performance, or other similar bonds, or other similar
obligations arising in the ordinary course of business;
(5) Judgment
and other similar Liens arising in connection with any court proceeding,
provided the execution or other enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed
and the claims secured thereby are being actively contested in good faith and
by
appropriate proceedings;
(6) Easements,
rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning, building and land use
restrictions), and other similar encumbrances which, in the aggregate, do not
materially interfere with the occupation, use, and enjoyment by the Borrower
or
any Subsidiary of the property or assets encumbered thereby in the normal course
of its business or materially impair the value of the property subject
thereto;
(7) Liens
securing Secured Debt permitted under Section 6.02.
Section
6.02 Secured
Debt.
Create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit any Subsidiary to create, incur,
assume or suffer to exist, any Secured Debt, except for Secured Debt in an
aggregate amount outstanding at any one time not exceeding (a) $200,000,000
plus
(b) the amount (if any ) of any secured Debt of an entity acquired by Borrower
after the Closing Date, provided that (i) such secured Debt was in existence
prior to the date of such Acquisition and was not incurred in anticipation
thereof and (ii) the Liens securing such Debt do not extend to any other assets
other than those theretofore encumbered by such Liens.
Section
6.03 Mergers,
Etc.
Wind up,
liquidate or dissolve itself, reorganize, merge or consolidate with or into,
or
convey, sell, assign, transfer, lease, or otherwise 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 any Person, or acquire
all
or substantially all the assets or the business of any Person, or permit any
Subsidiary to do so, except (1) for any Permitted Acquisition, (2) that any
Guarantor may merge into or transfer assets to the Borrower as a result of
an
Internal Reorganization or otherwise and (3) that any Guarantor may merge into
or consolidate with or transfer assets to any other Guarantor as a result of
an
Internal Reorganization or otherwise.
Section
6.04 Leases.
Create,
incur, assume, or suffer to exist, or permit any Subsidiary to create, incur,
assume, or suffer to exist, any obligation as lessee for the rental or hire
of
any real or personal property, except (1) Capital Leases not otherwise
prohibited by the terms of this Agreement; (2) leases existing on the date
of
this Agreement and any extension or renewals thereof; (3) leases between the
Borrower and any Subsidiary or between any Subsidiaries; (4) operating leases
entered into in the ordinary course of business; and (5) any lease of property
having a value of $500,000 or less.
Section
6.05 Sale
and Leaseback.
Sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of, or permit any Subsidiary to sell, transfer,
or
otherwise dispose of, any real or personal property to any Person and thereafter
directly or indirectly lease back the same or similar property, except for
the
sale and leaseback of model homes.
Section
6.06 Sale
of Assets.
Sell,
lease, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, or permit any Subsidiary
to
sell, lease, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, any of its now owned
or
hereafter acquired assets (including, without limitation, shares of stock and
indebtedness of subsidiaries, receivables, and leasehold interests), except
(a)
for (1) Inventory disposed of in the ordinary course of business; (2) the sale
or other disposition of assets no longer used or useful in the conduct of its
business; or (3) the sale and leaseback of model homes; (b) that any Guarantor
may sell, lease, assign, or otherwise transfer its assets to the Borrower or
any
other Guarantor in connection with an Internal Reorganization or otherwise;
and
(c) that the provisions of this Section 6.06 shall not affect or limit the
Borrower’s obligations under Section 6.03.
Section
6.07 Investments.
Make,
or permit any Subsidiary to make, any loan or advance to any Person, or purchase
or otherwise acquire, or permit any Subsidiary to purchase or otherwise acquire,
any capital stock, assets (other than assets acquired in the ordinary course
of
business), obligation, or other securities of, make any capital contribution
to,
or otherwise invest in or acquire any interest in any Person (other than the
repurchase of Senior Notes by the Borrower) including, without limitation,
any
hostile takeover, hostile tender offer or similar hostile transaction
(collectively, “Investments”), except: (1) a direct obligation of the United
States or any agency thereof with maturities of one year or less from the date
of acquisition; (2) commercial paper rated at least “A-1” by Standard &
Poor’s Corporation or “P-1” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; (3) certificates
of deposit with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition
issued by any commercial bank or federal savings bank having capital and surplus
in excess of $250,000,000; (4) a direct obligation of any state or municipality
within the United States with maturities of one year or less from the date
of
acquisition and which, at the time of such acquisition, is accorded one of
the
two highest debt ratings for obligations of such type by Standard & Poor’s
or Moody’s; (5) mutual funds investing in assets of the type described in items
(1), (2), (3) or (4) above which in any case would be classified as a current
asset in accordance with GAAP which are managed by a fund manager of recognized
standing in the United States and having capital and surplus of at least
$100,000,000 or having at least $250,000,000 under management; (6) stock,
obligation, or securities received in settlement of debts (created in the
ordinary course of business) owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary provided
such issuance is approved by the board of directors of the issuer thereof;
(7) a
loan or advance from the Borrower to a Subsidiary, or from a Subsidiary to
a
Subsidiary, or from a Subsidiary to the Borrower (subject, however, to the
limitations set forth below in the case of Investments in
Subsidiaries
that are not Guarantors); (8) any Permitted Acquisition; (9) an Investment
in a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, which Investment is, or constitutes a part of, an
Internal Reorganization (subject, however, to the limitations set forth below
in
the case of Investments in Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors); (10)
Investments in Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors and any Joint Venture
(subject, however, to the limitations set forth below); or (11) any other
Investment not identified in clauses (1) though (10) above (subject, however,
to
the limitations set forth below); provided
that the
aggregate amount of all Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
permitted under clauses (10) and (11) above and the contingent obligations
under
guaranties permitted under clause (3) of Section 6.08 below does not at any
time
exceed thirty-five percent (35%) of Consolidated Tangible Net
Worth.
Section
6.08 Guaranties,
Etc.
Assume,
guarantee, endorse, or otherwise be or become directly or contingently
responsible or liable, or permit any Subsidiary to assume, guarantee, endorse,
or otherwise be or become directly or contingently responsible or liable
(including, but not limited to, an agreement to purchase any obligation, stock,
assets, goods, or services, or to supply or advance any funds, assets, goods,
or
services, or an agreement to maintain or cause such Person to maintain a minimum
working capital or net worth or otherwise to assure the creditors of any Person
against loss), for obligations of any Person, except: (1) guaranties by
endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar
transactions in the ordinary course of business; (2) guaranties of performance
obligations in the ordinary course of business; (3) of the Debt or other
obligations of any Joint Venture or any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor,
subject to the limitations set forth in clauses (10) and (11) of Section 6.07
above and (4) that the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any Guarantor may, whether
as a result of an Internal Reorganization or otherwise, guarantee the Debt
of
any other Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor) or
Guarantor or the Borrower permitted under this Agreement.
Section
6.09 Transactions
With Affiliates.
Enter
into any transaction, including, without limitation, the purchase, sale, or
exchange of property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate, or
permit any Subsidiary to enter into any transaction, including, without
limitation, the purchase, sale, or exchange of property or the rendering of
any
service, with any Affiliate, except in the ordinary course of and pursuant
to
the reasonable requirements of the Borrower’s or such Guarantor’s or any
Subsidiary’s business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to
the Borrower or such Guarantor or any Subsidiary than would obtain in a
comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate (which
exception shall include the payment of insurance premiums to UHIC for the
purchase of construction warranties and builder default protection for buyers
of
Housing Units from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and to the Title
Companies for title insurance); provided,
however,
that
the following transactions shall not be prohibited by this Section 6.09: (i)
transactions involving the purchase, sale or exchange of property having a
value
of $500,000 or less; and (ii) transactions otherwise permitted by this
Agreement.
Section
6.10 Housing
Inventory.
Permit
the number of Speculative Housing Units, as at the end of any fiscal quarter,
to
exceed the greater of (a) the number of Housing Unit Closings occurring during
the period of twelve (12) months ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter,
multiplied by thirty percent (30%) or (b) the number of Housing Unit Closings
occurring during the period of six (6) months ending on the last day of such
fiscal quarter, multiplied by seventy percent (70%).
Section
6.11 Amendment
or Modification of Senior Indentures.
Amend
or modify, or permit any amendment or modification of, any of the Senior
Indentures (other than those provided for in (a) clauses (7), (8), or (9) of
Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture 2001, (b) clauses (1), (4), (5) of Section
9.01 of the Base Indenture 2002, (c) clauses (1), (3), or (6) of Section 13.01
of the Base Indenture 2004 and (d) any similar provision set forth in any
indenture entered into after the date hereof in connection with any Refinancing
Debt with respect to the Senior Notes, in each case as such provisions exist
on
the date hereof or, for any indenture under clause (d) above, on the date of
execution).
Section
6.12 Non-Guarantors.
Permit
UHIC to engage in any business other than the issuance of construction
warranties and builder default protection for buyers of Housing Units from
the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or permit any of the Title Companies to
engage in any business other than title insurance or permit BMC to engage in
any
business other than mortgage banking.
Section
6.13 Negative
Pledges.
Directly
or indirectly enter into any agreement (other than this Agreement, the Senior
Indentures and any other similar loan and credit agreements and indentures
that
may hereafter be entered into by the Borrower and that evidence Borrowing Base
Debt) with any Person that prohibits or restricts or limits the ability of
the
Borrower or any Guarantor to create, incur, pledge or suffer to exist any Lien
upon any assets of the Borrower or any Guarantor (except that agreements
creating or securing Secured Debt permitted under Section 6.02 may prohibit,
restrict or limit other Liens on those assets encumbered by the Liens securing
such Secured Debt).
ARTICLE
VII
FINANCIAL
COVENANTS
So
long
as any Note shall remain unpaid or any Facility Letter of Credit shall remain
outstanding or any Lender shall have any Commitment under this Agreement (unless
otherwise agreed to by the Required Lenders in writing):
Section
7.01 Minimum
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth.
The
Borrower will maintain at all times a Consolidated Tangible Net Worth of not
less than the sum (the “Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth”) of (i)
$1,000,000,000, (ii) an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the cumulative
Net Income of the Borrower earned after March 31, 2007 (excluding any quarter
in
which there is a loss), and (iii) fifty percent (50%) of the net proceeds
received after March 31, 2007 by the Borrower or any Subsidiary from the sale
or
issuance of any of its Common Equity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
event that the Borrower shall at any time consummate an Acquisition for a
purchase price or other consideration equaling or exceeding $100,000,000, the
Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth required hereby shall be adjusted to
be
the sum of (i) 80% of the Borrower’s Consolidated Tangible Net Worth immediately
following the closing of such Acquisition, (ii) an amount equal to 50% of the
cumulative Net Income of the Borrower earned after the closing of such
Acquisition (excluding any quarter in which there is a loss) and (iii) 50%
of
the net proceeds received after the closing of such Acquisition by the Borrower
or any Subsidiary for the sale or issuance of its Common Equity.
Section
7.02 Leverage
Ratio.
The
Borrower will not permit the Leverage Ratio to exceed 1.90 to 1.00 at any
time.
Section
7.03 Borrowing
Base Debt.
At any
time at which the senior unsecured long-term debt of the Borrower does not
have
a rating of BBB- or higher from S&P or Baa3 or higher from Moody’s, the
Borrower will not permit the outstanding amount of the Borrowing Base Debt
to
exceed the Borrowing Base.
Section
7.04 Interest
Coverage Ratio.
The
Borrower shall maintain an Interest Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.75 to
1.00, which ratio shall be determined as of the last day of each fiscal quarter
for the four-quarter period ending on such day; provided that, notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Interest Coverage Ratio (i) may be less than 1.75 to 1.00,
but must exceed 1.10 to 1.00, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of
the
Borrower ending on or before September 30, 2009, and (ii) may be less than
1.75
to 1.00, but must exceed 1.50 to 1.00, as of the last day of the fiscal quarter
of the Borrower ending December 31, 2009, in each case for the four-quarter
period ending on such day.
Section
7.05 Land
Inventory.
The
Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) Adjusted Land Value to (ii) the
sum
of (a) Consolidated Tangible Net Worth plus (b) fifty percent (50%) of
Consolidated Subordinated Debt to exceed 1.25 to 1.00.
Section
7.06 Minimum
Liquidity.
As of
the last day of any fiscal quarter for which the Interest Coverage Ratio is
less
than 1.75 to 1.00 (as permitted by the provision in Section 7.04), the Borrower
shall maintain the sum of (i) Unrestricted Cash not included in the Borrowing
Base and (ii) Borrowing Base Availability, in an amount not less than
$120,000,000.
ARTICLE
VIII
EVENTS
OF DEFAULT
Section
8.01 Events
of Default.
If any
of the following events shall occur:
(1) The
Borrower shall fail to pay (a) the principal of any Note, or any amount of
a
commitment or other fee, as and when due and payable or (b) interest on any
Note
or any amount of any commitment fee or other fee within five (5) Business Days
after the same is due and payable;
(2) Any
representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower or by any
Guarantor in any Loan Document or which is contained in any certificate,
document, opinion, or financial or other statement furnished at any time under
or in connection with this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect,
incomplete, or misleading in any material respect on or as of the date made
or
deemed made;
(3) The
Borrower or any Guarantor shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant,
or agreement contained in Articles V, VI or VII hereof, and such failure shall
continue for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days;
(4) The
Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary or any Significant Guarantor shall (a)
fail to pay (within the applicable cure period, if any) any amount in respect
of
indebtedness for borrowed money equal to or in excess of $5,000,000 in the
aggregate (other than the Notes) of the Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary
or such Significant Guarantor, as the case may be, or any interest or premium
thereon, when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment,
acceleration, demand, or otherwise); or (b) fail to perform or observe any
term,
covenant, or condition on its part to be performed or observed (within the
applicable cure period, if any) under any agreement or instrument relating
to
any such indebtedness, when required to be performed or observed, if the effect
of such failure to perform or observe is to accelerate, or permit the
acceleration of after the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, the
maturity of such indebtedness, whether or not such failure to perform or observe
shall be waived by the holder of such indebtedness; or (c) any such indebtedness
shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than
by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), repurchased (or an offer to
repurchase to be made) or redeemed prior to the stated maturity
thereof;
(5) The
Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary or any Significant Guarantor (a) shall
generally not pay, or shall be unable to pay, or shall admit in writing its
inability to pay its debts as such debts become due; or (b) shall make an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or petition or apply to any tribunal
for the appointment of a custodian, receiver, or trustee for it or a substantial
part of its assets; or (c) shall commence any proceeding under any bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution, or liquidation
law or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect; or
(d)
shall have had any such petition or application filed or any such proceeding
commenced against it in which an order for relief is entered or an adjudication
or appointment is made and which remains undismissed for a period of sixty
(60)
days or more; or (e) shall take any corporate action indicating its consent
to,
approval of, or acquiescence in any such petition, application, proceeding,
or
order for relief or the appointment of a custodian, receiver, or trustee for
all
or any substantial part of its properties; or (f) shall suffer any such
custodianship, receivership, or trusteeship to continue undischarged for a
period of sixty (60) days or more;
(6) One
or
more judgments, decrees, or orders for the payment of money in excess of
$10,000,000 in the aggregate shall be rendered against the Borrower and/or
any
Subsidiary and/or any Guarantor, and such judgments, decrees, or orders shall
continue unsatisfied and in effect for a period of twenty (20) consecutive
days
without being vacated, discharged, satisfied, or stayed or bonded pending
appeal;
(7) Any
Guaranty hereunder shall at any time after its execution and delivery and for
any reason cease to be in full force and effect or shall be declared null and
void, or the validity or enforceability thereof shall be contested by the
Guarantor or the Guarantor shall deny it has any further liability or obligation
under, or shall fail to perform its obligations under, the Guaranty (except
to
the extent that the foregoing occurs solely by reason of the liquidation or
dissolution of a Guarantor as a result of an Internal
Reorganization);
(8) Any
Change of Control of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any Guarantor shall
occur;
(9) Any
of
the following events shall occur or exist with respect to the Borrower, any
Subsidiary or any Commonly Controlled Entity under ERISA: any Reportable Event
shall occur; complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan shall
take place; any Prohibited Transaction shall occur; a notice of intent to
terminate a Plan shall be filed, or a Plan shall be terminated; or circumstances
shall exist which constitute grounds entitling the PBGC to institute proceedings
to terminate a Plan, or the PBGC shall institute such proceedings; and in each
case above, such event or condition, together with all other events or
conditions described in this Section 8.01(9), if any, could subject the Borrower
or any Significant Guarantor or Significant Subsidiary to any tax, penalty,
or
other liability which in the aggregate may exceed $1,000,000;
(10) If
any
federal, state, or local agency asserts a material claim against the Borrower
or
any Significant Guarantor or Significant Subsidiary and/or its assets,
equipment, property, leaseholds, or other facilities for damages or cleanup
costs relating to a hazardous discharge or an environmental complaint;
provided,
however,
that
such claim shall not constitute a default if, within fifteen (15) days of the
occurrence giving rise to the claim, (a) the Borrower can prove to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Required Lenders that the Borrower has commenced
and is diligently pursuing either: (i) a cure or correction of the event which
constitutes the basis for the claim, and continues diligently to pursue such
cure or correction, it being hereby acknowledged by the Lenders that (with
respect to the matters disclosed in Schedule
4.14)
the
Borrower’s compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 5.06 and 5.10
shall satisfy the requirements of this clause (i), or (ii) proceedings for
an
injunction, a restraining order or other appropriate emergent relief preventing
such agency or agencies from asserting such claim, which relief is granted
within thirty (30) days of the occurrence giving rise to the claim and the
injunction, order, or emergent relief is not thereafter resolved or reversed
on
appeal or (iii) the defense against the claim through action in a court or
agency exercising jurisdiction over the claim; and (b) in any of the foregoing
events (except for the matters disclosed in Schedule
4.14,
as to
which no security is required), the Borrower has posted a bond, letter of
credit, or other security satisfactory in form, substance, and amount to the
Required Lenders and the agency or entity asserting the claim to secure the
correction of the event which constitutes the basis for the claim in accordance
with applicable laws;
then
the
following provisions shall apply:
(i) if
any
Event of Default described in Section 8.01(5) occurs with respect to the
Borrower, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder and the
obligation and power of the Issuers to issue Facility Letters of Credit shall
automatically terminate and the Obligations shall immediately become due and
payable without any election or action on the part of the Agent, any Issuer
or
any Lender and the Borrower will be and become thereby unconditionally
obligated, without any further notice, act or demand, to pay to the Agent an
amount in immediately available funds, which funds shall be held in the Facility
Letter of Credit Collateral Account, equal to the difference of (x) the amount
of Facility Letter of Credit Obligations at such time, less (y) the amount
on
deposit in the Facility Letter of Credit Collateral Account at such time which
is free and clear of all rights and claims of third parties and has not been
applied against the Obligations (such difference, the “Collateral Shortfall
Amount”). If any other Event of Default occurs, the Required Lenders (or the
Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) may (a) terminate or suspend
the
obligations of the Lenders to make
Loans
hereunder and the obligation and power of the Issuers to issue Facility Letters
of Credit, or declare the Obligations to be due and payable, or both, whereupon
the Obligations shall become immediately due and payable, without presentment,
demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which the Borrower hereby
expressly waives, and (b) upon notice to the Borrower and in addition to the
continuing right to demand payment of all amounts payable under this Agreement,
make demand on the Borrower to pay, and the Borrower will, forthwith upon such
demand and without any further notice or act, pay to the Agent the Collateral
Shortfall Amount, which funds shall be deposited in the Facility Letter of
Credit Collateral Account.
(ii) If
at any
time while any Event of Default is continuing, the Agent determines that the
Collateral Shortfall Amount at such time is greater than zero, the Agent may
make demand on the Borrower to pay, and the Borrower will, forthwith upon such
demand and without any further notice or act, pay to the Agent the Collateral
Shortfall Amount, which funds shall be deposited in the Facility Letter of
Credit Collateral Account.
(iii) The
Agent
may, at any time or from time to time after funds are deposited in the Facility
Letter of Credit Collateral Account, apply such funds to the payment of the
Obligations and any other amounts as shall from time to time have become due
and
payable by the Borrower to the Lenders or the Issuer under the Loan
Documents.
(iv) At
any
time while any Event of Default is continuing, neither the Borrower nor any
Person claiming on behalf of or through the Borrower shall have any right to
withdraw any of the funds held in the Facility Letter of Credit Collateral
Account. After all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full and
the Aggregate Commitment has been terminated, any funds remaining in the
Facility Letter of Credit Collateral Account shall be returned by the Agent
to
the Borrower or paid to whomever may be legally entitled thereto at such
time.
(v) If,
within 30 days after acceleration of the maturity of the Obligations or
termination of the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and the obligation
and power of the Issuer to issue Facility Letters of Credit hereunder as a
result of any Event of Default (other than any Event of Default as described
in
Section 8.01(5) with respect to the Borrower) and before any judgment or decree
for the payment of the Obligations due shall have been obtained or entered,
the
Required Lenders (in their sole discretion) shall so direct, the Agent shall,
by
notice to the Borrower, rescind and annul such acceleration and/or
termination.
Section
8.02 Set
Off.
Upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Lender
is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, without notice to the
Borrower (any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower), to set off
and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional
or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such
Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and
all
of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this
Agreement or any Note or Notes held by such Lender or any other Loan Document,
irrespective of whether or not the Agent or such Lender shall have made any
demand under this Agreement or any Note or Notes held by such Lender or such
other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each Lender
agrees promptly to notify the Borrower (with a copy to the Agent) 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. The rights of each Lender
under this Section 8.02 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including,
without limitation, other rights of set-off) which each Lender may
have.
ARTICLE
IX
AGENCY
PROVISIONS
Section
9.01 Authorization
and Action.
Each
Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action
as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement as
are
delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto. The duties of the Agent shall be mechanical
and
administrative in nature and the Agent shall not by reason of this Agreement
be
a trustee or fiduciary for any Lender. The Agent shall have no duties or
responsibilities except those expressly set forth herein. As to any matters
not
expressly provided for by this Agreement (including, without limitation,
enforcement or collection of the Notes), the Agent shall not be required to
act
or to refrain from acting except upon the instructions of the Required Lenders
or, to the extent required under Section 10.01, all Lenders (and shall be fully
protected in so acting or so refraining from acting), and such instructions
shall be binding upon all Lenders and all holders of Notes; provided,
however,
that
the Agent shall not be required to take any action which exposes the Agent
to
personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement or applicable law.
The
Agent shall administer the Loan in the same manner that it would administer
a
comparable loan held 100% for its own account.
Section
9.02 Liability
of Agent.
Neither
the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents, or employees shall be
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them in good faith
under or in connection with this Agreement in the absence of its or their own
gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limiting the generality of
the
foregoing, the Agent (1) may treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof
until the Agent receives written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof
signed by such payee and in form satisfactory to the Agent; (2) may consult
with
legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrower), independent public
accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any
action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with
the
advice of such counsel, accountants, or experts; (3) makes no warranty or
representation to any Lender and shall not be responsible to any Lender for
any
statements, warranties, or representations made in or in connection with this
Agreement; (4) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the
performance or observance of any terms, covenants, or conditions of this
Agreement on the part of the Borrower (other than the payment of principal,
interest and fees due hereunder), or to inspect the property (including the
books and records) of the Borrower; (5) shall not be responsible to any Lender
for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness,
perfection, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other instrument
or
document furnished pursuant hereto or the value, sufficiency, creation,
perfection or priority of any Lien in any collateral security; and (6) shall
incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement by acting upon any
notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be sent
by telegram, telefax, or facsimile transmission) reasonably believed by it
to be
genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or parties.
Section
9.03 Rights
of Agent as a Lender.
With
respect to its Commitment, the Loans made by it and any Note issued to it,
the
Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other
Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Agent; and the term
“Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated, include the
Agent in its individual capacity. The Agent, each Lender and each of their
respective Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as trustee
under indentures of, and generally engage in any kind of business with, the
Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries and any Person who may do business with or
own
securities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, all as if the Agent were not
the
Agent and without any duty to account therefor to the other
Lenders.
Section
9.04 Independent
Credit Decisions.
Each
Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the
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
Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without
reliance upon the Agent 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 this Agreement. The Agent
shall promptly provide the Lenders with copies of all notices of default and
other formal notices sent or received in accordance with Section 10.02, any
written notice relating to changes in the Borrower’s debt ratings that affect
the Senior Debt Rating received from the Borrower or a ratings agency, any
documents received by the Agent pursuant to Section 5.08 (except to the extent
that the Borrower has furnished the same directly to the Lenders) and any other
documents or notices received by the Agent with respect to this Agreement and
requested in writing by any Lender. Except for notices, reports and other
documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders
by
the Agent hereunder, the Agent shall have no duty or responsibility to provide
any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs,
financial condition or business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
(or
any of their Affiliates) which may come into possession of the Agent or any
of
its Affiliates.
Section
9.05 Indemnification.
The
Lenders severally agree to indemnify the Agent in its capacity as Agent and
not
as a Lender (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting
the obligation of the Borrower to do so), in the proportion of their Pro Rata
Shares, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any
kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted
against the Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or
any
action taken or omitted by the Agent under this Agreement, provided that no
Lender shall be liable for any portion of any of the foregoing (i) resulting
from the Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, (ii) on account of a
strictly internal or regulatory matter relating to the Agent (such as relating
to legal lending limit violation by the Agent), or (iii) in connection with
a
breach of an agreement made by the Agent to a Lender under this Agreement.
Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to reimburse
the Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting
the
obligation of the Borrower to do so) promptly upon demand for its Pro Rata
Share
of any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including counsel fees) incurred
by
the Agent in connection with the preparation, administration, or enforcement
of,
or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement;
provided, however, that no Lender shall be required to reimburse the Agent
for
any such expenses incurred (i) resulting from the Agent’s gross negligence or
willful misconduct, (ii) on account of a strictly internal or regulatory matter
relating to the Agent (such as relating to legal lending limit violation by
the
Agent), or (iii) in connection with a breach of an agreement made by the Agent
to a Lender under this Agreement.
Section
9.06 Successor
Agent.
(a) The
Agent may resign at any time by giving at least sixty (60) days’ prior written
notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower and may be removed at any time
with or without cause by the Required Lenders. Upon any such resignation or
removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent,
subject to Section 9.06(b). If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed
by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within thirty
(30) days after the retiring Agent’s giving of notice of resignation or the
Required Lenders’ removal of the retiring Agent, then the retiring Agent may, on
behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent, which shall be a commercial
bank or federal savings bank organized under the laws of the United States
of
America or of any State thereof, subject to Section 9.06(b). Upon the acceptance
of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor
Agent
shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers,
privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement. After any
retiring Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder as Agent, the provisions of
this Article IX shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or
omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.
(b) The
appointment of any successor Agent that is not a Lender shall, as long as no
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, be subject to the prior
written approval of the Borrower, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed.
Section
9.07 Sharing
of Payments, Etc.
If any
Lender shall obtain any payments (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the
exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) on account of any Note or Notes
held by it in excess of its Pro Rata Share of payments on account of the Notes
obtained by all Lenders, such Lender shall purchase from the other Lenders
such
participations in the Notes held by them as shall be necessary to cause such
purchasing Lender to share the excess payment ratably with each of the other
Lenders, provided,
however,
that if
all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such
purchasing Lender, such purchase from each Lender shall be rescinded and each
applicable Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to
the
extent of such recovery together with an amount equal to such Lender’s ratable
share (according to the proportion of (1) the amount of such Lender’s required
repayment to (2) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender)
of
any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect
of the total amount so recovered. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so
purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section 9.07
may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment
(including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully
as
if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such
participation.
Section
9.08 Withholding
Tax Matters.
Each
Lender which is a Non-United States Person agrees to execute and deliver to
the
Agent for delivery to the Borrower, before the first scheduled payment date
in
each year (and, in the case of a Lender that becomes a Lender hereunder by
assignment, before the first scheduled payment date following such assignment),
two duly completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN
or W-8ECI, or any successor forms, as appropriate, properly completed and
certifying that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement
without withholding or deduction of United States federal taxes. Each Lender
which is a Non-United States Person represents and warrants to the Borrower
and
to the Agent that, at the date of this Agreement, (i) its Lending Offices are
entitled to receive payments of principal, interest,
and
fees
hereunder without deduction or withholding for or on account of any taxes
imposed by the United States or any political subdivision thereof and (ii)
it is
permitted to take the actions described in the preceding sentence under the
laws
and any applicable double taxation treaties of the jurisdictions specified
in
the preceding sentence. Each Lender which is a Non-United States Person further
agrees that, to the extent any form claiming complete or partial exemption
from
withholding and deduction of United States federal taxes delivered under this
Section 9.08 is found to be incomplete or incorrect in any material respect,
such Lender shall execute and deliver to the Agent a complete and correct
replacement form.
Section
9.09 Syndication
Agents, Documentation Agents, Managing Agents or
Co-Agents.
None of
the Lenders identified in this Agreement as a “Syndication Agent,”
“Documentation Agent,” “Managing Agent” or “Co-Agent” shall have any right,
power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other
than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing,
none of such Lenders shall have or be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship
with any Lender. Each Lender hereby makes the same acknowledgements with respect
to such Lenders as it makes with respect to the Agent in Section
9.04.
ARTICLE
X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section
10.01 Amendments,
Etc.
No
amendment, modification, termination, or waiver of any provision of any Loan
Document to which the Borrower is a party, nor consent to any departure by
the
Borrower from any Loan Document to which it is a party, shall in any event
be
effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required Lenders
and the Borrower, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the
specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided,
however,
that no
amendment, waiver or consent shall (a) unless in writing and signed by the
Borrower and all of the Lenders do, or have the effect of doing, any of the
following: (1) increase the Commitments of the Lenders (except for increases
in
the Aggregate Commitment in accordance with Section 2.02.2; provided
that no
such increase shall result in the Aggregate Commitment exceeding $1,000,000,000)
or subject the Lenders to any additional obligations; (2) reduce the principal
of, or interest on, the Notes or any fees (other than the Agent’s fees)
hereunder; (3) postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or
interest on, the Notes or any fees (other than the Agent’s fees) hereunder; (4)
change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of the Notes or the number of Lenders which shall be required for the
Lenders or any of them to take action hereunder (including, without limitation,
any change in the percentage of Lenders required to extend the Termination
Date
under the provisions of Section 2.19; (5) release any Significant Guarantor
or
(except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01) release any sums held in the
Facility Letter of Credit Collateral Account; or (6) amend, modify or waive
any
provision of the Guaranty, this Section 10.01 or clause (i) of Section 11.01;
(b) unless in writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the Lenders
required herein to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Agent
under any of the Loan Documents; (c) unless in writing and signed by the Swing
Line Lender and the Required Lenders, affect any provisions of this Agreement
that relate to the Swing Line Loans or otherwise affect the rights or duties
of
the Swing Line Lender; or (d) unless in writing and signed by the Issuers and
the Required Lenders, affect any of the provisions of this Agreement that relate
to the Facility Letters of Credit or otherwise affect the rights or duties
of
any Issuer.
Section
10.02 Notices,
Etc.
All
notices and other communications provided for under this Agreement and under
the
other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party shall be in writing
(including facsimile transmissions) and mailed or transmitted or hand delivered,
if to the Borrower or the Agent at its respective address set forth on the
signature pages hereof; or, if to a Lender, at its address set forth in its
Administrative Questionnaire, or, as to each party, at such other address as
shall be designated by such party in a written notice to all other parties
complying as to delivery with the terms of this Section 10.02. Except as is
otherwise provided in this Agreement, all such notices and communications shall
be effective when deposited in the mail, or transmitted, answerback received,
or
hand delivered, respectively, addressed as aforesaid, except that notices to
the
Agent pursuant to the provisions of Article II shall not be effective until
received by the Agent or, in the case of Section 2.21, the Swing Line
Lender.
Section
10.03 No
Waiver.
No
failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Agent or the Issuer in
exercising any right, power, or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power,
or
remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power, or remedy hereunder. The making of a Loan or issuance,
amendment or extension of a Facility Letter of Credit notwithstanding the
existence of a Default or Event of Default shall not constitute any waiver
or
acquiescence of such Default or Event of Default, and the making of any Loan
or
issuance, amendment or extension of a Facility Letter of Credit notwithstanding
any failure or inability to satisfy the conditions precedent to such Loan or
issuance, amendment or extension of a Facility Letter of Credit shall not
constitute any waiver or acquiescence with respect to such conditions precedent
with respect to any subsequent Loans or subsequent issuance, amendment or
extension of a Facility Letter of Credit. The rights and remedies provided
herein are cumulative, and are not exclusive of any other rights, powers,
privileges, or remedies, now or hereafter existing, at law, in equity or
otherwise.
Section
10.04 Costs,
Expenses, and Taxes.
(a) The
Borrower agrees to reimburse the Agent for any reasonable costs, internal
charges and out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and time charges
of attorneys for the Agent, which attorneys may be employees of the Agent)
paid
or incurred by the Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation,
execution, delivery, review, amendment, modification and administration of
the
Loan Documents. The Borrower also agrees to reimburse the Agent, the Lenders
and
the Issuers for any reasonable costs, internal charges and out-of-pocket
expenses (including attorneys’ fees and time charges of attorneys for the Agent,
the Lenders and the Issuers which attorneys may be employees of the Agent,
the
Lenders and the Issuers) paid or incurred by the Agent, the Arrangers, any
Lender or Issuer in connection with the collection of the Obligations and
enforcement of the Loan Documents, including during any workout or restructuring
in respect of the Loan Documents.
(b) The
Borrower shall pay any and all stamp and other taxes and fees payable or
determined to be payable in connection with the execution, delivery, filing,
and
recording of any of the Loan Documents and the other documents to be delivered
under any such Loan Documents, and agrees to hold the Agent and each of the
Lenders harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or
resulting from any delay in paying or failing to pay such taxes and
fees.
(c) All
payments by the Borrower to or for the account of any Lender, Issuer or the
Agent hereunder or under any Note or Reimbursement Agreement shall be made
free
and clear of and without deduction for any and all Taxes. If the Borrower shall
be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any such payable
hereunder to any Lender, Issuer or the Agent, upon notice from the Agent to
the
Borrower (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after
making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional
sums payable under this paragraph) such Lender, Issuer or the Agent (as the
case
may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such
deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions, (iii) the
Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant authority in
accordance with applicable law and (iv) the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent
the original copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof within 30 days after
such payment is made.
(d) This
Section 10.04 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
Section
10.05 Integration.
This
Agreement (including the Borrower’s obligation to pay the fees as provided in
Section 2.09(c) and the Fee Letter referred to therein) and the Loan Documents
contain the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter
hereof and supersede all oral statements and prior writings with respect
thereto.
Section
10.06 Indemnity.
The
Borrower hereby agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold each Lender and each
director, officer, employee agent and advisor of each Lender (each an
“Indemnified Party”) harmless from and against all claims, damages, judgments,
penalties, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorney fees and court
costs now or hereafter arising from the aforesaid enforcement of this clause)
arising directly or indirectly from the activities of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, its predecessors in interest, or third parties with whom it has
a
contractual relationship, or arising directly or indirectly from the violation
of any environmental protection, health, or safety law, whether such claims
are
asserted by any governmental agency or any other person, other than claims,
damages, judgments, penalties, costs and expenses arising as a result of any
Indemnified Party’s willful misconduct or gross negligence as determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment. This
indemnity shall survive termination of this Agreement.
Section
10.07 CHOICE
OF LAW.
THE
LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS
OF
THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA BUT GIVING EFFECT TO FEDERAL LAWS APPLICABLE TO
NATIONAL BANKS.
Section
10.08 Severability
of Provisions.
Any
provision of any Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of
such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining
provisions of such Loan Document or affecting the validity or enforceability
of
such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section
10.09 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different
parties to this Agreement in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together
shall
constitute one and the same Agreement.
Section
10.10 Headings.
Article
and Section headings in the Loan Documents are included in such Loan Documents
for the convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of the
applicable Loan Documents for any other purpose.
Section
10.11 CONSENT
TO JURISDICTION.
THE
BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY
UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR NORTH CAROLINA STATE COURT SITTING IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH
CAROLINA IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN
DOCUMENTS AND THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT
OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT
AND
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE AS TO THE VENUE
OF
ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT OR THAT SUCH COURT
IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF THE AGENT
OR
ANY LENDER TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE BORROWER IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER
JURISDICTION. ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING BY THE BORROWER AGAINST THE AGENT OR
ANY
LENDER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE AGENT OR ANY LENDER INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED
WITH
ANY LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN A COURT IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH
CAROLINA.
Section
10.12 WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL.
THE
BORROWER, THE AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL
PROCEEDING INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER (WHETHER SOUNDING
IN
TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED
WITH ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED THEREUNDER.
Section
10.13 Governmental
Regulation.
Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lender
shall be obligated to extend credit to the Borrower in violation of any
limitation or prohibition provided by any applicable statute or
regulation.
Section
10.14 No
Fiduciary Duty.
The
relationship between the Borrower and the Lenders and the Agent shall be solely
that of borrower and lender. Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any
fiduciary responsibilities to the Borrower. Neither the Agent nor any Lender
undertakes any responsibility to the Borrower to review or inform the Borrower
of any matter in connection with any phase of the Borrower’s business or
operations.
Section
10.15 Confidentiality.
Each
Lender agrees to hold any confidential information which it may receive from
the
Borrower pursuant to this Agreement in confidence, except for disclosure (i)
to
other Lenders and their respective Affiliates, (ii) to legal counsel,
accountants, and other professional advisors to that Lender, (iii) to regulatory
officials, (iv) to any Person as requested pursuant to or as required by law,
regulation, or legal process, (v) to any Person in connection with any legal
proceeding to which that Lender is a party, and (vi) subject to an agreement
containing provisions substantially the same as this Section 10.15, to (A)
any
actual or prospective assignee or Participant under this Agreement, (B) any
actual or prospective counterparty to any swap or derivative transaction
relating to the Borrower and its obligations and (C) legal counsel, accountants
and other professional advisors to a Person described in clause (A) or (B)
above.
Section
10.16 USA
Patriot Act Notification.
Each
Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III
of
Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”) hereby notifies
the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of 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 to identify the Borrower in accordance with the
Act.
Section
10.17 Register.
The
Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain
at
one of its offices 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 Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and Facility Letter of
Credit Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from
time
to time (the "Register"). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive,
absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agent, the Issuers 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. The Register shall be available for
inspection by the Borrower, the Issuers and any Lender, at any reasonable time
and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
ARTICLE
XI
BENEFIT
OF AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENTS; PARTICIPATIONS
Section
11.01 Successors
and Assigns.
The
provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding
upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors
and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of an Issuer that issues
any Facility Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign
or
otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or under the
other
Loan Documents without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any
attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall
be
null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights
or
obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents except in accordance
with this Article XI. 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 (including any Affiliate
of
an Issuer that issues any Facility Letter of Credit) and Participants (to the
extent provided in Section 11.03)) any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim
under or by reason.
Section
11.02 Assignments.
(a) Subject
to the conditions set forth in Section 11.02(b), any Lender may assign to one
or
more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its
Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that the written
consents (which consents shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of
the
Agent and (unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) the
Borrower shall be required prior to an assignment becoming effective with
respect to an assignee which, prior to such assignment, is not a Lender, an
Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund.
(b) Assignments
shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(i) 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,
(ii) the
parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Agent an Assignment
and Assumption (“Assignment and Assumption”) in substantially the form of
Exhibit
F
hereto,
together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; and
(iii) the
assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Agent an
Administrative Questionnaire.
(c) Upon
its
receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning
Lender and an assignee, the assignee's completed Administrative Questionnaire
(unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and
recordation fee referred to in Section 11.02(b)(ii) and any written consent
to
such assignment required by Section 11.02(a), the Agent shall accept such
Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the
Register; provided
that if
either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any
payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(a), 2.21(d),
2.22.6(b) or 9.05, the Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment
and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and
until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued
interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this
Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this
paragraph.
Section
11.03 Participations.
Any
Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Agent, the Issuer or the
Swing Line Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities
(a
"Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender's rights and obligations
under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of
its
Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided
that
(i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely
responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations,
(iii) such Lender shall remain the holder of any such Note for all purposes
under the Loan Documents, (iv) all amounts payable by the Borrower under this
Agreement shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold participating
interests and (v) the Borrower, the Agent,
the
Issuer and the other Lenders 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, modification or waiver
that
(i) forgives principal, interest or fees (other than Agent’s fees) or reduces
the interest rate (other than Agent’s fees), (ii) postpones any date fixed for
any regularly scheduled payment of principal of, or interest or fees (other
than
Agent’s fees) or (iii) releases any Significant Guarantor.
Section
11.04 Pledge
to Federal Reserve Bank.
Any
Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any
portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender
to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Article shall not apply to any such pledge
or assignment of a security interest; provided
that no
such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from
any
of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for
such
Lender as a party hereto.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
by
their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first
written.
BEAZER
HOMES USA, INC.
By:
/s/
Allan P. Merrill (SEAL)
Name:
Allan P. Merrill
Title:
Executive Vice President and CFO
Address
for Notices
1000
Abernathy Road
Suite
1200
Atlanta,
Georgia 30328
Attention:
President
Tel:
(770) 829-3700
Fax: (770)
481-0431
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
WACHOVIA
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent and as a Lender
By:
/s/
R.
Scott Holtzapple
Name:
R.
Scott Holtzapple
Title:
Senior Vice President
Address
for Notices of Borrowings:
Wachovia
Bank, National Association
Attn:
Deana Adams
201
S.
College Street
CP8
mailcode NC5708
Charlotte,
NC 28288
Telecopy:
704-383-7989
Address
for all other Notices
Wachovia
Bank, National Association
401
South
Tryon Street NC 1193
Charlotte,
North Carolina 28288
Attn:
Scott Holtzapple
Telephone:
(704) 383-0474
Telecopy:
(704) 383-7146
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
CITIBANK,
N.A., as a Lender
By:
/s/
Mark Floyd
Name:
Mark Floyd
Title:
Vice President
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
BNP
PARIBAS, as a Lender
By:
/s/
Berangere Allen
Name:
Berangere Allen
Title:
Vice-President
By:
/s/
Duane Helkowski
Name:
Duane Helkowski
Title:
Managing Director
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
THE
ROYAL
BANK OF SCOTLAND, as a Lender
By:
/s/
William McGinty
Name:
William McGinty
Title:
Senior Vice President
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
GUARANTY
BANK, as a Lender
By:
/s/
Amy Satsky
Name:
Amy
Satsky
Title:
Senior Vice President
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
REGIONS
FINANCIAL CORPORATION, as a Lender
By:
/s/
Ronny Hudspeth
Name:
Ronny Hudspeth
Title:
Sr. Vice President
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender
By:
/s/
Michael P. O’Keefe
Name:
Michael P. O’Keefe
Title:
Vice President
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
CITY
NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association, as a Lender
By:
/s/
Mary Bowman
Name:
Mary Bowman
Title:
Senior Vice President
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
PNC
BANK,
N.A., as a Lender
By:
/s/
Douglas G. Paul
Name:
Douglas G. Paul
Title:
Senior Vice President
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
UBS
LOAN
FINANCE, LLC, as a Lender
By:
/s/
Irja R. Otsa
Name:
Irja R. Otsa
Title:
Associate Director
By:
/s/
Mary E. Evans
Name:
Mary E. Evans
Title:
Associate Director
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
COMERICA
BANK, as a Lender
By:
/s/
James Graycheck
Name:
James Graycheck
Title:
Vice President
[Signature
Page to Credit Agreement]
Schedule
I
COMMITMENT
SCHEDULE
Lenders
|
Commitment
Percentage
|
Commitment
|
Wachovia
Bank
|
15%
|
$75,000,000
|
Citibank,
N.A.
|
15%
|
$75,000,000
|
BNP
Paribas
|
15%
|
$75,000,000
|
The
Royal Bank of Scotland
|
15%
|
$75,000,000
|
Guaranty
Bank
|
10%
|
$50,000,000
|
Regions
Financial Corporation
|
10%
|
$50,000,000
|
JPMorgan
Chase Bank
|
7%
|
$35,000,000
|
City
National Bank
|
5%
|
$25,000,000
|
PNC
Bank
|
3%
|
$15,000,000
|
UBS
Loan Finance, LLC
|
3%
|
$15,000,000
|
Comerica
Bank
|
2%
|
$10,000,000
|
TOTAL
|
100%
|
$500,000,000
|
Exhibit 99.1
Exhibit
99.1
Press
Release
For
Immediate
Release
Beazer
Homes Announces New Revolving Credit Facility
ATLANTA,
July 26, 2007
--
Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE: BZH) (www.beazer.com)
announced that it has entered into a new $500 million revolving credit facility.
The new four year credit arrangement, which matures in July 2011, replaces
the
company’s existing $1 billion revolving credit facility, which was scheduled to
mature in August 2009. The new facility contains an accordion feature which
permits the aggregate commitment to increase up to $1 billion, subject to
the
availability of additional commitments.
The
new
facility was arranged by Wachovia Securities and Citigroup Global Markets,
Inc.
Wachovia Bank, National Association serves as Administrative Agent, Citicorp
North America, Inc. as Syndication Agent, BNP Paribas, Guaranty Bank and
The
Royal Bank of Scotland plc as Documentation Agents, Regions Bank as Senior
Managing Agent, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Managing Agent. In addition,
four other banks participated in the transaction.
“We
are
focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet and significant liquidity in
the
current challenging business environment,” said Allan P. Merrill, Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer. “The new facility reflects our
requirement for less total borrowing capacity as we pursue a positive cash
generation strategy during this industry downturn and provides us with more
flexible financial covenants. We appreciate the support and confidence of
our
bank syndicate led by Wachovia and Citigroup.”
The
new
revolving credit facility contains financial covenants related to, among
other
items, maintenance of minimum levels of interest coverage and minimum
tangible net worth. In particular, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization, as defined in the agreement, must equal or exceed 1.1 times
interest incurred for the next nine quarters, increasing to 1.5 times for
the
tenth quarter and then 1.75 times thereafter. The former credit facility
required maintenance of interest coverage of at least 2.0 times interest
incurred. The covenants also provide a new minimum tangible net worth
requirement of $1 billion, which will increase by 50% of net income in future
periods. At June 30, 2007 the Company’s tangible net worth as defined in the
agreement was approximately $1.3 billion.
“As
lead
agent for this new facility, we are delighted to expand our relationship
with
Beazer Homes,” said Bird Anderson, SVP and Head of Homebuilder Finance for
Wachovia. “Despite the current difficult operating environment, we, along with
Citigroup and the other nine banks participating in the facility, have
confidence in both Beazer Homes and the long-term fundamentals of the
industry.”
Beazer
Homes USA, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country’s ten largest
single-family homebuilders with operations in Arizona, California, Colorado,
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey,
New
Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Texas, Virginia and West Virginia and also provides mortgage origination
and
title services to its homebuyers. Beazer Homes, a Fortune 500 Company, is
listed
on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BZH.”
Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain
statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause
actual results to differ materially. Such risks, uncertainties and other
factors
include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions,
changes
in levels of customer demand, fluctuations in interest rates, increases in
raw
materials and labor costs, levels of competition, implementation of overhead
realignments and associated costs, potential liability as a result of
construction defect, product liability and warranty claims, the outcome of
the
U.S. Attorney inquiry and related internal review, the SEC investigation,
the
class action lawsuits, derivative claims and similar proceedings and other
factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
September 30, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December
8, 2006 and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Leslie
H. Kratcoski
Vice
President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
(770)
829-3764
lkratcos@beazer.com`
Exhibit 99.2
Exhibit
99.2
Press
Release
For
Immediate
Release
Beazer
Homes Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2007 Financial Results
ATLANTA,
July 26, 2007--
Beazer
Homes USA, Inc. (NYSE: BZH) (www.beazer.com)
today
announced financial results for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007.
Summary results of the quarter are as follows:
Quarter
Ended June 30, 2007
n |
Reported
net loss of $(123.0) million, or $(3.20) per share, including pre-tax
charges related to inventory impairments, abandonment of land option
contracts and goodwill impairments totaling $188.5 million. For the
third
quarter of the prior fiscal year, net income was $102.6 million,
or $2.37
per diluted share.
|
n |
Home
closings: 2,666 homes, compared to 4,156 in the third quarter of
the prior
year.
|
n |
Total
revenues: $761.0 million, compared to $1.20 billion in the third
quarter
of the prior year.
|
n |
New
orders: 3,055 homes, compared to 4,378 in the third quarter of the
prior
year.
|
n |
Lots
under control totaled 71,801 at 6/30/07, a 31% and 10% decline from
the
third quarter of the prior fiscal year and the second quarter of
fiscal
2007, respectively
|
n |
Unsold
finished homes declined 38% compared to the second quarter of this
fiscal
year.
|
n |
Net
debt to capitalization was 52.6% as of
6/30/07.
|
n |
Backlog
at 6/30/07: 5,952 homes with a sales value of $1.69 billion compared
to
9,449 homes with a sales value of $2.85 billion in the third quarter
of
the prior year and 5,563 homes with a sales value of $1.67 billion
in the
second quarter of this fiscal year.
|
“Operating
conditions in the housing industry deteriorated further in the fiscal third
quarter and remain very challenging,” said President and Chief Executive
Officer, Ian J. McCarthy. “Most housing markets across the country continue to
be characterized by an oversupply of both new and resale home inventory,
reduced
levels of consumer demand for new homes and aggressive price competition
among
home builders. These factors, together with a pronounced credit tightening
in
the mortgage markets, particularly for credit challenged home buyers, are
likely
to lead to continued difficult market conditions for Beazer Homes and other
home
builders. Although we cannot predict when market conditions will improve,
we
continue to believe that longer-term industry fundamentals remain compelling
due
to demographic changes, employment trends and new home supply constraints.”
Total
home closings of 2,666 during the third quarter of fiscal 2007 were 36% below
the same period a year ago. Net new home orders totaled 3,055 homes for the
quarter, a decline of 30% from the third quarter of the prior fiscal year.
The
cancellation rate for the third quarter was 36%, compared to 34% in the prior
year’s third quarter, and 29% in the second quarter of this fiscal year.
“We
have
remained disciplined in our operating approach and continue to focus on
initiatives aimed at positioning us well for what we believe will continue
to be
a challenging environment. These initiatives include reductions in our direct
construction costs, overhead expenses and land and land development spending.
At
the same time, we are intensely focused on enhancing our sales and marketing
efforts, including the use of integrated, national promotion efforts to reduce
unsold home inventories,” McCarthy continued.
During
the third quarter, margins continued to be negatively impacted by both higher
levels of discounting and reduced revenue volume as compared to the same
period
a year ago. In addition, the Company incurred pre-tax charges to abandon
land
option contracts, and to recognize inventory impairments and goodwill
impairments of $44.8 million, $113.9 million, and $29.8 million, respectively.
The charges for goodwill impairment relate to goodwill allocated to operations
in Northern California, Nevada and Florida. The results for the third fiscal
quarter also included a $6.0 million reduction of the warranty accrual for
the
remediation of homes in connection with the Trinity Homes class action
settlement in October 2004, based on a reduction in the estimated remaining
remediation costs.
The
Company has proactively reduced its controlled lot count by 31% compared
to June
of the prior year and by 10% compared to the March quarter of this fiscal
year.
The Company remains committed to aligning its land supply and inventory levels
to current expectations for home closings, and continues to exercise caution
and
discipline with regard to land and land development spending.
Revolving
Credit Facility
The
Company also announced that it has entered into a new, four year $500 million
revolving credit facility. The new agreement, which
matures in July 2011, replaces the company’s existing $1 billion revolving
credit facility which was scheduled to mature in August 2009. The
new
facility contains an accordion feature which permits the aggregate commitment
to
increase up to $1 billion, subject to the availability of additional
commitments.
“We
are
focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet and significant liquidity during
this challenging business environment,” said Allan P. Merrill, Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer. “While we have no near-term plans for
borrowing under the new credit agreement, its terms provide us with increased
flexibility to manage successfully through the current downturn and at the
same
time to take a long-term view of the business.”
As
of
June 30, 2007, the Company had no borrowings on its revolving credit facility
and a cash balance of $128.8 million.
United
States Attorney and SEC Inquiries and Outstanding
Litigation
As
previously disclosed on March 29, 2007, Beazer Homes received a subpoena
from
the United States Attorney’s office in the Western District of North Carolina,
seeking the production of documents focusing on the Company’s mortgage
origination services. On May 1, 2007 the Company received notice that the
Securities and Exchange Commission had commenced an informal inquiry to
determine whether any person or entity related to Beazer Homes had violated
federal securities laws. On July 20, 2007, the Company received a formal
order
of private investigation issued by the SEC in this matter. The Company intends
to continue to fully cooperate with all related inquiries.
Together
with certain of its subsidiaries and current and former officers and directors,
the Company has also been named as a defendant in several purported class
action
lawsuits.
In
response to these matters, the Audit Committee of the Beazer Homes Board
of
Directors and its independent legal counsel and financial consultant launched
an
internal review of Beazer Homes' mortgage origination business and related
matters. The results of the ongoing review by the Audit Committee, the
governmental investigations, or the pending lawsuits could result in the
payment
of criminal or civil fines, the imposition of an injunction on future conduct,
the imposition of other penalties, or other consequences, including the
Company
adjusting the conduct of certain of its business operations and the timing
and
content of its existing and future public disclosures, any of which could
have a
material adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results
of
operations of the Company.
Conference
Call
The
Company will hold a conference call today, July 26, 2007, at 11:00 AM ET
to
discuss the results and take questions. Interested parties may listen to
the
conference call and view the Company’s slide presentation over the internet by
going to the “Investor Relations” section of the Company’s website at
www.beazer.com.
A
replay of the webcast will be available at www.beazer.com
for
approximately 90 days.
Beazer
Homes USA, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the country’s ten largest
single-family homebuilders with operations in Arizona, California, Colorado,
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey,
New
Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Texas, Virginia and West Virginia and also provides mortgage origination
and
title services to its homebuyers. Beazer Homes, a Fortune 500 Company, is
listed
on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BZH.”
Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain
statements in this press release are “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause
actual results to differ materially. Such risks, uncertainties and other
factors
include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions,
changes
in levels of customer demand, fluctuations in interest rates, increases in
raw
materials and labor costs, levels of competition, implementation of overhead
realignments and associated costs, potential liability as a result of
construction defect, product liability and warranty claims, the outcome of
the
U.S. Attorney inquiry and related internal review, the SEC investigation,
the
class action lawsuits, derivative claims and similar proceedings and other
factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
September 30, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December
8, 2006 and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Leslie
H. Kratcoski
Vice
President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
(770)
829-3764
lkratcos@beazer.com`
-Tables
Follow-
BEAZER
HOMES USA, INC.
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA
|
|
(Dollars
in thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL
DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter
Ended
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June
30,
|
|
June
30,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
INCOME
STATEMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
revenue
|
|
$
|
761,007
|
|
$
|
1,203,538
|
|
$
|
2,390,316
|
|
$
|
3,578,245
|
|
Home
construction and land sales expenses
|
|
|
650,473
|
|
|
887,108
|
|
|
2,013,484
|
|
|
2,661,959
|
|
Inventory
impairments and option contract abandonments
|
|
|
158,747
|
|
|
7,123
|
|
|
358,524
|
|
|
19,654
|
|
Gross
(loss) profit
|
|
|
(48,213
|
)
|
|
309,307
|
|
|
18,308
|
|
|
896,632
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
109,516
|
|
|
153,412
|
|
|
334,613
|
|
|
436,283
|
|
Goodwill
impairment
|
|
|
29,752
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
29,752
|
|
|
-
|
|
Operating
(loss) income
|
|
|
(187,481
|
)
|
|
155,895
|
|
|
(346,057
|
)
|
|
460,349
|
|
Equity
in (loss) income of unconsolidated joint ventures
|
|
|
(939
|
)
|
|
127
|
|
|
(10,991
|
)
|
|
809
|
|
Other
income
|
|
|
2,301
|
|
|
1,480
|
|
|
6,988
|
|
|
7,165
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)
income before income taxes
|
|
|
(186,119
|
)
|
|
157,502
|
|
|
(350,060
|
)
|
|
468,323
|
|
Income
tax (benefit) provision
|
|
|
(63,112
|
)
|
|
54,878
|
|
|
(124,958
|
)
|
|
171,435
|
|
Net
(loss) income
|
|
$
|
(123,007
|
)
|
$
|
102,624
|
|
$
|
(225,102
|
)
|
$
|
296,888
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
(loss) income per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
(3.20
|
)
|
$
|
2.60
|
|
$
|
(5.86
|
)
|
$
|
7.37
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
(3.20
|
)
|
$
|
2.37
|
|
$
|
(5.86
|
)
|
$
|
6.70
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding, in thousands:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
38,459
|
|
|
39,435
|
|
|
38,388
|
|
|
40,281
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
38,459
|
|
|
43,929
|
|
|
38,388
|
|
|
44,909
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
incurred
|
|
$
|
34,616
|
|
$
|
31,759
|
|
$
|
104,010
|
|
$
|
85,195
|
|
Interest
amortized to cost of sales
|
|
$
|
29,154
|
|
$
|
22,071
|
|
$
|
78,696
|
|
$
|
60,788
|
|
EPS
interest add back - Convertible Debt
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
$
|
1,347
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
$
|
4,038
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
$
|
5,769
|
|
$
|
8,055
|
|
$
|
14,698
|
|
$
|
19,097
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SELECTED
BALANCE SHEET DATA
|
|
|
June
30,
|
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
June
30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
128,773
|
|
$
|
172,443
|
|
$
|
24,366
|
|
|
|
|
Inventory
|
|
|
3,273,477
|
|
|
3,520,332
|
|
|
3,752,862
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
4,035,392
|
|
|
4,559,431
|
|
|
4,383,609
|
|
|
|
|
Total
debt (net of discount of $3,151, $3,578 and $3,766)
|
|
|
1,767,088
|
|
|
1,838,660
|
|
|
1,791,903
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders'
equity
|
|
|
1,480,276
|
|
|
1,701,923
|
|
|
1,631,064
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventory
Breakdown
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Homes
under construction
|
|
$
|
1,328,127
|
|
$
|
1,368,056
|
|
$
|
1,730,534
|
|
|
|
|
Development
projects in progress
|
|
|
1,454,421
|
|
|
1,623,819
|
|
|
1,681,673
|
|
|
|
|
Unimproved
land held for future development
|
|
|
11,240
|
|
|
12,213
|
|
|
13,867
|
|
|
|
|
Model
homes
|
|
|
67,156
|
|
|
44,803
|
|
|
53,535
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
inventory not owned
|
|
|
412,533
|
|
|
471,441
|
|
|
273,253
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,273,477
|
|
$
|
3,520,332
|
|
$
|
3,752,862
|
|
|
|
|
BEAZER
HOMES USA, INC.
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA
|
|
(Dollars
in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING
DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter
Ended
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June
30,
|
|
June
30,
|
|
SELECTED
OPERATING DATA
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Closings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West
region
|
|
|
725
|
|
|
1,037
|
|
|
2,128
|
|
|
3,294
|
|
Mid-Atlantic
region
|
|
|
269
|
|
|
477
|
|
|
676
|
|
|
1,432
|
|
Florida
region
|
|
|
266
|
|
|
362
|
|
|
861
|
|
|
1,375
|
|
Southeast
region
|
|
|
606
|
|
|
1,033
|
|
|
2,014
|
|
|
2,818
|
|
Other
homebuilding
|
|
|
800
|
|
|
1,247
|
|
|
2,390
|
|
|
3,339
|
|
Total
closings
|
|
|
2,666
|
|
|
4,156
|
|
|
8,069
|
|
|
12,258
|
|
New
orders, net of cancellations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West
region
|
|
|
730
|
|
|
861
|
|
|
2,227
|
|
|
2,799
|
|
Mid-Atlantic
region
|
|
|
333
|
|
|
461
|
|
|
1,128
|
|
|
1,261
|
|
Florida
region
|
|
|
357
|
|
|
380
|
|
|
891
|
|
|
1,453
|
|
Southeast
region
|
|
|
645
|
|
|
1,295
|
|
|
2,124
|
|
|
3,315
|
|
Other
homebuilding
|
|
|
990
|
|
|
1,381
|
|
|
2,549
|
|
|
3,646
|
|
Total
new orders
|
|
|
3,055
|
|
|
4,378
|
|
|
8,919
|
|
|
12,474
|
|
Backlog
units at end of period:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West
region
|
|
|
1,274
|
|
|
2,499
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mid-Atlantic
region
|
|
|
1,029
|
|
|
1,022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Florida
region
|
|
|
538
|
|
|
1,337
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southeast
region
|
|
|
1,431
|
|
|
2,251
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
homebuilding
|
|
|
1,680
|
|
|
2,340
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
backlog units
|
|
|
5,952
|
|
|
9,449
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dollar
value of backlog at end of period
|
|
$
|
1,691,631
|
|
$
|
2,852,052
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BEAZER
HOMES USA, INC.
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA (Continued)
|
|
(Dollars
in thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter
Ended
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June
30,
|
|
June
30,
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL
FINANCIAL DATA:
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Homebuilding
operations
|
|
$
|
735,351
|
|
$
|
1,178,360
|
|
$
|
2,294,487
|
|
$
|
3,491,646
|
|
Land
and lot sales
|
|
|
19,188
|
|
|
18,568
|
|
|
73,394
|
|
|
64,119
|
|
Financial
Services
|
|
|
10,003
|
|
|
12,392
|
|
|
32,972
|
|
|
36,505
|
|
Intercompany
elimination
|
|
|
(3,535
|
)
|
|
(5,782
|
)
|
|
(10,537
|
)
|
|
(14,025
|
)
|
Total
revenues
|
|
$
|
761,007
|
|
$
|
1,203,538
|
|
$
|
2,390,316
|
|
$
|
3,578,245
|
|
Gross
(loss) profit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Homebuilding
operations
|
|
$
|
(57,466
|
)
|
$
|
300,058
|
|
$
|
(16,110
|
)
|
$
|
861,434
|
|
Land
and lot sales
|
|
|
(750
|
)
|
|
(3,143
|
)
|
|
1,446
|
|
|
(1,307
|
)
|
Financial
Services
|
|
|
10,003
|
|
|
12,392
|
|
|
32,972
|
|
|
36,505
|
|
Total
gross (loss) profit
|
|
$
|
(48,213
|
)
|
$
|
309,307
|
|
$
|
18,308
|
|
$
|
896,632
|
|
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Homebuilding
operations
|
|
$
|
100,687
|
|
$
|
143,250
|
|
$
|
308,091
|
|
$
|
405,250
|
|
Financial
Services
|
|
|
8,829
|
|
|
10,162
|
|
|
26,522
|
|
|
31,033
|
|
Total
selling, general and administrative
|
|
$
|
109,516
|
|
$
|
153,412
|
|
$
|
334,613
|
|
$
|
436,283
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SELECTED
SEGMENT INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West
region
|
|
$
|
249,827
|
|
$
|
389,934
|
|
$
|
814,456
|
|
$
|
1,230,380
|
|
Mid-Atlantic
region
|
|
|
116,458
|
|
|
232,373
|
|
|
311,052
|
|
|
664,987
|
|
Florida
region
|
|
|
72,470
|
|
|
108,551
|
|
|
270,124
|
|
|
421,901
|
|
Southeast
region
|
|
|
151,476
|
|
|
215,708
|
|
|
490,231
|
|
|
581,610
|
|
Other
homebuilding
|
|
|
164,308
|
|
|
250,362
|
|
|
482,018
|
|
|
656,887
|
|
Financial
services
|
|
|
10,003
|
|
|
12,392
|
|
|
32,972
|
|
|
36,505
|
|
Intercompany
elimination
|
|
|
(3,535
|
)
|
|
(5,782
|
)
|
|
(10,537
|
)
|
|
(14,025
|
)
|
Total
revenue
|
|
$
|
761,007
|
|
$
|
1,203,538
|
|
$
|
2,390,316
|
|
$
|
3,578,245
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
(loss) income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West
region
|
|
$
|
(74,249
|
)
|
$
|
60,340
|
|
$
|
(121,360
|
)
|
$
|
211,321
|
|
Mid-Atlantic
region
|
|
|
(14,782
|
)
|
|
53,336
|
|
|
(35,254
|
)
|
|
155,952
|
|
Florida
region
|
|
|
(17,953
|
)
|
|
17,797
|
|
|
(39,673
|
)
|
|
86,684
|
|
Southeast
region
|
|
|
(3,353
|
)
|
|
25,350
|
|
|
19,786
|
|
|
52,026
|
|
Other
homebuilding
|
|
|
(14,599
|
)
|
|
1,895
|
|
|
(47,153
|
)
|
|
(4,516
|
)
|
Financial
services
|
|
|
1,174
|
|
|
2,230
|
|
|
6,450
|
|
|
5,472
|
|
Segment
operating (loss) income
|
|
|
(123,762
|
)
|
|
160,948
|
|
|
(217,204
|
)
|
|
506,939
|
|
Corporate
and unallocated
|
|
|
(63,719
|
)
|
|
(5,053
|
)
|
|
(128,853
|
)
|
|
(46,590
|
)
|
Total
operating (loss) income
|
|
$
|
(187,481
|
)
|
$
|
155,895
|
|
$
|
(346,057
|
)
|
$
|
460,349
|
|