<PAGE>
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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): September 15, 1999
Friedman's Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-22356 58-20583
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
4 West State Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
(Address of principal executive offices)
912-233-9333
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events.
On September 15, 1999, Friedman's Inc. ("Friedman's") entered into a
Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of banks providing
Friedman's a $67,500,000 senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Credit
Facility"). The Credit Facility expires in three years and is secured by certain
of Friedman's assets. Friedman's used the proceeds from the Credit Facility,
together with the proceeds from the repayment by Crescent Jewelers Inc., a
Delaware corporation and affiliate of Friedman's ("Crescent"), of Friedman's $25
million investment in Crescent and accrued interest, to repay in full all of its
obligations under its then existing credit facilities.
Also on September 15, 1999, Friedman's executed a Guaranty Agreement (the
"Guaranty") in favor of a syndicate of banks pursuant to which Friedman's agreed
to guarantee Crescent's obligations under its $112,500,000 senior secured
revolving credit facility. As consideration for the Guaranty and pursuant to a
Guaranty Fee Agreement, dated September 15, 1999, among Friedman's and Crescent
(the "Guaranty Fee Agreement"), Crescent has agreed to make quarterly payments
to Friedman's in amounts equal to 2% per annum of the outstanding obligations of
Crescent under its credit facility during the preceding fiscal quarter.
In further consideration of the Guaranty, Crescent also granted Friedman's
a warrant to purchase 7,942,904 shares of Crescent's Class A Common Stock (which
is non-voting stock and constitutes 50% of Crescent's outstanding capital stock)
at an exercise price of $.06295 per share (the "Warrant"). The Warrant contains
conventional anti-dilution provisions and incidental registration rights, and
provides for the redemption of the Warrant or any shares of Class A Common Stock
purchased pursuant to the Warrant at the option of Friedman's upon the
occurrence of certain events.
Friedman's and Crescent are affiliates and Bradley J. Stinn, Chief
Executive Officer of Friedman's, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Crescent. The Credit Agreement, the Guaranty, the Guaranty Fee Agreement and
the Warrant, and the transactions contemplated thereby, were approved by a
Special Committee of disinterested members of the Board of Directors of
Friedman's, supported by an opinion of a financial advisor and the advice of
counsel.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
Exhibits:
10.1 Credit Agreement dated as of September 15, 1999, by and between Friedman's
Inc., as Borrower, certain subsidiaries and affiliates of Friedman's, as
guarantors, the lenders named therein, Bank of America, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and General Electric Capital Corp., as Documentation
Agent.
<PAGE>
10.2 Credit Agreement dated as of September 15, 1999, by and between Crescent
Jeweler's Inc., as Borrower, certain subsidiaries and affiliates of
Crescent, as guarantors, the lenders named therein, Bank of America, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, and General Electric Capital Corp., as
Documentation Agent.
10.3 Guaranty Agreement dated as of September 15, 1999, by Friedman's Inc., in
favor of Bank of America N.A., as Administrative Agent and the lenders
under the Crescent Jeweler's Inc. Credit Agreement (referenced herein as
Exhibit 10.2).
10.4 Guaranty Fee Agreement dated as of September 15, 1999, by and between
Friedman's Inc. and Crescent Jewelers Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary
Crescent Jewelers.
10.5 Warrant to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock of Crescent Jewelers
Inc. dated as of September 15, 1999.
99 Press release dated as of September 16, 1999.
-3-
<PAGE>
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.
Friedman's Inc.
(Registrant)
Date: September 17, 1999 By: /s/ Victor M. Suglia
--------------------
Victor M. Suglia
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary
-4-
<PAGE>
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of September 15, 1999
among
FRIEDMAN'S INC.,
as Borrower,
CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES OF THE BORROWER,
as Guarantors,
THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
AND
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,
as Documentation Agent
Arranged by:
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS.................................................... 1
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1.1 Definitions...................................................... 1
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1.2 Computation of Time Periods...................................... 29
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1.3 Accounting Terms................................................. 29
----------------
SECTION 2 CREDIT FACILITIES.............................................. 30
-----------------
2.1 Commitments...................................................... 30
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2.2 Method of Borrowing.............................................. 32
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2.3 Interest......................................................... 34
--------
2.4 Repayment........................................................ 34
---------
2.5 Notes............................................................ 34
-----
2.6 Additional Provisions relating to Letters of Credit.............. 34
---------------------------------------------------
2.7 Additional Provisions relating to Swingline Loans................ 39
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SECTION 3 OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES................. 40
----------------------------------------------
3.1 Default Rate..................................................... 40
------------
3.2 Extension and Conversion......................................... 40
------------------------
3.3 Prepayments...................................................... 41
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3.4 Reduction and Termination of Commitments......................... 42
----------------------------------------
3.5 Fees............................................................. 42
----
3.6 Capital Adequacy................................................. 43
----------------
3.7 Limitation on Eurodollar Loans................................... 43
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3.8 Illegality....................................................... 44
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3.9 Requirements of Law.............................................. 44
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3.10 Treatment of Affected Loans..................................... 45
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3.11 Taxes........................................................... 46
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3.12 Compensation.................................................... 48
------------
3.13 Pro Rata Treatment.............................................. 48
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3.14 Sharing of Payments............................................. 49
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3.15 Certain Limitations............................................. 50
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3.16 Payments, Computations, Etc..................................... 51
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3.17 Evidence of Debt................................................ 53
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SECTION 4 GUARANTY....................................................... 54
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4.1 The Guaranty..................................................... 54
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4.2 Obligations Unconditional........................................ 54
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4.3 Reinstatement.................................................... 55
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4.4 Certain Additional Waivers....................................... 56
--------------------------
4.5 Remedies......................................................... 56
--------
4.6 Rights of Contribution........................................... 56
----------------------
4.7 Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee....................... 57
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SECTION 5 CONDITIONS..................................................... 58
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5.1 Closing Conditions............................................... 58
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5.2 Conditions to all Extensions of Credit........................... 60
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SECTION 6 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................................. 61
------------------------------
6.1 Financial Condition.............................................. 61
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i
<PAGE>
6.2 No Changes or Restricted Payments................................ 62
---------------------------------
6.3 Organization; Existence; Compliance with Law..................... 62
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6.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.................... 63
---------------------------------------------
6.5 No Legal Bar..................................................... 63
------------
6.6 No Material Litigation and Disputes.............................. 63
-----------------------------------
6.7 No Defaults...................................................... 64
-----------
6.8 Ownership and Operation of Property.............................. 64
-----------------------------------
6.9 Intellectual Property............................................ 64
---------------------
6.10 No Burdensome Restrictions...................................... 64
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6.11 Taxes........................................................... 64
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6.12 ERISA........................................................... 65
-----
6.13 Governmental Regulations, Etc................................... 66
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6.14 Subsidiaries.................................................... 67
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6.15 Purpose of Extensions of Credit................................. 67
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6.16 Environmental Matters........................................... 67
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6.17 Year 2000 Compliance............................................ 68
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6.18 No Material Misstatements....................................... 69
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6.19 Labor Matters................................................... 69
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6.20 Security Documents.............................................. 69
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6.21 Location of Real Property and Leased Premises................... 70
---------------------------------------------
6.22 Solvency........................................................ 70
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SECTION 7 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.......................................... 71
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7.1 Information Covenants............................................ 71
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7.2 Preservation of Existence and Franchises......................... 74
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7.3 Books and Records................................................ 74
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7.4 Compliance with Law.............................................. 74
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7.5 Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness.......................... 74
---------------------------------------
7.6 Insurance........................................................ 75
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7.7 Maintenance of Property.......................................... 75
-----------------------
7.8 Performance of Obligations....................................... 75
--------------------------
7.9 Use of Proceeds.................................................. 75
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7.10 Audits/Inspections.............................................. 76
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7.11 Financial Covenants............................................. 76
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7.12 Additional Guarantors........................................... 76
---------------------
7.13 Pledged Assets.................................................. 77
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7.14 Year 2000 Compliance............................................ 77
--------------------
7.15 Additional Reporting and Collateral Requirements................ 78
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SECTION 8 NEGATIVE COVENANTS............................................. 78
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8.1 Indebtedness..................................................... 78
------------
8.2 Liens............................................................ 80
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8.3 Nature of Business............................................... 80
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8.4 Merger and Consolidation, Dissolution and Acquisitions........... 80
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8.5 Asset Dispositions............................................... 81
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8.6 Investments...................................................... 82
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8.7 Restricted Payments.............................................. 82
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ii
<PAGE>
8.8 Modifications and Payments in respect of Other Funded Debt....... 82
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8.9 Transactions with Affiliates..................................... 82
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8.10 Fiscal Year; Organizational Documents........................... 83
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8.11 Ownership of Subsidiaries....................................... 83
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8.12 No Further Negative Pledges..................................... 83
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8.13 Limitation on Management Fees................................... 83
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SECTION 9 EVENTS OF DEFAULT.............................................. 84
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9.1 Events of Default................................................ 84
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9.2 Acceleration; Remedies........................................... 86
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SECTION 10 AGENCY PROVISIONS............................................. 87
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10.1 Appointment, Powers and Immunities.............................. 87
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10.2 Reliance by Administrative Agent................................ 88
--------------------------------
10.3 Defaults........................................................ 88
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10.4 Rights as a Lender.............................................. 88
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10.5 Indemnification................................................. 89
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10.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.......... 89
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10.7 Successor Administrative Agent.................................. 90
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10.8 Appointment of Collateral Agent................................. 90
-------------------------------
10.9 Documentation Agent............................................. 90
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SECTION 11 MISCELLANEOUS................................................. 91
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11.1 Notices......................................................... 91
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11.2 Right of Set-Off; Adjustments................................... 92
-----------------------------
11.3 Benefit of Agreement............................................ 92
--------------------
11.4 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.................................. 95
------------------------------
11.5 Expenses; Indemnification....................................... 95
-------------------------
11.6 Amendments, Waivers and Consents............................... 96
--------------------------------
11.7 Counterparts.................................................... 98
------------
11.8 Headings........................................................ 98
--------
11.9 Survival........................................................ 98
--------
11.10 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue............... 98
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11.11 Severability................................................... 99
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11.12 Entirety....................................................... 99
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11.13 Binding Effect; Termination.................................... 99
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11.14 Confidentiality................................................ 99
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11.15 Source of Funds................................................ 100
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11.16 Conflict....................................................... 101
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iii
<PAGE>
SCHEDULES
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Schedule 1 Form of Pledge Agreement
Schedule 2.1 Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 2.2(a)(i) Form of Notice of Borrowing
Schedule 2.2(a)(ii) Form of Notice of Request of Letter of Credit
Schedule 2.5 Form of Revolving Note
Schedule 2.6(b) Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 3.2 Form of Notice of Extension/Conversion
Schedule 5.1(h)(v) Form of Officer's Certificate
Schedule 6.2 Changes and Restricted Payments Since the Date of the Most
Recent Audited Financial Statements
Schedule 6.6 Litigation
Schedule 6.8 Liens
Schedule 6.14 Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.19 Labor Matters
Schedule 6.21(b) Locations of Collateral
Schedule 6.21(c) Chief Executive Offices/Principal Places
of Business
Schedule 7.1(c) Form of Officer's Compliance Certificate
Schedule 7.6 Insurance
Schedule 7.12 Form of Joinder Agreement
Schedule 8.1 Indebtedness
Schedule 8.6 Investments
Schedule 8.9 Non-Arm's Length Transactions
Schedule 11.1 Lenders' Addresses
Schedule 11.3(b) Form of Assignment and Acceptance
iv
<PAGE>
CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of September 15, 1999 (the "Credit
------
Agreement"), is by and among FRIEDMAN'S INC., a Delaware corporation (the
- ---------
"Borrower"), and the subsidiaries and affiliates identified on the signature
- ---------
pages hereto and such other subsidiaries and affiliates as may from time to time
become Guarantors hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof (the
"Guarantors"), the lenders named herein and such other lenders as may become a
- -----------
party hereto (the "Lenders"), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent for
-------
the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent") and GENERAL ELECTRIC
--------------------
CAPITAL CORPORATION, as Documentation Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity,
the "Documentation Agent").
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W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide $67.5 million
in credit facilities for the purposes hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to make the requested credit facilities
available to the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1
DEFINITIONS
-----------
1.1 Definitions.
-----------
As used in this Credit Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings specified below:
"Acquisition", by any Person, means the purchase or acquisition by
-----------
such Person of any Capital Stock of another Person other than a member of
the Consolidated Group or all or any substantial portion of the Property
(other than Capital Stock) of another Person other than a member of the
Consolidated Group, whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with
such other Person.
"Adjusted Base Rate" means the Base Rate plus the Applicable
------------------ ----
Percentage.
"Adjusted Eurodollar Rate" means the Eurodollar Rate plus the
------------------------ ----
Applicable Percentage.
<PAGE>
"Administrative Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
--------------------
in the heading hereof, together with any successors or assigns.
"Administrative Agent's Fee Letter" means that certain letter
---------------------------------
agreement, dated as of July 13, 1999, between the Administrative Agent and
the Borrower, as amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to
time.
"Administrative Agent's Fees" shall have the meaning assigned to such
---------------------------
term in Section 3.5(c).
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (i)
---------
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such Person or (ii) directly or indirectly
owning or holding ten percent (10%) or more of the Capital Stock in such
Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect
to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such
Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Agency Services Address" means the notice address for the
-----------------------
Administrative Agent set forth in Section 11.1 or such other address as may
be identified by written notice from the Administrative Agent to the
Borrower.
"Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount" means the aggregate amount of
------------------------------------
Revolving Commitments in effect from time to time, as referenced in
Section 2.1(a), being initially SIXTY-SEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($67,500,000).
"Applicable Lending Office" means, for each Lender, the office of
such Lender (or of an Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may from
time to time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by
written notice as the office by which its Eurodollar Loans are made and
maintained.
"Applicable Percentage" means for any day, the rate per annum set
---------------------
forth below opposite the applicable Combined Leverage Ratio then in effect,
it being understood that the Applicable Percentage for (i) Base Rate Loans
shall be the percentage set forth under the column "Base Rate Margin", (ii)
Eurodollar Loans shall be the percentage set forth under the column
"Eurodollar Margin and Letter of Credit Fee", (iii) the Letter of Credit
Fee shall be the percentage set forth under the column "Eurodollar Margin
and Letter of Credit Fee" and (iv) the Commitment Fee shall be the
percentage set forth under the column "Commitment Fee":
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Eurodollar Margin
Pricing Combined Leverage Base Rate and Commitment
Level Ratio Margin Letter of Credit Fee Fee
- ------- ---------------------------- --------- -------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
I greater than 3.25 0.00% 1.75% 0.40%
II greater than 2.75 but
less than or equal to 3.25 0.00% 1.50% 0.35%
III greater than 2.25 but
less than or equal to 2.75 0.00% 1.25% 0.30%
IV less than or equal to 2.25 0.00% 1.00% 0.25%
</TABLE>
The Applicable Percentage shall be determined and adjusted on the date
(each a "Rate Determination Date") five (5) Business Days after the date by
-----------------------
which each annual and quarterly compliance certificates and related
financial statements and information are required in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 7.1(a), (b) and (c) of this Credit Agreement, as
appropriate, provided that:
--------
(i) the initial Applicable Percentages shall be based on pricing
level I until the first Rate Determination Date to occur in connection
with the delivery of the quarterly financial statements and
appropriate compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending
September 30, 1999, and
(ii) notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event an annual or
quarterly compliance certificate and related financial statements and
information are not delivered timely to the Agency Services Address by
the date required by Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (c) hereunder or under
the Crescent Credit Agreement, as appropriate, the Applicable
Percentages shall be based on pricing level I until such time as an
appropriate compliance certificate and related financial statements
and information are delivered, whereupon the applicable pricing level
shall be adjusted based on the information contained in such
compliance certificate and related financial statements and
information.
Subject to the qualifications set forth above, each Applicable Percentage
shall be effective from a Rate Determination Date until the next such Rate
Determination Date. The Administrative Agent shall determine the
appropriate Applicable Percentages in the pricing matrix promptly upon
receipt of the quarterly or annual compliance certificate and related
financial information and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the
Lenders of any change thereof. Such determinations by the Administrative
Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Adjustments in the
Applicable Percentages shall be effective as to existing Extensions of
Credit as well as new Extensions of Credit made thereafter.
"Asset Disposition" shall mean and include (i) the sale, lease or
-----------------
other disposition of any Property by any member of the Consolidated Group
(including the Capital Stock of a Subsidiary but excluding Capital Stock of
the Borrower), and (ii) receipt by any member of the Consolidated Group of
any cash insurance proceeds or condemnation award payable by reason of
theft, loss, physical destruction or damage, taking or similar event with
respect to any of its Property; but for purposes hereof shall not include,
in any event,
3
<PAGE>
(A) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business, (B) the sale,
lease or other disposition of machinery and equipment obsolete or no longer
used or useful in the conduct of business, (C) a sale, lease, transfer or
disposition of Property to a Domestic Credit Party, (D) the sale or
disposition of Investments permitted pursuant to clause (i) of the
definition of Permitted Investments, and (E) the issuance of Capital Stock
of a Subsidiary to any member of the Consolidated Group or the issuance of
Capital Stock of a Subsidiary pro rata to all of its holders in a manner
that does not dilute the ownership interest of the members of the
Consolidated Group therein.
"Bank of America" means Bank of America, N.A., and its successors.
---------------
"Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United
---------------
States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.
"Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence
----------------
of any of the following with respect to such Person: (i) a court or
governmental agency having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a
decree or order for relief in respect of such Person in an involuntary case
under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or
for any substantial part of its Property or ordering the winding up or
liquidation of its affairs; or (ii) there shall be commenced against such
Person an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or
other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or any case, proceeding or
other action for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or
for any substantial part of its Property or for the winding up or
liquidation of its affairs, and such involuntary case or other case,
proceeding or other action shall remain undismissed, undischarged or
unbonded for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or (iii) such Person
shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of
an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent
to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator,
assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such
Person or for any substantial part of its Property or make any general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) such Person shall be
unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts
generally as they become due.
"Base Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the
---------
higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate for such day plus one-half of one
percent (0.5%) and (b) the Prime Rate for such day. Any change in the Base
Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate shall be
effective on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or Federal
Funds Rate.
"Base Rate Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined
--------------
by reference to the Base Rate.
4
<PAGE>
"Borrower" means Friedman's Inc., a Delaware corporation, as
--------
referenced in the opening paragraph, its successors and permitted assigns.
"Borrowing Base" means, as of any day, an amount equal to the sum of
--------------
(i) Sixty-five percent (65%) of Eligible Receivables, plus (ii) Fifty
percent (50%) of Eligible Inventory, minus (iii) $60 million (representing
-----
a Borrowing Base reserve amount against which credit support is provided
under the Crescent Credit Agreement which reserve amount shall be subject
to readjustment at the discretion of the Required Lenders based on
financial information delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 7.1), or
such greater or lesser amount agreed upon by the Borrower and Crescent
which is otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, minus
-----
(iv) an amount equal to one month's rental expense for the Consolidated
Group, minus (v) an amount determined by the Administrative Agent in its
-----
good faith discretion representing a reserve for obligations owing under
Hedging Agreements (determined and adjusted monthly on a marked-to-market
basis), in each case as set forth in the most recent Borrowing Base
Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in
accordance with Section 7.1(d) (subject to adjustments by the
Administrative Agent made in good faith to better reflect the actual state
and condition of the Borrowing Base); provided, however, that the foregoing
-------- -------
advance rates against Eligible Receivables and Eligible Inventory may be
adjusted downward by the Administrative Agent in its good faith discretion
(and thereafter readjusted upward by the Administrative Agent in its good
faith discretion to rates not in excess of the original advance rates). The
Administrative Agent will give prompt notice to the Borrower and the
Lenders of any such adjustment in the applicable advance rates.
"Borrowing Base Certificate" shall have the meaning assigned to such
--------------------------
term in Section 7.1(d).
"Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day
------------
on which commercial banks in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atlanta, Georgia or
New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close, except that,
-----------
when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, such day shall also be a
day on which dealings between banks are carried on in Dollar deposits in
London, England.
"Capital Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any
-------------
Property by that Person as lessee which, in accordance with GAAP, is or
should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that
Person.
"Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, capital
-------------
stock, (ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all
shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however
designated) of capital stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership,
partnership interests (whether general or limited), (iv) in the case of a
limited liability company, membership interests and (v) any other interest
or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of
the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing
Person.
5
<PAGE>
"Cash Equivalents" means (a) securities issued or directly and fully
----------------
guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality
thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is
pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve
months from the date of acquisition, (b) Dollar denominated time deposits
and certificates of deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii) any domestic commercial
bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of
$500,000,000 or (iii) any bank whose short-term commercial paper rating
from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody's is at
least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an "Approved
--------
Bank"), in each case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the
----
date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes
issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any
variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation
rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the
equivalent thereof) or better by Moody's and maturing within six months of
the date of acquisition, (d) repurchase agreements entered into by any
Person with a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or
recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of
$500,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the
United States in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority
security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of
purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the
repurchase obligations and (e) Investments, classified in accordance with
GAAP as current assets, in money market investment programs registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which are
administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of at least
$500,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the
character described in the foregoing subdivisions (a) through (d).
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following
-----------------
events: (i) Phillip Ean Cohen shall fail to own and control, directly or
indirectly, Voting Stock of the Borrower in an amount sufficient to elect a
majority of the Borrower's board of directors or (ii) during any period of
up to 12 consecutive months, commencing after the Closing Date, individuals
who at the beginning of such 12 month period were directors of the Borrower
(together with any new director whose election by the Borrower's board of
directors or whose nomination for election by the Borrower's stockholders
was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still
in office who either were directors at the beginning of such period or
whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease
for any reason to constitute a majority of the directors of the Borrower
then in office.
"Closing Date" means the date hereof.
------------
"Collateral" means a collective reference to the collateral which is
----------
identified in, and at any time will be covered by, the Collateral
Documents.
"Collateral Documents" means a collective reference to the Security
--------------------
Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and such other documents executed and
delivered in connection with the attachment and perfection of the
Administrative Agent's security interests and liens arising thereunder,
including without limitation, UCC financing statements.
6
<PAGE>
"Combined Adjusted EBITDAR" means, as of any date of determination,
-------------------------
the sum of (i) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR for the Crescent Consolidated
Group for the period of twelve consecutive fiscal months of the Crescent
Consolidated Group ending as of the date of determination, plus (ii)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR for the Friedman's Consolidated Group for the
period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Friedman's Consolidated
Group ending as of the date of determination.
"Combined Adjusted Funded Debt" means, as of any date of
-----------------------------
determination, the sum of (i) Funded Debt of the Combined Group on such day
plus (ii) an amount equal to the product of (A) the sum of rents and lease
expense for the Crescent Consolidated Group for the period of twelve
consecutive fiscal months of the Crescent Consolidated Group ending as of
the date of determination plus rents and lease expense for the Friedman's
Consolidated Group for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of
the Friedman's Consolidated Group ending as of the date of determination,
multiplied by (B) five (5), in each case determined on a combined basis in
accordance with GAAP.
"Combined Group" means (i) the Crescent Consolidated Group and (ii)
--------------
the Friedman's Consolidated Group, on a combined basis.
"Combined Leverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of each fiscal
-----------------------
quarter of the Friedman's Consolidated Group, the ratio of (i) Combined
Adjusted Funded Debt on such day to (ii) Combined Adjusted EBITDAR as of
such day.
"Commitment Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
--------------
Section 3.5(a).
"Commitments" means any of the Revolving Commitments, the LOC
-----------
Commitments and/or the Swingline Commitments.
"Commitment Period" means the period from and including the Closing
-----------------
Date to but not including the earlier of (i) the Termination Date or (ii)
the date on which the Commitments terminate in accordance with the
provisions of this Credit Agreement.
"Committed Amount" means the Revolving Committed Amount, the LOC
----------------
Committed Amount and/or the Swingline Committed Amount.
"Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR" means, for any period for the
-----------------------------
Consolidated Group, the sum of (i) Consolidated EBITDA plus (ii) lease and
----
rent expense, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP. Except as
otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four
consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.
"Consolidated Adjusted Funded Debt" means for the Consolidated Group
---------------------------------
as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, the sum of (i) Funded Debt on
such day plus (ii) an amount equal to the product of (A) rents and lease
----
expense for the period of four consecutive
7
<PAGE>
fiscal quarters ending as of such day multiplied by (B) five (5), in each
case determined on a combined basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period for the Consolidated
-------------------
Group, the sum of (i) Consolidated Net Income plus (ii) to the extent
----
deducted in determining net income, (A) Consolidated Interest Expense, (B)
taxes and (C) depreciation and amortization, in each case on a consolidated
basis determined in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly
provided, the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal
quarters ending as of the date of determination.
"Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, for any period, the
----------------------------------------
ratio of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR to Consolidated Fixed Charges.
"Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, for any period for the
--------------------------
Consolidated Group, the sum of (i) the cash portion of Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period, plus (ii) scheduled current maturities of
----
Consolidated Funded Debt (including, for purposes hereof, mandatory
commitment reductions, sinking fund payments, payments in respect of the
principal component under Capital Leases and the like relating thereto) for
the four consecutive fiscal quarters beginning the day after the date of
determination plus (iii) lease and rent expense for such period, plus (iv)
----
Restricted Payments, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for
the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of
determination.
"Consolidated Group" means the Friedman's Consolidated Group, except
------------------
that solely for purposes of determining the Combined Leverage Ratio and its
components, then the Crescent Consolidated Group and/or the Friedman's
Consolidated Group, as the context requires.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period for the
-----------------------------
Consolidated Group, all interest expense, including the amortization of
debt discount and premium, the interest component under Capital Leases and
the implied interest component under Securitization Transactions, in each
case on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP applied on
a consolidated basis. Except as expressly provided otherwise, the
applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending
as of the date of determination.
"Consolidated Leverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of any fiscal
---------------------------
quarter, the ratio of Consolidated Adjusted Funded Debt on such day to
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR for the period of four consecutive fiscal
quarters ending as of such day.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period for the Consolidated
-----------------------
Group, net income determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP, but excluding for purposes hereof, (i) the one-time special charge of
$4,982,000 incurred during the fourth fiscal quarter of 1998 for periods
including the fourth fiscal quarter of 1998, (ii) compensation expenses
arising from the forgiveness of principal and interest pursuant to
8
<PAGE>
loans made in connection with the Borrower's Long Term Incentive Program,
(iii) extraordinary non-cash or non-recurring non-cash gains and losses or
charges, and related tax effects thereon and (iv) the Crescent Guaranty
Fee. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be
for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of
determination.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, as of any date for the Consolidated
----------------------
Group, consolidated shareholders' equity or net worth as determined in
accordance with GAAP.
"Continue", "Continuation", and "Continued" shall refer to the
-------- ------------ ---------
continuation pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof of a Eurodollar Loan from one
Interest Period to the next Interest Period.
"Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of
----------------------
any security issued by such Person or of any material agreement, instrument
or undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound.
"Convert", "Conversion", and "Converted" shall refer to a conversion
------- ---------- ---------
pursuant to Section 3.2 or Sections 3.7 through 3.12, inclusive, of a Base
Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Loan.
"Credit Documents" means a collective reference to this Credit
----------------
Agreement, the Notes, the LOC Documents (excluding any Letter of Credit),
each Joinder Agreement, the Administrative Agent's Fee Letter, the
Collateral Documents and all other related agreements and documents issued
or delivered hereunder or thereunder or pursuant hereto or thereto (in each
case as the same may be amended, modified, restated, supplemented,
extended, renewed or replaced from time to time), and "Credit Document"
---------------
means any one of them.
"Credit Parties" means a collective reference to the Borrower and the
--------------
Guarantors, and "Credit Party" means any one of them.
------------
"Crescent" means Crescent Jewelers, a California corporation.
--------
"Crescent Consolidated Group" means Crescent Jewelers, Inc., a
---------------------------
Delaware corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, as determined in
accordance with GAAP.
"Crescent Credit Agreement" means that Credit Agreement dated as of
-------------------------
the date hereof, as amended, modified, extended, renewed or replaced, among
Crescent, as borrower, the subsidiaries and affiliates identified therein,
as guarantors, the lenders identified therein, and Bank of America, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent.
"Crescent Guaranty Fee" means a fee payable by Crescent to Friedman's
---------------------
equal to 2% per annum of the average amount of the Guaranteed Obligations
(as defined in the Friedman's Guaranty Agreement) during the preceding
fiscal quarter. The Crescent Guaranty Fee will be paid in arrears on the
15th day after the end of each fiscal quarter.
9
<PAGE>
The calculation of the Crescent Guaranty Fee will be made by the Chief
Financial Officer of Crescent and certified to Friedman's in writing within
10 days after the end of each fiscal quarter. In the event the Crescent
Guaranty Fee is not timely paid, interest shall accrue on the fee
commencing as of the end of the fiscal quarter at the Base Rate plus 2%.
"Default" means any event, act or condition which with notice or
-------
lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"Defaulting Lender" means, at any time, any Lender that (a) has
-----------------
failed to make a Loan or purchase a Participation Interest required
pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement within one Business Day of
when due, (b) other than as set forth in (a) above, has failed to pay to
the Administrative Agent or any Lender an amount owed by such Lender
pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement within one Business Day of
when due, unless such amount is subject to a good faith dispute or (c) has
been deemed insolvent or has become subject to a bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding or with respect to which (or with respect to any of the assets
of which) a receiver, trustee or similar official has been appointed.
"Documentation Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
-------------------
the heading hereof, together with any successors or assigns.
"Dollars" and "$" means dollars in lawful currency of the United
------- -
States.
"Domestic Credit Party" means any Credit Party which is incorporated
---------------------
or organized under the laws of any State of the United States or the
District of Columbia.
"Domestic Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary which is incorporated or
-------------------
organized under the laws of any State of the United States or the District
of Columbia.
"Eligible Assignee" means (i) a Lender; (ii) an affiliate of a
-----------------
Lender; and (iii) any other Person approved by the Administrative Agent
and, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time
any assignment is effected in accordance with Section 11.3, the Borrower
(such approval by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed and such approval to be deemed given by
the Borrower if no objection is received by the assigning Lender and the
Administrative Agent from the Borrower within two Business Days after
notice of such proposed assignment has been provided by the assigning
Lender to the Borrower); provided, however, that neither the Borrower nor
-------- -------
an Affiliate of the Borrower shall qualify as an Eligible Assignee.
"Eligible Inventory" means, as of any date of determination and
------------------
without duplication, the lower of the aggregate book value (based on a FIFO
or a moving average cost valuation, consistently applied) or fair market
value of all raw materials and finished goods inventory owned by the
Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries less reserves against inventory
shrinkage as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and
other appropriate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP but excluding
in any event (i) inventory which is (a) not subject to a perfected, first
priority (subject to inchoate Liens
10
<PAGE>
for government charges or assessments not yet due) Lien in favor for the
Administrative Agent to secure the Obligations or (b) subject to any other
Lien that is not a Permitted Lien, (ii) inventory which is not in good
condition or fails to meet standards for sale or use imposed by
governmental agencies, departments or divisions having regulatory authority
over such goods, (iii) inventory which is not useable or salable at prices
approximating their cost in the ordinary course of the business (including
without duplication the amount of any reserves for obsolescence,
unsalability or decline in value), (iv) inventory located outside of the
United States or is in transit (other than between locations operated by
the Credit Parties), (v) inventory which is leased or on consignment and
(vi) inventory which fails to meet such other specifications and
requirements as may from time to time be established by the Administrative
Agent in its reasonable discretion.
"Eligible Receivables" means, as of any date of determination and
--------------------
without duplication, the aggregate book value of all accounts receivable,
receivables, and obligations for payment created or arising from the sale
of inventory or the rendering of services in the ordinary course of
business (collectively, the "Receivables"), owned by or owing to the
-----------
Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries, net of allowances and reserves for
sales adjustments, unearned finance charges, unearned insurance premiums
and sales tax consistent with such Person's internal policies and in any
event in accordance with GAAP, but excluding in any event (i) any
Receivable which is (A) not subject to a perfected, first priority (subject
to inchoate Liens for government charges or assessments not yet due) Lien
in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the Obligations, (B) subject
to any other Lien that is not a Permitted Lien, or (C) not in compliance
with applicable laws (including those regarding consumer protection and
truth-in-lending), (ii) doubtful or uncollectible Receivables (including,
without limitation, those which are more than 60 days past due) (net of
reserves for bad debts in connection with any such Receivables), (iii) 50%
of the book value of any Receivable not otherwise excluded by clause (ii)
above (A) which is a restructured or rewritten account or (B) is owing from
an account debtor which is the account debtor on any existing Receivable
then excluded by such clause (ii), unless the exclusion by such clause (ii)
is a result of a legitimate dispute by the account debtor and the
applicable Receivable is no more than 90 days past due, (iv) Receivables
arising from contracts with a term of more than 24 months to the extent the
book value of any such Receivable exceeds 1% of the book value of all
Eligible Receivables, (v) Receivables evidenced by notes, chattel paper or
other instruments, unless the covenants set forth in the Security Agreement
applicable to such notes, chattel paper or instruments have been complied
with, (vi) Receivables owing by an account debtor which is not solvent or
is subject to any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding of any kind or which
has died or been declared judicially incompetent, (vii) Receivables owing
by an account debtor located outside of the United States (unless payment
for the goods shipped is secured by an irrevocable letter of credit in a
form and from an institution acceptable to the Administrative Agent),
(viii) Receivables which are contingent or subject to offset, deduction,
counterclaim, dispute or other defense to payment, in each case to the
extent of such offset, deduction, counterclaim, dispute or other defense,
(ix) Receivables for which any direct or indirect Subsidiary, employee or
any Affiliate is the account debtor, (x) Receivables representing a sale to
the government of the United States or any subdivision
11
<PAGE>
thereof unless the Federal Assignment of Claims Act has been complied with
to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent with respect to the
granting of a security interest in such Receivable, with or other similar
applicable law, (xi) Receivables with respect to which any of the
representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements contained in the
Credit Documents are not or have ceased to be complete and correct or have
been breached, (xii) Receivables which represent a sale on a bill-and-hold,
guaranteed sale, sale and return, sale on approval, consignment, or other
repurchase or return basis and (xiii) Receivables which fail to meet such
other specifications and requirements as may from time to time be
established by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.
"Environmental Laws" means any and all lawful and applicable federal,
------------------
state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules,
judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises,
licenses, agreements and other governmental restrictions relating to the
environment or to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of
Materials of Environmental Concern into the environment including, without
limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, or land, or otherwise
relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment,
storage, disposal, transport, or handling of Materials of Environmental
Concern.
"Equity Transaction" means, with respect to any member of the
------------------
Consolidated Group, any issuance or sale of shares of its capital stock or
other equity interest, other than an issuance (i) in connection with a
conversion of debt securities to equity and (ii) in connection with
issuance to or exercise by a present or former employee, officer or
director under a stock incentive plan, stock option plan or other equity-
based compensation plan or arrangement.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
-----
amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and
regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time.
References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any
successor sections.
"ERISA Affiliate" means an entity which is under common control with
---------------
any member of the Consolidated Group within the meaning of Section
4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or is a member of a group which includes any member
of the Consolidated Group and which is treated as a single employer under
Sections 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
"ERISA Affiliate Plan" means any employee benefit plan (as defined in
--------------------
Section 3(3) of ERISA) which is covered by ERISA and with respect to which
any ERISA Affiliate that is not a member of the Consolidated Group is (or,
if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of
ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" within the meaning of Section 3(5) of
ERISA.
"ERISA Event" means (i) with respect to any Plan, the occurrence of a
-----------
Reportable Event or the substantial cessation of operations (within the
meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA); (ii) the withdrawal by any member of
the Consolidated Group from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in
which it was a substantial employer (as such term is
12
<PAGE>
defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the termination of a Multiple
Employer Plan; (iii) the distribution of a notice of intent to terminate or
the actual termination of a Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of
ERISA; (iv) the institution of proceedings to terminate or the actual
termination of a Plan by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA; (v) any
event or condition which might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of
ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to
administer, any Plan; (vi) the complete or partial withdrawal of any member
of the Consolidated Group from a Multiemployer Plan; (vii) the conditions
for imposition of a lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA exist with respect
to any Plan; or (viii) the adoption of an amendment to any Plan requiring
the provision of security to such Plan pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA.
"Eurodollar Loan" means any Loan that bears interest at a rate based
---------------
upon the Eurodollar Rate.
"Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest
---------------
Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the
nearest 1/100 of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to
the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the Interbank Offered Rate for such
Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period by (b) 1 minus the Eurodollar
Reserve Requirement for such Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period.
"Eurodollar Reserve Requirement" means, at any time, the maximum rate
------------------------------
at which reserves (including, without limitation, any marginal, special,
supplemental, or emergency reserves) are required to be maintained under
regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (or any successor) by member banks of the Federal
Reserve System against "Eurocurrency liabilities" (as such term is used in
Regulation D). Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Eurodollar
Reserve Requirement shall reflect any other reserves required to be
maintained by such member banks with respect to (i) any category of
liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the Eurodollar
Rate is to be determined, or (ii) any category of extensions of credit or
other assets which include Eurodollar Loans. The Eurodollar Rate shall be
adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the
Eurodollar Reserve Requirement.
"Event of Default" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
----------------
Section 9.1.
"Excluded Property" means, with respect to any member of the
-----------------
Consolidated Group, including any Person that becomes a member of the
Consolidated Group after the Closing Date as contemplated by Section 7.12,
any Property of such member of the Consolidated Group which, subject to the
terms of Section 8.12, is subject to a Lien of the type described in clause
(ix) of the definition of "Permitted Liens" pursuant to documents which
prohibit such member of the Consolidated Group from granting any other
Liens in such Property.
"Executive Officer" of any Person means any of the chief executive
-----------------
officer, chief operating officer, chief accounting officer and chief
financial officer of such Person.
13
<PAGE>
"Existing Letters of Credit" means those Letters of Credit
--------------------------
outstanding on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 2.6(b).
---------------
"Extension of Credit" means, as to any Lender, the making of, or
-------------------
participation in, a Loan by such Lender (including Continuations and
Conversions thereof) or the issuance or extension of, or participation in,
a Letter of Credit by such Lender.
"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded
------------------
upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) 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 on such
day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business
Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a
--------
Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on
such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the
next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on
such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day
shall be the average rate charged to the Administrative Agent (in its
individual capacity) on such day on such transactions as determined by the
Administrative Agent.
"Fees" means all fees payable pursuant to Section 3.5.
----
"Foreign Credit Party" means a Credit Party which is not a Domestic
--------------------
Credit Party.
"Foreign Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary which is not a Domestic
------------------
Subsidiary.
"Friedman's Consolidated Group" means the Borrower and its
-----------------------------
consolidated subsidiaries, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Friedman's Guaranty Agreement" means that Guaranty Agreement dated
-----------------------------
as of the date hereof, as amended, modified, extended, renewed or replaced,
given by the Credit Parties to the Administrative Agent under the Crescent
Credit Agreement with respect to the obligations of Crescent thereunder and
under the other Credit Documents (as defined therein).
"Friedman's Trigger Event" means, if at any time, any of the
------------------------
following events shall occur: (i) total remaining availability (taking into
account the Borrowing Base) under this Credit Agreement is less than (A) $5
million at any time, or (B) $10 million for any 6 or more Business Days
during any period of two consecutive months or (ii) the occurrence of an
Event of Default under this Credit Agreement.
"Funded Debt" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication,
-----------
(i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money (other than to the
extent it may be included herein, trade debt incurred in the ordinary
course of business), (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon which interest
payments are customarily made (other than to the extent it may be included
herein, trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business), (iii) all
purchase money Indebtedness (including for purposes
14
<PAGE>
hereof, indebtedness and obligations in respect of conditional sale or
title retention arrangements described in clause (c) of the definition of
"Indebtedness" and obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of
property or services described in clause (d) of the definition of
"Indebtedness") of such Person, including without limitation the principal
portion of all obligations of such Person outstanding under Capital Leases,
(iv) all Support Obligations of such Person with respect to Funded Debt of
another Person (excluding, for purposes hereof, the guaranty by the
Borrower and members of the Friedman's Consolidated Group of the
Indebtedness of Crescent and members of the Crescent Consolidated Group
under the Crescent Credit Agreement), (v) the maximum available amount of
all letters of credit or acceptances issued or created for the account of
such Person, (vi) all Funded Debt of another Person secured by a Lien on
any Property of such Person, whether or not such Funded Debt has been
assumed, provided that for purposes hereof the amount of such Funded Debt
--------
shall be limited to the amount of such Funded Debt as to which there is
recourse to such Person or the fair market value of the property which is
subject to the Lien, if less, (vii) the outstanding attributed principal
amount under any Securitization Transaction, (viii) the principal portion
of obligations outstanding under Synthetic Leases and (ix) the maximum
amount of all contingent obligations (including, without limitation, earn-
out payments) incurred in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and
Acquisitions consummated prior to the Closing Date. The Funded Debt of any
Person shall include the Funded Debt of any partnership or joint venture in
which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer, but only to the
extent to which there is recourse to such Person for the payment of such
Funded Debt.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
----
States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms of Section
1.3.
"Governmental Authority" means any Federal, state, local or foreign
----------------------
court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory
body.
"Guaranteed Obligations" means, without duplication, (i) all of the
----------------------
obligations of the Borrower to the Lenders (including the Issuing Lender)
and the Administrative Agent, whenever arising, under this Credit
Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Documents or any of the other Credit
Documents (including, but not limited to, any interest accruing after the
occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to any Credit Party,
regardless of whether such interest is an allowed claim under the
Bankruptcy Code) and (ii) all liabilities and obligations, whenever
arising, owing by the Borrower to any Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender,
arising under any Hedging Agreement relating to the Obligations hereunder
to the extent permitted hereunder.
"Guarantors" means each Person identified as a "Guarantor" on the
----------
signature pages hereto and each other Person which may hereafter become a
Guarantor by execution of a Joinder Agreement or guaranty agreement
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders,
together with their successors and permitted assigns, and "Guarantor"
---------
means any one of them.
15
<PAGE>
"Hedging Agreements" means any interest rate protection agreement or
------------------
foreign currency exchange agreement.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without
------------
duplication, (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money (other than, to the
extent it may be included herein, trade debt incurred in the ordinary
course of business), (b) all indebtedness and obligations evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon which interest
payments are customarily made (other than, to the extent it may be included
herein, trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business), (c) all
obligations under conditional sale or other title retention agreements
relating to Property purchased (other than customary reservations or
retentions of title under agreements with suppliers entered into in the
ordinary course of business including, without limitation, the consignment
of inventory), (d) all obligations issued or assumed as the deferred
purchase price of Property or services purchased (other than trade debt
incurred in the ordinary course of business) which would appear as
liabilities on a balance sheet, (e) all obligations of such Person under
take-or-pay or similar arrangements or under commodities agreements, (f)
all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such
Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured
by) any Lien on, or payable out of the proceeds of production from,
Property owned or acquired, whether or not the obligations secured thereby
have been assumed, (g) all Support Obligations with respect to Indebtedness
of another Person, (h) the principal portion of all obligations outstanding
under Capital Leases, (i) all obligations under Hedging Agreements, (j) the
maximum amount of all letters of credit issued or bankers' acceptances
facilities for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all
drafts drawn thereunder (to the extent unreimbursed), (k) all preferred
Capital Stock which by the terms thereof could be (at the request of the
holders thereof or otherwise) subject to mandatory sinking fund payments,
redemption or other acceleration (other than as a result of a Change of
Control or an Asset Disposition that does not in fact result in a
redemption of such preferred Capital Stock) at any time during the term of
the Credit Agreement, (l) the principal portion of obligations outstanding
under Synthetic Leases, (m) the Indebtedness of any partnership or
unincorporated joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a
joint venturer, (n) the outstanding attributed principal amount under any
Securitization Transaction, and (o) the maximum amount of all contingent
obligations (including, without limitation, earn-out payments) incurred in
connection with Permitted Acquisitions and Acquisitions consummated prior
to the Closing Date.
"Interbank Offered Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Loan for any
----------------------
Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Telerate Page 3750 (or
any successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in
Dollars at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days prior
to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such
Interest Period. If for any reason such rate is not available, the term
"Interbank Offered Rate" shall mean, for any Eurodollar Loan for any
Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Reuters Screen LIBO
Page as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at
approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first
day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period;
provided, however, if more than one rate is specified on Reuters Screen
-------- -------
LIBO
16
<PAGE>
Page, the applicable rate shall be the arithmetic mean of all such
rates (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%).
"Interest Payment Date" means (i) as to any Base Rate Loan (other
---------------------
than a Swingline Loan), the last day of each calendar month and the
Termination Date, (ii) as to any Swingline Loan, the last day of each
Interest Period for such Loan, the date of repayment of principal of such
Loan and the Termination Date, or such other days as may be mutually agreed
upon by the Borrower and the Swingline Lender, and (iii) as to any
Eurodollar Loan, the last day of each Interest Period for such Loan, the
date of repayment of principal of such Loan and the Termination Date, and
in addition where the applicable Interest Period is more than three months,
then also on the date three months from the beginning of the Interest
Period, and each three months thereafter. If an Interest Payment Date falls
on a date which is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be
deemed to be the next succeeding Business Day.
"Interest Period" means (i) as to any Eurodollar Loan, a period of
---------------
one, two, three or six months' duration, as the Borrower may elect,
commencing in each case on the date of the borrowing (including
Conversions, Continuations and renewals) and (ii) as to any Swingline Loan,
a period of such duration as the Borrower may request and the Swingline
Lender may agree in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2(a)(iii),
commencing in each case on the date of borrowing; provided, however, (A) if
-----------------
any Interest Period would end on a day which is not a Business Day, such
Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day
(except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans where the next succeeding
Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next
preceding Business Day), (B) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the
Termination Date, and (C) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, where an
Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no numerically
corresponding day in the calendar month in which the Interest Period is to
end, such Interest Period shall end on the last day of such calendar month.
"Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
---------------------
amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and
regulations issued thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.
References to sections of the Internal Revenue Code shall be construed also
to refer to any successor sections.
"Investment" in any Person means (a) the acquisition (whether for
----------
cash, property, services, assumption of Indebtedness, securities or
otherwise) of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures, partnership, joint
ventures or other ownership interests or other securities of such other
Person, (b) any deposit with, or advance, loan or other extension of credit
to, such Person (other than deposits made in connection with the purchase
of equipment or other assets in the ordinary course of business) or (c) any
other capital contribution to or investment in such Person, including,
without limitation, any Support Obligations (including any support for a
letter of credit issued on behalf of such Person) incurred for the benefit
of such Person, but excluding any Restricted Payment to such Person.
"Issuing Lender" means, as to the Existing Letters of Credit, those
--------------
Lenders identified as such in Schedule 2.6(b), and as to Letters of Credit
---------------
issued hereunder, Bank of America.
17
<PAGE>
"Joinder Agreement" means a Joinder Agreement substantially in the
-----------------
form of Schedule 7.12 hereto, executed and delivered by a material Domestic
-------------
Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.12.
"Lenders" means each of the Persons identified as a "lender" on the
-------
signature pages hereto, and their successors and assigns.
"Letter of Credit" means any Existing Letter of Credit and any letter
----------------
of credit issued by the Issuing Lender for the account of the Borrower in
accordance with the terms of Section 2.1(b).
"Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
--------------------
in Section 3.5(b)(i).
"Licenses" means all licenses, permits and other grants of authority
--------
obtained or required to be obtained from any Governmental Authorities in
connection with the management or operation of the business of the members
of the Consolidated Group or the ownership, lease, license or use of any
Property of the members of the Consolidated Group.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
----
arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise),
preference, priority or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give
any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice filed under the
Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and in effect in the relevant
jurisdiction or other similar recording or notice statute, and any lease in
the nature thereof).
"Loan" or "Loans" means the Revolving Loans and/or the Swingline
---- -----
Loans, and the Base Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans and Quoted Rate Swingline
Loans comprising such Loans.
"LOC Commitment" means the commitment of the Issuing Lender to issue,
--------------
and of the Lenders to participate in, Letters of Credit and LOC Obligations
hereunder.
"LOC Committed Amount" means the maximum amount of LOC Obligations
--------------------
hereunder. The initial LOC Committed Amount on the Closing Date is
referenced in Section 2.1(b).
"LOC Documents" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, such
-------------
Letter of Credit, any amendments thereto, any documents delivered in
connection therewith, any application therefor, and any agreements,
instruments, guarantees or other documents (whether general in application
or applicable only to such Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (i)
the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk or (ii) any
collateral security for such obligations.
18
<PAGE>
"LOC Obligations" means, at any time, the sum of (i) the maximum
---------------
amount which is, or at any time thereafter may become, available to be
drawn under Letters of Credit then outstanding, assuming compliance with
all requirements for drawings referred to in such Letters of Credit plus
----
(ii) the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored
by the Issuing Lender but not theretofore reimbursed.
"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (i) the
-----------------------
condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, assets or
liabilities of the Consolidated Group taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of
any Credit Party or other party thereto to perform any material obligation
under the Credit Documents to which it is a party or (iii) the material
rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the
Credit Documents.
"Materials of Environmental Concern" means any gasoline or petroleum
----------------------------------
(including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any
hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as
such in or under any Environmental Laws, including, without limitation,
asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or any successor or
-------
assignee of the business of such company in the business of rating
securities.
"Multiemployer Plan" means a Plan which is a "multiemployer plan" as
------------------
defined in Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
"Multiple Employer Plan" means a Plan (other than a Multiemployer
----------------------
Plan) which any member of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate and
at least one employer other than the members of the Consolidated Group or
any ERISA Affiliate are contributing sponsors.
"Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries" shall have the meaning given such term
--------------------------
in Section 7.12.
"Note" or "Notes" means any of the Revolving Notes.
---- -----
"Notice of Borrowing" means a written notice of borrowing in
-------------------
substantially the form of Schedule 2.2(a)(i), as required by Section
------------------
2.2(a)(i) and Section 2.2(a)(iii).
"Notice of Continuation/Conversion" means the written notice of
---------------------------------
Continuation or Conversion in substantially the form of Schedule 3.2, as
------------
required by Section 3.2.
"Obligations" means, collectively, the Revolving Loans, the Swingline
-----------
Loans and the LOC Obligations.
19
<PAGE>
"Operating Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease
---------------
(including, without limitation, leases which may be terminated by the
lessee at any time) of any Property as lessee which is not a Capital Lease
other than any such lease in which that Person is the lessor.
"Other Taxes" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
-----------
3.11.
"Participation Interest" means the purchase by a Lender of a
----------------------
participation in LOC Obligations as provided in Section 2.6(b), in
Swingline Loans as provided in Section 2.7 and in Loans as provided in
Section 3.13.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established
----
pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereof.
"Permitted Acquisition" means any Acquisition by a member of the
---------------------
Consolidated Group, provided that (i) consideration paid is not greater
than the fair market value thereof, (ii) the Person or Property which is
the subject of such Acquisition shall be in the same or similar line of
business as the members of the Consolidated Group which are parties thereto
or in a line of business ancillary or complimentary thereto, (iii) in the
case of a merger or consolidation, and in other cases where appropriate,
the board of directors or other governing body of the other Person which is
the subject of the transaction of merger or consolidation shall have
approved such Acquisition, (iv) no Default or Event of Default shall exist
immediately after giving effect to such Acquisition, (v) the Borrower shall
have delivered to the Administrative Agent prior written notice of such
Acquisition together with a Pro Forma Compliance Certificate demonstrating
that, upon giving effect to such Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, the
Credit Parties shall be in compliance with all of the covenants set forth
in Section 7.11, (vi) the Borrower shall have delivered to the
Administrative Agent with respect to the Person or Property which is the
subject of the Acquisition (A) historical financial information for the
previous three years for such Person or Property, and (B) a schedule of all
pro forma adjustments that the Borrower intends to include in financial
covenant calculations pursuant to Section 1.3; (vii) if the Acquisition
involves an interest in a partnership and a requirement that a member of
the Consolidated Group be a general partner, the general partner shall be a
newly formed special purpose Subsidiary of the Borrower, (viii) the Credit
Parties shall, and shall cause the party which is the subject of the
Acquisition to, execute and deliver such joinder and pledge agreements and
take such other actions as may be necessary for compliance with the
provisions of Sections 7.12 and 7.13 and (ix) the consideration (including
cash and non-cash consideration, any assumption of Indebtedness and the
maximum amount of any contingent payment (including, without limitation,
obligations to make earn-out payments) but excluding consideration
consisting of any Capital Stock of the Borrower issued to the seller of the
Capital Stock or Property acquired in such Acquisition) paid in connection
with any Acquisition (or series of related Acquisitions) shall not exceed
$5 million. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, the
Acquisition of the Crescent Consolidated Group shall be a "Permitted
Acquisition" hereunder so long as such Acquisition complies with items (i)
through (viii) above.
20
<PAGE>
"Permitted Investments" means Investments which are (i) cash and Cash
---------------------
Equivalents; (ii) accounts receivable created, acquired or made in the
ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with
customary trade terms; (iii) Investments consisting of Capital Stock,
obligations, securities or other Property received in settlement of
accounts receivable (created in the ordinary course of business) from
bankrupt obligors; (iv) Investments existing as of the Closing Date and set
forth in Schedule 8.6; (v) advances or loans to directors, officers and
------------
employees in the ordinary course of business for reasonable business
expenses that do not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time
outstanding; (vi) advances or loans by the Borrower to directors, officers
and employees for the purchase of Capital Stock in accordance with the
terms of employee stock bonus plans that do not exceed $2,500,000 in the
aggregate at any one time outstanding; (vii) advances or loans to customers
and suppliers in the ordinary course of business that do not exceed
$1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding; (viii) Investments
by members of the Consolidated Group in their Subsidiaries and Affiliates
existing on the Closing Date, (ix) Investments by members of the
Consolidated Group in and to Domestic Credit Parties (other than Crescent
or other members of the Crescent Consolidated Group), (x) Investments in
Crescent or members of the Crescent Consolidated Group (A) consisting of
arrangements relating to service contracts, advertising and the like and
extended terms for payment thereof, without limit, (B) consisting of
Support Obligations to the extent permitted by Section 8.1, and (C)
otherwise in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one
time outstanding, (xi) Investments which constitute Permitted Acquisitions,
(xii) Investments in Foreign Subsidiaries in an amount not to exceed
$1,000,000 in the aggregate (on a cost basis) at any one time outstanding
and (xiii) Investments of a nature not contemplated in the foregoing
subsections in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate at any
time outstanding.
"Permitted Liens" means:
---------------
(i) Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the Loans
and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit Documents;
(ii) Liens to secure loans and obligations owing under the Crescent
Credit Agreement and other Credit Documents relating thereto, but only (A)
to the extent such Liens are on the same collateral as to which the Lenders
hereunder also have a Lien, and (B) so long as the loans and obligations
thereunder and the loans and obligations hereunder and under the other
Credit Documents relating hereto shall share pari passu in the collateral
subject to such Liens;
(iii) Liens in favor of a Lender or an affiliate of a Lender pursuant
to a Hedging Agreement permitted hereunder, but only (A) to the extent such
Liens secure obligations under such agreements permitted under Section 8.1,
(B) to the extent such Liens are on the same collateral as to which the
Lenders hereunder also have a Lien, and (C) so long as the obligations
under such Hedging Agreement and the loans and obligations hereunder and
under the other Credit Documents shall share pari passu in the collateral
subject to such Liens;
21
<PAGE>
(iv) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) for
taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or Liens
for taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for
which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been
established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is not
yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);
(v) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen,
mechanics, materialmen and suppliers and other Liens imposed by law or
pursuant to customary reservations or retentions of title arising in the
ordinary course of business, provided that such Liens secure only amounts
--------
not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, are unfiled and no other
action has been taken to enforce the same or are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in
accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which the Property
subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on
account thereof);
(vi) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) incurred
or deposits made by any member of the Consolidated Group in the ordinary
course of business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the performance
of tenders, statutory obligations, bids, leases, government contracts,
performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations
(exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);
(vii) Liens in connection with attachments or judgments (including
judgment or appeal bonds) provided that the attachments or the judgments
--------
secured shall, within 30 days after the entry thereof, have been discharged
or execution thereof stayed pending appeal, or shall have been discharged
within 30 days after the expiration of any such stay;
(viii) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning
restrictions), minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar
charges or encumbrances not, in any material respect, impairing the use of
the encumbered Property for its intended purposes;
(ix) Liens on Property of any Person securing purchase money
Indebtedness (including Capital Leases and Synthetic Leases) of such Person
to the extent permitted under Section 8.1(c), provided that any such Lien
--------
attaches only to the Property financed or leased and such Lien attaches
concurrently with or within 90 days after the acquisition thereof;
(x) leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any
material respect with the business of any member of the Consolidated Group;
(xi) any interest or title of a lessor under, and Liens arising from
UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings, registrations or
agreements in foreign jurisdictions) relating to, leases not prohibited by
this Credit Agreement;
22
<PAGE>
(xii) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
importation of goods;
(xiii) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in
repurchase agreements which constitute Permitted Investments;
(xiv) normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in
favor of banks or other depository institutions;
(xv) Liens of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the
Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection;
(xvi) mortgage Liens securing mortgage Indebtedness permitted under
Section 8.1(g); provided that such mortgage Liens do not extend to any
property other than the property acquired or the subject of improvements
with the proceeds of the mortgage Indebtedness;
(xvii) Liens securing Indebtedness assumed or acquired in connection
with a Permitted Acquisition; provided that (A) such Liens were not created
in contemplation of such Acquisition, (B) such Liens do not extend to any
assets other than those of the encumbered prior to the Acquisition, and (C)
such Liens do not secure Indebtedness in excess of the maximum amount of
Indebtedness permitted to be assumed or acquired in connection with a
Permitted Acquisition as provided in Section 8.1(h);
(xviii) Liens (other than blanket Liens) securing Indebtedness
permitted hereunder in an amount not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate at
any time outstanding;
(xix) Liens existing as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule
--------
6.8; provided that no such Lien shall at any time be extended to or cover
--- --------
any Property other than the Property subject thereto on the Closing Date;
(xx) Liens arising from or in connection with any consignment of
goods as such term is used under the Uniform Commercial Code;
(xxi) Extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions,
renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, of Liens referred to in the
foregoing clauses; provided that the Lien given in connection with any such
--------
extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to the property securing
the Lien prior to extension, renewal or replacement and where such Lien
secures Funded Debt, the Lien given in connection with such extension,
renewal or replacement shall not secure indebtedness in an amount excess of
the principal amount secured immediately prior to the extension, renewal or
replacement.
23
<PAGE>
"Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm,
------
corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other
enterprise (whether or not incorporated) or any Governmental Authority.
"Plan" means any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of
----
ERISA) which is covered by ERISA and with respect to which any member of
the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were
terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be)
an "employer" within the meaning of Section 3(5) of ERISA.
"Pledge Agreement" means the pledge agreements in the form of
----------------
Schedule 1 hereto given by the Borrower and the other pledgors identified
therein to Bank of America, N.A., as collateral agent, to secure the loans
and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit Documents and
the loans and obligations owing under the Crescent Credit Agreement and the
other Credit Documents relating thereto, as such pledge agreement may be
amended and modified from time to time.
"Prime Rate" means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced
----------
from time to time by Bank of America as its prime rate in effect at its
principal office in Charlotte, North Carolina, with each change in the
Prime Rate being effective on the date such change is publicly announced as
effective (it being understood and agreed that the Prime Rate is a
reference rate used by Bank of America in determining interest rates on
certain loans and is not intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged
on any extension of credit by Bank of America to any debtor).
"Pro Forma Basis" means, for purposes of determining compliance with
---------------
the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 on a Pro Forma Basis
hereunder, that any transaction shall be deemed to have occurred as of the
first day of the four fiscal-quarter period ending as of the most recent
fiscal quarter end preceding the date of such transaction with respect to
which the Administrative Agent has received the Required Financial
Information. As used herein, "transaction" shall mean (i) any merger or
-----------
consolidation as referred to in Section 8.4, (ii) any Asset Disposition as
referred to in Section 8.5, (iii) any Acquisition as referred to in the
definition of "Permitted Acquisition" or (iv) any Restricted Payment as
---------------------
referred to in Section 8.7. In connection with any calculation of the
financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 upon giving effect to a
transaction on a Pro Forma Basis:
(A) for purposes of any such calculation in respect of any Asset
Disposition referred to in Section 8.5, (1) income statement items
(whether positive or negative) attributable to the Property disposed
of in such Asset Disposition shall be excluded and (2) any
Indebtedness which is retired in connection with such Asset
Disposition shall be excluded and deemed to have been retired as of
the first day of the applicable period; and
(B) for purposes of any such calculation in respect of any merger
or consolidation referred to in Section 8.4 or any Acquisition
referred to in the
24
<PAGE>
definition of "Permitted Acquisition", (1) any Indebtedness incurred
---------------------
by any member of the Consolidated Group in connection with such
transaction (x) shall be deemed to have been incurred as of the first
day of the applicable period and (y) if such Indebtedness has a
floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for
the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by
utilizing the rate which is or would be in effect with respect to such
Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination, and (2) income
statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the
Property acquired in such transaction or to the Acquisition comprising
such transaction, as applicable, shall be included beginning as of the
first day of the applicable period.
"Pro Forma Compliance Certificate" means a certificate of an
--------------------------------
Executive Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent in
connection with (i) any merger or consolidation referred to in Section 8.4,
(ii) any Asset Disposition referred to in Section 8.5 or (iii) any
Acquisition referred to in the definition of "Permitted Acquisition", as
---------------------
applicable, and containing reasonably detailed calculations, upon giving
effect to the applicable transaction on a Pro Forma Basis, of the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio, Consolidated Net Worth and the Consolidated
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the most recent fiscal quarter end
preceding the date of the applicable transaction with respect to which the
Administrative Agent shall have received the Required Financial
Information.
"Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset,
--------
whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.
"Quoted Rate" means, with respect to a Quoted Rate Swingline Loan,
-----------
the fixed or floating percentage rate per annum, if any, offered by the
Swingline Lender and accepted by the Borrower in accordance with the
provisions hereof.
"Quoted Rate Swingline Loan" means a Swingline Loan bearing interest
--------------------------
at the Quoted Rate.
"Rate Determination Date" shall have the meaning assigned to such
-----------------------
term in the definition of "Applicable Percentage".
"Register" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
--------
11.3(c).
"Regulation T, U, X or Z" means Regulation T, U, X or Z,
-----------------------
respectively, of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as
from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof.
"Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section
----------------
4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the advance or thirty
(30) day notice requirement has been waived by regulation.
25
<PAGE>
"Required Financial Information" means the annual and quarterly
------------------------------
compliance certificates and related financial statements and information
required by the provisions of Sections 7.1(a), (b) and (c), as referenced
in the definition of "Applicable Percentage".
"Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders having more than fifty
----------------
percent (50%) of the aggregate Commitments, or if the Commitments have been
terminated, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate
principal amount of the Obligations outstanding (taking into account in
each case Participation Interests or obligation to participate therein);
provided that the Commitments of, and outstanding principal amount of
--------
Obligations (taking into account Participation Interests therein) owing to,
a Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes hereof in making a
determination of Required Lenders.
"Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the certificate of
------------------
incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of
such Person, and any law, treaty, rule, regulation or ordinance (including,
without limitation, Environmental Laws) or determination of an arbitrator
or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or
binding upon such Person or to which any of its material Property is
subject.
"Restricted Payment" means (i) any dividend or other payment or
------------------
distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of
Capital Stock of any member of the Consolidated Group, now or hereafter
outstanding (including without limitation any payment in connection with
any dissolution, merger, consolidation or disposition involving any member
of the Consolidated Group), or to the holders, in their capacity as such,
of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of any member of the
Consolidated Group, now or hereafter outstanding (other than dividends or
distributions payable in the same class of Capital Stock of the applicable
Person or dividends or distributions payable to any Credit Party (directly
or indirectly through Subsidiaries)), (ii) any redemption, retirement,
sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value,
direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of any
member of the Consolidated Group, now or hereafter outstanding, and (iii)
any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding
warrants, options or other rights to acquire shares of any class of Capital
Stock of any member of the Consolidated Group, now or hereafter
outstanding.
"Revolving Commitment" means the commitment of each Lender to make
--------------------
its ratable share of Revolving Loans hereunder.
"Revolving Committed Amount" means, individually, the maximum
--------------------------
Revolving Commitment of each Lender, and collectively, the aggregate
maximum amount of all the Revolving Commitments of the Lenders hereunder.
The initial Revolving Committed Amounts on the Closing Date are set out in
Schedule 2.1.
------------
"Revolving Commitment Percentage" means, for each Lender, a fraction
-------------------------------
(expressed as a percentage) the numerator of which is the Revolving
Committed Amount of such Lender at such time and the denominator of which
is the Aggregate Revolving
26
<PAGE>
Committed Amount at such time. The initial Revolving Commitment Percentages
are set out on Schedule 2.1.
------------
"Revolving Loans" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
---------------
Section 2.1(a).
"Revolving Note" or "Revolving Notes" means the promissory notes of
-------------- ---------------
the Borrower in favor of each of the Lenders evidencing the Revolving Loans
and Swingline Loans in substantially the form attached as Schedule 2.5,
------------
individually or collectively, as appropriate, as such promissory notes may
be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time
to time.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw
---
Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such
division in the business of rating securities.
"Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any arrangement pursuant to
------------------------------
which any member of the Consolidated Group, directly or indirectly, becomes
liable as lessee, guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease,
whether an Operating Lease or a Capital Lease, of any Property (a) which
such member of the Consolidated Group has sold or transferred (or is to
sell or transfer) to a Person which is not a member of the Consolidated
Group or (b) which such member of the Consolidated Group intends to use for
substantially the same purpose as any other Property which has been sold or
transferred (or is to be sold or transferred) by such member of the
Consolidated Group to another Person which is not a member of the
Consolidated Group in connection with such lease.
"Securities Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
-----------------------
"Securitization Transaction" means any financing transaction or
--------------------------
series of financing transactions that have been or may be entered into by a
member of the Consolidated Group pursuant to which such member of the
Consolidated Group may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (i) a
Subsidiary or affiliate (a "Securitization Subsidiary"), or (ii) any other
-------------------------
Person, or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable, notes
receivable, rights to future lease payments or residuals or other similar
rights to payment (the "Securitization Receivables") (whether such
--------------------------
Securitization Receivables are then existing or arising in the future) of
such member of the Consolidated Group, and any assets related thereto,
including without limitation, all security interests in merchandise or
services financed thereby, the proceeds of such Securitization Receivables,
and other assets which are customarily sold or in respect of which security
interests are customarily granted in connection with securitization
transactions involving such assets.
"Security Agreement" means the Security Agreement dated as of the
------------------
Closing Date given by the Borrower and the subsidiaries and affiliates
identified therein to Bank of America, N.A., as collateral agent to secure
the loans and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit
Documents, and the loans and obligations owing under the Crescent
27
<PAGE>
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents thereunder, as such
Security Agreement may be amended and modified from time to time.
"Single Employer Plan" means any Plan which is covered by Title IV of
--------------------
ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan.
"Subordinated Debt" means any Indebtedness of a member of the
-----------------
Consolidated Group which by its terms is expressly subordinated in right of
payment to the prior payment of the loans and obligations under the Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents on the terms and conditions and
evidenced by documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the
Required Lenders.
"Subsidiary" means, as to any Person at any time, (a) any corporation
----------
more than 50% of whose Capital Stock of any class or classes having by the
terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of
such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at such time, any class or
classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason
of the happening of any contingency) is at such time owned by such Person
directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, and (b) any partnership,
association, joint venture or other entity of which such Person directly or
indirectly through Subsidiaries owns at such time more than 50% of the
Capital Stock. Unless otherwise identified, "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries"
shall refer to Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
"Support Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, without
-------------------
duplication, any obligations of such Person (other than endorsements in the
ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or
collection) guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness of any
other Person in any manner, whether direct or indirect, and including
without limitation any obligation, whether or not contingent, (i) to
purchase any such Indebtedness or any Property constituting security
therefor, (ii) to advance or provide funds or other support for the payment
or purchase of any such Indebtedness or to maintain working capital,
solvency or other balance sheet condition of such other Person (including
without limitation keep well agreements, maintenance agreements, comfort
letters or similar agreements or arrangements) for the benefit of any
holder of Indebtedness of such other Person, (iii) to lease or purchase
Property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the
holder of such Indebtedness, or (iv) to otherwise assure or hold harmless
the holder of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof. The amount
of any Support Obligation hereunder shall (subject to any limitations set
forth therein) be deemed to be an amount equal to the outstanding principal
amount (or maximum principal amount, if larger) of the Indebtedness in
respect of which such Support Obligation is made.
"Swingline Commitment" means the commitment of the Swingline Lender
--------------------
to make, and of the Lender to participate in, Swingline Loans hereunder.
"Swingline Committed Amount" means the maximum amount of the
--------------------------
Swingline Commitments hereunder. The initial Swingline Committed Amount on
the Closing Date is referenced in Section 2.1(c).
28
<PAGE>
"Swingline Lender" means Bank of America.
----------------
"Swingline Loan" means a swingline revolving loan made by the
--------------
Swingline Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1(c).
"Synthetic Lease" means any synthetic lease, tax retention operating
---------------
lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing
product where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness
for tax purposes but is classified as an Operating Lease under GAAP.
"Taxes" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.11.
-----
"Termination Date" means September 15, 2002 or such later date as to
----------------
which all of the Lenders may in their sole discretion by written consent
agree.
"Threshold Requirement" shall have the meaning given such term in
---------------------
Section 7.12.
"Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock
------------
issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence
of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or
persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right
so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.
"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means any Subsidiary 100% of
-----------------------
whose Voting Stock is at the time owned by such Person directly or
indirectly through other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
"Year 2000 Compliant" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
-------------------
Section 6.17.
1.2 Computation of Time Periods.
---------------------------
For purposes of computation of periods of time hereunder, the word "from"
means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but
excluding."
1.3 Accounting Terms.
----------------
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used
herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates and
reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Lenders
hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent
basis. All calculations made for the purposes of determining compliance with
this Credit Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be
made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent
annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 (or,
prior to the delivery of the first financial statements pursuant to Section 7.1,
consistent with the annual audited financial statements referenced in Section
6.1(i)); provided, however, if (a) the Borrower shall object to determining such
-------- -------
compliance on such basis at the time of
29
<PAGE>
delivery of such financial statements due to any change in GAAP or the rules
promulgated with respect thereto or (b) the Administrative Agent or the Required
Lenders shall so object in writing within 60 days after delivery of such
financial statements, then such calculations shall be made on a basis consistent
with the most recent financial statements delivered by the Credit Parties to the
Lenders as to which no such objection shall have been made.
SECTION 2
CREDIT FACILITIES
2.1 Commitments.
-----------
(a) Revolving Commitment. During the Commitment Period, subject to
--------------------
the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make
revolving loans (the "Revolving Loans") to the Borrower in the amount of
---------------
such Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Loans for
the purposes hereinafter set forth; provided that (i) with regard to the
Lenders collectively, the aggregate principal amount of Obligations at any
time shall not exceed the lesser of (A) SIXTY-SEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($67,500,000) (the "Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount")
------------------------------------
or (B) the Borrowing Base, and (ii) with regard to each Lender
individually, such Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of Obligations
at any time shall not exceed the lesser of (A) such Lender's Revolving
Committed Amount or (B) such Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of
the Borrowing Base; and provided further that, notwithstanding the
-------- -------
foregoing, the Administrative Agent may make Revolving Loan advances in its
discretion ("Discretionary Over-Advances") for and on behalf of the Lenders
---------------------------
in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the lesser of (A) five
percent (5%) of the Borrowing Base or (B) $5 million, and a term of not
more than thirty (30) days, even though (i) a Default or Event of Default
then exists and has not been waived or cured, (ii) the other conditions to
Extensions of Credit under Section 5.2 have not or cannot be satisfied, or
(iii) after giving effect thereto, the Obligations then outstanding will be
excess of the Borrowing Base (but not in excess of the Aggregate Revolving
Committed Amount), if in the reasonable business judgment of the
Administrative Agent, such advances are necessary or advisable in the
protection or preservation of the collateral or in order to improve the
likelihood of repayment of the Obligations hereunder (including financing
working capital needs). The Administrative will give prompt notice to the
Lenders of any Discretionary Over-Advances and the circumstances giving
rise thereto, and the Lenders will promptly reimburse the Administrative
Agent for its ratable share of such advance. The right and ability of the
Administrative Agent to make Discretionary Over-Advances hereunder are
subject to revocation by written action of the Required Lenders. Revolving
Loans may consist of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, or a combination
thereof, as the Borrower may request, and may be repaid and reborrowed in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
30
<PAGE>
(b) Letter of Credit Commitment. During the Commitment Period,
---------------------------
subject to the terms and conditions hereof and of the LOC Documents, if
any, and such other terms and conditions which the Issuing Lender may
reasonably require, the Issuing Lender shall issue, and the Lenders shall
participate severally in, such standby Letters of Credit as the Borrower
may request, in form acceptable to the Issuing Lender, for the purposes
hereinafter set forth; provided that (i) the aggregate amount of LOC
--------
Obligations shall not exceed TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000) at any time
(the "LOC Committed Amount"), (ii) with regard to the Lenders collectively,
--------------------
the aggregate principal amount of Obligations at any time shall not exceed
the lesser of (A) the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount or (B) the
Borrowing Base, and (iii) with regard to each Lender individually, such
Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of Obligations at any time shall
not exceed the lesser of (A) such Lender's Revolving Committed Amount or
(B) such Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Borrowing Base.
Letters of Credit issued hereunder shall have an expiry date not more than
one year from the date of issuance or extension, and may not extend beyond
the Termination Date.
(c) Swingline Commitment. During the Commitment Period, subject to
--------------------
the terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Lender agrees to make
certain revolving loans (the "Swingline Loans") to the Borrower; provided
--------------- --------
that (i) the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans shall not exceed
FIVE MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000) at any time (the "Swingline Committed
-------------------
Amount"), (ii) with regard to the Lenders collectively, the aggregate
------
principal amount of Obligations at any time shall not exceed the lesser of
(A) the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount or (B) the Borrowing Base, and
(iii) with regard to each Lender individually, such Lender's Revolving
Commitment Percentage of Obligations at any time shall not exceed the
lesser of (A) such Lender's Revolving Committed Amount or (B) such Lender's
Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Borrowing Base. Swingline Loans may
consist of Base Rate Loans or Quoted Rate Swingline Loans, or a combination
thereof, as the Borrower may request, and may be repaid and reborrowed in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
(d) Increase in Revolving Commitments. So long as the revolving
---------------------------------
commitments hereunder and under the Crescent Credit Agreement shall be not
greater than $200 million in the aggregate, then subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, upon twelve (12) days advance written notice
to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have the right, at any time
and from time to time from the Closing Date until the Termination Date, to
increase the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount to an aggregate available
amount not to exceed $75,000,000; provided that (i) any such increase shall
--------
be in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the remaining amount, if less), (ii) if
any Revolving Loans are outstanding at the time of any such increase, the
Borrower shall make such payments and adjustments on the Revolving Loans
(including payment of any break-funding amount owing under Section 3.12) as
necessary to give effect to the revised Revolving Commitment Percentages
and Revolving Commitment Amounts of the Lenders resulting from such
increase and (iii) the conditions to Extensions of Credit in Sections
5.2(a), (b) and (c) shall be satisfied as of the date of such increase. An
increase in the Aggregate
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<PAGE>
Revolving Committed Amount hereunder shall be subject to satisfaction of
the following: (A) in the case of any such request for an increase in the
Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, the amount of such increase shall be
offered first to the existing Lenders, and in the event the additional
commitments which existing Lenders are willing to take shall exceed the
amount requested by the Borrower, then in proportion to the Revolving
Commitments of such existing Lenders willing to take additional
commitments, (B) in the case of any such request for an increase in the
Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, if the amount of the additional
commitments requested by the Borrower shall exceed the additional
commitments which the existing Lenders are willing to take, then the
Borrower may invite other commercial banks and financial institutions
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to join this Credit
Agreement as Lenders hereunder for the portion of commitments not taken by
existing Lenders, provided that such other commercial banks and financial
institutions shall enter into such joinder agreements to give effect
thereto as the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may reasonably
request, (C) additional commitments shall have been received and accepted
by the Administrative Agent under the Crescent Credit Agreement from those
Lenders which have increased their commitments under this Agreement
pursuant to this subsection, such that after giving effect to the increase
in commitments hereunder and thereunder, each such Lender shall have the
same commitment percentage hereunder and thereunder, and (D) the aggregate
commitments hereunder and under the Crescent Credit Agreement shall be
increased to maintain their same relative commitments (e.g., 37.5% and
62.5%, respectively), subject to adjustments for rounding in the
Administrative Agent's discretion. In connection with any increase in the
Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount pursuant to this Section, Schedule
--------
2.1(a) shall be revised to reflect the modified Revolving Commitment
------
Percentages and Commitments of the Lenders.
2.2 Method of Borrowing.
-------------------
(a) Notice of Request for Extensions of Credit. The Borrower shall
------------------------------------------
request an Extension of Credit hereunder by written notice (or telephone
notice promptly confirmed in writing) as follows:
(i) Revolving Loans. In the case of Revolving Loans, to the
---------------
Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 A.M. (Charlotte, North
Carolina time) on the Business Day of the requested borrowing in the
case of Base Rate Loans, and on the third Business Day prior to the
date of the requested borrowing in the case of Eurodollar Loans. Each
such request for borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify (A)
that a Revolving Loan is requested, (B) the date of the requested
borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the aggregate principal
amount to be borrowed, and (D) whether the borrowing shall be
comprised of Base Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans or a combination
thereof, and if Eurodollar Loans are requested, the Interest Period(s)
therefor. A form of Notice of Borrowing is attached as Schedule
--------
2.2(a)(i). The Administrative Agent shall give notice to each Lender
--------
promptly upon receipt of each Notice of Borrowing pursuant to this
Section 2.2(a)(i), the contents thereof and each such Lender's share
of any borrowing to be made pursuant thereto.
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<PAGE>
(ii) Letters of Credit. In the case of Letters of Credit, to the
-----------------
Issuing Lender with a copy to the Administrative Agent not later than
11:00 A.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the third Business Day
prior to the date of the requested issuance or extension (or such
shorter period as may be agreed by the Issuing Lender). Each such
request for issuance or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be
irrevocable and shall specify, among other things, (A) that a Letter
of Credit is requested, (B) the date of the requested issuance or
extension, (C) the type, amount, expiry date and terms on which the
Letter of Credit is to be issued or extended, and (D) the beneficiary.
A form of Notice of Request for Letter of Credit is attached as
Schedule 2.2(a)(ii). The Issuing Lender shall notify the Lenders of
-------------------
the issuance of any Letter of Credit.
(iii) Swingline Loans. In the case of Swingline Loans, to the
---------------
Swingline Lender not later than 11:00 A.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina
time) on the Business Day of the requested borrowing. Each such
request for borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify (A) that
a Swingline Loan is requested, (B) the date of the requested borrowing
(which shall be a Business Day), (C) the aggregate principal amount to
be borrowed, and (D) the interest rate option and maturity requested
therefor. A form of Notice of Borrowing is attached as Schedule
--------
2.2(a)(i). Each Swingline Loan shall have a maturity date as the
--------
Borrower may request and the Swingline Lender may agree.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection (iii), the
Borrower and the Swingline Lender may from time to time agree to make
Swingline Loan advances pursuant to an "auto-borrow" and "zero-
balance" or other similar arrangement, subject however to the
conditions and limitations relating to the Swingline Loans set out
herein.
(b) Minimum Amounts. Each Revolving Loan borrowing (including
---------------
extensions and conversions) shall be in a minimum principal amount of
$2,500,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof, in the
case of Eurodollar Loans, or $500,000 (or the remaining Committed Amount,
if less) and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, in the case
of Base Rate Loans. Each Swingline Loan advance shall be in a minimum
principal amount of $50,000; provided that in the event that an agreement
--------
providing for an "auto-borrow" and "zero-balance" or other similar
arrangement shall then be in place with the Swingline Lender, Swingline
Loan advances shall be in such principal minimum amounts, if any, provided
by such agreement.
(c) Information Not Provided. If in connection with any such request
------------------------
for a Loan, the Borrower shall fail to specify (i) an applicable Interest
Period in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, the Borrower shall be deemed to
have requested an Interest Period of one month, or (ii) the type of loan
requested in the case of Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans, the Borrower
shall be deemed to have requested a Base Rate Loan.
(d) Maximum Number of Eurodollar Loans. No more than twelve (12)
----------------------------------
borrowings of Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding at any time. For
purposes hereof,
33
<PAGE>
Eurodollar Loans with separate or different Interest Periods will be
considered as separate Eurodollar Loans even if their Interest Periods
expire on the same date.
2.3 Interest.
--------
Subject to Section 3.1, the Loans hereunder shall bear interest at a per
annum rate, payable in arrears on each applicable Interest Payment Date (or at
such other times as may be specified herein), as follows:
(a) Base Rate Loans. During such periods as the Loans shall be
---------------
comprised of Base Rate Loans, the Adjusted Base Rate;
(b) Eurodollar Loans. During such periods as the Loans shall be
----------------
comprised of Eurodollar Loans, the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate; and
(c) Quoted Rate Swingline Loans. During such periods as the Swingline
---------------------------
Loans shall be comprised of Quoted Rate Swingline Loans, the Quoted Rate.
2.4 Repayment.
---------
(a) Revolving Loans. The principal amount of all Revolving Loans shall
---------------
be due and payable in full on the Termination Date.
(b) Swingline Loans. The principal amount of all Swingline Loans shall
---------------
be due and payable on the earlier of (A) the maturity date agreed to by the
Swingline Lender and the Borrower with respect to such Loan, or (B) the
Termination Date.
2.5 Notes.
-----
The Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans shall be evidenced by the Revolving
Notes.
2.6 Additional Provisions relating to Letters of Credit.
---------------------------------------------------
(a) Reports. The Issuing Lender will provide to the Administrative
-------
Agent at least monthly, and more frequently upon request, a detailed
summary report on its Letters of Credit and the activity thereon, in form
and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent. In addition, the
Issuing Lender will provide to the Administrative Agent for dissemination
to the Lenders and the Borrower at least quarterly, and more frequently
upon request, a detailed summary report on its Letters of Credit and the
activity thereon, including, among other things, the Credit Party for whose
account the Letter of Credit is issued, the beneficiary, the face amount,
and the expiry date. The Issuing Lender will provide (i) the proposed form
of Letter of Credit to the Borrower prior to its issuance promptly upon
request and (ii) copies of the Letters of Credit to the Administrative
Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower promptly upon request.
34
<PAGE>
(b) Participation. Each Lender, with respect to the Existing Letters
-------------
of Credit, hereby purchases a participation interest in such Existing
Letters of Credit, and with respect to Letters of Credit issued on or after
the Closing Date, upon issuance of a Letter of Credit, shall be deemed to
have purchased without recourse a risk participation from the Issuing
Lender in such Letter of Credit and the obligations arising thereunder, in
each case in an amount equal to its pro rata share of the obligations under
such Letter of Credit (based on the respective Revolving Commitment
Percentages of the Lenders) and shall absolutely, unconditionally and
irrevocably assume, as primary obligor and not as surety, and be obligated
to pay to the Issuing Lender therefor and discharge when due, its pro rata
share of the obligations arising under such Letter of Credit. Without
limiting the scope and nature of each Lender's participation in any Letter
of Credit, to the extent that the Issuing Lender has not been reimbursed as
required hereunder or under any such Letter of Credit, each Lender shall
pay to the Issuing Lender its pro rata share of such unreimbursed drawing
in same day funds pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c) hereof. The
obligation of each Lender to so reimburse the Issuing Lender shall be
absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by the occurrence of a
Default, an Event of Default or any other occurrence or event. Any such
reimbursement shall not relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the
Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit,
together with interest as hereinafter provided.
(c) Reimbursement. In the event of any drawing under any Letter of
-------------
Credit, the Issuing Lender will promptly notify the Borrower. Unless the
Borrower shall immediately notify the Issuing Lender that the Borrower
intends to otherwise reimburse the Issuing Lender for such drawing, the
Borrower shall be deemed to have requested that the Lenders make a
Revolving Loan in the amount of the drawing as provided in subsection (d)
hereof on the related Letter of Credit, the proceeds of which will be used
to satisfy the related reimbursement obligations. The Borrower promises to
reimburse the Issuing Lender on the day of drawing under any Letter of
Credit (either with the proceeds of a Revolving Loan obtained hereunder or
otherwise) in same day funds. If the Borrower shall fail to reimburse the
Issuing Lender as provided hereinabove, the unreimbursed amount of such
drawing shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Adjusted Base
Rate plus two percent (2%). The Borrower's reimbursement obligations
hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under all circumstances
irrespective of any rights of setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment
the Borrower may claim or have against the Issuing Lender, the
Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit
drawn upon or any other Person, including without limitation any defense
based on any failure of the Borrower or any other Credit Party to receive
consideration or the legality, validity, regularity or unenforceability of
the Letter of Credit. The Issuing Lender will promptly notify the other
Lenders of the amount of any unreimbursed drawing and each Lender shall
promptly pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing
Lender in Dollars and in immediately available funds, the amount of such
Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of such unreimbursed drawing. Such
payment shall be made on the day such notice is received by such Lender
from the Issuing Lender if such notice is received at or before 2:00 P.M.
(Charlotte, North Carolina time) otherwise such payment shall be made at or
before 12:00 Noon (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on the Business Day next
succeeding the day such notice is received. If such Lender does not pay
such amount to the Issuing Lender in full upon such request, such Lender
shall, on demand,
35
<PAGE>
pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender
interest on the unpaid amount during the period from the date of such
drawing until such Lender pays such amount to the Issuing Lender in full at
a rate per annum equal to, if paid within two (2) Business Days of the date
that such Lender is required to make payments of such amount pursuant to
the preceding sentence, the Federal Funds Rate and thereafter at a rate
equal to the Base Rate. Each Lender's obligation to make such payment to
the Issuing Lender, and the right of the Issuing Lender to receive the
same, shall be absolute and unconditional, shall not be affected by any
circumstance whatsoever and without regard to the termination of this
Credit Agreement or the Commitments hereunder, the existence of a Default
or Event of Default or the acceleration of the obligations of the Borrower
hereunder and shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or
reduction whatsoever. Simultaneously with the making of each such payment
by a Lender to the Issuing Lender, such Lender shall, automatically and
without any further action on the part of the Issuing Lender or such
Lender, acquire a participation in an amount equal to such payment
(excluding the portion of such payment constituting interest owing to the
Issuing Lender) in the related unreimbursed drawing portion of the LOC
Obligation and in the interest thereon and in the related LOC Documents,
and shall have a claim against the Borrower with respect thereto.
(d) Repayment with Revolving Loans. On any day on which the Borrower
------------------------------
shall have requested, or been deemed to have requested, a Revolving Loan
advance to reimburse a drawing under a Letter of Credit, the Administrative
Agent shall give notice to the Lenders that a Revolving Loan has been
requested or deemed requested by the Borrower to be made in connection with
a drawing under a Letter of Credit, in which case a Revolving Loan advance
comprised of Base Rate Loans (or Eurodollar Loans to the extent the
Borrower has complied with the procedures of Section 2.2(a)(i) with respect
thereto) shall be immediately made to the Borrower by all Lenders
(notwithstanding any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section
9.2) pro rata based on the respective Revolving Commitment Percentages of
--------
the Lenders (determined before giving effect to any termination of the
Commitments pursuant to Section 9.2) and the proceeds thereof shall be paid
directly to the Issuing Lender for application to the respective LOC
Obligations. Each such Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make its pro
rata share of each such Revolving Loan advance immediately upon any such
request or deemed request in the amount, in the manner and on the date
specified in the preceding sentence notwithstanding (i) the amount of such
---------------
borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for advances of Revolving
Loans otherwise required hereunder, (ii) whether any conditions specified
in Section 5.2 are then satisfied, (iii) whether a Default or an Event of
Default then exists, (iv) failure for any such request or deemed request
for Revolving Loan to be made by the time otherwise required hereunder, (v)
whether the date of such borrowing is a date on which Revolving Loans are
otherwise permitted to be made hereunder or (vi) any termination of the
Commitments relating thereto immediately prior to or contemporaneously with
such borrowing. In the event that any Revolving Loan advance cannot for any
reason be so made on the date otherwise required above (including, without
limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the
Bankruptcy Code with respect to the Borrower or any Credit Party), then
each such Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith fund its purchase
(as of the date such borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted
for any payments received from the Borrower on or after such date and prior
to such purchase) from the Issuing
36
<PAGE>
Lender such Participation Interest in the outstanding LOC Obligations as
shall be necessary to cause each such Lender to share in such LOC
Obligations ratably (based upon the respective Commitment Percentages of
the Lenders (determined before giving effect to any termination of the
Commitments pursuant to Section 9.2)), provided that in the event such
--------
payment is not made when required by subsection (c), such Lender shall pay
in addition to the Issuing Lender interest on the amount of its unfunded
Participation Interest at a rate equal to, if paid within two (2) Business
Days of the date of drawing, the Federal Funds Rate, and thereafter at the
Base Rate.
(e) Designation of other Credit Parties as Account Parties.
------------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Credit
Agreement, including without limitation Section 2.2(a)(ii) hereof, a Letter
of Credit issued hereunder may contain a statement to the effect that such
Letter of Credit is issued for the account of a Credit Party other than the
Borrower, provided that notwithstanding such statement, the Borrower shall
be the actual account party for all purposes of this Credit Agreement for
such Letter of Credit and such statement shall not affect the Borrower's
reimbursement obligations hereunder with respect to such Letter of Credit.
(f) Renewal, Extension. The renewal or extension of any Letter of
------------------
Credit shall, for purposes hereof, be treated in all respects the same as
the issuance of a new Letter of Credit hereunder.
(g) Uniform Customs and Practices. The Issuing Lender may have the
-----------------------------
Letters of Credit be subject to The Uniform Customs and Practice for
Documentary Credits (the "UCP") or the International Standby Practices 1998
(the "ISP98"), in either case as published as of the date of issue by the
International Chamber of Commerce, in which case the UCP or the ISP98, as
applicable, may be incorporated therein and deemed in all respects to be a
part thereof.
(h) Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lender's Duties.
--------------------------------------------------
(i) In addition to its other obligations under this Section 2.6, the
Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save the Issuing
Lender and the Lenders harmless from and against any and all claims,
demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) that the Issuing Lender or any
Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of
(A) the issuance of any Letter of Credit or (B) the failure of the Issuing
Lender to honor a drawing under a Letter of Credit as a result of any act
or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure
or de facto government or governmental authority (all such acts or
omissions, herein called "Government Acts").
---------------
(ii) As between the Borrower on the one hand and the Issuing Lender
and the Lenders on the other hand, the Borrower shall assume all risks of
the acts, omissions or misuse of any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary
thereof. The Issuing Lender and the Lenders shall not be responsible: (A)
for the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect
of any document submitted by any party in
37
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connection with the application for and issuance of any Letter of
Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects
invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (B) for the
validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or
purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit or the rights or
benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, that may
prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (C) for errors,
omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any
messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or
not they be in cipher unless such errors, omissions, interruptions or
delays are the result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the Issuing Lender; (D) for any loss or delay in the transmission or
otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under a
Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof unless such loss or delay
is the result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the
Issuing Lender; and (E) for any consequences arising from causes
beyond the control of the Issuing Lender, including, without
limitation, any Government Acts. None of the above shall affect,
impair, or prevent the vesting of the Issuing Lender's rights or
powers hereunder.
(iii) In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the
specific provisions hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted
by the Issuing Lender, under or in connection with any Letter of
Credit or the related certificates, if taken or omitted in good faith,
shall not put such Issuing Lender under any resulting liability to the
Borrower or any other Credit Party. It is the intention of the
parties that this Credit Agreement shall be construed and applied to
protect and indemnify the Issuing Lender and the Lenders against any
and all risks involved in the issuance of the Letters of Credit, all
of which risks are hereby assumed by the Borrower (on behalf of itself
and each of the other Credit Parties), including, without limitation,
any and all Government Acts. The Issuing Lender and the Lenders shall
not, in any way, be liable for any failure by the Issuing Lender or
anyone else to pay any drawing under any Letter of Credit as a result
of any Government Acts or any other cause beyond the control of the
Issuing Lender or the Lenders, as the case may be.
(iv) Nothing in this subsection (h) is intended to limit the
reimbursement obligations of the Borrower contained in subsection (d)
above. The obligations of the Borrower under this subsection (h) shall
survive the termination of this Credit Agreement. No act or omissions
of any current or prior beneficiary of a Letter of Credit shall in any
way affect or impair the rights of the Issuing Lender to enforce any
right, power or benefit under this Credit Agreement.
(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
subsection (h), the Borrower shall have no obligation to indemnify the
Issuing Lender in respect of any liability incurred by the Issuing
Lender (A) to the extent arising out of the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender, as determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction, or (B) caused by the Issuing Lender's failure
to pay under any Letter of Credit after presentation to it of a
request strictly complying with the terms and conditions of such
Letter of Credit, as determined by a court of competent
38
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jurisdiction, unless such payment is prohibited by any law,
regulation, court order or decree.
(i) Responsibility of Issuing Lender. It is expressly understood and
--------------------------------
agreed that the obligations of the Issuing Lender hereunder to the Lenders
are only those expressly set forth in this Credit Agreement and that the
Issuing Lender shall be entitled to assume that the conditions precedent
set forth in Section 5.2 have been satisfied unless it shall have acquired
actual knowledge that any such condition precedent has not been satisfied;
provided, however, that nothing set forth in this Section 2.6 shall be
------- -------
deemed to prejudice the right of any Lender to recover from the Issuing
Lender any amounts made available by such Lender to the Issuing Lender
pursuant to this Section 2.6 in the event that it is determined by a court
of competent jurisdiction that the payment with respect to a Letter of
Credit constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of
the Issuing Lender.
(j) Conflict with LOC Documents. In the event of any conflict between
---------------------------
this Credit Agreement and any LOC Document (including any letter of credit
application), this Credit Agreement shall control.
2.7 Additional Provisions relating to Swingline Loans.
-------------------------------------------------
The Swingline Lender may, at any time, in its sole discretion, by written
notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, demand repayment of its Swingline Loans
by way of a Revolving Loan advance, in which case the Borrower shall be deemed
to have requested a Revolving Loan advance comprised solely of Base Rate Loans
in the amount of such Swingline Loans; provided, however, that any such demand
-------- -------
shall be deemed to have been given one Business Day prior to the Termination
Date and on the date of the occurrence of any Event of Default described in
Section 9.1 and upon acceleration of the indebtedness hereunder and the exercise
of remedies in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2. Each Lender
hereby irrevocably agrees to make its Revolving Commitment Percentage of each
such Revolving Loan advance in the amount, in the manner and on the date
specified in the preceding sentence notwithstanding (i) the amount of such
---------------
borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for advances of Revolving Loans
otherwise required hereunder, (ii) whether any conditions specified in Section
5.2 are then satisfied, (iii) whether a Default or an Event of Default then
exists, (iv) failure of any such request or deemed request for Revolving Loan to
be made by the time otherwise required hereunder, (v) whether the date of such
borrowing is a date on which Revolving Loans are otherwise permitted to be made
hereunder or (vi) any termination of the Commitments relating thereto
immediately prior to or contemporaneously with such borrowing. In the event
that any Revolving Loan advance cannot for any reason be so made on the date
otherwise required above (including, without limitation, as a result of the
commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to the
Borrower or any other Credit Party), then each Lender hereby agrees that it
shall forthwith purchase (as of the date such borrowing would otherwise have
occurred, but adjusted for any payments received from the Borrower on or after
such date and prior to such purchase) from the Swingline Lender such
Participation Interests in the outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary
to cause each such Lender to share in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon
its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Committed Amount
(determined before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant
to Section 3.4), provided that (A) all interest payable on the
--------
39
<PAGE>
Swingline Loans shall be for the account of the Swingline Lender until the date
as of which the respective Participation Interest is funded and (B) at the time
any purchase of Participation Interests pursuant to this sentence is actually
made, the purchasing Lender shall be required to pay to the Swingline Lender, to
the extent not paid to the Swingline Lender by the Borrower in accordance with
the terms of Section 2.4(b), interest on the principal amount of Participation
Interests purchased for each day from and including the day upon which such
borrowing would otherwise have occurred to but excluding the date of payment for
such Participation Interests, at the rate equal to the Federal Funds Rate.
SECTION 3
OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES
----------------------------------------------
3.1 Default Rate.
------------
Upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of an Event of Default,
(i) the principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on the Loans
and any other amounts owing hereunder or under the other Credit Documents shall
bear interest, payable on demand, at a per annum rate 2% greater than the rate
which would otherwise be applicable (or if no rate is applicable, whether in
respect of interest, fees or other amounts, then the Adjusted Base Rate plus 2%)
----
and (ii) the Letter of Credit Fee shall accrue at a per annum rate 2% greater
than the rate which would otherwise be applicable.
3.2 Extension and Conversion.
------------------------
The Borrower shall have the option, on any Business Day, to extend existing
Loans into a subsequent permissible Interest Period or to convert Loans into
Loans of another interest rate type; provided, however, that (i) except as
-------- -------
provided in Section 3.8, Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate Loans
or extended as Eurodollar Loans for new Interest Periods only on the last day of
the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) without the consent of the Required
Lenders, Eurodollar Loans may be extended, and Base Rate Loans may be converted
into Eurodollar Loans, only if the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.2
are satisfied on the date of Continuation or Conversion, (iii) Loans extended
as, or converted into, Eurodollar Loans shall be subject to the terms of the
definition of "Interest Period" and shall be in such minimum amounts as provided
---------------
in Section 2.2(b), (iv) no more than twelve (12) borrowings of Eurodollar Loans
shall be outstanding hereunder at any time (it being understood that, for
purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with different Interest Periods shall be
considered as separate Eurodollar Loans, even if they begin on the same date,
although borrowings, Continuations and Conversions may, in accordance with the
provisions hereof, be combined at the end of existing Interest Periods to
constitute a new Eurodollar Loan with a single Interest Period) and (v) any
request for Continuation or Conversion of a Eurodollar Loan which shall fail to
specify an Interest Period shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest
Period of one month. Each such Continuation or Conversion shall be effected by
the Borrower by giving a Notice of Extension/Conversion (or telephonic notice
promptly confirmed in writing) to the office of the Administrative Agent
specified in Section 11.1, or at such other office as the Administrative Agent
may designate in writing, prior to 11:00 A.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time)
on the Business Day of, in the case of the Conversion of a
40
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Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan, and on the third Business Day prior to,
in the case of the Continuation of a Eurodollar Loan as, or Conversion of a Base
Rate Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan, the date of the proposed Continuation or
Conversion, specifying the date of the proposed Continuation or Conversion, the
Loans to be so extended or converted, the types of Loans into which such Loans
are to be converted and, if appropriate, the applicable Interest Periods with
respect thereto. Each request for Continuation or Conversion shall be
irrevocable and shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower
of the matters specified in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.2. In the event
the Borrower fails to request Continuation or Conversion of any Eurodollar Loan
in accordance with this Section, or any such Conversion or Continuation is not
permitted or required by this Section, then such Eurodollar Loan shall be
automatically continued as a Eurodollar Loan with an Interest Period of one
month at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto. The Administrative
Agent shall give each Lender notice as promptly as practicable of any such
proposed Continuation or Conversion affecting any Loan.
3.3 Prepayments.
-----------
(a) Voluntary Prepayments. The Loans may be repaid in whole or in part
---------------------
without premium or penalty; provided that (i) Eurodollar Loans may be prepaid
--------
only upon three (3) Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative
Agent and must be accompanied by payment of any amount owing under Section 3.12,
(ii) such notice shall be provided by 11:00 A.M., Charlotte North Carolina time
on the date of such prepayment, in the case of Base Rate Loans, or on the date
three Business Days' prior to such prepayment, in the case of Eurodollar Loans,
and (iii) partial prepayments shall be minimum principal amounts of $2,500,000
and in integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof, in the case of
Eurodollar Loans, and $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess
thereof, in the case of Base Rate Loans; provided that in the event that an
--------
agreement providing for an "auto-borrow" and "zero-balance" or other similar
arrangement shall then be in place with the Swingline Lender, prepayments of
Swingline Loans shall be in such minimum amounts, if any, provided by such
agreement.
(b) Mandatory Prepayments.
---------------------
(i) Revolving Commitments. If at any time (i) the aggregate principal
---------------------
amount of Obligations shall exceed the lesser of (A) the Aggregate
Revolving Committed Amount, or (B) the Borrowing Base, (ii) the aggregate
amount of LOC Obligations shall exceed the LOC Committed Amount, or (iii)
the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans shall exceed the
Swingline Committed Amount, the Borrower shall make payment promptly on
demand on the Revolving Loans, on the Swingline Loans and/or to a cash
collateral account in respect of the LOC Obligations, in an amount
sufficient to eliminate the difference.
(ii) Asset Dispositions. To the extent that the aggregate net
------------------
proceeds received from Asset Dispositions exceed $1,000,000 during any
calendar year, the Borrower shall prepay the Obligations hereunder in an
amount equal to any such net proceeds in excess over $1,000,000 upon
receipt thereof. Prepayments under this clause (ii) shall not result
41
<PAGE>
in a commitment reduction and amounts paid on account thereof may be
reborrowed subject to the availability and the other conditions to
Extensions of Credit hereunder.
(c) Application. Unless otherwise specified, prepayments on the
-----------
Obligations shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurodollar
Loans and Quoted Rate Swingline Loans in direct order of Interest Period
maturities.
3.4 Reduction and Termination of Commitments.
----------------------------------------
(a) Voluntary Reduction of Commitments. The Commitments may be
----------------------------------
terminated or permanently reduced in whole or in part upon three (3)
Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, provided
that (i) after giving effect to any voluntary reduction the aggregate
amount of Obligations shall not exceed the lesser of (A) the Aggregate
Revolving Committed Amount, as reduced, or (B) the Borrowing Base, and (ii)
partial reductions shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,500,000 and
integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof. The Administrative Agent
shall promptly notify the Lenders of any such reduction.
(b) Termination of Commitments. The Commitments hereunder shall
--------------------------
terminate on the Termination Date.
3.5 Fees.
----
(a) Commitment Fee. In consideration of the Revolving Commitments
--------------
hereunder, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the
ratable benefit of the Lenders a commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee")
--------------
equal to the Applicable Percentage per annum on the average daily unused
amount of the Revolving Committed Amount for the applicable period. The
Commitment Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the 15th day
following the last day of each calendar quarter for the immediately
preceding quarter (or portion thereof) beginning with the first such date
to occur after the Closing Date and on the Termination Date. For purposes
of computation of the Commitment Fee, Swingline Loans shall not be counted
toward or considered usage under the Revolving Committed Amount.
(b) Letter of Credit Fees.
---------------------
(i) Letter of Credit Issuance Fee. In consideration of the
-----------------------------
issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, the Borrower promises to pay
to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a fee (the
"Letter of Credit Fee") on such Lender's Revolving Commitment
--------------------
Percentage of the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn
under each such Letter of Credit computed at a per annum rate for each
day from the date of issuance to the date of expiration equal to the
Applicable Percentage. The Letter of Credit Fee shall be payable
quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June,
September and December for the immediately preceding quarter (or a
portion thereof).
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(ii) Issuing Lender Fees. In addition to the Letter of Credit
-------------------
Fee, the Borrower promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account of the Issuing Lender without sharing by the other Lenders (i)
a letter of credit fronting fee of one-eighth of one percent (0.125%)
on the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn under each
Letter of Credit computed at a per annum rate for each day from the
date of issuance to the date of expiration and (ii) the customary
charges from time to time of the Issuing Lender with respect to the
issuance, amendment, transfer, administration, cancellation and
conversion of, and drawings under, such Letters of Credit.
(c) Administrative Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
-------------------
Administrative Agent, for its own account, the fees referred to in the
Administrative Agent's Fee Letter (the "Administrative Agent's Fees").
---------------------------
3.6 Capital Adequacy.
----------------
If any Lender has reasonably determined that the adoption or the becoming
effective after the date hereof of, or any change in, or any change after the
date hereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency
charged with the interpretation or administration thereof in the interpretation
or administration of, any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital
adequacy, or compliance by such Lender with any request or directive regarding
capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority,
central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the
rate of return on such Lender's (including, for purposes hereof, the parent
company of such Lender) capital or assets as a consequence of its commitments or
obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender could have
achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, change or compliance (taking into
consideration such Lender's policies with respect to capital adequacy), then,
upon notice from such Lender to the Borrower, the Borrower shall be obligated to
pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Lender for such reduction. Each determination by any such Lender of amounts
owing under this Section shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive and binding
on the parties hereto.
If any Credit Party is required to pay additional amount to or for the
account of any Lender pursuant to this Section 3.6, then such Lender will agree
to use reasonable efforts to change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending
Office so as to eliminate or reduce any such additional payment which may
thereafter accrue if such change, in the judgment of such Lender, is not
otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.
3.7 Limitation on Eurodollar Loans.
------------------------------
If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar
Loan:
43
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(a) the Administrative Agent reasonably determines (which
determination shall be conclusive) that by reason of circumstances
affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist
for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period; or
(b) the Required Lenders reasonably determine (which determination
shall be conclusive) and notify the Administrative Agent that the
Eurodollar Rate will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the
Lenders of funding Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period;
then the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower prompt notice thereof, and
so long as such condition remains in effect, the Lenders shall be under no
obligation to make additional Eurodollar Loans, Continue Eurodollar Loans, or to
Convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans.
3.8 Illegality.
----------
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Credit Agreement, in the event
that it becomes unlawful for any Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) to
make, maintain, or fund Eurodollar Loans hereunder, then such Lender shall
promptly notify the Borrower thereof and such Lender's obligation to make or
Continue Eurodollar Loans and to Convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans
shall be suspended until such time as such Lender may again make, maintain, and
fund Eurodollar Loans (in which case the provisions of Section 3.10 shall be
applicable).
3.9 Requirements of Law.
-------------------
If, after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable law, rule, or
regulation, or any change in any applicable law, rule, or regulation, or any
change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental
Authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or its Applicable Lending
Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law)
of any such Governmental Authority, central bank, or comparable agency:
(i) shall subject such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office)
to any tax, duty, or other charge with respect to any Eurodollar
Loans, its Notes, or its obligation to make Eurodollar Loans, or
change the basis of taxation of any amounts payable to such Lender (or
its Applicable Lending Office) under this Credit Agreement or its
Notes in respect of any Eurodollar Loans (other than taxes imposed on
the overall net income of such Lender by the jurisdiction in which
such Lender has its principal office or such Applicable Lending
Office);
(ii) shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve,
special deposit, assessment, or similar requirement (other than the
Eurodollar Reserve Requirement utilized in the determination of the
Adjusted Eurodollar Rate) relating to any extensions of credit or
other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities or
commitments of, such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office),
including the Commitment of such Lender hereunder; or
44
<PAGE>
(iii) shall impose on such Lender (or its Applicable Lending
Office) or the London interbank market any other condition affecting
this Credit Agreement or its Notes or any of such extensions of credit
or liabilities or commitments;
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender
(or its Applicable Lending Office) of making, Converting into, Continuing, or
maintaining any Eurodollar Loans or to reduce any sum received or receivable by
such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) under this Credit Agreement or
its Notes with respect to any Eurodollar Loans, then the Borrower shall pay to
such Lender on demand such amount or amounts as will reasonably compensate such
Lender for such increased cost or reduction. If any Lender requests
compensation by the Borrower under this Section 3.9, the Borrower may, by notice
to such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), suspend the obligation
of such Lender to make or Continue Eurodollar Loans, or to Convert Base Rate
Loans into Eurodollar Loans, until the event or condition giving rise to such
request ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 3.10
shall be applicable); provided that such suspension shall not affect the right
--------
of such Lender to receive the compensation so requested. Each Lender shall
promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any event of which
it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle such
Lender to compensation pursuant to this Section 3.9 and will designate a
different Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for,
or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the judgment of such
Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to it. Any Lender claiming compensation
under this Section 3.9 shall furnish to the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent a statement setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to
it hereunder which shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In
determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and
attribution methods.
3.10 Treatment of Affected Loans.
---------------------------
If the obligation of any Lender to make any Eurodollar Loan or to Continue,
or to Convert Base Rate Loans into, Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended pursuant
to Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof, such Lender's Eurodollar Loans shall be
automatically Converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day(s) of the then
current Interest Period(s) for such Eurodollar Loans (or, in the case of a
Conversion required by Section 3.8 hereof, on such earlier date as such Lender
may specify to the Borrower with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and, unless
and until such Lender gives notice as provided below that the circumstances
specified in Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof that gave rise to such Conversion no
longer exist:
(a) to the extent that such Lender's Eurodollar Loans have been so
Converted, all payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise
be applied to such Lender's Eurodollar Loans shall be applied instead to
its Base Rate Loans; and
(b) all Loans that would otherwise be made or Continued by such Lender
as Eurodollar Loans shall be made or Continued instead as Base Rate Loans,
and all Base Rate Loans of such Lender that would otherwise be Converted
into Eurodollar Loans shall remain as Base Rate Loans.
If such Lender gives notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent) that the circumstances specified in Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof that gave
rise to the Conversion of such Lender's
45
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Eurodollar Loans pursuant to this Section 3.10 no longer exist (which such
Lender agrees to do promptly upon such circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time
when Eurodollar Loans made by other Lenders are outstanding, such Lender's Base
Rate Loans shall be automatically Converted, on the first day(s) of the next
succeeding Interest Period(s) for such outstanding Eurodollar Loans, to the
extent necessary so that, after giving effect thereto, all Loans held by the
Lenders holding Eurodollar Loans and by such Lender are held pro rata (as to
principal amounts, interest rate basis, and Interest Periods) in accordance with
their respective Commitments.
3.11 Taxes.
-----
(a) Any and all payments by any Credit Party to or for the account
of any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other
Credit Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for
any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions,
charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto,
excluding, in the case of each Lender and the Administrative Agent, taxes
---------
imposed on its income, and franchise taxes imposed on it, by the United
States or any political subdivision thereof or in each case any taxing
authority thereof or therein or otherwise by the jurisdiction under the
laws of which such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) or the
Administrative Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any political
subdivision thereof or in each case any taxing authority thereof or therein
(all such non-excluded taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, charges,
withholdings, and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If
-----
any Credit Party shall be required by law to deduct or withhold any Taxes
from or in respect of any sum payable under this Credit Agreement or any
other Credit Document to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, (i) the
sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all
required deductions and withholdings (including deductions and withholdings
applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.11) such Lender
or the Administrative Agent receives an amount equal to the sum it would
have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Credit Party
shall make such deductions and withholdings, (iii) such Credit Party shall
pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant taxation authority
or other authority in accordance with applicable law, and (iv) such Credit
Party shall furnish to the Administrative Agent, at its address referred to
in Section 11.1, the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing
payment thereof.
(b) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or
future stamp or documentary taxes and any other excise or property taxes or
charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made under this
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or from the execution or
delivery of, or otherwise with respect to, this Credit Agreement or any
other Credit Document (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").
-----------
(c) The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender and the
Administrative Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes
(including, without limitation, any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or
asserted by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 3.11)
paid by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) and
any liability (including penalties, interest, and expenses) arising
therefrom or with respect thereto.
46
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(d) Each Lender that is not a United States person under Section
7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code, on or prior to the date of its
execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement in the case of each Lender
listed on the signature pages hereof and on or prior to the date on which
it becomes a Lender in the case of each other Lender, and from time to time
thereafter if requested in writing by the Borrower or the Administrative
Agent (but only so long as such Lender remains lawfully able to do so),
shall provide the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with (i) Internal
Revenue Service Form W-8 BEN or W-8 ECI, as appropriate, or any successor
form prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, certifying that such
Lender is entitled to benefits under an income tax treaty to which the
United States is a party which reduces to zero the rate of withholding tax
on payments of interest or certifying that the income receivable pursuant
to this Credit Agreement is effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business in the United States, (ii) Internal Revenue Service
Form W-8 or W-9, as appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the
Internal Revenue Service, and/or (iii) any other form or certificate
required by any taxing authority (including any certificate required by
Sections 871(h) and 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code), certifying that
such Lender is entitled to an exemption from tax on payments pursuant to
this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.
(e) For any period with respect to which a Lender has failed to
provide the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the appropriate form
pursuant to Section 3.11(d) (unless such failure is due to a change in
treaty, law, or regulation occurring subsequent to the date on which a form
originally was required to be provided), such Lender shall not be entitled
to indemnification under Section 3.11(a) or 3.11(b) with respect to Taxes
imposed by the United States; provided, however, that should a Lender,
-------- -------
which is otherwise exempt from or subject to a reduced rate of withholding
tax, become subject to Taxes because of its failure to deliver a form
required hereunder, the Borrower shall take such steps as such Lender shall
reasonably request to assist such Lender to recover such Taxes.
(f) If any Credit Party is required to pay additional amounts to or
for the account of any Lender pursuant to this Section 3.11, then such
Lender will agree to use reasonable efforts to change the jurisdiction of
its Applicable Lending Office so as to eliminate or reduce any such
additional payment which may thereafter accrue if such change, in the
judgment of such Lender, is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.
(g) Within thirty (30) days after the date of any payment of Taxes,
the applicable Credit Party shall furnish to the Administrative Agent the
original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing such payment.
(h) If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall become aware
that is entitled to a refund in respect of Taxes for which it has been
indemnified by a Credit Party pursuant to this Section, the Administrative
Agent or such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower of the availability
of such refund and shall apply for such refund at the Borrower's sole cost
and expense. If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall
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receive a refund in respect of any such Taxes as to which it has been
indemnified by a Credit Party pursuant to this Section, the Administrative
Agent or such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower of such refund and
shall, within 30 days of receipt, pay such refund (to the extent of amounts
that have been paid by a Credit Party under this Section with respect to
such refund and not previously reimbursed) to the Borrower, net of all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender or the Administrative
Agent and without interest (other than the interest, if any, included in
such refund).
(i) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Credit Parties hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Credit
Parties contained in this Section 3.11 shall survive the repayment of the
Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under the Credit Documents and
the termination of the Commitments hereunder.
3.12 Compensation.
------------
Upon the request of any Lender, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such
amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the reasonable opinion of such
Lender) to compensate it for any loss, cost, or expense incurred by it as a
result of:
(a) any payment, prepayment, or Conversion of a Eurodollar Loan for
any reason (including, without limitation, the acceleration of the Loans
pursuant to Section 9.2) on a date other than the last day of the Interest
Period for such Loan; or
(b) any failure by the Borrower for any reason (including, without
limitation, the failure of any condition precedent specified in Section 5
to be satisfied) to borrow, Convert, Continue, or prepay a Eurodollar Loan
on the date for such borrowing, Conversion, Continuation, or prepayment
specified in the relevant notice of borrowing, prepayment, Continuation, or
Conversion under this Credit Agreement.
With respect to Eurodollar Loans, such indemnification may include an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the amount of interest which would have
accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, Converted or Continued,
for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow,
Convert or Continue to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or, in
the case of a failure to borrow, Convert or Continue, the Interest Period that
would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable
rate of interest for such Eurodollar Loans provided for herein (excluding,
however, the Applicable Percentage included therein, if any) over (b) the amount
of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) which would have accrued
to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable
period with leading banks in the interbank Eurodollar market. The covenants of
the Borrower set forth in this Section 3.12 shall survive the repayment of the
Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the
termination of the Commitments hereunder.
3.13 Pro Rata Treatment.
------------------
Except to the extent otherwise provided herein:
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(a) Loans. Each Revolving Loan advance, each payment or prepayment
-----
of principal of any Revolving Loan (other than Swingline Loans) or
reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit,
each payment of interest on the Revolving Loans or reimbursement
obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, each payment of
Commitment Fees, each payment of the Letter of Credit Fee, each reduction
of the Revolving Committed Amount and each conversion or extension of any
Revolving Loan (other than Swingline Loans) shall be allocated pro rata
among the Lenders in accordance with the respective Revolving Commitment
Percentages.
(b) Advances. No Lender shall be responsible for the failure or
--------
delay by any other Lender in its obligation to make its ratable share of
a borrowing hereunder; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender to
-------- -------
fulfill its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its
obligations hereunder. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been
notified by any Lender prior to the date of any requested borrowing that
such Lender does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent
its ratable share of such borrowing to be made on such date, the
Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount
available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such borrowing, and
the Administrative Agent in reliance upon such assumption, may (in its sole
discretion but without any obligation to do so) make available to the
Borrower a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in
fact made available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent
shall be able to recover such corresponding amount from such Lender. If
such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the
Administrative Agent's demand therefor, the Administrative Agent will
promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall immediately pay such
corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent
shall also be entitled to recover from the Lender or the Borrower, as the
case may be, interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day
from the date such corresponding amount was made available by the
Administrative Agent to the Borrower to the date such corresponding amount
is recovered by the Administrative Agent at a per annum rate equal to (i)
from the Borrower at the applicable rate for the applicable borrowing
pursuant to the Notice of Borrowing and (ii) from a Lender, if paid within
two (2) Business Days of the date such amount was made available by the
Administrative Agent to the Borrower, the Federal Funds Rate and thereafter
at a rate equal to the Base Rate
3.14 Sharing of Payments.
-------------------
The Lenders agree among themselves that, in the event that any Lender shall
obtain payment in respect of any Loan, LOC Obligations or any other obligation
owing to such Lender under this Credit Agreement through the exercise of a right
of setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim, or pursuant to a secured claim under
Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest
arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such Lender under
any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by
any other means, in excess of its pro rata share of such payment as provided for
in this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall promptly purchase from the other
Lenders a Participation Interest in such Loans, LOC Obligations and other
obligations in such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time to time,
as shall be equitable
49
<PAGE>
to the end that all Lenders share such payment in accordance with their
respective ratable shares as provided for in this Credit Agreement. The Lenders
further agree among themselves that if payment to a Lender obtained by such
Lender through the exercise of a right of setoff, banker's lien, counterclaim or
other event as aforesaid shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored, each
Lender which shall have shared the benefit of such payment shall, by repurchase
of a Participation Interest theretofore sold, return its share of that benefit
(together with its share of any accrued interest payable with respect thereto)
to each Lender whose payment shall have been rescinded or otherwise restored.
The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing such a Participation Interest
may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all rights of payment,
including setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim, with respect to such
Participation Interest as fully as if such Lender were a holder of such Loan,
LOC Obligations or other obligation in the amount of such Participation
Interest. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, if
any Lender or the Administrative Agent shall fail to remit to the Administrative
Agent or any other Lender an amount payable by such Lender or the Administrative
Agent to the Administrative Agent or such other Lender pursuant to this Credit
Agreement on the date when such amount is due, such payments shall be made
together with interest thereon for each date from the date such amount is due
until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent or such other
Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. If under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a
secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 3.14 applies, such
Lender shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such
secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders under this
Section 3.14 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.
3.15 Certain Limitations.
-------------------
The provisions of Sections 3.6, 3.9, 3.10 and 3.11 shall be subject to the
following:
(a) Each Lender that desires compensation or indemnification under
Sections 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11 shall notify the Borrower through the
Administrative Agent of any event occurring after the Closing Date
entitling such Lender to compensation or indemnification under any of such
Sections as promptly as practicable, but in any event within 90 days after
the occurrence of the event giving rise thereto; provided that (i) if any
--------
such Lender fails to give such notice within 90 days after the occurrence
of such an event, such Lender shall only be entitled to compensation or
indemnification in respect of such event accruing under Sections 3.6, 3.9
or 3.11 with respect to the period from and after the date 90 days prior to
the date that such Lender does give notice.
(b) Any notice given by a Lender pursuant to subsection (a) above
shall certify (i) that one of the events described in Sections 3.6, 3.9 or
3.11 has occurred, describing in reasonable detail the nature of such
event, (ii) as to the increased cost, reduced amount receivable or loss or
expense resulting from such event and (iii) as to the additional amount
demanded by such Lender, attaching a reasonably detailed explanation of the
calculation thereof. Such a certificate as to any compensation or
indemnification payable pursuant to Sections 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11, submitted by
such Lender through the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, shall be
conclusive and binding on the parties hereto in the absence of manifest
error.
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<PAGE>
(c) If any Lender requests compensation or indemnification from the
Borrower under Sections 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11, the Borrower may, at its option,
within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Borrower of written demand
from the affected Lender for payment of such compensation or
indemnification, notify the Administrative Agent and such affected Lender
of its intention to replace the affected Lender. So long as no Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower may obtain, at
the Borrower's expense, a replacement Lender for the affected Lender. If
the Borrower obtains a replacement Lender within ninety (90) days following
notice of its intention to do so, the affected Lender must sell and assign
its loans and obligations and any Commitments to such replacement Lender
pursuant to Section 11.3(b) (without giving effect to any requirement
therein that the Administrative Agent consent thereto), for an amount equal
to the principal balance of all Revolving Loans held by the affected Lender
and all accrued interest and Fees with respect thereto through the date of
such sale, provided that the Borrower shall have paid to such affected
--------
Lender the compensation or indemnification that it is entitled to receive
under Sections 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11, through the date of such sale and
assignment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall not have the
right to obtain a replacement Lender if the affected Lender rescinds its
demand for such compensation or indemnification within fifteen (15) days
following its receipt of the Borrower's notice of intention to replace such
affected Lender. Additionally, if the Borrower gives a notice to the
Administrative Agent and an affected Lender of its intention to replace
such affected Lender and does not so replace such affected Lender within
ninety (90) days thereafter, the Borrower's rights under this Section
3.15(c) shall terminate and the Borrower shall promptly pay all
compensation or indemnification demanded by such affected Lender pursuant
to Sections 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11.
3.16 Payments, Computations, Etc.
---------------------------
(a) Generally. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein,
---------
all payments hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent in Dollars
in immediately available funds, without setoff, deduction, counterclaim or
withholding of any kind, at the Administrative Agent's office specified in
Section 11.1 not later than 2:00 P.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on
the date when due; provided that no Default or Event of Default shall be
deemed to have occurred in connection with payments made on the due date
but received after such cut-off time, even though credited for receipt on
the following Business Day. Payments received after such time shall be
deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day. The
Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) debit the amount
of any such payment which is not made by such time to any ordinary deposit
account of the Borrower or any other Credit Party maintained with the
Administrative Agent (with notice to the Borrower or such other Credit
Party). The Borrower shall, at the time it makes any payment under this
Credit Agreement, specify to the Administrative Agent the Loans, LOC
Obligations, Fees, interest or other amounts payable by the Borrower
hereunder to which such payment is to be applied (and in the event that it
fails so to specify, or if such application would be inconsistent with the
terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the
Lenders in such manner as the Administrative Agent may
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<PAGE>
determine to be appropriate in respect of obligations owing by the Borrower
hereunder, subject to the terms of Section 3.13(a)). The Administrative
Agent will distribute such payments to such Lenders, if any such payment is
received prior to 2:00 P.M. (Charlotte, North Carolina time) on a Business
Day in like funds as received prior to the end of such Business Day and
otherwise the Administrative Agent will distribute such payment to such
Lenders on the next succeeding Business Day. Whenever any payment hereunder
shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due
date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (subject
to accrual of interest and Fees for the period of such extension), except
that in the case of Eurodollar Loans, if the extension would cause the
payment to be made in the next following calendar month, then such payment
shall instead be made on the next preceding Business Day. Except as
expressly provided otherwise herein, all computations of interest and fees
shall be made on the basis of actual number of days elapsed over a year of
360 days, except with respect to computation of interest on Base Rate Loans
which shall be calculated based on a year of 365 or 366 days, as
appropriate. Interest shall accrue from and include the date of borrowing,
but exclude the date of payment.
(b) Allocation of Payments After Event of Default. Notwithstanding
---------------------------------------------
any other provisions of this Credit Agreement to the contrary, after the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts
collected or received on or in respect of the Loans and obligations owing
hereunder and under the other Credit Documents (or other amounts owing
under the Credit Documents in connection therewith) shall be paid over or
delivered as follows:
FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees) of
the collateral agent actually incurred in connection with the
execution of its duties as collateral agent in exercising or
attempting to exercise rights and remedies in respect of the
collateral and all protective advances made with respect thereto;
SECOND, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees) of
the Administrative Agent actually incurred in connection with
enforcing the rights and remedies of the Lenders under the Credit
Documents and any protective advances made with respect thereto;
THIRD, to payment of any fees owed to the Administrative Agent;
FOURTH, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) of
each of the Lenders hereunder actually incurred in connection with
enforcing its rights under the Credit Documents or otherwise with
respect to the Obligations owing to such Lender;
FIFTH, to the payment of all accrued interest and fees on or in
respect of the Obligations;
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<PAGE>
SIXTH, to the payment of the outstanding principal amount of the
Obligations hereunder (including the payment or cash collateralization
of the outstanding LOC Obligations);
SEVENTH, to all other obligations hereunder and other obligations
which shall have become due and payable under the Credit Documents
otherwise and not repaid pursuant to clauses "FIRST" through "SIXTH"
above; and
EIGHTH, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to whoever may be
lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.
In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in the
numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to the next
succeeding category; and (ii) except as otherwise provided, the Lenders
shall receive amounts ratably in accordance with their respective pro rata
share (based on the proportion that the then outstanding Obligations held
by such Lenders bears to the aggregate amount of Obligations then
outstanding) of amounts available to be applied pursuant to clauses
"FOURTH", "FIFTH", "SIXTH" and "SEVENTH" above; and (iii) to the extent
that any amounts available for distribution pursuant to clause "SIXTH"
above are attributable to the issued but undrawn amount of outstanding
Letters of Credit, such amounts shall be held by the Administrative Agent
in a cash collateral account and applied (A) first, to reimburse the
Issuing Lender for any drawings under such Letters of Credit and (B) then,
following the expiration of all Letters of Credit, to all other obligations
of the types described in clauses "FIFTH" and "SIXTH" above in the manner
provided in this Section 3.16(b).
3.17 Evidence of Debt.
----------------
(a) Each Lender shall maintain an account or accounts evidencing each
Loan made by such Lender to the Borrower from time to time, including the
amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time
to time under this Credit Agreement. Each Lender will make reasonable
efforts to maintain the accuracy of its account or accounts and to promptly
update its account or accounts from time to time, as necessary.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to
Section 11.3(c), and a subaccount for each Lender, in which Register and
subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount, type and
Interest Period of each such Loan hereunder, (ii) the amount of any
principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable to each
Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the
Administrative Agent hereunder from or for the account of any Credit Party
and each Lender's share thereof. The Administrative Agent will make
reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of the subaccounts referred to
in the preceding sentence and to promptly update such subaccounts from time
to time, as necessary.
(c) The entries made in the accounts, Register and subaccounts
maintained pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 3.17 (and, if
consistent with the entries of the
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Administrative Agent, subsection (a)) shall be prima facie evidence of the
existence and amounts of the obligations of the Credit Parties therein
recorded absent manifest error; provided, however, that the failure of any
-------- -------
Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain any such account, such
Register or such subaccount, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not
in any manner affect the obligation of the Credit Parties to repay the
loans and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit Documents
to such Lender.
SECTION 4
GUARANTY
--------
4.1 The Guaranty.
------------
Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees to each
Lender, each affiliate of a Lender that enters into a Hedging Agreement, and the
Administrative Agent as hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not as
surety, the prompt payment of the Guaranteed Obligations in full when due
(whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a
mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the
terms thereof. The Guarantors hereby further agree that if any of the
Guaranteed Obligations are not paid in full when due (whether at stated
maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash
collateralization or otherwise), the Guarantors will, jointly and severally,
promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the
case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Guaranteed
Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at
extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory
cash collateralization or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such
extension or renewal.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any
other of the Credit Documents or Hedging Agreements, the obligations of each
Guarantor under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be
limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render
such obligations subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code
or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.
4.2 Obligations Unconditional.
-------------------------
The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 4.1 are joint and several,
absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity,
regularity or enforceability of any of the Credit Documents or Hedging
Agreements, or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or any
substitution, release, impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or
security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever
which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a
surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.2 that the
obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional
under any and all circumstances. Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor
shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution
against the Borrower or any other Guarantor for amounts paid under this Section
4 until such time as
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<PAGE>
the Lenders (and any affiliates of Lenders entering into Hedging Agreements)
have been paid in full in respect of all Guaranteed Obligations, all Commitments
under this Credit Agreement have been terminated and no Person or Governmental
Authority shall have any right to request any return or reimbursement of funds
from the Lenders in connection with monies received under the Credit Documents
or Hedging Agreements between any member of the Consolidated Group and any
Lender, or any affiliate of a Lender. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, it is agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the
occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the
liability of any Guarantor hereunder which shall remain absolute and
unconditional as described above:
(a) at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Guarantor,
the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Guaranteed
Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be
waived;
(b) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any of the
Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any member of the
Consolidated Group and any Lender, or any affiliate of a Lender, or any
other agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such
Hedging Agreements shall be done or omitted;
(c) the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be
accelerated, or any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be modified,
supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the
Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any member of the
Consolidated Group and any Lender, or any affiliate of a Lender, or any
other agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such
Hedging Agreements shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the
Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall be released, impaired
or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;
(d) any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or
any Lender or Lenders as security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations
shall fail to attach or be perfected; or
(e) any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be determined to be void
or voidable (including, without limitation, for the benefit of any creditor
of any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person
(including, without limitation, any creditor of any Guarantor).
With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby expressly
waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices
whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any Lender
exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under any of
the Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any member of the
Consolidated Group and any Lender, or any affiliate of a Lender, or any other
agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such Hedging
Agreements, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or
security for, any of the Guaranteed Obligations.
4.3 Reinstatement.
-------------
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The obligations of the Guarantors under this Section 4 shall be
automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by
or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded
or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Guaranteed
Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or
reorganization or otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify
the Administrative Agent and each Lender on demand for all reasonable costs and
expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel) actually incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in
connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and
expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment
constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.
4.4 Certain Additional Waivers.
--------------------------
Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of recourse
to security for the Guaranteed Obligations, except through the exercise of
rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 4.2 and through the exercise of rights
of contribution pursuant to Section 4.6.
4.5 Remedies.
--------
The Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, as
between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders, on the other hand, the Guaranteed Obligations may be declared to be
forthwith due and payable as provided in Section 9.2 (and shall be deemed to
have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in said
Section 9.2) for purposes of Section 4.1 notwithstanding any stay, injunction or
other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the Guaranteed
Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other
Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Guaranteed Obligations
being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the Guaranteed
Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith
become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of Section 4.1. The
Guarantors acknowledge and agree that their obligations hereunder are secured in
accordance with the terms of the Security Agreements and the other Collateral
Documents and that the Lenders may exercise their remedies thereunder in
accordance with the terms thereof.
4.6 Rights of Contribution.
----------------------
The Guarantors hereby agree as among themselves that, if any Guarantor
shall make an Excess Payment (as defined below), such Guarantor shall have a
right of contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other
Guarantor's Contribution Share (as defined below) of such Excess Payment. The
payment obligations of any Guarantor under this Section 4.6 shall be subordinate
and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the Guaranteed Obligations, and none of
the Guarantors shall exercise any right or remedy under this Section 4.6 against
any other Guarantor until payment and satisfaction in full of all of such
Guaranteed Obligations. For purposes of this Section 4.6, (a) "Guaranteed
----------
Obligations" shall mean any obligations arising under the other provisions of
- -----------
this Section 4; (b) "Excess Payment" shall mean the amount paid by any Guarantor
--------------
in excess of its Pro Rata Share of any Guaranteed Obligations;
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(c) "Pro Rata Share" shall mean, for any Guarantor in respect of any payment of
--------------
Guaranteed Obligations, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) as of the date of
such payment of Guaranteed Obligations of (i) the amount by which the aggregate
present fair saleable value of all of its assets and properties exceeds the
amount of all debts and liabilities of such Guarantor (including contingent,
subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the
obligations of such Guarantor hereunder) to (ii) the amount by which the
aggregate present fair salable value of all assets and other properties of all
of the Credit Parties exceeds the amount of all of the debts and liabilities
(including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities,
but excluding the obligations of the Credit Parties hereunder) of the Credit
Parties; provided, however, that, for purposes of calculating the Pro Rata
-------- -------
Shares of the Guarantors in respect of any payment of Guaranteed Obligations,
any Guarantor that became a Guarantor subsequent to the date of any such payment
shall be deemed to have been a Guarantor on the date of such payment and the
financial information for such Guarantor as of the date such Guarantor became a
Guarantor shall be utilized for such Guarantor in connection with such payment;
and (d) "Contribution Share" shall mean, for any Guarantor in respect of any
------------------
Excess Payment made by any other Guarantor, the ratio (expressed as a
percentage) as of the date of such Excess Payment of (i) the amount by which the
aggregate present fair saleable value of all of its assets and properties
exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of such Guarantor (including
contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding
the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder) to (ii) the amount by which the
aggregate present fair salable value of all assets and other properties of the
Credit Parties other than the maker of such Excess Payment exceeds the amount of
all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured,
and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Credit
Parties) of the Credit Parties other than the maker of such Excess Payment;
provided, however, that, for purposes of calculating the Contribution Shares of
- -------- -------
the Guarantors in respect of any Excess Payment, any Guarantor that became a
Guarantor subsequent to the date of any such Excess Payment shall be deemed to
have been a Guarantor on the date of such Excess Payment and the financial
information for such Guarantor as of the date such Guarantor became a Guarantor
shall be utilized for such Guarantor in connection with such Excess Payment.
This Section 4.6 shall not be deemed to affect any right of subrogation,
indemnity, reimbursement or contribution that any Guarantor may have under
applicable law against the Borrower in respect of any payment of Guaranteed
Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all rights of contribution against
any Guarantor shall terminate from and after such time, if ever, that such
Guarantor shall be relieved of its obligations pursuant to Section 8.4.
4.7 Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee.
------------------------------------------
The guarantee in this Section 4 is a guaranty of payment and not of
collection, is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all Guaranteed
Obligations whenever arising.
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SECTION 5
CONDITIONS
----------
5.1 Closing Conditions.
------------------
The obligation of the Lenders to enter into this Credit Agreement and to
make the initial Extensions of Credit shall be subject to satisfaction of the
following conditions (in form and substance acceptable to the Lenders):
(a) Executed Credit Documents. Receipt by the Administrative Agent
-------------------------
of: (i) multiple counterparts of this Credit Agreement, (ii) a Revolving
Note for each Lender and (iii) multiple counterparts of the Collateral
Documents, in each case executed by a duly authorized officer of each party
thereto and in each case conforming to the requirements of this Credit
Agreement.
(b) Legal Opinions. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of multiple
--------------
counterparts of opinions of counsel for the Credit Parties relating to the
Credit Documents and the transactions contemplated therein, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and
including, among other things, opinions regarding enforceability of the
Credit Documents and the perfection of the security interests created
thereby.
(c) Financial Information. Receipt by the Lenders of such financial
---------------------
information regarding the members of the Combined Group as may be requested
by, and in each case in form and substance satisfactory to, the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
(d) Personal Property Collateral. Receipt by the Administrative
----------------------------
Agent of the following:
(i) UCC Financing Statements. Duly executed UCC financing
------------------------
statements for each jurisdiction as is necessary or appropriate, in
the Administrative Agent's discretion, to perfect the security
interests in the Collateral.
(ii) Certificated Interests. Original certificates evidencing
----------------------
the Capital Stock which is the subject of the Pledge Agreement
together with undated stock transfer powers executed in blank.
(e) Evidence of Insurance. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of
---------------------
insurance certificates or policies evidencing casualty insurance (including
builders' risk and all-risk permanent policies) and liability conforming to
the requirements of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents,
showing the Administrative Agent as sole loss payee with respect to the
casualty insurance and as additional insured with respect to liability
insurance, in each case together with evidence of payment of premiums
thereon.
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(f) Absence of Legal Proceedings. There shall not exist any action,
----------------------------
suit, investigation or proceeding pending in any court or before any
arbitrator or Governmental Authority which could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Corporate Documents. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of the
-------------------
following (or their equivalent) for each of the Credit Parties:
(i) Charter Documents. Copies of the articles or certificates
-----------------
of incorporation or other charter documents of such Credit Party
certified to be true and complete as of a recent date by the
appropriate Governmental Authority of the state or other jurisdiction
of its incorporation and certified by a secretary or assistant
secretary of such Credit Party to be true and correct as of the
Closing Date.
(ii) Bylaws. A copy of the bylaws, operating agreement or
------
equivalent of such Credit Party certified by a secretary or assistant
secretary of such Credit Party to be true and correct and in force and
effect as of the Closing Date.
(iii) Resolutions. Copies of resolutions of the board of
-----------
directors of such Credit Party approving and adopting the Credit
Documents to which it is a party, the transactions contemplated
therein and authorizing execution and delivery thereof, certified by a
secretary or assistant secretary of such Credit Party to be true and
correct and in force and effect as of the Closing Date.
(iv) Good Standing. Certificates of good standing, existence
-------------
or its equivalent certified as of a recent date by the appropriate
governmental authorities of the state of incorporation and each other
state in which the failure to so qualify and be in good standing would
be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the business
or operations in such state.
(v) Officer's Certificate. An officer's certificate dated as
---------------------
of the Closing Date substantially in the form of Schedule 5.1(g)(v)
------------------
with appropriate insertions and attachments.
(h) Priority of Liens. The Administrative Agent shall have received
-----------------
satisfactory evidence that (i) the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the
Lenders, holds a perfected, first priority Lien on all Collateral (subject
only to Permitted Liens) and (ii) none of the Collateral is subject to any
other Liens other than Permitted Liens.
(i) Officer's Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have
----------------------
received a certificate or certificates executed by an Executive Officer of
the Borrower as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent, stating that (A) each Credit Party is in
compliance with all existing financial obligations, (B) all governmental,
shareholder and third party consents and approvals, if any, necessary with
respect to the Credit Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby
have been obtained, (C) no action, suit, investigation or proceeding is
pending or to such Executive Officer's knowledge threatened in
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any court or before any arbitrator or governmental instrumentality that
purports to affect any Credit Party or any transaction contemplated by the
Credit Documents, if such action, suit, investigation or proceeding could
have a Material Adverse Effect, and (D) immediately after giving effect to
the initial Loans made and Letters of Credit issued on the Closing Date,
(i) no Default or Event of Default exists, (ii) all representations and
warranties contained herein and in the other Credit Documents are true and
correct in all material respects and (iii) the Credit Parties are in pro
forma compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Section
7.11 (assuming for purposes hereof that such financial covenants were
measured as of, and for the 12-month period ending on, the most recent
month's end and attaching detailed calculations demonstrating such pro
forma compliance).
(j) Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
--------------------
received a certificate executed by an Executive Officer of the Borrower as
of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, regarding the financial condition, solvency and
related matters of each of the Credit Parties.
(k) Borrowing Base Certificate. Receipt by the Administrative Agent
--------------------------
of a Borrowing Base Certificate dated as of the most recent month-end
available, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
and certified by the chief financial officer of the Borrower to be true and
correct as of the date thereof.
(l) Crescent Credit Facility. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of
------------------------
confirmation of establishment of the $125 million revolving credit facility
pursuant to the Crescent Credit Agreement.
(m) Corporate Structure. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of the
-------------------
corporate capital and ownership structure of the members of the
Consolidated Group.
(n) Field Audit. Completion of a field audit by representatives of
-----------
the Administrative Agent of the accounts receivable, inventory, accounts
payable, and accounting controls and systems of the members of the
Friedman's Consolidated Group with results and findings acceptable to the
Administrative Agent.
(o) Fees and Expenses. Payment by the Credit Parties of all fees and
-----------------
expenses owed by them to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent,
including, without limitation, payment to the Administrative Agent of the
fees set forth in the Administrative Agent's Fee Letter and payment of any
fees to the Documentation Agent.
5.2 Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.
--------------------------------------
The obligation of each Lender to make any Loan or of the Issuing Lender to
issue any Letter of Credit hereunder (including the initial Extension of Credit
to be made hereunder) is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions
precedent on the date of making such Extension of Credit:
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(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
------------------------------
warranties made by the Credit Parties herein and in the other Credit
Documents or which are contained in any certificate furnished at any time
under or in connection herewith shall be true and correct in all material
respects on and as of the date of such Extension of Credit as if made on
and as of such date (except for those which expressly relate to an earlier
date and except for changes expressly permitted therein or as expressly
contemplated herein).
(b) No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default
------------------------------
shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect
to the Extension of Credit to be made on such date unless such Default or
Event of Default shall have been waived in accordance with this Credit
Agreement.
(c) Additional Conditions to Revolving Loans. If a Revolving Loan is
----------------------------------------
requested pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2, all conditions set forth in
Section 2 shall have been satisfied.
(d) Additional Conditions to Letters of Credit. If the issuance of a
------------------------------------------
Letter of Credit is requested pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2, all
conditions set forth in Section 2 shall have been satisfied.
(e) Additional Conditions to Swingline Loans. If a Swingline Loan is
----------------------------------------
requested pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2, all conditions set forth in
Section 2 shall have been satisfied.
Each request for an Extension of Credit (including Continuations and
Conversions) and each acceptance by the Borrower of an Extension of Credit
(including Continuations and Conversions) shall be deemed to constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the date of such Extension of
Credit that the applicable conditions in paragraphs (a) and (b), and in (c), (d)
or (e) of this subsection have been satisfied.
SECTION 6
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
------------------------------
To induce the Lenders to enter into this Credit Agreement and to make the
Extensions of Credit hereunder, each of the Credit Parties hereby represents and
warrants to the Administrative Agent and to each Lender that:
6.1 Financial Condition.
-------------------
Each of the financial statements described below (copies of which have
heretofore been provided to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the
Lenders) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied
throughout the periods covered thereby, are complete and correct in all material
respects and present fairly the financial condition (including
61
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disclosure of all material liabilities, contingent or otherwise) and results
from operations of the entities and for the periods specified, subject in the
case of interim company-prepared statements to normal year-end adjustments and
the absence of footnotes:
(i) audited consolidated balance sheets for the Borrower and its
subsidiaries dated as of September 30, 1997 and September 30, 1998,
together with related audited consolidated statements of income and cash
flows for the fiscal years then ending, certified by Ernst & Young LLP,
certified public accountants;
(ii) company-prepared consolidated balance sheets for the Borrower
and its subsidiaries as of June 30, 1999, together with related
consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the fiscal quarter
then ending; and
(iii) after the Closing Date, the annual and quarterly financial
statements provided in accordance with Section 7.1(a) and (b).
6.2 No Changes or Restricted Payments.
---------------------------------
Except as set forth on Schedule 6.2, since the date of the most-recent
---
annual audited financial statements referenced in Section 6.1(i),
(i) for the period to the Closing Date, except as previously
disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, (A) there
have been no material sales, transfers or other dispositions of any
material part of the business or property of the members of the
Consolidated Group, nor have there been any material purchases or other
acquisitions of any business or property (including the Capital Stock of
any other person) by the members of the Consolidated Group, which are not
reflected in the annual audited or company-prepared quarterly financial
statements referenced in Section 6.1(i) and (ii) hereof, and (B) no
Restricted Payments have been declared or paid by members of the
Consolidated Group; and
(ii) there has been no circumstance, development or event relating
to or affecting the members of the Consolidated Group which has had or
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.3 Organization; Existence; Compliance with Law.
--------------------------------------------
Each of the members of the Consolidated Group (a) is duly organized,
validly existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization, (b) has the corporate or other necessary power
and authority, and the legal right to own and operate its Property, to lease the
Property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is
currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign entity and in good
standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or
operation of Property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so
qualified and in good standing would not, in
62
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the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) is in compliance with all
Requirements of Law (including, without limitation, Regulation Z), except to the
extent that the failure to comply therewith would not, in the aggregate, be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.
---------------------------------------------
Each of the Credit Parties has the corporate or other necessary power and
authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Credit
Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary corporate or other
action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of the Credit
Documents to which it is a party. No consent or authorization of, filing with,
notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any
other Person is required in connection with acceptance of Extensions of Credit
or the making of the guaranties hereunder or with the execution, delivery or
performance of any Credit Documents by the Credit Parties (other than those
which have been obtained, such filings as are required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission and to fulfill other reporting requirements with
Governmental Authorities) or with the validity or enforceability of any Credit
Document against the Credit Parties (except such filings as are necessary in
connection with the perfection of the Liens created by such Credit Documents).
Each Credit Document to which it is a party constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable against such Credit Party in
accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited
by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general
equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or
at law).
6.5 No Legal Bar.
------------
The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents, the
borrowings hereunder and the use of the Extensions of Credit will not violate
any Requirement of Law or any Contractual Obligation of any member of the
Consolidated Group (except those as to which waivers or consents have been
obtained), and will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any
Lien on any of its respective properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement
of Law or Contractual Obligation other than the Liens arising under or
contemplated in connection with the Credit Documents and other than Permitted
Liens. No member of the Consolidated Group is in default under or with respect
to any of its Contractual Obligations in any respect which would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.6 No Material Litigation and Disputes.
-----------------------------------
(a) No claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any
arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the best knowledge
of the Credit Parties, threatened by or against, any members of the
Consolidated Group or against any of their respective properties or
revenues which (i) relate to the Credit Documents or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (ii) would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Set forth on Schedule 6.6 is a
------------
summary of all claims, litigation, investigations and proceedings pending
or, to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties,
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<PAGE>
threatened by or against the members of the Consolidated Group or against
any of their respective properties or revenues as of the Closing Date,
which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) No default exists and, to the best knowledge of the Credit
Parties, no default has been asserted, under any Contractual Obligations to
which any members of the Consolidated Group are party which individually or
in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
6.7 No Defaults.
-----------
No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
6.8 Ownership and Operation of Property.
-----------------------------------
Each of the members of the Consolidated Group (i) has good record and
marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its material real
property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other
material property, and none of such property is subject to any Lien, except for
Permitted Liens, and (ii) has obtained all material licenses, permits,
franchises or other certifications, consents, approvals and authorizations,
governmental or private, necessary to the ownership of its Property and to the
conduct of its business.
6.9 Intellectual Property.
---------------------
Each of the members of the Consolidated Group owns, or has the legal right
to use, all United States trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents,
technology, know-how and processes, if any, necessary for each of them to
conduct its business as currently conducted (the "Intellectual Property") except
---------------------
for those the failure to own or have such legal right to use would not be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No claim has been
asserted in writing to the Borrower or any other members of the Consolidated
Group and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any
such Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any such
Intellectual Property, and the use of such Intellectual Property by the members
of the Consolidated Group does not infringe on the rights of any Person, except
for such claims and infringements that, in the aggregate, would not be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.10 No Burdensome Restrictions.
--------------------------
No Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation of the members of the
Consolidated Group would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
6.11 Taxes.
-----
Each of the members of the Consolidated Group has filed or caused to be
filed all income tax returns (federal, state, local and foreign) and all other
material tax returns which are required to be filed and has paid (i) all amounts
shown therein to be due (including interest and penalties) and (ii) all other
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material taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges (including
mortgage recording taxes, documentary stamp taxes and intangibles taxes) owing,
except for such taxes which are not yet delinquent or as are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in
accordance with GAAP have been established unless the failure to make any such
payment could give rise to an immediate right to foreclose on a Lien securing
such amounts. No tax claim or assessment has been asserted against members of
the Consolidated Group which if adversely determined would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.12 ERISA.
-----
Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:
(a) During the five-year period prior to the date on which this
representation is made or deemed made: (i) no ERISA Event has occurred,
and, to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, no event or condition has
occurred or exists as a result of which any ERISA Event could reasonably be
expected to occur, with respect to any Plan; (ii) no "accumulated funding
deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section
412 of the Internal Revenue Code, whether or not waived, has occurred with
respect to any Plan; (iii) each Plan has been maintained, operated, and
funded in compliance with its own terms and in material compliance with the
provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and any other applicable
federal or state laws; and (iv) no lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has
arisen or is reasonably likely to arise on account of any Plan.
(b) The actuarial present value of all "benefit liabilities" (as
defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA), whether or not vested, under each
Single Employer Plan, as of the last annual valuation date prior to the
date on which this representation is made or deemed made (determined, in
each case, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board
Statement 87, utilizing the actuarial assumptions used in such Plan's most
recent actuarial valuation report), did not exceed as of such valuation
date the fair market value of the assets of such Plan.
(c) No member of the Consolidated Group has incurred, or, to the best
knowledge of the Credit Parties, could be reasonably expected to incur, any
withdrawal liability under ERISA to any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple
Employer Plan. No member of the Consolidated Group would become subject to
withdrawal liability under ERISA if any member of the Consolidated Group
were to withdraw completely from all Multiemployer Plans and Multiple
Employer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the date on
which this representation is made or deemed made. No member of the
Consolidated Group has received any notification that any Multiemployer
Plan is in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), is
insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA), or has been
terminated (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA), and no Multiemployer
Plan is, to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, reasonably expected
to be in reorganization, insolvent, or terminated.
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(d) No prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code) or breach of fiduciary
responsibility has occurred with respect to a Plan which has subjected or
may subject any member of the Consolidated Group to liability under
Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Internal Revenue Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant
to which any member of the Consolidated Group has agreed or is required to
indemnify any person against any such liability.
(e) No member of the Consolidated Group has liability with respect to
"expected post-retirement benefit obligations" within the meaning of the
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 106. Each Plan which is a
welfare plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) to which Sections 601-
609 of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code apply has been
administered in compliance in all material respects of such sections.
(f) Neither the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement nor
the consummation of the financing transactions contemplated thereunder will
involve any transaction which is subject to the prohibitions of Sections
404, 406 or 407 of ERISA by reason of the identity of the Borrower and
members of the Consolidated Group or in connection with which a tax could
be imposed on the Borrower or any member of the Consolidated Group pursuant
to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code. The representation by the
Credit Parties in the preceding sentence is made in reliance upon and
subject to the accuracy of the Lenders' representation in Section 11.15
with respect to their source of funds and is subject, in the event that the
source of the funds used by the Lenders in connection with this transaction
is an insurance company's general asset account, to the application of
Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 95-60, 60 Fed. Reg. 35,925 (1995),
compliance with Section 401(b)(2) of ERISA or the regulations issued under
Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA, or the issuance of any other prohibited
transaction exemption or similar relief, to the effect that assets in an
insurance company's general asset account do not constitute assets of an
"employee benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA of a
"plan" within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
(g) No ERISA Affiliate that is not a member of the Consolidated Group
has incurred, or to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, could
reasonably be expected to incur, any liability under ERISA, the Code or
otherwise in relation to any ERISA Affiliate Plan that would have a
Material Adverse Effect.
6.13 Governmental Regulations, Etc.
-----------------------------
(a) No part of the proceeds of the Extensions of Credit hereunder will
be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
any "margin stock" within the meaning of Regulation U. If requested by any
Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the
Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in
conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 referred to in said
Regulation U. No indebtedness being reduced or retired out of the proceeds
of the Extensions of Credit hereunder was or will be incurred for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying any
66
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margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U or any "margin security"
within the meaning of Regulation T. "Margin stock" within the meanings of
Regulation U does not constitute more than 25% of the value of the
consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. None of the
transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement (including, without
limitation, the direct or indirect use of the proceeds of the Loans) will
violate or result in a violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or regulations issued
pursuant thereto, or Regulation T, U or X.
(b) None of the members of the Consolidated Group is subject to
regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the
Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended.
In addition, none of the members of the Consolidated Group is (i) an
"investment company" registered or required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and is not controlled by such a
company, or (ii) a "holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of a
"holding company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a
"subsidiary" of a "holding company", within the meaning of the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.
6.14 Subsidiaries.
------------
Set forth on Schedule 6.14 are all the Subsidiaries of the Borrower as of
-------------
the Closing Date, including the jurisdiction of organization, classes of Capital
Stock (including options, warrants, rights of subscription, conversion and
exchangeability and other similar rights), ownership and ownership percentages
thereof. The outstanding shares of Capital Stock shown have been validly issued,
fully paid and are non-assessable and owned free of Liens other than Permitted
Liens. The outstanding shares of Capital Stock shown are not the subject of buy-
sell, voting trust or other shareholder agreement except as identified on
Schedule 6.14.
- -------------
6.15 Purpose of Extensions of Credit.
-------------------------------
The Loans will be used by the Borrower solely to (i) refinance certain
existing Funded Debt of the Borrower and (ii) finance working capital and other
general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
6.16 Environmental Matters.
---------------------
Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:
(a) Each of the facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by
the members of the Consolidated Group (the "Subject Properties") and all
------------------
operations at the Subject Properties are in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws, and there is no violation of any Environmental Law with
respect to the Subject Properties or the businesses operated by the members
of the Consolidated Group (the "Businesses"), and there are no conditions
----------
relating to the Businesses or Subject Properties that could give rise to
liability under any applicable Environmental Laws.
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(b) None of the Subject Properties contains, or to the Borrower's
knowledge has previously contained, any Materials of Environmental Concern
at, on or under the Subject Properties in amounts or concentrations that
constitute or constituted a violation of, or could give rise to liability
under, Environmental Laws.
(c) None of the members of the Consolidated Group has received any
written notice of, or written inquiry from any Governmental Authority
regarding, any violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or
potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance with
Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Subject Properties or the
Businesses, nor does any member of the Consolidated Group have knowledge or
reason to believe that any such notice will be received or is being
threatened.
(d) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or
disposed of from the Subject Properties, or generated, treated, stored or
disposed of at, on or under any of the Subject Properties or any other
location, in each case by or on behalf any members of the Consolidated
Group in violation of, or in a manner that would be reasonably likely to
give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law.
(e) No judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative action is
pending or, to the best knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened, under
any Environmental Law to which any member of the Consolidated Group is or
will be named as a party, nor are there any consent decrees or other
decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other orders, or other
administrative or judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental
Law with respect to any member of the Consolidated Group, the Subject
Properties or the Businesses.
(f) There has been no release or, threat of release of Materials of
Environmental Concern at or from the Subject Properties, or arising from or
related to the operations (including, without limitation, disposal) of any
member of the Consolidated Group in connection with the Subject Properties
or otherwise in connection with the Businesses, in violation of or in
amounts or in a manner that could give rise to liability under
Environmental Laws.
6.17 Year 2000 Compliance.
--------------------
The Borrower has (i) initiated a review and assessment of all material
areas within its and each of its Subsidiaries' business and operations
(including those affected by key suppliers, vendors and customers) that could be
adversely affected by the "Year 2000 Problem" (that is, the risk that computer
-----------------
applications used by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or key suppliers,
vendors and customers) may be unable to recognize and perform properly date-
sensitive functions involving certain dates prior to and any date after December
31, 1999), (ii) developed a plan and timeline for addressing the Year 2000
Problem on a timely basis, and (iii) to date, implemented that plan in
accordance with that timetable. Based on the foregoing, the Borrower believes
that all computer applications (including those of its key suppliers, vendors
and customers) that are material to its or any of its Subsidiaries' business and
operations are reasonably expected on a timely basis to be able to perform
properly date-sensitive functions for all dates before and after
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January 1, 2000 (that is, be "Year 2000 Compliant"), except to the extent that a
-------------------
failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
6.18 No Material Misstatements.
-------------------------
None of the information, reports, financial statements, exhibits or
schedules, taken as a whole, furnished by or on behalf of any member of the
Consolidated Group to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with
the negotiation of the Credit Documents or included therein or delivered
pursuant thereto contained, contains or will contain any material misstatement
of fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were, are or will be made, not materially misleading, provided that to the
--------
extent any such information, report, financial statement, exhibit or schedule
was based upon or constitutes a forecast or projection, each of the Credit
Parties represents only that it acted in good faith and utilized reasonable
assumptions and due care in the preparation of such information, report,
financial statement, exhibit or schedule.
6.19 Labor Matters.
-------------
Except as set forth in Schedule 6.19 as of the Closing Date,
-------------
(i) There are no strikes or lockouts against any members of
the Consolidated Group pending or, to the best knowledge of the
Credit Parties, threatened;
(ii) the hours worked by and payments made to employees of the
Consolidated Group have not been in violation of the Fair Labor
Standards Act or any other applicable federal, state, local or
foreign law dealing with such matters in any case where a Material
Adverse Effect would reasonably be expected to occur as a result of
the violation thereof;
(iii) all payments due from members of the Consolidated Group,
or for which any claim may be made against a member of the
Consolidated Group, on account of wages and employee health and
welfare insurance and other benefits, have been paid or accrued as a
liability on the books of the respective members of the Consolidated
Group; and
(iv) none of the members of the Consolidated Group is party to
a collective bargaining agreement.
6.20 Security Documents.
------------------
(a) Security Agreement. The Security Agreement is effective to
------------------
create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the
holders of the Secured Obligations identified therein, a legal valid and
enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Security
Agreement) owned by the Credit Parties and, when
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financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the appropriate
offices for the locations specified in Schedule 2 to the Security
Agreement, the Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien
on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the grantors
thereunder in such Collateral that may be perfected by filing, recording or
registering a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code as in
effect, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Lien on any
Collateral other than Permitted Liens.
(b) Pledge Agreement. The Pledge Agreement is effective to create
----------------
in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the
holders of the Secured Obligations identified therein, a legal valid and
enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Pledge
Agreement) and, when such Collateral is delivered to the Administrative
Agent or financing statements filed, as applicable, the Pledge Agreement
shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security
interest in, all right, title and interest of the pledgors thereunder in
such Collateral, in each case prior and superior in right to any other
Lien.
6.21 Location of Real Property and Leased Premises.
---------------------------------------------
Set forth on Schedule 6.21(a) is a complete and correct list of all real
----------------
property located in the United States and owned or leased by any member of the
Consolidated Group with street address and state where located. Set forth on
Schedule 6.21(b) is a list of all locations where any tangible personal property
- ----------------
of any member of the Consolidated Group is located, including street address and
state where located. Set forth on Schedule 6.21(c) is the chief executive
----------------
office and principal place of business of each member of the Consolidated Group.
The information contained in the foregoing Schedules will be updated by notice
of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.
6.22 Solvency.
--------
Immediately after giving effect to each Extension of Credit made on or
after the Closing Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of each Credit Party
will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise;
(ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of each Credit Party will
be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probably liability
of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as
such debts and other liabilities become absolute and mature; and (iii) each
Credit Party will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the
business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is
proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.
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SECTION 7
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
---------------------
Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that so long as this Credit
Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder or under any other
Credit Document shall remain outstanding or any Letter of Credit is outstanding,
and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have terminated:
7.1 Information Covenants.
---------------------
The Credit Parties will furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:
(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any
---------------------------
event within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of the members of
the Consolidated Group, a consolidated balance sheet and income statement
of the members of the Consolidated Group as of the end of such fiscal year,
together with related consolidated statements of operations and retained
earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal year, in each case setting forth
in comparative form consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal year, all
such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and
detail and audited by independent certified public accountants of
recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent and whose opinion shall be to the effect that such financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for changes
with which such accountants concur) and shall not be limited as to the
scope of the audit or qualified as to the status of the members of the
Consolidated Group as a going concern or any other material qualifications
or exceptions.
(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in
------------------------------
any event within 45 days after the close of each fiscal quarter of the
members of the Consolidated Group (other than the fourth fiscal quarter, in
which case 50 days after the end thereof), a consolidated balance sheet,
income statement and statements of cash flows for such fiscal quarter, in
each case setting forth in comparative form consolidated figures for the
corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year, all such financial
information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and accompanied by a
certificate of an Executive Officer of the Borrower to the effect that such
quarterly financial statements fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition of the members of the Consolidated Group and have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from audit
and normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
(c) Officer's Certificate. At the time of delivery of the financial
---------------------
statements provided for in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) above, a certificate
of an Executive Officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of
Schedule 7.1(c), (i) demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants
---------------
contained in Section 7.11 by calculation thereof as of the end of each such
fiscal period and (ii) stating that no Default or Event of Default exists,
or if any Default or
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Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof and
what action the Credit Parties propose to take with respect thereto.
(d) Borrowing Base Certificate. As soon as available but in any
--------------------------
event within 15 days after the end of each calendar month or on a more
frequent basis as requested, a statement of the Borrowing Base and its
components as of the end of the immediately preceding month (or such other
more frequent period), in form and content satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and certified by the chief financial officer or
treasurer of the Borrower to be true and correct as of the date thereof
(the "Borrowing Base Certificate").
--------------------------
(e) Annual Business Plan and Budgets. Within 30 days after the end
--------------------------------
of each fiscal year of the Borrower, beginning with the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2000, an annual business plan and budget of the members of
the Consolidated Group containing, among other things, pro forma financial
statements for the next fiscal year.
(f) Collateral Reports. Within 20 days after the end of each
------------------
calendar month, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, (i) an aging of the accounts receivable of the Credit
Parties, together with a reconciliation to the previous month's aging of
the accounts receivable of the Credit Parties and to their respective
general ledgers, (ii) inventory reports by category, with additional detail
showing additions to and deletions from the inventory, together with a
reconciliation to the general ledger and (iii) with the delivery of each of
the foregoing, a certificate of the Borrower executed by the chief
financial officer or treasurer thereof certifying as to the accuracy and
completeness of the foregoing. If any of the records of the Credit Parties
or reports of the Collateral are prepared by an accounting service or other
agent, the Credit Parties hereby authorize such service or agent to deliver
such records, reports, and related documents to the Administrative Agent,
for distribution to the Lenders.
(g) Auditor's Reports. Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of any
-----------------
other report or "management letter" submitted by independent accountants to
any member of the Consolidated Group in connection with any annual, interim
or special audit of the books of such Person.
(h) Consumer Credit Policies. Concurrently with delivery of the
------------------------
quarterly company-prepared financial statements under subsection (b)
hereof, the Credit Parties will provide written notice to the
Administrative Agent of material changes or modifications in their consumer
credit policies and practices, together with a written explanation, in
substance and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
of such changes or modifications to such consumer credit policies or
practices.
(i) Investment Banking Fees. Advance notice to the Administrative
-----------------------
Agent of all investment banking fees in excess of $250,000 payable by the
members of the Friedman's Consolidated Group in connection with any single
transaction, together with a certification from the Borrower that after
giving effect thereto no Default or Event of Default shall exist on a Pro
Forma Basis.
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(j) Reports. Promptly upon transmission or receipt thereof, (i)
-------
copies of any filings and registrations with, and reports to or from, the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor agency (excluding any
exhibits thereto and any registration statements filed on Form S-8), and
copies of all financial statements, proxy statements, notices and reports
as any member of the Consolidated Group shall send to its stockholders or
to a holder of any Indebtedness owed by any member of the Consolidated
Group in its capacity as such a holder and (ii) upon the request of the
Administrative Agent, all reports and written information to and from the
United States Environmental Protection Agency, or any state or local agency
responsible for environmental matters, the United States Occupational
Health and Safety Administration, or any state or local agency responsible
for health and safety matters, or any successor agencies or authorities
concerning environmental, health or safety matters.
(k) Notices. Upon any Executive Officer of a Credit Party obtaining
-------
actual knowledge thereof, the Credit Parties will give written notice to
the Administrative Agent immediately of (i) the occurrence of an event or
condition consisting of a Default or Event of Default, specifying the
nature and existence thereof and what action the Credit Parties propose to
take with respect thereto, and (ii) the occurrence of any of the following
with respect to any member of the Consolidated Group (A) the pendency or
commencement of any litigation, arbitral or governmental proceeding against
such Person which if adversely determined would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect or (B) the institution of any proceedings
against such Person with respect to, or the receipt of notice by such
Person of potential liability or responsibility for violation, or alleged
violation of any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, including
but not limited to, Environmental Laws, the violation of which could have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(l) ERISA. Upon any Executive Officer of a Credit Party obtaining
-----
knowledge thereof, the Credit Parties will give written notice to the
Administrative Agent promptly (and in any event within five Business Days)
of: (i) any event or condition, including, but not limited to, any
Reportable Event, that constitutes, or might reasonably lead to, an ERISA
Event; (ii) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt of notice
as prescribed in ERISA or otherwise of any withdrawal liability assessed
against the Credit Parties or any ERISA Affiliates, or of a determination
that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent (both within
the meaning of Title IV of ERISA); (iii) the failure to make full payment
on or before the due date (including extensions) thereof of all amounts
which any member of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate is
required to contribute to each Plan pursuant to its terms and as required
to meet the minimum funding standard set forth in ERISA and the Internal
Revenue Code with respect thereto; or (iv) any change in the funding status
of any Plan that could have a Material Adverse Effect, together with a
description of any such event or condition or a copy of any such notice and
a statement by an Executive Officer of the Borrower briefly setting forth
the details regarding such event, condition, or notice, and the action, if
any, which has been or is being taken or is proposed to be taken by the
Credit Parties with respect thereto. Promptly upon request, the Credit
Parties shall furnish the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with such
additional information concerning any Plan as may be reasonably requested,
including, but not limited to, copies of each annual report/return (Form
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<PAGE>
5500 series), as well as all schedules and attachments thereto required to
be filed with the Department of Labor and/or the Internal Revenue Service
pursuant to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code, respectively, for each
"plan year" (within the meaning of Section 3(39) of ERISA).
(m) Other Information. With reasonable promptness upon any such
-----------------
request, such other information regarding the business, properties or
financial condition of any member of the Consolidated Group as the
Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request.
7.2 Preservation of Existence and Franchises.
----------------------------------------
Except as a result of or in connection with a dissolution, merger or
disposition of a Subsidiary permitted under Section 8.4 or Section 8.5, each
Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do all things
necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and all
material rights, franchises and authority.
7.3 Books and Records.
-----------------
Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep
complete and accurate books and records of its transactions in accordance with
good accounting practices on the basis of GAAP (including the establishment and
maintenance of appropriate reserves).
7.4 Compliance with Law.
-------------------
Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply
with all laws, rules, regulations and orders, and all applicable restrictions
imposed by all Governmental Authorities, applicable to it and its Property if
noncompliance with any such law, rule, regulation, order or restriction could
have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.5 Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness.
---------------------------------------
Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and
discharge (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed
upon it, or upon its income or profits, or upon any of its properties, before
they shall become delinquent, (b) all lawful claims (including claims for labor,
materials and supplies) which, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon any of
its properties, and (c) except as prohibited hereunder, all of its other
Indebtedness as it shall become due; provided, however, that no member of the
-------- -------
Consolidated Group shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment, charge,
levy, claim or Indebtedness which is being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in accordance
with GAAP have been established, unless the failure to make any such payment (i)
could give rise to an immediate right to foreclose on a Lien securing such
amounts or (ii) could have a Material Adverse Effect.
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7.6 Insurance.
---------
(a) Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, at all times maintain in full force and effect insurance (including
worker's compensation insurance, liability insurance, casualty insurance
and business interruption insurance) in such amounts, covering such risks
and liabilities and with such deductibles or self-insurance retentions as
are in accordance with normal industry practice (or as otherwise required
by the Collateral Documents). The Administrative Agent shall be named as
loss payee or mortgagee, as its interest may appear, and/or additional
insured with respect to any such insurance providing coverage in respect of
any Collateral, and each provider of any such insurance shall agree, by
endorsement upon the policy or policies issued by it or by independent
instruments furnished to the Administrative Agent, that it will give the
Administrative Agent ten (10) days prior written notice before any such
policy or policies shall be altered or canceled, and that no act or default
of any member of the Consolidated Group or any other Person shall affect
the rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under such policy or
policies. The present insurance coverage of the members of the Consolidated
Group is outlined as to carrier, policy number, expiration date, type and
amount on Schedule 7.6.
------------
(b) The proceeds from insurance received from the theft, loss,
physical destruction or damage, taking or similar event shall be used
either to repair, replace or reinvest in the same or similar assets or to
prepay the Loans and Obligations hereunder.
7.7 Maintenance of Property.
-----------------------
Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
maintain and preserve its properties and equipment material to the conduct of
its business in good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear
and casualty and condemnation excepted, and will make, or cause to be made, in
such properties and equipment from time to time all repairs, renewals,
replacements, extensions, additions, betterments and improvements thereto as may
be needed or proper, to the extent and in the manner customary for companies in
similar businesses, except, as to any of the foregoing activities, where the
activities are not otherwise prohibited hereunder.
7.8 Performance of Obligations.
--------------------------
Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, perform
in all material respects all of its obligations under the terms of all material
agreements, indentures, mortgages, security agreements and other debt
instruments to which it is a party or by which it is bound except to the extent
that the failure to do so will not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
7.9 Use of Proceeds.
---------------
The Borrower will use the proceeds of Extensions of Credit solely for the
purposes set forth in Section 6.15.
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7.10 Audits/Inspections.
------------------
Upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, each Credit Party
will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit representatives
appointed by the Administrative Agent, including, without limitation,
independent accountants, agents, attorneys, and appraisers to visit and inspect
its property, including its books and records, its accounts receivable and
inventory, its facilities and its other business assets, and to make photocopies
or photographs thereof and to write down and record any information such
representative obtains and shall permit the Administrative Agent or its
representatives to investigate and verify the accuracy of information provided
to the Lenders and to discuss all such matters with the officers, employees and
representatives of such Person. The Credit Parties agree that the
Administrative Agent, and its representatives, may conduct periodic audits of
the Collateral. The cost of such inspections and audits shall be at the expense
of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or at the expense of the Borrower's
as provided in the Security Agreement. Lenders, and their representatives, may
accompany the Administrative Agent and its representatives on any such
inspection or audit at their own expense.
7.11 Financial Covenants.
-------------------
(a) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. As of the end of each fiscal
---------------------------
quarter, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be not greater than 3.0:1.0.
(b) Consolidated Net Worth. At all times, Consolidated Net Worth
----------------------
shall be not less than the sum of (i) $180 million, plus (ii) as of the end
of each fiscal quarter to occur after the Closing Date, an amount equal to
fifty percent (50%) of Consolidated Net Income (but not less than zero) for
such fiscal quarter, such increases to be cumulative, plus (iii) an amount
equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of net proceeds from Equity
Transactions occurring after the Closing Date.
(c) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As of the end of each
----------------------------------------
fiscal quarter, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be not
less than 2.0:1.0.
7.12 Additional Guarantors.
---------------------
Where Domestic Subsidiaries of the Borrower which are not Credit Parties
hereunder (the "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries") shall at any time constitute more
--------------------------
than the following (the "Threshold Requirement"):
---------------------
(i) in any instance for any such Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, five
percent (5%) of consolidated revenues for the Friedman's Consolidated
Group; or
(ii) in the aggregate for all such Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, ten
percent (10%) of consolidated revenues for the Friedman's Consolidated
Group;
then the Borrower shall promptly, but in any event within thirty (30) days, (i)
notify the Administrative Agent thereof, (ii) cause such Domestic Subsidiary or
Domestic Subsidiaries to
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(A) become a Guarantor by execution of a Joinder Agreement, such that
immediately after the joinder of the new Domestic Subsidiaries as Guarantors,
the remaining Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries shall not, individually or
collectively, exceed the Threshold Requirement, (B) pledge and deliver to the
Administrative Agent certificates representing one hundred percent (100%) of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of the joining Domestic Subsidiaries,
together with undated stock powers signed in blank, and (C) deliver to the
Administrative Agent such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may
reasonably request in connection with the foregoing, including, without
limitation, appropriate UCC-1 financing statements, certified resolutions and
other organizational and authorizing documents of such Person, favorable
opinions of counsel to such Person (which shall cover, among other things, the
legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation
referred to above and the perfection of the Administrative Agent's liens
thereunder) and other items of the types required to be delivered pursuant to
Section 5.1(e), all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent.
7.13 Pledged Assets.
--------------
Each Credit Party will cause all of its inventory and accounts receivable
(and related general intangibles) located in the United States other than
Excluded Property to be subject at all times to first priority, perfected Liens
in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the Loans and obligations owing
hereunder and under the other Credit Documents pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the Collateral Documents or, with respect to any such property
acquired subsequent to the Closing Date, such other additional security
documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, subject in any
case to Permitted Liens. Without limiting the generality of the above, the
Credit Parties will cause 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of
each Domestic Subsidiary to be subject at all times to a first priority,
perfected Lien to secure the Loans and obligations owing hereunder and under the
other Credit Documents pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral
Documents or such other security documents as the Administrative Agent shall
reasonably request.
If, subsequent to the Closing Date, a Credit Party shall acquire any
Capital Stock, accounts receivable, inventory or general intangibles related
thereto required to be pledged to the Administrative Agent as Collateral
hereunder or under any of the Collateral Documents, the Credit Parties shall
promptly notify the Administrative Agent of same. Each Credit Party shall, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, take such action (including but not
limited to the actions set forth in Sections 5.1(d)) at its own expense as
requested by the Administrative Agent to ensure that the Administrative Agent
has a first priority perfected Lien to secure the Loans and obligations owing
hereunder and under the other Credit Documents in all Collateral, subject only
to Permitted Liens. Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, adhere to the covenants regarding the location of personal
property as set forth in the Security Agreement.
7.14 Year 2000 Compliance.
--------------------
The Credit Parties will promptly notify the Administrative Agent in the
event any Credit Party discovers or determines that any computer application
(including those of its key suppliers, vendors
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and customers) that is material to its or any of its Subsidiaries' business and
operations will not be Year 2000 Compliant, except to the extent that such
failure could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.15 Additional Reporting and Collateral Requirements.
------------------------------------------------
At any time after the occurrence of a Friedman's Trigger Event, the Credit
Parties will, promptly upon demand of the Administrative Agent or the Required
Lenders, (i) deliver to the Administrative Agent if requested, (A) Borrowing
Base Certificates on a more frequent basis than provided in Section 7.1 hereof
and (B) such additional reports or information as requested by the
Administrative Agent, including, but not limited to, accounts aging reports and
inventory reports and (ii) comply with the provisions of the Security Agreement
which are triggered upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing events.
SECTION 8
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
------------------
Each Credit Party hereby covenants and agrees that so long as this Credit
Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder or under any other
Credit Document shall remain outstanding or any Letter of Credit is outstanding,
and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have terminated:
8.1 Indebtedness.
------------
The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group to
contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness existing or arising under this Credit Agreement or
the other Credit Documents;
(b) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries set forth on
Schedule 8.1, and renewals, refinancings and extensions thereof on terms
------------
and conditions which, taken as a whole, are no less favorable to such
Person than such existing Indebtedness;
(c) purchase money Indebtedness (including for purposes hereof
obligations in respect of Capital Leases or Synthetic Leases) hereafter
incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to finance the purchase
of fixed assets and any refinancing thereof; provided that (i) the total of
--------
all such Indebtedness for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken together
shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 at any one
time outstanding; (ii) such Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the
purchase price of the asset(s) financed; and (iii) no such Indebtedness
shall be refinanced for a principal amount in excess of the principal
balance outstanding thereon at the time of such refinancing;
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(d) obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries owing
under interest rate, commodities and foreign currency exchange protection
agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to manage
existing or anticipated risks and not for speculative purposes;
(e) unsecured intercompany Indebtedness owing by a member of the
Consolidated Group to another member of the Consolidated Group (subject,
however, to the limitations of Section 8.6 in the case of the member of the
Consolidated Group extending the loan, advance or credit);
(f) Indebtedness in the form of a holdback note or deferral of a
portion of the purchase price (including earn-out payments) in connection
with a Permitted Acquisition in an amount not to exceed twenty-five percent
(25%) of the purchase price of such Acquisition;
(g) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred to
finance the acquisition or construction of a new distribution center or a
new corporate headquarters building in an aggregate outstanding principal
amount of up to $5,000,000 at any time;
(h) Indebtedness assumed or acquired in connection with a Permitted
Acquisition in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding
so long as such Indebtedness was not incurred in contemplation of such
Permitted Acquisition;
(i) obligations in respect of performance bonds and completion
guarantees provided by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course of business in respect of (i) members of the Friedman's Consolidated
Group and (ii) members of the Crescent Consolidated Group;
(j) other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Domestic
Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of up to
$5,000,000 at any time;
(k) Support Obligations given by members of the Consolidated Group
with respect to Indebtedness permitted under the foregoing clauses of this
Section 8.1;
(l) guaranty obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in
respect of the loans and obligations owing under the Crescent Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents relating thereto;
(m) local lines of credit in favor of Foreign Subsidiaries in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding; and
(n) guaranty obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of
local lines of credit in favor of Foreign Subsidiaries to the extent
permitted under clause (xii) of the definition of "Permitted Investments".
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8.2 Liens.
-----
The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group to
contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien with respect to any
of its Property, whether now owned or after acquired, except for Permitted
Liens.
8.3 Nature of Business.
------------------
The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group to
substantively alter the character or conduct of the business conducted by such
Person as of the Closing Date and any business ancillary or complimentary
thereto.
8.4 Merger and Consolidation, Dissolution and Acquisitions.
------------------------------------------------------
(a) No member of the Consolidated Group will enter into any
transaction of merger or consolidation, except that
(i) a Domestic Credit Party may be party to a transaction of
merger or consolidation with another Domestic Credit Party, provided
--------
that if the Borrower is a party to such transaction, it shall be the
surviving entity;
(ii) a Foreign Subsidiary may be party to a transaction of
merger or consolidation with a Subsidiary of the Borrower, provided
--------
that (A) if a Domestic Subsidiary is a party thereto, it shall be the
surviving entity and if, after giving effect to such transaction,
such Domestic Subsidiary is not already a Credit Party, it shall
execute and deliver such joinder and pledge agreements as may be
necessary for compliance with the provisions of Sections 7.12 and
7.13, and (B) if another Foreign Subsidiary is the other party
thereto, the surviving entity shall be a Foreign Subsidiary and the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the pledge
requirements of Sections 7.12 and 7.13;
(iii) a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower may be a party to
a transaction of merger of consolidation with a Person other than a
member of the Consolidated Group, provided that (A) the surviving
--------
entity shall be a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower and, if
required, shall execute and deliver such joinder and pledge
agreements as may be necessary for compliance with the provisions of
Sections 7.12 and 7.13, (B) no Default or Event of Default shall
exist immediately after giving effect thereto, and (C) the
transaction shall otherwise constitute a Permitted Acquisition;
(iv) a Subsidiary of the Borrower may enter into a
transaction of merger or consolidation in connection with an Asset
Disposition permitted under Section 8.5.
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(b) No member of the Consolidated Group, other than a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower (and then only if no Material Adverse Effect
shall result on account thereof), may dissolve, liquidate or wind up its
affairs.
(c) No member of the Consolidated Group shall make any Acquisition,
unless:
(i) in the case of an acquisition of Capital Stock of
another Person, after giving effect to such acquisition,
(A) if the acquisition is not of a controlling interest
in the subject Person such that after giving effect thereto the
subject Person will not be a Subsidiary, then the acquisition
constitutes a Permitted Investment; and
(B) if the acquisition is of a controlling interest in
the subject Person such that after giving effect thereto the subject
Person will be a Subsidiary, then the Acquisition constitutes a
Permitted Acquisition;
(ii) in the case of an acquisition of all or any substantial
portion of the Property (other than Capital Stock) of another Person,
then such Acquisition constitutes a Permitted Acquisition.
8.5 Asset Dispositions.
------------------
The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group to
make any Asset Disposition (including, without limitation, any Sale and
Leaseback Transaction), unless
(i) the sale, lease or other disposition is to a member of
the Friedman's Consolidated Group;
(ii) such Asset Disposition is in connection with the closing
of store locations in the ordinary course of business;
(iii) such Asset Disposition is the result of theft, loss,
physical destruction or damage, taking or similar event with respect
to the assets subject to such Asset Disposition and the proceeds from
insurance resulting from such Asset Disposition are used to repair,
replace or reinvest in the same or similar assets; or
(iv) in all other cases, (A) at least seventy-five percent
(75%) of the consideration paid therefor shall consist of cash and
Cash Equivalents, (B) if the subject transaction involves Capital
Stock of a Subsidiary, the subject transaction is of a controlling
interest in such Subsidiary, (C) the aggregate net book value of all
assets sold, leased or otherwise disposed of shall not exceed
$5,000,000 in any fiscal year, (D) no Default or Event of Default
shall exist immediately after giving effect thereto, and (E) the
Borrower shall have demonstrated compliance with the financial
covenants hereunder on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the
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disposition and shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a Pro
Forma Compliance Certificate (including reaffirmation of the
representations and warranties hereunder as of such date before and
after giving effect to such transaction) in connection therewith.
The Administrative Agent will promptly deliver to the Borrower upon
request, at the Borrower's expense, such release documentation (including
delivery of applicable stock certificates) as may be reasonably requested to
give effect to the release of subject assets from the security interests
securing the obligations hereunder in connection with Asset Dispositions
permitted hereunder.
8.6 Investments.
-----------
The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group to
make or permit to exist Investments in or to any Person, except for Permitted
Investments.
8.7 Restricted Payments.
-------------------
The Credit Parties will not make, or permit any member of the Consolidated
Group to make, any Restricted Payment, unless no Default or Event of Default
shall exist immediately prior to giving effect thereto or immediately thereafter
after giving effect thereto on a Pro Forma Basis.
8.8 Modifications and Payments in respect of Other Funded Debt.
----------------------------------------------------------
None of the members of the Consolidated Group will
(a) After the issuance thereof, amend or modify (or permit the
amendment or modification of) the terms of any Subordinated Debt in a
manner adverse to the interests of the Lenders (including specifically any
amendment of the terms of subordination, shortening any maturity or average
life to maturity or requiring any payment sooner than previously scheduled
or increasing the interest rate or fees applicable thereto) or in a manner
prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof; or
(b) Make any prepayment, redemption, defeasance or acquisition for
value of (including without limitation, by way of depositing money or
securities with the trustee with respect thereto before due for the purpose
of paying when due), or refund, refinance or exchange of any Funded Debt
(other than the Indebtedness under the Credit Documents and intercompany
Indebtedness permitted hereunder) other than regularly scheduled payments
of principal and interest on such Funded Debt, except in connection with a
refinancing or refunding permitted hereunder.
8.9 Transactions with Affiliates.
----------------------------
The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group to
enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of transactions with any
officer, director, shareholder,
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Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Person other than (a) advances of working
capital to any member of the Friedman's Consolidated Group, (b) transfers of
cash and assets to any member of the Friedman's Consolidated Group, (c)
transactions permitted by Section 8.1, Section 8.4, Section 8.5, Section 8.6, or
Section 8.7, (d) normal compensation and reimbursement of expenses of officers
and directors, (e) the transactions described on Schedule 8.9, and (f) except as
------------
otherwise specifically limited in this Credit Agreement, other transactions
which are entered into on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to
such Person as would be obtainable by it in a comparable arms-length transaction
with a Person other than an officer, director, shareholder, Subsidiary or
Affiliate.
8.10 Fiscal Year; Organizational Documents.
-------------------------------------
The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group to
amend, modify or change its certificate of incorporation (or corporate charter
or other similar organizational document) or bylaws (or other similar document)
without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld.
8.11 Ownership of Subsidiaries.
-------------------------
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Credit Agreement to the
contrary, the Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated
Group to (i) permit any Person (other than the Borrower or any Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower) to own any Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of the
Borrower, except (A) to qualify directors where required by applicable law or to
satisfy other requirements of applicable law with respect to the ownership of
Capital Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries or (B) as a result of or in connection
with a dissolution, merger, consolidation or disposition of a Subsidiary
permitted under Section 8.4 or Section 8.5, (ii) permit any Subsidiary of the
Borrower to issue any shares of preferred Capital Stock or (iii) permit, create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any Capital Stock of any Subsidiary
of the Borrower, except for Permitted Liens.
8.12 No Further Negative Pledges.
---------------------------
The Credit Parties will not permit any member of the Consolidated Group to
enter into, assume or become subject to any agreement prohibiting or otherwise
restricting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon its properties or
assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or requiring the grant of any
security for any obligation if security is given for any other obligation,
except (i) pursuant to or as otherwise expressly permitted under this Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents and (ii) pursuant to the terms of any
purchase money Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.1(c) to the extent such
limitations relate only to the property which is the subject of such financing.
8.13 Limitation on Management Fees.
-----------------------------
The Credit Parties will not permit members of the Friedman's Consolidated
Group to pay management or consulting fees (exclusive of investment banking fees
payable in connection with capital raising, debt placement or other financial
transactions which are dealt with under Section 7.1(h) hereof)
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to any Affiliates (including, without limitation, Morgan Schiff and its
Affiliates) in an aggregate amount in excess of $1,000,000 during any fiscal
year.
SECTION 9
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
-----------------
9.1 Events of Default.
-----------------
An Event of Default shall exist upon the occurrence of any of the following
specified events (each an "Event of Default"):
----------------
(a) Payment. Any Credit Party shall
-------
(i) default in the payment when due of any principal of any
of the Loans or of any reimbursement obligations arising from
drawings under Letters of Credit, or
(ii) default, and such default shall continue for three (3)
or more Business Days, in the payment when due of any interest on the
Loans or on any reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under
Letters of Credit, or of any Fees or other amounts owing hereunder,
under any of the other Credit Documents or in connection herewith or
therewith; or
(b) Representations. Any representation, warranty or statement made
---------------
or deemed to be made by any Credit Party herein, in any of the other Credit
Documents, or in any statement or certificate delivered or required to be
delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove untrue in any material
respect on the date as of which it was deemed to have been made; or
(c) Covenants. Any Credit Party shall
---------
(i) default in the due performance or observance of any
term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 7.2, 7.9, 7.11 or
8.1 through 8.13, inclusive;
(ii) default in the due performance or observance of any
term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 7.1(a), (b) (c) or
(d) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at
least five (5) Business Days after the earlier of an Executive
Officer of a Credit Party becoming aware of such default or notice
thereof by the Administrative Agent; or
(iii) default in the due performance or observance by it of
any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in
subsections (a), (b), (c)(i) or (c)(ii) of this Section 9.1)
contained in this Credit Agreement or any other Credit
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Document and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of
at least 30 days after the earlier of an Executive Officer of a
Credit Party becoming aware of such default or notice thereof by the
Administrative Agent; or
(d) Other Credit Documents. Except as otherwise expressly permitted
----------------------
herein, any Credit Document shall fail to be in full force and effect in
all material respects or to give the Administrative Agent and/or the
Lenders the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created
thereby in all material respects, or any Credit Party shall so state in
writing; or
(e) Guaranties. Except as the result of or in connection with a
----------
dissolution, merger or disposition of a Subsidiary permitted under Section
8.4 or Section 8.5, the guaranty given by any Guarantor (including any
Person which becomes a Guarantor after the Closing Date in accordance with
Section 7.12) or any provision thereof shall cease to be in full force and
effect in all material respects, or any Guarantor (including any Person
which becomes a Guarantor after the Closing Date in accordance with Section
7.12) or any Person acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor shall deny or
disaffirm such Guarantor's obligations under such guaranty; or
(f) Bankruptcy, etc. Any Bankruptcy Event shall occur with respect
---------------
to any Credit Party; or
(g) Defaults in respect of Other Indebtedness. With respect to any
-----------------------------------------
Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness outstanding under this Credit
Agreement) in excess of $2,000,000 in the aggregate for the members of the
Consolidated Group taken as a whole, (i) any member of the Consolidated
Group shall (A) default in any payment (beyond the applicable grace period
with respect thereto, if any) with respect to any such Indebtedness, or (B)
the occurrence and continuance of a default in the observance or
performance relating to such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or
agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event or
condition shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or
other event or condition is to cause, or to permit, the holder or holders
of such Indebtedness (or trustee or agent on behalf of such holders) to
cause (determined without regard to whether any notice or lapse of time is
required), any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated
maturity; or (ii) any such Indebtedness shall be declared due and payable,
or required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required
prepayment, prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
(h) Judgments. One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered
---------
against one or more of the members of the Consolidated Group involving a
liability of $2,000,000 or more in the aggregate (to the extent not paid or
fully covered by insurance provided by a carrier who has acknowledged
coverage and has the ability to perform) or otherwise having a Material
Adverse Effect and any such judgments or decrees shall not have been
vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 30 days from
the entry thereof; or
(i) ERISA. Any of the following events or conditions, if such event
-----
or condition is reasonably likely to involve the imposition of taxes,
penalties, and other liabilities against members of the Consolidated Group
in an aggregate amount in excess of $2,000,000: (i) any "accumulated
funding deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and
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Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code, whether or not waived, shall
exist with respect to any Plan, or any lien shall arise on the assets of
any member of the Consolidated Group in favor of the PBGC or a Plan; (ii)
an ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Single Employer Plan, which
is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, likely to result
in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA; (iii) an
ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple
Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative
Agent, likely to result in (A) the termination of such Plan for purposes of
Title IV of ERISA, or (B) any member of the Consolidated Group incurring
any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, reorganization of
(within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or insolvency (within the
meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) of such Plan; (iv) any prohibited
transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of
the Internal Revenue Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility shall
occur which may subject any member of the Consolidated Group to any
liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section
4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, or under any agreement or other
instrument pursuant to which any member of the Consolidated Group has
agreed or is required to indemnify any person against any such liability;
or (v) the occurrence of any event described in the preceding sections (i)-
(iv) in relation to an ERISA Affiliate Plan, if such event actually results
in any member of the Consolidated Group's incurring liability for taxes,
penalties or other liabilities in an aggregate amount in excess of
$2,000,000; or
(j) Ownership. There shall occur a Change of Control.
---------
9.2 Acceleration; Remedies.
----------------------
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time thereafter
unless and until such Event of Default has been waived by the requisite Lenders
(pursuant to the voting requirements of Section 11.6) or cured to the
satisfaction of the requisite Lenders (pursuant to the voting procedures in
Section 11.6), the Administrative Agent shall, upon the request and direction of
the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Credit Parties take any of the
following actions:
(a) Termination of Commitments. Declare the Commitments terminated
--------------------------
whereupon the Commitments shall be immediately terminated.
(b) Acceleration. Declare the unpaid principal of and any accrued
------------
interest in respect of all Loans, any reimbursement obligations arising
from drawings under Letters of Credit and any and all other indebtedness or
obligations of any and every kind owing by the Credit Parties to the
Administrative Agent and/or any of the Lenders hereunder to be due
whereupon the same shall be immediately due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby waived by the Credit Parties.
(c) Cash Collateral. Direct the Credit Parties to pay (and the
---------------
Credit Parties agree that upon receipt of such notice, or upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 9.1(f), they will
immediately pay) to the Administrative Agent additional cash, to be held by
the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, in a cash
collateral account as additional security for the LOC Obligations in
respect of subsequent drawings under all then outstanding
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Letters of Credit in an amount equal to the maximum aggregate amount which
may be drawn under all Letters of Credits then outstanding.
(d) Enforcement of Rights. Enforce any and all rights and interests
---------------------
created and existing under the Credit Documents including, without
limitation, all rights and remedies existing under the Collateral
Documents, all rights and remedies against a Guarantor and all rights of
set-off.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in Section
9.1(f) shall occur with respect to the Borrower, then the Commitments shall
automatically terminate and all Loans, all reimbursement obligations arising
from drawings under Letters of Credit, all accrued interest in respect thereof,
all accrued and unpaid Fees and other indebtedness or obligations owing to the
Administrative Agent and/or any of the Lenders hereunder automatically shall
immediately become due and payable without the giving of any notice or other
action by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.
SECTION 10
AGENCY PROVISIONS
-----------------
10.1 Appointment, Powers and Immunities.
----------------------------------
Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative
Agent to act as its agent under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents with such powers and discretion as are specifically delegated to the
Administrative Agent by the terms of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Each Lender further authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to execute
and deliver releases (or similar agreements) to give effect to the provisions of
this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, including specifically,
without limitation, the provisions of Section 8.5 hereof. The Administrative
Agent (which term as used in this sentence and in Section 10.5 and the first
sentence of Section 10.6 shall include its Affiliates and its own and its
Affiliates' officers, directors, employees, and agents): (a) shall not have any
duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Credit
Agreement and shall not be a trustee or fiduciary for any Lender; (b) shall not
be responsible to the Lenders for any recital, statement, representation, or
warranty (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Credit
Document or any certificate or other document referred to or provided for in, or
received by any of them under, any Credit Document, or for the value,
validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability, or sufficiency of any
Credit Document, or any other document referred to or provided for therein or
for any failure by any Credit Party or any other Person to perform any of its
obligations thereunder; (c) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to
ascertain, inquire into, or verify the performance or observance of any
convenants or agreements by any Credit Party or the satisfaction of any
condition or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of any
Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; (d) shall not be required
to initiate or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings under any Credit
Document; and (e) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be
taken by it under or in connection with any
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Credit Document, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The
Administrative Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be
responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-
fact selected by it with reasonable care.
10.2 Reliance by Administrative Agent.
--------------------------------
The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any certification,
notice, instrument, writing, or other communication (including, without
limitation, any thereof by telephone or telecopy) believed by it to be genuine
and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by or on behalf of the proper
Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including
counsel for any Credit Party), independent accountants, and other experts
selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and
treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless
and until the Administrative Agent receives and accepts an Assignment and
Acceptance executed in accordance with Section 11.3(b) hereof. As to any
matters not expressly provided for by this Credit Agreement, the Administrative
Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but
shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected
in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Required
Lenders, and such instructions shall be binding on all of the Lenders; provided,
--------
however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action
- -------
that exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or that is contrary
to any Credit Document or applicable law or unless it shall first be indemnified
to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense
which may be incurred by it by reason of taking any such action.
10.3 Defaults.
--------
The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of
the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent
has received written notice from a Lender or a Credit Party specifying such
Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "Notice of
Default". In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice of
the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall
give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall
(subject to Section 10.2) take such action with respect to such Default or Event
of Default as shall reasonably be directed by the Required Lenders (or such
other Lenders as required by Section 11.6), provided that, unless and until the
-------- ----
Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative
Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from
taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall
deem advisable in the best interest of the Lenders.
10.4 Rights as a Lender.
------------------
With respect to its Commitment and the Loans made by it, Bank of America
(and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) in its capacity as a Lender
hereunder shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender
and may exercise the same as though it were not acting as the Administrative
Agent, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless the
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context otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual
capacity. Bank of America (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) and
its Affiliates may (without having to account therefor to any Lender) accept
deposits from, lend money to, make investments in, provide services to, and
generally engage in any kind of lending, trust, or other business with any
Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates as if it were not acting
as Administrative Agent, and Bank of America (and any successor acting as
Administrative Agent) and its Affiliates may accept fees and other consideration
from any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates for services in
connection with this Credit Agreement or otherwise without having to account for
the same to the Lenders.
10.5 Indemnification.
---------------
The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent not
reimbursed under Section 11.5 hereof, but without limiting the obligations of
the Credit Parties under Section 11.5) ratably (in accordance with their
respective Revolving Commitments (or, if the Revolving Commitments have been
terminated, the outstanding Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and Participation
Interests in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loan (including the Participation
Interests of the Issuing Lender in Letters of Credit and the Participation
Interests of the Swingline Lender in Swingline Loans)) for any and all
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees), or disbursements of any kind and
nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the
Administrative Agent (including by any Lender) in any way relating to or arising
out of any Credit Document or the transactions contemplated thereby or any
action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under any Credit Document;
provided that no Lender shall be liable for any of the foregoing to the extent
- --------
they arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Person to be
indemnified. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to
reimburse the Administrative Agent promptly upon demand for its ratable share of
any costs or expenses payable by the Credit Parties under Section 11.5, to the
extent that the Administrative Agent is not promptly reimbursed for such costs
and expenses by the Credit Parties. The agreements in this Section 10.5 shall
survive the repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under
the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder.
10.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
------------------------------------------------------
Each Lender agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the
Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and decision to enter into this Credit
Agreement and that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative 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
analysis and decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit
Documents. Except for notices, reports, and other documents and information
expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent
hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to
provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs,
financial condition, or business
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of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates that may come into
the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates.
10.7 Successor Administrative Agent.
------------------------------
The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to
the Lenders and the Credit Parties. Upon any such resignation, the Required
Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. If no
successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required
Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after
the retiring Administrative Agent's giving of notice of resignation, then the
retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor
Administrative Agent which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws
of the United States having combined capital and surplus of at least
$100,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent
hereunder by a successor, such successor shall thereupon succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, discretion, privileges, and duties of the
retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring
Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the
provisions of this Section 10 shall continue in effect for its benefit in
respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as
Administrative Agent.
10.8 Appointment of Collateral Agent.
-------------------------------
The Lenders hereby appoint, authorize and direct Bank of America, N.A., its
successors and assigns in such capacity, to act as collateral agent under the
Collateral Documents (in such capacity, the "Collateral Agent") with such powers
----------------
and discretion as are specifically delegated to the Collateral Agent by the
terms thereof, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. The Lenders further agree that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled
to the same rights, privileges, powers, immunities and indemnification provided
to the Administrative Agent under this Section 10 to the same extent as provided
to the Administrative Agent.
10.9 Documentation Agent.
-------------------
The Documentation Agent, in its capacity as such, shall have no rights,
powers, duties, liabilities, fiduciary relationships or obligations under this
Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.
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SECTION 11
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
11.1 Notices.
-------
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other
communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective (a) when
delivered, (b) when transmitted via telecopy (or other facsimile device) to the
number set out below, (c) the Business Day following the day on which the same
has been delivered prepaid to a reputable national overnight air courier
service, or (d) the third Business Day following the day on which the same is
sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, in each case to the
respective parties at the address, in the case of the Credit Parties and the
Administrative Agent, set forth below, and, in the case of the Lenders, set
forth on Schedule 11.1, or at such other address as such party may specify by
-------------
written notice to the other parties hereto:
if to any Credit Party:
Friedman's Inc.
4 West State Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Attn: Victor Sughia
Telephone: (912) 231-6606
Telecopy: (912) 234-1031
with a copy to:
Alston & Bird LLP
1201 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Attn: Mark F. McElreath
Telephone: (404) 881-7378
Telecopy: (404) 881-4777
if to the Administrative Agent:
Bank of America, N.A.
101 N. Tryon Street
Independence Center, 15th Floor
NC1-001-15-04
Charlotte, North Carolina 28255
Attn: Angela Berry
Agency Services
Telephone: (704) 386-8958
Telecopy: (704) 388-9436
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with a copy to:
Bank of America, N.A.
600 Peachtree Street, NE
19th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30308-2214
Attn: Walter Bland
Telephone: (404) 607-5861
Telecopy: (404) 607-6343
and
Bank of America, N.A.
901 Main Street, 6th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75202-3714
Attn: Jim Casper
Telephone: (214) 209-0401
Telecopy: (214) 209-3501
11.2 Right of Set-Off; Adjustments.
-----------------------------
Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default,
each Lender (and each of its affiliates) is hereby authorized at any time and
from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, 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 (or any
of its affiliates) to or for the credit or the account of any Credit Party
against any and all of the obligations of such Person now or hereafter existing
under this Credit Agreement, under the Notes, under any other Credit Document or
otherwise, irrespective of whether such Lender shall have made any demand under
hereunder or thereunder and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each
Lender agrees promptly to notify any affected Credit Party after any such set-
off and application made by such Lender; provided, however, 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 11.2 are in addition to other
rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off)
that such Lender may have.
11.3 Benefit of Agreement.
--------------------
(a) This Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of
the parties hereto; provided that none of the Credit Parties may assign or
--------
transfer any of its interests and obligations without prior written consent
of each of the Lenders; provided further that the rights of each Lender to
-------- -------
transfer, assign or grant participations in its rights and/or obligations
hereunder shall be limited as set forth in this Section 11.3.
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(b) Each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a
portion of its rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement
(including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Loans, its Notes,
and its Commitment); provided, however, that
-------- -------
(i) each such assignment shall be to an Eligible Assignee;
(ii) except in the case of an assignment to another Lender,
an Affiliate of an existing Lender or any fund that invests in bank
loans and is advised or managed by an investment advisor to an
existing Lender or an assignment of all of a Lender's rights and
obligations under this Credit Agreement, any such partial assignment
shall be in an amount at least equal to $5,000,000 (or, if less, the
remaining amount of the Commitment being assigned by such Lender) or
an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
(iii) any such assignment shall be of a constant, not varying,
percentage of all of the Obligations and Commitments hereunder and of
the Obligations and Commitments under the Crescent Credit Agreement;
and
(iv) the parties to such assignment shall execute and deliver
to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance an Assignment and
Acceptance in the form of Schedule 11.3(b) hereto, together with any
----------------
Note subject to such assignment and a processing fee of $3,500.
Upon execution, delivery, and acceptance of such Assignment and Acceptance,
the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of such
assignment, have the obligations, rights, and benefits of a Lender
hereunder and the assigning Lender shall, to the extent of such assignment,
relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under this
Credit Agreement. Upon the consummation of any assignment pursuant to this
Section 11.3(b), the assignor, the Administrative Agent and the Credit
Parties shall make appropriate arrangements so that, if required, new Notes
are issued to the assignor and the assignee. If the assignee is not a
United States person under Section 6701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue
Code, it shall deliver to the Credit Parties and the Administrative Agent
certification as to exemption from deduction or withholding of Taxes in
accordance with Section 3.11.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain at its address referred
to in Section 11.1 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to
and accepted by 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 owing to, each Lender from time to time (the "Register"). The
--------
entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes,
absent manifest error, and the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as
a Lender
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<PAGE>
hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement. The Register shall be
available for inspection by the Credit Parties or any Lender at any
reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Any
assignment of any loan, commitment, interest or obligation hereunder or
under the other Credit Documents shall be effective only upon an entry with
respect thereto being made in the Register.
(d) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by the
parties thereto, together with any Note subject to such assignment and
payment of the processing fee, the Administrative Agent shall, if such
Assignment and Acceptance has been completed and is in substantially the
form of Schedule 11.3(b) hereto, (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance,
----------------
(ii) record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii)
give prompt notice thereof to the parties thereto.
(e) Each Lender may sell participations to one or more Persons in all
or a portion of its rights, obligations or rights and obligations under
this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment or its
Loans); provided, however, that (i) such Lender's obligations under this
-------- -------
Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain
solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such
obligations, (iii) the participant shall be entitled to the benefit of the
yield protection provisions contained in Sections 3.7 through 3.12,
inclusive, (but only to the extent of the Lender selling such
participation) and the right of set-off contained in Section 11.2 (upon
exercise of such right of set-off, such exercising participant shall notify
the Borrower), and (iv) the Credit Parties shall continue to deal solely
and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Credit Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the
sole right to enforce the obligations of the Credit Parties relating to the
obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors hereunder or in connection
herewith owing to such Lender and to approve any amendment, modification,
or waiver of any provision of this Credit Agreement (other than amendments,
modifications, or waivers decreasing the amount of principal of or the rate
at which interest is payable on such Loans or Notes, extending any
scheduled principal payment date or date fixed for the payment of interest
on such Loans or Notes, or extending its Commitment).
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Credit
Agreement, any Lender may at any time assign and pledge all or any portion
of its Loans and its Notes to any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral
security pursuant to Regulation A and any Operating Circular issued by such
Federal Reserve Bank. No such assignment shall release the assigning Lender
from its obligations hereunder.
(g) Any Lender may furnish any information concerning the members of
the Consolidated Group in the possession of such Lender from time to time
to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and
participants), subject, however, to the provisions of Section 11.14 hereof.
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<PAGE>
11.4 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.
------------------------------
No failure or delay on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender
in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit
Document and no course of dealing between the Administrative Agent or any Lender
and any of the Credit Parties shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or under
any other Credit Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder. The
rights and remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies which the Administrative Agent or any Lender would otherwise
have. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle the
Credit Parties to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the Administrative Agent
or the Lenders to any other or further action in any circumstances without
notice or demand.
11.5 Expenses; Indemnification.
-------------------------
(a) The Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to pay on demand
all reasonable costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent actually
incurred in connection with the syndication, preparation, execution,
delivery, administration, modification, and amendment of this Credit
Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and the other documents to be
delivered hereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel for the Administrative Agent with respect thereto and
with respect to advising the Administrative Agent as to its rights and
responsibilities under the Credit Documents. The Credit Parties further
jointly and severally agree to pay on demand all reasonable costs and
expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, if any (including,
without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses and the cost of
internal counsel), in connection with the enforcement (whether through
negotiations, legal proceedings, or otherwise) of the Credit Documents and
the other documents to be delivered thereunder. In addition, the Credit
Parties agree to permit the Administrative Agent to perform inventory and
accounts receivable field audits for members of the Consolidated Group at
the Borrower's expense, provided that unless an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, the payment and reimbursement obligations of
the Credit Parties hereunder shall be limited to one such field audit in
each calendar year or if a Friedman's Trigger Event has occurred, four such
field audits per calendar year.
(b) The Credit Parties jointly and severally agree to indemnify and
hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each Lender and each of their
Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and
advisors (each, an "Indemnified Party") from and against any and all
-----------------
claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including,
without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees actually incurred) that may
be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party, in
each case arising out of or in connection with or by reason of (including,
without limitation, in connection with any investigation, litigation, or
proceeding or preparation of defense in connection therewith) the Credit
Documents, any of the transactions contemplated herein or the actual or
proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans, except (a) to the extent such
95
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claim, damage, loss, liability, cost, or expense is found in a final, non-
appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted
from such Indemnified Party's gross negligence or willful misconduct, or
(b) to the extent such claim, damage, loss, liability, cost or expense
arises solely by or results solely from a dispute among the Lenders or a
dispute between any Lender and the Administrative Agent, or (c) to the
extent such claim, damage, loss, liability, cost or expense results from a
breach of contract by such Indemnified Party with respect to the Credit
Documents. In the case of an investigation, litigation or other proceeding
to which the indemnity in this Section 11.5 applies, such indemnity shall
be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or proceeding is
brought by any of the Credit Parties, their respective directors,
shareholders or creditors or an Indemnified Party or any other Person or
any Indemnified Party is otherwise a party thereto and whether or not the
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated. The Credit Parties agree
not to assert any claim against the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any
of their Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers,
employees, attorneys, agents, and advisors, on any theory of liability, for
special, indirect, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or
otherwise relating to the Credit Documents, any of the transactions
contemplated herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the
Loans.
(c) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Credit Parties hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Credit
Parties contained in this Section 11.5 shall survive the repayment of the
Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under the Credit Documents and
the termination of the Commitments hereunder.
11.6 Amendments, Waivers and Consents.
--------------------------------
Neither this Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document nor any of the
terms hereof or thereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or
terminated unless such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is in
writing entered into by, or approved in writing by, the Required Lenders and the
Borrower, provided, however, that:
-------- -------
(a) without the consent of each Lender affected thereby, neither this
Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document may be amended to
(i) extend the final maturity of any Loan or of any
reimbursement obligation, or any portion thereof, arising from
drawings under Letters of Credit,
(ii) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest (other than as a result of waiving the applicability of any
post-default increase in interest rates) thereon or Fees hereunder,
(iii) reduce or waive the principal amount of any Loan or of
any reimbursement obligation, or any portion thereof, arising from
drawings under Letters of Credit,
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<PAGE>
(iv) increase the Commitment of a Lender over the amount
thereof in effect (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any
Default or Event of Default or mandatory reduction in the Commitments
shall not constitute a change in the terms of any Commitment of any
Lender),
(v) except as the result of or in connection with an Asset
Disposition permitted by Section 8.5 or otherwise expressly permitted
under the Collateral Documents, release any Collateral having a book
value exceeding $1,500,000,
(vi) except as the result of or in connection with a
dissolution, merger or disposition of a member of the Consolidated
Group permitted under Section 8.4, release the Borrower or any other
Credit Party from its obligations under the Credit Documents,
(vii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section
11.6 or Section 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14,
3.15, 9.1(a), 11.2, 11.3, 11.5 or 11.9,
(viii) reduce any percentage specified in, or otherwise modify,
the definition of Required Lenders, or
(ix) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower or
any other Credit Party of any of its rights and obligations under (or
in respect of) the Credit Documents except as permitted thereby;
(b) without the consent of the Administrative Agent, no provision of
Section 10 may be amended;
(c) without the consent of the Issuing Lender, no provision of
Section 2.2(a)(ii) or 2.6 may be amended; and
(d) the advance rate percentages against Eligible Receivables and
Eligible Inventory comprising the Borrowing Base may be adjusted downward
by the Administrative Agent in its good faith discretion (and thereafter
readjusted upward by the Administrative Agent in its good faith discretion
to rates not in excess of the original advance rates) without the prior
consent of, or notice to, the Credit Parties or the other Lenders.
Notwithstanding the fact that the consent of all the Lenders is required in
certain circumstances as set forth above, (x) each Lender is entitled to vote as
such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the
Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of
the Bankruptcy Code supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein
and (y) the Required Lenders may consent to allow a Credit Party to use cash
collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.
97
<PAGE>
11.7 Counterparts.
------------
This Credit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in
making proof of this Credit Agreement to produce or account for more than one
such counterpart for each of the parties hereto. Delivery by facsimile by any
of the parties hereto of an executed counterpart of this Credit Agreement shall
be as effective as an original executed counterpart hereof and shall be deemed a
representation that an original executed counterpart hereof will be delivered.
11.8 Headings.
--------
The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided for
convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of
any provision of this Credit Agreement.
11.9 Survival.
--------
All indemnities set forth herein, including, without limitation, in Section
2.6(h), 3.11, 3.12, 10.5 or 11.5, shall survive the execution and delivery of
this Credit Agreement, the making of the Loans, the issuance of the Letters of
Credit, the repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under
the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder, and all
representations and warranties made by the Credit Parties herein shall survive
delivery of the Notes and the making of the Loans hereunder.
11.10 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.
------------------------------------------------
(a) THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED
THEREIN, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE
PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. Any
legal action or proceeding with respect to this Credit Agreement or any
other Credit Document may be brought in the State or Federal courts located
in Charlotte, North Carolina, and, by execution and delivery of this Credit
Agreement, each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably accepts for itself
and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the
nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts. Each of the parties hereto
further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the
aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of
copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to it at
the address set out for notices pursuant to Section 11.1, such service to
become effective three (3) days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall
affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner
permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or to otherwise proceed
against any party hereto in any other jurisdiction.
(b) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives any
objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any
of the aforesaid actions or proceedings
98
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arising out of or in connection with this Credit Agreement or any other
Credit Document brought in the courts referred to in subsection (a) above
and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in
any such court that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court
has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(c) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR
COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, ANY OF
THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
11.11 Severability.
------------
If any provision of any of the Credit Documents is determined to be
illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and
the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provisions.
11.12 Entirety.
--------
This Credit Agreement together with the other Credit Documents represent
the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any commitment
letters or correspondence relating to the Credit Documents or the transactions
contemplated herein and therein.
11.13 Binding Effect; Termination.
---------------------------
(a) This Credit Agreement shall become effective at such time on or
after the Closing Date when it shall have been executed by each Credit
Party and the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have
received copies hereof (telefaxed or otherwise) which, when taken together,
bear the signatures of each Lender, and thereafter this Credit Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Credit Party, the
Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and
assigns.
(b) The term of this Credit Agreement shall be until no Loans, LOC
Obligations or any other amounts payable hereunder or under any of the
other Credit Documents shall remain outstanding, no Letters of Credit shall
be outstanding, all of the Loans and obligations owing hereunder and under
the other Credit Documents have been irrevocably satisfied in full and all
of the Commitments hereunder shall have expired or been terminated.
11.14 Confidentiality.
---------------
The Administrative Agent and each Lender (each, a "Lending Party") agrees
-------------
to keep confidential any information furnished or made available to it by the
Credit Parties pursuant to this Credit Agreement that is marked confidential;
provided that nothing herein shall prevent any
- --------
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Lending Party from disclosing such information (a) to any other Lending Party or
any Affiliate of any Lending Party, or any officer, director, employee, agent,
or advisor of any Lending Party or Affiliate of any Lending Party, (b) to any
other Person if reasonably incidental to the administration of the credit
facility provided herein, (c) as required by any law, rule, or regulation, (d)
upon the order of any court or administrative agency, (e) upon the request or
demand of any regulatory agency or authority, (f) that is or becomes available
to the public or that is or becomes available to any Lending Party other than as
a result of a disclosure by any Lending Party prohibited by this Credit
Agreement, (g) in connection with any litigation to which such Lending Party or
any of its Affiliates may be a party, (h) to the extent necessary in connection
with the exercise of any remedy under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit
Document, (i) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any
similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires
access to information about a Lender's investment portfolio in connection with
ratings issued with respect to such Lender, (j) to any direct or indirect
contractual counterparty in swap agreements or such contractual counterparty's
professional advisor (so long as such contractual counterparty or professional
advisor to such contractual counterparty (i) has been approved in writing by the
Borrower and (ii) agrees in a writing enforceable by the Borrower to be bound by
the provisions of this Section 11.14) and (k) subject to provisions
substantially similar to those contained in this Section 11.14, to any actual or
proposed participant or assignee.
11.15 Source of Funds.
---------------
Each of the Lenders hereby represents and warrants to the Borrower that
each of the following statements are and will, throughout the term of this
Credit Agreement, remain an accurate representation as to the source of funds to
be used by such Lender in connection with the financing hereunder:
(a) (i) no part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to any
separate account maintained by such Lender in which any employee benefit
plan (or its related trust) has any interest, or (ii) to the extent that
any part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to any separate account
maintained by such Lender, such Lender has disclosed to the Borrower the
name of each employee benefit plan whose assets in such account exceed the
limits imposed by Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 90-1 as of the
date of such purchase (and, for purposes of this clause (ii), all employee
benefit plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization are
deemed to be a single plan and each party-in-interest with respect to such
plan);
(b) to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes assets of
an insurance company's general account, the assets of the general account
do not constitute plan assets because the general account complies with
Section 401(b)(2) or Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA (and the regulations,
including proposed regulations, thereunder), or the insurance company
complies with Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 95-60 as to such
general account; and
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(c) to the extent that any part of such funds constitute assets of
one or more specific benefit plans such Lender has identified in writing to
the Borrower the name of each such benefit plan and each party-in-interest
with respect to such plan.
As used in this Section 11.15, the terms "employee benefit plan" , "party-in-
interest" and "separate account" shall have the respective meanings assigned to
such terms in Section 3 of ERISA.
11.16 Conflict.
--------
To the extent that there is a conflict or inconsistency between any
provision hereof, on the one hand, and any provision of any Credit Document, on
the other hand, this Credit Agreement shall control.
[Signature Page to Follow]
101
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of
this Credit Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first
above written.
BORROWER: FRIEDMAN'S INC.,
- --------
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Victor M. Suglia
--------------------------
Name: Victor M. Suglia
Title: Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer, and Secretary
[Signature Pages Continue]
<PAGE>
LENDERS: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
- ------- individually in its capacity as a
Lender and in its capacity as
Administrative Agent
By:
--------------------------
Name:
Title:
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,
individually in its capacity as a
Lender and in its capacity as
Documentation Agent
By:
--------------------------
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of September 15, 1999
among
CRESCENT JEWELERS,
as Borrower,
CRESCENT JEWELERS, INC.
and
CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES OF THE BORROWER,
as Guarantors,
THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
AND
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,
as Documentation Agent
Arranged by:
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS.............................................. 1
-----------
1.1 Definitions............................................... 1
-----------
1.2 Computation of Time Periods............................... 29
---------------------------
1.3 Accounting Terms.......................................... 29
----------------
SECTION 2 CREDIT FACILITIES........................................ 30
-----------------
2.1 Commitments............................................... 30
-----------
2.2 Method of Borrowing....................................... 33
-------------------
2.3 Interest.................................................. 34
--------
2.4 Repayment................................................. 35
---------
2.5 Notes..................................................... 35
-----
2.6 Additional Provisions relating to Letters of Credit....... 35
---------------------------------------------------
2.7 Additional Provisions relating to Swingline Loans......... 40
-------------------------------------------------
SECTION 3 OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES........... 41
----------------------------------------------
3.1 Default Rate.............................................. 41
------------
3.2 Extension and Conversion.................................. 41
------------------------
3.3 Prepayments............................................... 42
-----------
3.4 Reduction and Termination of Commitments.................. 43
----------------------------------------
3.5 Fees...................................................... 43
----
3.6 Capital Adequacy.......................................... 44
----------------
3.7 Limitation on Eurodollar Loans............................ 45
------------------------------
3.8 Illegality................................................ 45
----------
3.9 Requirements of Law....................................... 45
-------------------
3.10 Treatment of Affected Loans.............................. 46
---------------------------
3.11 Taxes.................................................... 47
-----
3.12 Compensation............................................. 49
------------
3.13 Pro Rata Treatment....................................... 50
------------------
3.14 Sharing of Payments...................................... 51
-------------------
3.15 Certain Limitations...................................... 52
-------------------
3.16 Payments, Computations, Etc.............................. 53
---------------------------
3.17 Evidence of Debt......................................... 55
----------------
SECTION 4 GUARANTY................................................. 55
--------
4.1 The Guaranty.............................................. 56
------------
4.2 Obligations Unconditional................................. 56
-------------------------
4.3 Reinstatement............................................. 57
-------------
4.4 Certain Additional Waivers................................ 58
--------------------------
4.5 Remedies.................................................. 58
--------
4.6 Rights of Contribution.................................... 58
----------------------
4.7 Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee................ 59
------------------------------------------
SECTION 5 CONDITIONS............................................... 60
----------
5.1 Closing Conditions........................................ 60
------------------
5.2 Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.................... 63
--------------------------------------
SECTION 6 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................... 64
------------------------------
6.1 Financial Condition....................................... 64
-------------------
i
<PAGE>
6.2 No Changes or Restricted Payments..........................64
---------------------------------
6.3 Organization; Existence; Compliance with Law...............65
--------------------------------------------
6.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations..............65
---------------------------------------------
6.5 No Legal Bar...............................................66
------------
6.6 No Material Litigation and Disputes........................66
-----------------------------------
6.7 No Defaults................................................66
-----------
6.8 Ownership and Operation of Property........................66
-----------------------------------
6.9 Intellectual Property......................................67
---------------------
6.10 No Burdensome Restrictions................................67
--------------------------
6.11 Taxes.....................................................67
-----
6.12 ERISA.....................................................67
-----
6.13 Governmental Regulations, Etc.............................69
-----------------------------
6.14 Subsidiaries..............................................70
------------
6.15 Purpose of Extensions of Credit...........................70
-------------------------------
6.16 Environmental Matters.....................................70
---------------------
6.17 Year 2000 Compliance......................................71
--------------------
6.18 No Material Misstatements.................................71
-------------------------
6.19 Labor Matters.............................................72
-------------
6.20 Security Documents........................................72
------------------
6.21 Location of Real Property and Leased Premises.............73
---------------------------------------------
6.22 Solvency..................................................74
--------
SECTION 7 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.....................................74
---------------------
7.1 Information Covenants......................................74
---------------------
7.2 Preservation of Existence and Franchises...................78
----------------------------------------
7.3 Books and Records..........................................78
-----------------
7.4 Compliance with Law........................................78
-------------------
7.5 Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness....................78
---------------------------------------
7.6 Insurance..................................................78
---------
7.7 Maintenance of Property....................................79
-----------------------
7.8 Performance of Obligations.................................79
--------------------------
7.9 Use of Proceeds............................................79
---------------
7.10 Audits/Inspections........................................80
------------------
7.11 Financial Covenants.......................................80
-------------------
7.12 Additional Guarantors.....................................80
---------------------
7.13 Pledged Assets............................................81
--------------
7.14 Year 2000 Compliance......................................82
--------------------
7.15 Interest Rate Protection..................................82
------------------------
SECTION 8 NEGATIVE COVENANTS........................................82
------------------
8.1 Indebtedness...............................................83
------------
8.2 Liens......................................................83
-----
8.3 Nature of Business.........................................84
------------------
8.4 Merger and Consolidation, Dissolution and Acquisitions.....84
------------------------------------------------------
8.5 Asset Dispositions.........................................84
------------------
8.6 Investments................................................85
-----------
8.7 Restricted Payments........................................85
-------------------
ii
<PAGE>
8.8 Modifications and Payments in respect
-------------------------------------
of Other Funded Debt.......................................85
--------------------
8.9 Transactions with Affiliates...............................86
----------------------------
8.10 Fiscal Year; Organizational Documents.....................86
-------------------------------------
8.11 Ownership of Subsidiaries; Limitations on Parent..........86
------------------------------------------------
8.12 No Further Negative Pledges...............................87
---------------------------
8.13 Limitation on Management Fees.............................87
-----------------------------
8.14 Limitation on Foreign Subsidiaries........................87
----------------------------------
SECTION 9 EVENTS OF DEFAULT.........................................88
-----------------
9.1 Events of Default..........................................88
-----------------
9.2 Acceleration; Remedies.....................................90
----------------------
SECTION 10 AGENCY PROVISIONS........................................91
-----------------
10.1 Appointment, Powers and Immunities........................91
----------------------------------
10.2 Reliance by Administrative Agent..........................92
--------------------------------
10.3 Defaults..................................................92
--------
10.4 Rights as a Lender........................................93
------------------
10.5 Indemnification...........................................93
---------------
10.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders....94
------------------------------------------------------
10.7 Successor Administrative Agent............................94
------------------------------
10.8 Appointment of Collateral Agent...........................94
-------------------------------
10.9 Documentation Agent.......................................95
-------------------
SECTION 11 MISCELLANEOUS............................................95
-------------
11.1 Notices...................................................95
-------
11.2 Right of Set-Off; Adjustments.............................97
-----------------------------
11.3 Benefit of Agreement......................................97
--------------------
11.4 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative............................99
------------------------------
11.5 Expenses; Indemnification................................100
-------------------------
11.6 Amendments, Waivers and Consents.........................101
--------------------------------
11.7 Counterparts.............................................102
------------
11.8 Headings.................................................103
--------
11.9 Survival.................................................103
--------
11.10 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue........103
------------------------------------------------
11.11 Severability............................................104
------------
11.12 Entirety................................................104
--------
11.13 Binding Effect; Termination.............................104
---------------------------
11.14 Confidentiality.........................................104
---------------
11.15 Source of Funds.........................................105
---------------
11.16 Conflict................................................106
--------
iii
<PAGE>
SCHEDULES
---------
Schedule 2.1 Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 2.2(a)(i) Form of Notice of Borrowing
Schedule 2.2(a)(ii) Form of Notice of Request of Letter of Credit
Schedule 2.5 Form of Revolving Note
Schedule 2.6(b) Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 3.2 Form of Notice of Extension/Conversion
Schedule 5.1(g)(v) Form of Officer's Certificate
Schedule 6.2 Changes and Restricted Payments Since the Date of the
Most Recent Audited Financial Statements
Schedule 6.6 Litigation
Schedule 6.8 Liens
Schedule 6.9 Intellectual Property
Schedule 6.14 Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.19 Labor Matters
Schedule 6.21(a) Real Properties
Schedule 6.21(b) Locations of Collateral
Schedule 6.21(c) Chief Executive Offices/Principal Places
of Business
Schedule 7.1(c) Form of Officer's Compliance Certificate
Schedule 7.6 Insurance
Schedule 7.12 Form of Joinder Agreement
Schedule 8.1 Indebtedness
Schedule 8.6 Investments
Schedule 11.1 Lenders' Addresses
Schedule 11.3(b) Form of Assignment and Acceptance
iv
<PAGE>
CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of September 15, 1999 (the "Credit
------
Agreement"), is by and among CRESCENT JEWELERS, a California corporation (the
- ---------
"Borrower"), CRESCENT JEWELERS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Parent"), and
- --------- ------
the subsidiaries and affiliates identified on the signature pages hereto and
such other subsidiaries and affiliates as may from time to time become
Guarantors hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof (together with the
Parent, the "Guarantors"), the lenders named herein and such other lenders as
----------
may become a party hereto (the "Lenders"), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as
-------
Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Administrative
--------------
Agent") and GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, as Documentation Agent for the
- -----
Lenders (in such capacity, the "Documentation Agent").
-------------------
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide $112.5 million
in credit facilities for the purposes hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to make the requested credit facilities
available to the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1
DEFINITIONS
-----------
1.1 Definitions.
-----------
As used in this Credit Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings specified below:
"Acquisition", by any Person, means the purchase or acquisition by such
-----------
Person of any Capital Stock of another Person other than a member of the
Consolidated Group or all or any substantial portion of the Property (other
than Capital Stock) of another Person other than a member of the
Consolidated Group, whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with
such other Person.
"Adjusted Base Rate" means the Base Rate plus the Applicable
--------------------
Percentage.
<PAGE>
"Adjusted Eurodollar Rate" means the Eurodollar Rate plus the
------------------------
Applicable Percentage.
"Administrative Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
----------------------
the heading hereof, together with any successors or assigns.
"Administrative Agent's Fee Letter" means that certain letter
-----------------------------------
agreement, dated as of July 13, 1999, between the Administrative Agent and
the Borrower, as amended, modified, restated or supplemented from time to
time.
"Administrative Agent's Fees" shall have the meaning assigned to such
-----------------------------
term in Section 3.5(c).
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (i)
---------
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such Person or (ii) directly or indirectly
owning or holding ten percent (10%) or more of the Capital Stock in such
Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect
to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such
Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
"Agency Services Address" means the notice address for the
-------------------------
Administrative Agent set forth in Section 11.1 or such other address as may
be identified by written notice from the Administrative Agent to the
Borrower.
"Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount" means the aggregate amount of
------------------------------------
Revolving Commitments in effect from time to time, as referenced in Section
2.1(a), being initially ONE HUNDRED TWELVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($112,500,000).
"Applicable Lending Office" means, for each Lender, the office of such
-------------------------
Lender (or of an Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may from time to
time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by written notice
as the office by which its Eurodollar Loans are made and maintained.
"Applicable Percentage" means for any day, the rate per annum set forth
---------------------
below opposite the applicable Combined Leverage Ratio then in effect, it
being understood that the Applicable Percentage for (i) Base Rate Loans
shall be the percentage set forth under the column "Base Rate Margin", (ii)
Eurodollar Loans shall be the percentage set forth under the column
"Eurodollar Margin and Letter of Credit Fee", (iii) the Letter of Credit
Fee shall be the percentage set forth under the column "Eurodollar Margin
and Letter of Credit Fee" and (iv) the Commitment Fee shall be the
percentage set forth under the column "Commitment Fee":
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Eurodollar Margin
and
Pricing Base Rate Letter of Credit Commitment
Level Combined Leverage Ratio Margin Fee Fee
- -------------- ------------------------------------------------ -------------- ---------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
I greater than 3.25 .75% 2.50% 0.40%
II greater than 2.75 but less than or equal to 3.25 .50% 2.25% 0.35%
III greater than 2.25 but less than or equal to 2.75 .25% 2.00% 0.30%
IV less than or equal to 2.25 00% 1.75% 0.25%
</TABLE>
The Applicable Percentage shall be determined and adjusted on the date
(each a "Rate Determination Date") five (5) Business Days after the date by
-----------------------
which each annual and quarterly compliance certificates and related
financial statements and information are required in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 7.1(a), (b) and (c) of the Friedman's Credit
Agreement, as appropriate, provided that:
--------
(i) the initial Applicable Percentages shall be based on pricing
level I until the first Rate Determination Date to occur in connection
with the delivery of the quarterly financial statements and appropriate
compliance certificate for the fiscal quarter ending October 31, 1999,
and
(ii) notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event an annual or
quarterly compliance certificate and related financial statements and
information are not delivered timely to the Agency Services Address by
the date required by Sections 7.1(a), (b) or (c) hereunder or under the
Friedman's Credit Agreement, as appropriate, the Applicable Percentages
shall be based on pricing level I until such time as an appropriate
compliance certificate and related financial statements and information
are delivered, whereupon the applicable pricing level shall be adjusted
based on the information contained in such compliance certificate and
related financial statements and information.
Subject to the qualifications set forth above, each Applicable Percentage
shall be effective from a Rate Determination Date until the next such Rate
Determination Date. The Administrative Agent shall determine the
appropriate Applicable Percentages in the pricing matrix promptly upon
receipt of the quarterly or annual compliance certificate and related
financial information and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the
Lenders of any change thereof. Such determinations by the Administrative
Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Adjustments in the
Applicable Percentages shall be effective as to existing Extensions of
Credit as well as new Extensions of Credit made thereafter.
"Asset Disposition" shall mean and include (i) the sale, lease or other
-----------------
disposition of any Property by any member of the Consolidated Group
(including the Capital Stock of a Subsidiary but excluding Capital Stock of
the Parent), and (ii) receipt by any member of the Consolidated Group of
any cash insurance proceeds or condemnation award payable by reason of
theft, loss, physical
3
<PAGE>
destruction or damage, taking or similar event with respect to any of its
Property; but for purposes hereof shall not include, in any event, (A) the
sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business, (B) the sale, lease
or other disposition of machinery and equipment obsolete or no longer used
or useful in the conduct of business, (C) a sale, lease, transfer or
disposition of Property to a Domestic Credit Party (other than the Parent
or members of the Friedman's Consolidated Group) , (D) the sale or
disposition of Investments permitted pursuant to clause (i) of the
definition of Permitted Investments, and (E) the issuance of Capital Stock
of a Subsidiary to any member of the Consolidated Group or the issuance of
Capital Stock of a Subsidiary pro rata to all of its holders in a manner
that does not dilute the ownership interest of the members of the
Consolidated Group therein.
"Bank of America" means Bank of America, N.A., and its successors.
---------------
"Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United
---------------
States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.
"Bankruptcy Event" means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence of
------------------
any of the following with respect to such Person: (i) a court or
governmental agency having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a
decree or order for relief in respect of such Person in an involuntary case
under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or
for any substantial part of its Property or ordering the winding up or
liquidation of its affairs; or (ii) there shall be commenced against such
Person an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or
other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or any case, proceeding or
other action for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such Person or
for any substantial part of its Property or for the winding up or
liquidation of its affairs, and such involuntary case or other case,
proceeding or other action shall remain undismissed, undischarged or
unbonded for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or (iii) such Person
shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of
an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent
to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator,
assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of such
Person or for any substantial part of its Property or make any general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) such Person shall be
unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts
generally as they become due.
"Base Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the higher
-----------
of (a) the Federal Funds Rate for such day plus one-half of one percent
(0.5%) and (b) the Prime Rate for such day. Any change in the Base Rate due
to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate shall be effective
on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or Federal Funds
Rate.
4
<PAGE>
"Base Rate Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined
----------------
by reference to the Base Rate.
"Borrower" means Crescent Jewelers, a California corporation, as
----------
referenced in the opening paragraph, its successors and permitted assigns.
"Borrowing Base" means, as of any day, an amount equal to the sum of
----------------
(i) Sixty-five percent (65%) of Eligible Receivables, plus (ii) the lesser
----
of (A) Fifty percent (50%) of Eligible Inventory or (B) $25 million, plus
----
(iii) $60 million (representing a portion of the Borrowing Base reserve
amount provided under the Friedman's Credit Agreement which reserve amount
shall be subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Required Lenders
based on financial information delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section
7.1) or such greater or lesser amount agreed upon by Friedman's and the
Borrower which is otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent, minus (iv) an amount equal to one month's rental expense for the
-----
Consolidated Group, minus (v) an amount determined by the Administrative
-----
Agent in its good faith discretion representing a reserve for obligations
owing under Hedging Agreements (determined and adjusted monthly on a
marked-to-market basis), in each case as set forth in the most recent
Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders in accordance with Section 7.1(d) (subject to adjustments by the
Administrative Agent made in good faith to better reflect the actual state
and condition of the Borrowing Base); provided, however, that the foregoing
--------- --------
advance rates against Eligible Receivables and Eligible Inventory may be
adjusted downward by the Administrative Agent in its good faith discretion
(and thereafter readjusted upward by the Administrative Agent in its good
faith discretion to rates not in excess of the original advance rates). The
Administrative Agent will give prompt notice to the Borrower and the
Lenders of any such adjustment in the applicable advance rates.
"Borrowing Base Certificate" shall have the meaning assigned to such
----------------------------
term in Section 7.1(d).
"Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day
--------------
on which commercial banks in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dallas, Texas,
Atlanta, Georgia, San Francisco, California or New York, New York are
authorized or required by law to close, except that, when used in
-----------
connection with a Eurodollar Loan, such day shall also be a day on which
dealings between banks are carried on in Dollar deposits in London,
England.
"Capital Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any
---------------
Property by that Person as lessee which, in accordance with GAAP, is or
should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that
Person.
"Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, capital stock,
---------------
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated)
of capital stock,
5
<PAGE>
(iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether general
or limited), (iv) in the case of a limited liability company, membership
interests and (v) any other interest or participation that confers on a
Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or
distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
"Cash Equivalents" means (a) securities issued or directly and fully
----------------
guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality
thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is
pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve
months from the date of acquisition, (b) Dollar denominated time deposits
and certificates of deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii) any domestic commercial
bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of
$500,000,000 or (iii) any bank whose short-term commercial paper rating
from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody's is at
least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an "Approved
--------
Bank"), in each case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the
----
date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes
issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any
variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation
rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the
equivalent thereof) or better by Moody's and maturing within six months of
the date of acquisition, (d) repurchase agreements entered into by any
Person with a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or
recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of
$500,000,000 for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the
United States in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority
security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of
purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least 100% of the amount of the
repurchase obligations and (e) Investments, classified in accordance with
GAAP as current assets, in money market investment programs registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which are
administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of at least
$500,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the
character described in the foregoing subdivisions (a) through (d).
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following
-----------------
events: (i) Phillip Ean Cohen shall fail to own and control, directly or
indirectly, Voting Stock of the Borrower in an amount sufficient to elect a
majority of the Parent's board of directors or (ii) during any period of up
to 12 consecutive months, commencing after the Closing Date, individuals
who at the beginning of such 12 month period were directors of the Parent
(together with any new director whose election by the Parent's board of
directors or whose nomination for election by the Parent's stockholders was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in
office who either were directors at the beginning of such period or whose
election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for
any reason to constitute a majority of the directors of the Parent then in
office.
"Closing Date" means the date hereof.
------------
6
<PAGE>
"Collateral" means a collective reference to the collateral which is
----------
identified in, and at any time will be covered by, the Collateral
Documents.
"Collateral Documents" means a collective reference to the Friedman's
--------------------
Guaranty Agreement, the Friedman's Security Agreement, the Friedman's
Pledge Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the
Mortgages and such other documents executed and delivered in connection
with the attachment and perfection of the Administrative Agent's security
interests and liens arising thereunder, including without limitation, UCC
financing statements and patent and trademark filings.
"Combined Adjusted EBITDAR" means, as of any date of determination, the
-------------------------
sum of (i) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR for the Crescent Consolidated
Group for the period of twelve consecutive fiscal months of the Crescent
Consolidated Group ending as of the date of determination, plus (ii)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR for the Friedman's Consolidated Group for the
period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Friedman's Consolidated
Group ending as of the date of determination.
"Combined Adjusted Funded Debt" means, as of any date of determination,
-----------------------------
the sum of (i) Funded Debt of the Combined Group on such day plus (ii) an
----
amount equal to the product of (A) the sum of rents and lease expense for
the Crescent Consolidated Group for the period of twelve consecutive fiscal
months of the Crescent Consolidated Group ending as of the date of
determination, plus rents and lease expense for the Friedman's Consolidated
Group for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Friedman's
Consolidated Group ending as of the date of determination, multiplied by
(B) five (5), in each case determined on a combined basis in accordance
with GAAP.
"Combined Group" means (i) the Crescent Consolidated Group and (ii) the
--------------
Friedman's Consolidated Group, on a combined basis.
"Combined Leverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of each fiscal
-----------------------
quarter of the Friedman's Consolidated Group, the ratio of (i) Combined
Adjusted Funded Debt on such day to (ii) Combined Adjusted EBITDAR as of
such day.
"Commitment Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
--------------
Section 3.5(a).
"Commitments" means any of the Revolving Commitments, the LOC
-----------
Commitments and/or the Swingline Commitments.
"Commitment Period" means the period from and including the Closing
-----------------
Date to but not including the earlier of (i) the Termination Date or (ii)
the date on which the Commitments terminate in accordance with the
provisions of this Credit Agreement.
7
<PAGE>
"Committed Amount" means the Revolving Committed Amount, the LOC
----------------
Committed Amount and/or the Swingline Committed Amount.
"Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR" means, for any period for the
-----------------------------
Consolidated Group, the sum of (i) Consolidated EBITDA plus (ii) lease and
----
rent expense, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP. Except as
otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period shall be for the four
consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.
"Consolidated Capital Expenditures" means, for any period for the
---------------------------------
Consolidated Group, without duplication, all expenditures (whether paid in
cash or other consideration) during such period that, in accordance with
GAAP, are or should be included in additions to property, plant and
equipment or similar items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash
flows for such period; provided, that Consolidated Capital Expenditures
--------
shall not include, for purposes hereof, expenditures of proceeds of
insurance settlements, condemnation awards and other settlements in respect
of lost, destroyed, damaged or condemned assets, equipment or other
property to the extent such expenditures are made to replace or repair such
lost, destroyed, damaged or condemned assets, equipment or other property
or otherwise to acquire assets or properties useful in the business of the
members of the Consolidated Group.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period for the Consolidated Group,
-------------------
the sum of (i) Consolidated Net Income plus (ii) to the extent deducted in
----
determining net income, (A) Consolidated Interest Expense, (B) taxes and
(C) depreciation and amortization, in each case on a consolidated basis
determined in accordance with GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly provided,
the applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters
ending as of the date of determination.
"Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, for any period, the
----------------------------------------
ratio of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDAR to Consolidated Fixed Charges.
"Consolidated Fixed Charges" means, for any period for the Consolidated
--------------------------
Group, the sum of (i) the cash portion of Consolidated Interest Expense for
such period, plus (ii) scheduled current maturities of Consolidated Funded
----
Debt (including, for purposes hereof, mandatory commitment reductions,
sinking fund payments, payments in respect of the principal component under
Capital Leases and the like relating thereto) for the four consecutive
fiscal quarters beginning the day after the date of determination plus
----
(iii) lease and rent expense for such period, plus (iv) Restricted
----
Payments, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; provided,
--------
however, the Crescent Guaranty Fee shall be excluded from the calculation
-------
of Consolidated Fixed Charges. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the
applicable period shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending
as of the date of determination.
8
<PAGE>
"Consolidated Group" means the Crescent Consolidated Group, except that
------------------
solely for purposes of determining the Combined Leverage Ratio and its
components, then the Crescent Consolidated Group and/or the Friedman's
Consolidated Group, as the context requires.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period for the
-----------------------------
Consolidated Group, all interest expense, including the amortization of
debt discount and premium, the interest component under Capital Leases and
the implied interest component under Securitization Transactions, in each
case on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP applied on
a consolidated basis; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, for any
--------
period ending prior to October 31, 2000, Consolidated Interest Expense
shall be determined by annualization of Consolidated Interest Expense for
complete fiscal quarters ending after the Closing Date, such that (i) for
the fiscal quarter ending January 31, 2000, Consolidated Interest Expense
shall be the result obtained by multiplying Consolidated Interest Expense
for the fiscal quarter then ending by four (4); (ii) for the fiscal quarter
ending April 30, 2000, Consolidated Interest Expense shall be the result
obtained by multiplying Consolidated Interest Expense for the period of two
fiscal quarters then ending by two (2); (iii) for the fiscal quarter ending
July 31, 2000, Consolidated Interest Expense shall be the result obtained
by multiplying Consolidated Interest Expense for the period of three fiscal
quarters then ending by one and one-third (1-1/3); and (iv) for the fiscal
quarter ending October 31, 2000 and each fiscal quarter thereafter,
Consolidated Interest Expense shall be for the period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending as of the date of determination.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period for the Consolidated
-----------------------
Group, net income determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
GAAP, but excluding for purposes hereof, extraordinary non-cash or non-
recurring non-cash gains and losses or charges, and related tax effects
thereon. Except as otherwise expressly provided, the applicable period
shall be for the four consecutive fiscal quarters ending as of the date of
determination.
"Continue", "Continuation", and "Continued" shall refer to the
-------- ------------ ---------
continuation pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof of a Eurodollar Loan from one
Interest Period to the next Interest Period.
"Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of any
----------------------
security issued by such Person or of any material agreement, instrument or
undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound.
"Convert", "Conversion", and "Converted" shall refer to a conversion
------- ---------- ---------
pursuant to Section 3.2 or Sections 3.7 through 3.12, inclusive, of a Base
Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Loan.
9
<PAGE>
"Credit Documents" means a collective reference to this Credit
----------------
Agreement, the Notes, the LOC Documents (excluding any Letter of Credit),
each Joinder Agreement, the Administrative Agent's Fee Letter, the
Collateral Documents and all other related agreements and documents issued
or delivered hereunder or thereunder or pursuant hereto or thereto (in each
case as the same may be amended, modified, restated, supplemented,
extended, renewed or replaced from time to time), and "Credit Document"
---------------
means any one of them.
"Credit Parties" means a collective reference to the Borrower and the
--------------
Guarantors, and "Credit Party" means any one of them.
------------
"Crescent Consolidated Group" means the Parent and its consolidated
---------------------------
subsidiaries (including the Borrower hereunder), as determined in
accordance with GAAP.
"Crescent Guarantors" means Guarantors hereunder which are members of
-------------------
the Crescent Consolidated Group.
"Crescent Guaranty Fee" means a fee payable by Crescent to Friedman's
---------------------
equal to 2% per annum of the average amount of the Guaranteed Obligations
(as defined in the Friedman's Guaranty) during the preceding fiscal
quarter. The Crescent Guaranty Fee will be paid in arrears on the 15th day
after the end of each fiscal quarter. The calculation of the Crescent
Guaranty Fee will be made by the Chief Financial Officer of Crescent and
certified to Friedman's in writing within 10 days after the end of each
fiscal quarter. In the event the Crescent Guaranty Fee is not timely paid,
interest shall accrue on the fee commencing as of the end of the fiscal
quarter at the Base Rate plus 2%.
"Default" means any event, act or condition which with notice or lapse
-------
of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"Defaulting Lender" means, at any time, any Lender that (a) has failed
-----------------
to make a Loan or purchase a Participation Interest required pursuant to
the terms of this Credit Agreement within one Business Day of when due, (b)
other than as set forth in (a) above, has failed to pay to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender an amount owed by such Lender pursuant
to the terms of this Credit Agreement within one Business Day of when due,
unless such amount is subject to a good faith dispute or (c) has been
deemed insolvent or has become subject to a bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding or with respect to which (or with respect to any of the assets
of which) a receiver, trustee or similar official has been appointed.
"Documentation Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
-------------------
the heading hereof, together with any successors or assigns.
"Dollars" and "$" means dollars in lawful currency of the United
------- -
States.
10
<PAGE>
"Domestic Credit Party" means any Credit Party which is incorporated or
---------------------
organized under the laws of any State of the United States or the District
of Columbia.
"Domestic Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary which is incorporated or
-------------------
organized under the laws of any State of the United States or the District
of Columbia.
"Eligible Assignee" means (i) a Lender; (ii) an affiliate of a Lender;
-----------------
and (iii) any other Person approved by the Administrative Agent and, unless
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time any
assignment is effected in accordance with Section 11.3, the Borrower (such
approval by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower not to be unreasonably
withheld or delayed and such approval to be deemed given by the Borrower if
no objection is received by the assigning Lender and the Administrative
Agent from the Borrower within two Business Days after notice of such
proposed assignment has been provided by the assigning Lender to the
Borrower); provided, however, that neither the Borrower nor an Affiliate of
-------- -------
the Borrower shall qualify as an Eligible Assignee.
"Eligible Inventory" means, as of any date of determination and
------------------
without duplication, the lower of the aggregate book value (based on a FIFO
or a moving average cost valuation, consistently applied) or fair market
value of all raw materials and finished goods inventory owned by the
Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries less reserves against inventory
shrinkage as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and
other appropriate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP but excluding
in any event (i) inventory which is (a) not subject to a perfected, first
priority (subject to inchoate Liens for government charges or assessments
not yet due) Lien in favor for the Administrative Agent to secure the
Obligations or (b) subject to any other Lien that is not a Permitted Lien,
(ii) inventory which is not in good condition or fails to meet standards
for sale or use imposed by governmental agencies, departments or divisions
having regulatory authority over such goods, (iii) inventory which is not
useable or salable at prices approximating their cost in the ordinary
course of the business (including without duplication the amount of any
reserves for obsolescence, unsalability or decline in value), (iv)
inventory located outside of the United States or in transit (other than
between locations operated by the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors),
(v) inventory which is leased or on consignment and (vi) inventory which
fails to meet such other specifications and requirements as may from time
to time be established by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable
discretion.
"Eligible Receivables" means, as of any date of determination and
--------------------
without duplication, the aggregate book value of all accounts receivable,
receivables, and obligations for payment created or arising from the sale
of inventory or the rendering of services in the ordinary course of
business (collectively, the "Receivables"), owned by or owing to the
-----------
Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries, net of allowances and reserves for
sales adjustments, unearned finance charges,
11
<PAGE>
unearned insurance premiums and sales tax consistent with such Person's
internal policies and in any event in accordance with GAAP, but excluding
in any event (i) any Receivable which is (A) not subject to a perfected,
first priority (subject to incohate Liens for government charges or
assessments not yet due) Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent to
secure the Obligations, (B) subject to any other Lien that is not a
Permitted Lien or (C) not in compliance with applicable laws (including
those regarding consumer protection and truth-in-lending), (ii) doubtful or
uncollectible Receivables (including, without limitation, those which are
more than 60 days past due) (net of reserves for bad debts in connection
with any such Receivables), (iii) 50% of the book value of any Receivable
not otherwise excluded by clause (ii) above (A) which is a restructured or
rewritten account or (B) is owing from an account debtor which is the
account debtor on any existing Receivable then excluded by such clause
(ii), unless the exclusion by such clause (ii) is a result of a legitimate
dispute by the account debtor and the applicable Receivable is no more than
90 days past due, (iv) Receivables arising from contracts with a term of
more than 24 months to the extent the book value of any such Receivable
exceeds 1% of the book value of all Eligible Receivables (v) Receivables
evidenced by notes, chattel paper or other instruments, unless the
covenants set forth in the Security Agreement applicable to such notes,
chattel paper or instruments have been complied with, (vi) Receivables
owing by an account debtor which is not solvent or is subject to any
bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding of any kind or which has died or been
declared judicially incompetent, (vii) Receivables owing by an account
debtor located outside of the United States (unless payment for the goods
shipped is secured by an irrevocable letter of credit in a form and from an
institution acceptable to the Administrative Agent), (viii) Receivables
which are contingent or subject to offset, deduction, counterclaim, dispute
or other defense to payment, in each case to the extent of such offset,
deduction, counterclaim, dispute or other defense, (ix) Receivables for
which any direct or indirect Subsidiary, employee or any Affiliate is the
account debtor, (x) Receivables representing a sale to the government of
the United States or any subdivision thereof unless the Federal Assignment
of Claims Act has been complied with to the satisfaction of the
Administrative Agent with respect to the granting of a security interest in
such Receivable, with or other similar applicable law, (xi) Receivables
with respect to which any of the representations, warranties, covenants,
and agreements contained in the Credit Documents are not or have ceased to
be complete and correct or have been breached, (xii) Receivables which
represent a sale on a bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale and return, sale
on approval, consignment, or other repurchase or return basis and (xiii)
Receivables which fail to meet such other specifications and requirements
as may from time to time be established by the Administrative Agent in its
reasonable discretion.
"Eligible Real Property" means, with respect to any member of the
----------------------
Consolidated Group, including any Person that becomes a member of the
Consolidated Group after the Closing Date as contemplated by Section 7.12,
any real property (wherever located) which (i) is owned or leased by such
member of the Consolidated Group and (ii) is not Excluded Property.
12
<PAGE>
"Environmental Laws" means any and all lawful and applicable federal,
------------------
state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules,
judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises,
licenses, agreements and other governmental restrictions relating to the
environment or to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of
Materials of Environmental Concern into the environment including, without
limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, or land, or otherwise
relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment,
storage, disposal, transport, or handling of Materials of Environmental
Concern.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
-----
amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and
regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time.
References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any
successor sections.
"ERISA Affiliate" means an entity which is under common control with
---------------
any member of the Consolidated Group within the meaning of Section
4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or is a member of a group which includes any member
of the Consolidated Group and which is treated as a single employer under
Sections 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code.
"ERISA Affiliate Plan" means any employee benefit plan (as defined in
--------------------
Section 3(3) of ERISA) which is covered by ERISA and with respect to which
any ERISA Affiliate that is not a member of the Consolidated Group is (or,
if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of
ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" within the meaning of Section 3(5) of
ERISA.
"ERISA Event" means (i) with respect to any Plan, the occurrence of a
-----------
Reportable Event or the substantial cessation of operations (within the
meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA); (ii) the withdrawal by any member of
the Consolidated Group from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in
which it was a substantial employer (as such term is defined in Section
4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the termination of a Multiple Employer Plan; (iii)
the distribution of a notice of intent to terminate or the actual
termination of a Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of ERISA;
(iv) the institution of proceedings to terminate or the actual termination
of a Plan by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA; (v) any event or
condition which might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for
the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any
Plan; (vi) the complete or partial withdrawal of any member of the
Consolidated Group from a Multiemployer Plan; (vii) the conditions for
imposition of a lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA exist with respect to
any Plan; or (viii) the adoption of an amendment to any Plan requiring the
provision of security to such Plan pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA.
"Eurodollar Loan" means any Loan that bears interest at a rate based
---------------
upon the Eurodollar Rate.
13
<PAGE>
"Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest
---------------
Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the
nearest 1/100 of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to
the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the Interbank Offered Rate for such
Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period by (b) 1 minus the Eurodollar
Reserve Requirement for such Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period.
"Eurodollar Reserve Requirement" means, at any time, the maximum rate
------------------------------
at which reserves (including, without limitation, any marginal, special,
supplemental, or emergency reserves) are required to be maintained under
regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (or any successor) by member banks of the Federal
Reserve System against "Eurocurrency liabilities" (as such term is used in
Regulation D). Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Eurodollar
Reserve Requirement shall reflect any other reserves required to be
maintained by such member banks with respect to (i) any category of
liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the Eurodollar
Rate is to be determined, or (ii) any category of extensions of credit or
other assets which include Eurodollar Loans. The Eurodollar Rate shall be
adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the
Eurodollar Reserve Requirement.
"Event of Default" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
----------------
Section 9.1.
"Excluded Property" means, with respect to any member of the
-----------------
Consolidated Group, including any Person that becomes a member of the
Consolidated Group after the Closing Date as contemplated by Section 7.12,
any Property of such member of the Consolidated Group which, subject to the
terms of Section 8.12, is subject to a Lien of the type described in clause
(viii) of the definition of "Permitted Liens" pursuant to documents which
prohibit such member of the Consolidated Group from granting any other
Liens in such Property.
"Executive Officer" of any Person means any of the chief executive
-----------------
officer, chief operating officer, president, chief accounting officer and
chief financial officer of such Person.
"Existing Letters of Credit" means those Letters of Credit outstanding
--------------------------
on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 2.6(b).
---------------
"Extension of Credit" means, as to any Lender, the making of, or
-------------------
participation in, a Loan by such Lender (including Continuations and
Conversions thereof) or the issuance or extension of, or participation in,
a Letter of Credit by such Lender.
"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded
------------------
upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted
average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members
of the Federal Reserve
14
<PAGE>
System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such
day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds
--------
Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next
preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day,
and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business
Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate charged
to the Administrative Agent (in its individual capacity) on such day on
such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.
"Fees" means all fees payable pursuant to Section 3.5.
----
"Foreign Credit Party" means a Credit Party which is not a Domestic
--------------------
Credit Party.
"Foreign Subsidiary" means a Subsidiary which is not a Domestic
------------------
Subsidiary.
"Friedman's" means Friedman's Inc., a Delaware corporation.
----------
"Friedman's Consolidated Group" means Friedman's and its consolidated
-----------------------------
subsidiaries, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Friedman's Credit Agreement" means that Credit Agreement dated as of
---------------------------
the Closing Date, as amended, modified, extended, renewed or replaced,
among Friedman's, as borrower, the subsidiaries and affiliates identified
therein, as guarantors, the lenders identified therein, and Bank of
America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
"Friedman's Guarantors" means Guarantors hereunder which are members of
---------------------
the Friedman's Consolidated Group.
"Friedman's Guaranty Agreement" means that Guaranty Agreement dated as
-----------------------------
of the date hereof, as amended, modified, extended, renewed or replaced,
given by Friedman's to the Administrative Agent with respect to the
obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the other Credit Documents.
"Friedman's Pledge Agreement" means the pledge agreement given by
---------------------------
Friedman's and its subsidiaries and affiliates identified therein to Bank
of America, N.A., as collateral agent to secure the loans and obligations
owing hereunder, and under the other Credit Documents and the loans and
obligations owing under the Friedman's Credit Agreement and the other
Credit Documents thereunder, as such Pledge Agreement may be amended and
modified from time to time.
"Friedman's Security Agreement" means the Security Agreement dated as
-----------------------------
of the Closing Date given by Friedman's and its subsidiaries and affiliates
identified therein to Bank of America, N.A., as collateral agent, to secure
the loans and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit
Documents and the loans and obligations
15
<PAGE>
owing under the Friedman's Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents
thereunder, as such Security Agreement may be amended and modified from
time to time.
"Funded Debt" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication,
-----------
(i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money (other than, to the
extent it may be included herein, trade debt incurred in the ordinary
course of business), (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon which interest
payments are customarily made (other than, to the extent it may be included
herein, trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business), (iii) all
purchase money Indebtedness (including for purposes hereof, indebtedness
and obligations in respect of conditional sale or title retention
arrangements described in clause (c) of the definition of "Indebtedness"
and obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or
services described in clause (d) of the definition of "Indebtedness") of
such Person, including without limitation the principal portion of all
obligations of such Person outstanding under Capital Leases, (iv) all
Support Obligations of such Person with respect to Funded Debt of another
Person, (v) the maximum available amount of all standby letters of credit
or acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person, (vi) all
Funded Debt of another Person secured by a Lien on any Property of such
Person, whether or not such Funded Debt has been assumed, provided that for
--------
purposes hereof the amount of such Funded Debt shall be limited to the
amount of such Funded Debt as to which there is recourse to such Person or
the fair market value of the property which is subject to the Lien, if
less, (vii) the outstanding attributed principal amount under any
Securitization Transaction, and (viii) the principal portion of obligations
outstanding under Synthetic Leases. The Funded Debt of any Person shall
include the Funded Debt of any partnership or joint venture in which such
Person is a general partner or joint venturer, but only to the extent to
which there is recourse to such Person for the payment of such Funded Debt.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
----
States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms of Section
1.3.
"Governmental Authority" means any Federal, state, local or foreign
----------------------
court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory
body.
"Guaranteed Obligations" means, without duplication, (i) all of the
----------------------
obligations of the Borrower to the Lenders (including the Issuing Lender)
and the Administrative Agent, whenever arising, under this Credit
Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Documents or any of the other Credit
Documents (including, but not limited to, any interest accruing after the
occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event with respect to the Borrower or any
Crescent Guarantor, regardless of whether such interest is an allowed claim
under the Bankruptcy Code) and (ii) all liabilities and obligations,
whenever arising, owing by the Borrower to any Lender, or any Affiliate of
a Lender, arising under any Hedging Agreement relating to the Obligations
hereunder to the extent permitted hereunder.
16
<PAGE>
"Guarantors" means Friedman's, the Parent, each Person identified as a
----------
"Guarantor" on the signature pages hereto and each other Person which may
hereafter become a Guarantor by execution of a Joinder Agreement or
guaranty agreement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and
the Required Lenders, together with their successors and permitted assigns,
and "Guarantor " means any one of them.
---------
"Hedging Agreements" means any interest rate protection agreement or
------------------
foreign currency exchange agreement.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication,
------------
(a) all indebtedness for borrowed money (other than, to the extent it may
be included herein, trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of
business), (b) all indebtedness and obligations evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon which interest payments
are customarily made (other than, to the extent it may be included herein,
trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business), (c) all
obligations under conditional sale or other title retention agreements
relating to Property purchased (other than customary reservations or
retentions of title under agreements with suppliers entered into in the
ordinary course of business, including, without limitation, the consignment
of inventory), (d) all obligations issued or assumed as the deferred
purchase price of Property or services purchased (other than trade debt
incurred in the ordinary course of business) which would appear as
liabilities on a balance sheet, (e) all obligations of such Person under
take-or-pay or similar arrangements or under commodities agreements, (f)
all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such
Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured
by) any Lien on, or payable out of the proceeds of production from,
Property owned or acquired, whether or not the obligations secured thereby
have been assumed, (g) all Support Obligations with respect to Indebtedness
of another Person, (h) the principal portion of all obligations outstanding
under Capital Leases, (i) all obligations under Hedging Agreements, (j) the
maximum amount of all standby letters of credit issued or bankers'
acceptances facilities for the account of such Person and, without
duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (to the extent unreimbursed), (k)
all preferred Capital Stock which by the terms thereof could be (at the
request of the holders thereof or otherwise) subject to mandatory sinking
fund payments, redemption or other acceleration (other than as a result of
a Change of Control or an Asset Disposition that does not in fact result in
a redemption of such preferred Capital Stock) at any time during the term
of the Credit Agreement, (l) the principal portion of obligations
outstanding under Synthetic Leases, (m) the Indebtedness of any partnership
or unincorporated joint venture in which such Person is a general partner
or a joint venturer, and (n) the outstanding attributed principal amount
under any Securitization Transaction.
"Interbank Offered Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Loan for any
----------------------
Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Telerate Page 3750 (or
any successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in
Dollars at approximately 11:00 A.M. (London
17
<PAGE>
time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for
a term comparable to such Interest Period. If for any reason such rate is
not available, the term "Interbank Offered Rate" shall mean, for any
Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on
Reuters Screen LIBO Page as the London interbank offered rate for deposits
in Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days
prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to
such Interest Period; provided, however, if more than one rate is specified
-------- -------
on Reuters Screen LIBO Page, the applicable rate shall be the arithmetic
mean of all such rates (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100
of 1%).
"Interest Payment Date" means (i) as to any Base Rate Loan (other than
---------------------
a Swingline Loan), the last day of each calendar month and the Termination
Date, (ii) as to any Swingline Loan, the last day of each Interest Period
for such Loan, the date of repayment of principal of such Loan and the
Termination Date, or such other days as may be mutually agreed upon by the
Borrower and the Swingline Lender, and (iii) as to any Eurodollar Loan, the
last day of each Interest Period for such Loan, the date of repayment of
principal of such Loan and the Termination Date, and in addition where the
applicable Interest Period is more than three months, then also on the date
three months from the beginning of the Interest Period, and each three
months thereafter. If an Interest Payment Date falls on a date which is not
a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be deemed to be the next
succeeding Business Day.
"Interest Period" means (i) as to any Eurodollar Loan, a period of one,
---------------
two, three or six months' duration, as the Borrower may elect, commencing
in each case on the date of the borrowing (including Conversions,
Continuations and renewals) and (ii) as to any Swingline Loan, a period of
such duration as the Borrower may request and the Swingline Lender may
agree in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2(a)(iii), commencing
in each case on the date of borrowing; provided, however, (A) if any
-------- -------
Interest Period would end on a day which is not a Business Day, such
Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day
(except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans where the next succeeding
Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next
preceding Business Day), (B) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the
Termination Date, and (C) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, where an
Interest Period begins on a day for which there is no numerically
corresponding day in the calendar month in which the Interest Period is to
end, such Interest Period shall end on the last day of such calendar month.
"Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
---------------------
amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and
regulations issued thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.
References to sections of the Internal Revenue Code shall be construed also
to refer to any successor sections.
"Investment" in any Person means (a) the acquisition (whether for cash,
----------
property, services, assumption of Indebtedness, securities or otherwise) of
Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures, partnership, joint ventures or
other ownership
18
<PAGE>
interests or other securities of such other Person, (b) any deposit with,
or advance, loan or other extension of credit to, such Person (other than
deposits made in connection with the purchase of equipment or other assets
in the ordinary course of business) or (c) any other capital contribution
to or investment in such Person, including, without limitation, any Support
Obligations (including any support for a letter of credit issued on behalf
of such Person) incurred for the benefit of such Person, but excluding any
Restricted Payment to such Person.
"Issuing Lender" means, as to Existing Letters of Credit, those Lenders
--------------
identified as such on Schedule 2.6(b), and as to Letters of Credit issued
hereunder, Bank of America.
"Joinder Agreement" means a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form
-----------------
of Schedule 7.12 hereto, executed and delivered by a Domestic Subsidiary in
-------------
accordance with the provisions of Section 7.12.
"Lenders" means each of the Persons identified as a "lender" on the
-------
signature pages hereto, and their successors and assigns.
"Letter of Credit" means any Existing Letter of Credit and any letter
----------------
of credit issued by the Issuing Lender for the account of the Borrower in
accordance with the terms of Section 2.1(b).
"Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
--------------------
Section 3.5(b)(i).
"Licenses" means all licenses, permits and other grants of authority
--------
obtained or required to be obtained from any Governmental Authorities in
connection with the management or operation of the business of the members
of the Consolidated Group or the ownership, lease, license or use of any
Property of the members of the Consolidated Group.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
----
arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise),
preference, priority or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give
any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice filed under the
Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and in effect in the relevant
jurisdiction or other similar recording or notice statute, and any lease in
the nature thereof).
"Loan" or "Loans" means the Revolving Loans and/or the Swingline Loans,
---- -----
and the Base Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans and Quoted Rate Swingline Loans
comprising such Loans.
"LOC Commitment" means the commitment of the Issuing Lender to issue,
--------------
and of the Lenders to participate in, Letters of Credit and LOC Obligations
hereunder.
19
<PAGE>
"LOC Committed Amount" means the maximum amount of LOC Obligations
--------------------
hereunder. The initial LOC Committed Amount on the Closing Date is
referenced in Section 2.1(b).
"LOC Documents" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, such
-------------
Letter of Credit, any amendments thereto, any documents delivered in
connection therewith, any application therefor, and any agreements,
instruments, guarantees or other documents (whether general in application
or applicable only to such Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (i)
the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk or (ii) any
collateral security for such obligations.
"LOC Obligations" means, at any time, the sum of (i) the maximum amount
---------------
which is, or at any time thereafter may become, available to be drawn under
Letters of Credit then outstanding, assuming compliance with all
requirements for drawings referred to in such Letters of Credit plus (ii)
----
the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by the
Issuing Lender but not theretofore reimbursed.
"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (i) the
-----------------------
condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business, assets or
liabilities of the Consolidated Group taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of
any Credit Party or other party thereto to perform any material obligation
under the Credit Documents to which it is a party or (iii) the material
rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the
Credit Documents.
"Materials of Environmental Concern" means any gasoline or petroleum
----------------------------------
(including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any
hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as
such in or under any Environmental Laws, including, without limitation,
asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or any successor or
-------
assignee of the business of such company in the business of rating
securities.
"Mortgaged Property" means the Property which is the subject of a
------------------
Mortgage as referenced therein.
"Mortgages" means those mortgages, deeds of trust, security deeds or
---------
like instruments given to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit
of the Lenders, to secure the Loans and obligations owing hereunder and
under the other Credit Documents, as amended and modified from time to
time.
"Multiemployer Plan" means a Plan which is a "multiemployer plan" as
------------------
defined in Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
20
<PAGE>
"Multiple Employer Plan" means a Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan)
----------------------
which any member of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate and at
least one employer other than the members of the Consolidated Group or any
ERISA Affiliate are contributing sponsors.
"Note" or "Notes" means any of the Revolving Notes.
---- -----
"Notice of Borrowing" means a written notice of borrowing in
-------------------
substantially the form of Schedule 2.2(a)(i), as required by Section
------------------
2.2(a)(i) and Section 2.2(a)(iii).
"Notice of Continuation/Conversion" means the written notice of
---------------------------------
Continuation or Conversion in substantially the form of Schedule 3.2, as
------------
required by Section 3.2.
"Obligations" means, collectively, the Revolving Loans, the Swingline
-----------
Loans and the LOC Obligations.
"Operating Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease
---------------
(including, without limitation, leases which may be terminated by the
lessee at any time) of any Property as lessee which is not a Capital Lease.
"Other Taxes" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
-----------
3.11.
"Parent" means Crescent Jewelers, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as
------
referenced in the opening paragraph, its successors and permitted assigns.
"Participation Interest" means the purchase by a Lender of a
----------------------
participation in LOC Obligations as provided in Section 2.6(b), in
Swingline Loans as provided in Section 2.7 and in Loans as provided in
Section 3.13.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established
----
pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereof.
"Permitted Investments" means Investments which are (i) cash and Cash
---------------------
Equivalents; (ii) accounts receivable created, acquired or made in the
ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with
customary trade terms; (iii) Investments consisting of Capital Stock,
obligations, securities or other Property received in settlement of
accounts receivable (created in the ordinary course of business) from
bankrupt obligors; (iv) Investments existing as of the Closing Date and set
forth in Schedule 8.6; (v) advances or loans to directors, officers and
------------
employees in the ordinary course of business for reasonable business
expenses that do not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time
outstanding; (vi) advances or loans to customers and suppliers in the
ordinary course of business that do not exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate
at any one time outstanding; (vii) Investments by members of the
Consolidated Group in their Subsidiaries and Affiliates existing on the
Closing Date, (viii) Investments by members of the Consolidated Group in
and to Domestic Credit Parties (including Friedman's or other members of
the
21
<PAGE>
Friedman's Consolidated Group) and (ix) Investments of a nature not
contemplated in the foregoing subsections in an amount not to exceed
$1,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.
"Permitted Liens" means:
---------------
(i) Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the Loans
and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit Documents;
(ii) Liens in favor of a Lender or an affiliate of a Lender pursuant
to a Hedging Agreement permitted hereunder, but only (A) to the extent such
Liens secure obligations under such agreements permitted under Section 8.1,
(B) to the extent such Liens are on the same collateral as to which the
Lenders hereunder also have a Lien, and (C) so long as the obligations
under such Hedging Agreement and the loans and obligations hereunder and
under the other Credit Documents shall share pari passu in the collateral
subject to such Liens;
(iii) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) for
taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or Liens
for taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for
which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been
established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is not
yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);
(iv) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen,
mechanics, materialmen and suppliers and other Liens imposed by law or
pursuant to customary reservations or retentions of title arising in the
ordinary course of business, provided that such Liens secure only amounts
--------
not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, are unfiled and no other
action has been taken to enforce the same or are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in
accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which the Property
subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on
account thereof);
(v) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) incurred
or deposits made by any member of the Consolidated Group in the ordinary
course of business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the performance
of tenders, statutory obligations, bids, leases, government contracts,
performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations
(exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);
(vi) Liens in connection with attachments or judgments (including
judgment or appeal bonds) provided that the attachments or the judgments
--------
secured shall, within 30 days after the entry thereof, have been discharged
or execution thereof stayed
22
<PAGE>
pending appeal, or shall have been discharged within 30 days after the
expiration of any such stay;
(vii) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning
restrictions), minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar
charges or encumbrances not, in any material respect, impairing the use of
the encumbered Property for its intended purposes;
(viii) Liens on Property of any Person securing purchase money
Indebtedness (including Capital Leases and Synthetic Leases) of such Person
to the extent permitted under Section 8.1(c), provided that any such Lien
--------
attaches only to the Property financed or leased and such Lien attaches
concurrently with or within 90 days after the acquisition thereof;
(ix) leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any
material respect with the business of any member of the Consolidated Group;
(x) any interest or title of a lessor under, and Liens arising from
UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings, registrations or
agreements in foreign jurisdictions) relating to, leases not prohibited by
this Credit Agreement;
(xi) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
importation of goods;
(xii) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in
repurchase agreements which constitute Permitted Investments;
(xiii) normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in
favor of banks or other depository institutions;
(xiv) Liens of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the
Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection; and
(xv) Liens existing as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule
--------
6.8; provided that no such Lien shall at any cover any time be extended to
--- --------
or cover any Property other than the Property subject thereto on the
Closing Date;
(xvi) Liens arising from or in connection with any consignment of
goods as such term is used under the Uniform Commercial Code;
(xvii) Extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions,
renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, of Liens referred to in the
foregoing clauses; provided that the Lien given in connection any such
--------
extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to the property securing
the Lien prior to extension, renewal or replacement and where such Lien
secures Funded Debt, the Lien given in connection with such extension,
renewal or replacement shall not secure
23
<PAGE>
indebtedness in an amount excess of the principal amount secured
immediately prior to the extension, renewal or replacement; or
(xviii) Liens comprised of any exclusion or exception under any title
insurance policy provided to the Administrative Agent in accordance with
the Credit Documents (which policy shall be form and content reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent).
"Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm,
------
corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other
enterprise (whether or not incorporated) or any Governmental Authority.
"Plan" means any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of
----
ERISA) which is covered by ERISA and with respect to which any member of
the Consolidated Group or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were
terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be)
an "employer" within the meaning of Section 3(5) of ERISA.
"Pledge Agreement" means the Pledge Agreement dated as of the Closing
----------------
Date or any other pledge agreement given by the Parent, the Borrower and
the other pledgors identified therein to Bank of America, N.A., as
collateral agent, to secure the Loans and obligations owing hereunder and
under the other Credit Documents, as such pledge agreement may be amended
and modified from time to time.
"Prime Rate" means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced
----------
from time to time by Bank of America as its prime rate in effect at its
principal office in Charlotte, North Carolina, with each change in the
Prime Rate being effective on the date such change is publicly announced as
effective (it being understood and agreed that the Prime Rate is a
reference rate used by Bank of America in determining interest rates on
certain loans and is not intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged
on any extension of credit by Bank of America to any debtor).
"Pro Forma Basis" means, for purposes of determining compliance with
---------------
the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 on a Pro Forma Basis
hereunder, that any transaction shall be deemed to have occurred as of the
first day of the four fiscal-quarter period ending as of the most recent
fiscal quarter end preceding the date of such transaction with respect to
which the Administrative Agent has received the Required Financial
Information. As used herein, "transaction" shall mean any Asset Disposition
-----------
as referred to in Section 8.5. In connection with any calculation of the
financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 upon giving effect to a
transaction on a Pro Forma Basis (1) income statement items (whether
positive or negative) attributable to the Property disposed of in such
Asset Disposition shall be excluded and (2) any Indebtedness which is
retired in connection with such Asset Disposition shall be excluded and
deemed to have been retired as of the first day of the applicable period.
24
<PAGE>
"Pro Forma Compliance Certificate" means a certificate of an Executive
--------------------------------
Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection
with any Asset Disposition referred to in Section 8.5 and containing
reasonably detailed calculations, upon giving effect to the applicable
transaction on a Pro Forma Basis, of the Combined Leverage Ratio and the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the most recent fiscal
quarter end preceding the date of the applicable transaction with respect
to which the Administrative Agent shall have received the Required
Financial Information.
"Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether
--------
real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.
"Quoted Rate" means, with respect to a Quoted Rate Swingline Loan, the
-----------
fixed or floating percentage rate per annum, if any, offered by the
Swingline Lender and accepted by the Borrower in accordance with the
provisions hereof.
"Quoted Rate Swingline Loan" means a Swingline Loan bearing interest at
--------------------------
the Quoted Rate.
"Rate Determination Date" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
-----------------------
in the definition of "Applicable Percentage".
"Register" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
--------
11.3(c).
"Regulation T, U, X or Z" means Regulation T, U, X or Z, respectively,
-----------------------
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to
time in effect and any successor to all or a portion thereof.
"Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c)
----------------
of ERISA, other than those events as to which the advance or thirty (30)
day notice requirement has been waived by regulation.
"Required Financial Information" means the annual and quarterly
------------------------------
compliance certificates and related financial statements and information
required by the provisions of Sections 7.1(a), (b) and (c), as referenced
in the definition of "Applicable Percentage".
"Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders having more than fifty
----------------
percent (50%) of the aggregate Commitments, or if the Commitments have been
terminated, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate
principal amount of the Obligations outstanding (taking into account in
each case Participation Interests or obligation to participate therein);
provided that the Commitments of, and outstanding principal amount of
--------
Obligations (taking into account Participation Interests therein) owing to,
a Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes hereof in making a
determination of Required Lenders.
25
<PAGE>
"Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the certificate of
------------------
incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of
such Person, and any law, treaty, rule, regulation or ordinance (including,
without limitation, Environmental Laws) or determination of an arbitrator
or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or
binding upon such Person or to which any of its material Property is
subject.
"Restricted Payment" means (i) any dividend or other payment or
------------------
distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of
Capital Stock of any member of the Consolidated Group, now or hereafter
outstanding (including without limitation any payment in connection with
any dissolution, merger, consolidation or disposition involving any member
of the Consolidated Group), or to the holders, in their capacity as such,
of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of any member of the
Consolidated Group, now or hereafter outstanding (other than dividends or
distributions payable in the same class of Capital Stock of the applicable
Person or dividends or distributions payable to any Credit Party (directly
or indirectly through Subsidiaries other than to Friedman's or members of
the Friedman's Consolidated Group)), (ii) any redemption, retirement,
sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value,
direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of any
member of the Consolidated Group, now or hereafter outstanding, and (iii)
any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding
warrants, options or other rights to acquire shares of any class of Capital
Stock of any member of the Consolidated Group, now or hereafter
outstanding.
"Revolving Commitment" means the commitment of each Lender to make its
--------------------
ratable share of Revolving Loans hereunder.
"Revolving Committed Amount" means, individually, the maximum Revolving
--------------------------
Commitment of each Lender, and collectively, the aggregate maximum amount
of all the Revolving Commitments of the Lenders hereunder. The initial
Revolving Committed Amounts on the Closing Date are set out in Schedule
--------
2.1.
---
"Revolving Commitment Percentage" means, for each Lender, a fraction
-------------------------------
(expressed as a percentage) the numerator of which is the Revolving
Committed Amount of such Lender at such time and the denominator of which
is the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount at such time. The initial
Revolving Commitment Percentages are set out on Schedule 2.1.
------------
"Revolving Loans" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
---------------
Section 2.1(a).
"Revolving Note" or "Revolving Notes" means the promissory notes of the
-------------- ---------------
Borrower in favor of each of the Lenders evidencing the Revolving Loans and
Swingline Loans in substantially the form attached as Schedule 2.5,
------------
individually or
26
<PAGE>
collectively, as appropriate, as such promissory notes may be amended,
modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to time.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw
---
Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such
division in the business of rating securities.
"Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any arrangement pursuant to
------------------------------
which any member of the Consolidated Group, directly or indirectly, becomes
liable as lessee, guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease,
whether an Operating Lease or a Capital Lease, of any Property (a) which
such member of the Consolidated Group has sold or transferred (or is to
sell or transfer) to a Person which is not a member of the Consolidated
Group or (b) which such member of the Consolidated Group intends to use for
substantially the same purpose as any other Property which has been sold or
transferred (or is to be sold or transferred) by such member of the
Consolidated Group to another Person which is not a member of the
Consolidated Group in connection with such lease.
"Securities Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
-----------------------
"Securitization Transaction" means any financing transaction or series
--------------------------
of financing transactions that have been or may be entered into by a member
of the Consolidated Group pursuant to which such member of the Consolidated
Group may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (i) a Subsidiary or
affiliate (a "Securitization Subsidiary"), or (ii) any other Person, or may
-------------------------
grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable, notes receivable,
rights to future lease payments or residuals or other similar rights to
payment (the "Securitization Receivables") (whether such Securitization
--------------------------
Receivables are then existing or arising in the future) of such member of
the Consolidated Group, and any assets related thereto, including without
limitation, all security interests in merchandise or services financed
thereby, the proceeds of such Securitization Receivables, and other assets
which are customarily sold or in respect of which security interests are
customarily granted in connection with securitization transactions
involving such assets.
"Security Agreement" means the Security Agreement dated as of the
------------------
Closing Date given by the Borrower and the subsidiaries and affiliates
identified therein to Bank of America, N.A., as collateral agent, to secure
the loans and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit
Documents, as such Security Agreement may be amended and modified from time
to time.
"Single Employer Plan" means any Plan which is covered by Title IV of
--------------------
ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan.
"Subordinated Debt" means any Indebtedness of a member of the
-----------------
Consolidated Group which by its terms is expressly subordinated in right of
payment to the prior
27
<PAGE>
payment of the loans and obligations under the Credit Agreement and the
other Credit Documents on the terms and conditions and evidenced by
documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required
Lenders.
"Subsidiary" means, as to any Person at any time, (a) any corporation
----------
more than 50% of whose Capital Stock of any class or classes having by the
terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of
such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at such time, any class or
classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason
of the happening of any contingency) is at such time owned by such Person
directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, and (b) any partnership,
association, joint venture or other entity of which such Person directly or
indirectly through Subsidiaries owns at such time more than 50% of the
Capital Stock. Unless otherwise identified, "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries"
shall refer to Subsidiaries of the Parent.
"Support Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, without
-------------------
duplication, any obligations of such Person (other than endorsements in the
ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or
collection) guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness of any
other Person in any manner, whether direct or indirect, and including
without limitation any obligation, whether or not contingent, (i) to
purchase any such Indebtedness or any Property constituting security
therefor, (ii) to advance or provide funds or other support for the payment
or purchase of any such Indebtedness or to maintain working capital,
solvency or other balance sheet condition of such other Person (including
without limitation keep well agreements, maintenance agreements, comfort
letters or similar agreements or arrangements) for the benefit of any
holder of Indebtedness of such other Person, (iii) to lease or purchase
Property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the
holder of such Indebtedness, or (iv) to otherwise assure or hold harmless
the holder of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof. The
amount of any Support Obligation hereunder shall (subject to any
limitations set forth therein) be deemed to be an amount equal to the
outstanding principal amount (or maximum principal amount, if larger) of
the Indebtedness in respect of which such Support Obligation is made.
"Swingline Commitment" means the commitment of the Swingline Lender to
--------------------
make, and of the Lender to participate in, Swingline Loans hereunder.
"Swingline Committed Amount" means the maximum amount of the Swingline
--------------------------
Commitments hereunder. The initial Swingline Committed Amount on the
Closing Date is referenced in Section 2.1(c).
"Swingline Lender" means Bank of America.
----------------
"Swingline Loan" means a swingline revolving loan made by the Swingline
--------------
Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1(c).
28
<PAGE>
"Synthetic Lease" means any synthetic lease, tax retention operating
---------------
lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing
product where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness
for tax purposes but is classified as an Operating Lease under GAAP.
"Taxes" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.11.
-----
"Termination Date" means September 15, 2002 or such later date as to
----------------
which all of the Lenders may in their sole discretion by written consent
agree.
"Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock issued
------------
by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of
contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons
performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right so to
vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.
"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means any Subsidiary 100% of
-----------------------
whose Voting Stock is at the time owned by such Person directly or
indirectly through other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
"Year 2000 Compliant" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
-------------------
Section 6.17.
1.2 Computation of Time Periods.
---------------------------
For purposes of computation of periods of time hereunder, the word "from"
means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but
excluding."
1.3 Accounting Terms.
----------------
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used
herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates and
reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Lenders
hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent
basis. All calculations made for the purposes of determining compliance with
this Credit Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be
made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent
annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 (or,
prior to the delivery of the first financial statements pursuant to Section 7.1,
consistent with the annual audited financial statements referenced in Section
6.1(i)); provided, however, if (a) the Borrower shall object to determining such
-------- -------
compliance on such basis at the time of delivery of such financial statements
due to any change in GAAP or the rules promulgated with respect thereto or (b)
the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall so object in writing
within 60 days after delivery of such financial statements, then such
calculations shall be made on a basis consistent with the most recent financial
statements delivered by the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors to the Lenders
as to which no such objection shall have been made.
29
<PAGE>
SECTION 2
CREDIT FACILITIES
2.1 Commitments.
-----------
(a) Revolving Commitment. During the Commitment Period, subject to
--------------------
the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make
revolving loans (the "Revolving Loans") to the Borrower in the amount of such
---------------
Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of such Revolving Loans for the
purposes hereinafter set forth; provided that (i) with regard to the Lenders
--------
collectively, the aggregate principal amount of Obligations at any time shall
not exceed the lesser of (A) ONE HUNDRED TWELVE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($112,500,000) (the "Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount") or (B) the
------------------------------------
Borrowing Base, and (ii) with regard to each Lender individually, such
Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of Obligations at any time shall not
exceed the lesser of (A) such Lender's Revolving Committed Amount or (B) such
Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Borrowing Base; and provided
further that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may make
Revolving Loan advances in its discretion ("Discretionary Over-Advances") for
---------------------------
and on behalf of the Lenders in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
the lesser of (A) five percent (5%) of the Borrowing Base or (B) $5 million,
and a term of not more than thirty (30) days, even though (i) a Default or
Event of Default then exists and has not been waived or cured, (ii) the other
conditions to Extensions of Credit under Section 5.2 have not or cannot be
satisfied, or (iii) after giving effect thereto, the Obligations then
outstanding will be excess of the Borrowing Base (but not in excess of the
Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount), if in the reasonable business judgment
of the Administrative Agent, such advances are necessary or advisable in the
protection or preservation of the collateral or in order to improve the
likelihood of repayment of the Obligations hereunder (including financing
working capital needs). The Administrative will give prompt notice to the
Lenders of any Discretionary Over-Advances and the circumstances giving rise
thereto, and the Lenders will promptly reimburse the Administrative Agent for
its ratable share of such advance. The right and ability of the Administrative
Agent to make Discretionary Over-Advances hereunder are subject to revocation
by written action of the Required Lenders. Revolving Loans may consist of Base
Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, or a combination thereof, as the Borrower may
request, and may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions
hereof.
(b) Letter of Credit Commitment. During the Commitment Period,
---------------------------
subject to the terms and conditions hereof and of the LOC Documents, if
any, and such other terms and conditions which the Issuing Lender may
reasonably require, the Issuing Lender shall issue, and the Lenders shall
participate severally in, such standby Letters of Credit as the Borrower
may request, in form acceptable to the
30
<PAGE>
Issuing Lender, for the purposes hereinafter set forth; provided that (i)
--------
the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations shall not exceed TEN MILLION
DOLLARS ($10,000,000) at any time (the "LOC Committed Amount"), (ii) with
--------------------
regard to the Lenders collectively, the aggregate principal amount of
Obligations at any time shall not exceed the lesser of (A) the Aggregate
Revolving Committed Amount or (B) the Borrowing Base, and (iii) with regard
to each Lender individually, such Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage
of Obligations at any time shall not exceed the lesser of (A) such Lender's
Revolving Committed Amount or (B) such Lender's Revolving Commitment
Percentage of the Borrowing Base. Letters of Credit issued hereunder shall
have an expiry date not more than one year from the date of issuance or
extension, and may not extend beyond the Termination Date.
(c) Swingline Commitment. During the Commitment Period, subject to the
--------------------
terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Lender agrees to make certain
revolving loans (the "Swingline Loans") to the Borrower; provided that (i)
--------------- --------
the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans shall not exceed FIVE
MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000) at any time (the "Swingline Committed
-------------------
Amount"), (ii) with regard to the Lenders collectively, the aggregate
principal amount of Obligations at any time shall not exceed the lesser of
(A) the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount or (B) the Borrowing Base,
(iii) with regard to each Lender individually, such Lender's Revolving
Commitment Percentage of Obligations at any time shall not exceed the
lesser of (A) such Lender's Revolving Committed Amount or (B) such Lender's
Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Borrowing Base. Swingline Loans may
consist of Base Rate Loans or Quoted Rate Swingline Loans, or a combination
thereof, as the Borrower may request, and may be repaid and reborrowed in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
(d) Increase in Revolving Commitments. So long as the revolving
---------------------------------
commitments hereunder and under the Friedman's Credit Agreement shall be
not greater than $200 million in the aggregate, then subject to the terms
and conditions set forth herein, upon twelve (12) days advance written
notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have the right, at
any time and from time to time from the Closing Date until the Termination
Date, to increase the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount to an aggregate
available amount not to exceed $125,000,000; provided that (i) any such
--------
increase shall be in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 and integral
multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the remaining amount, if
less), (ii) if any Revolving Loans are outstanding at the time of any such
increase, the Borrower shall make such payments and adjustments on the
Revolving Loans (including payment of any break-funding amount owing under
Section 3.12) as necessary to give effect to the revised Revolving
Commitment Percentages and Revolving Commitment Amounts of the Lenders
resulting from such increase and (iii) the conditions to Extensions of
Credit in Sections 5.2(a), (b) and (c) shall be satisfied as of the date of
such increase. An increase in the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount
hereunder shall be subject to satisfaction of the following: (A) in the
case of any such request
31
<PAGE>
for an increase in the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, the amount of
such increase shall be offered first to the existing Lenders, and in the
event the additional commitments which existing Lenders are willing to take
shall exceed the amount requested by the Borrower, then in proportion to
the Revolving Commitments of such existing Lenders willing to take
additional commitments, (B) in the case of any such request for an increase
in the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, if the amount of the
additional commitments requested by the Borrower shall exceed the
additional commitments which the existing Lenders are willing to take, then
the Borrower may invite other commercial banks and financial institutions
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to join this Credit
Agreement as Lenders hereunder for the portion of commitments not taken by
existing Lenders, provided that such other commercial banks and financial
institutions shall enter into such joinder agreements to give effect
thereto as the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may reasonably request
(C) additional commitments shall have been received and accepted by the
Administrative Agent under the Friedman's Credit Agreement from those
Lenders which have increased their commitments under this Agreement
pursuant to this subsection, such that after giving effect to the increase
in commitments hereunder and thereunder, each such Lender shall have the
same commitment percentage hereunder and thereunder, and (D) the aggregate
commitments hereunder and under the Friedman's Credit Agreement shall be
increased to maintain their same relative commitments (e.g., 62.5% and
37.5%, respectively), subject to adjustments for rounding in the
Administrative Agent's discretion. In connection with any increase in the
Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount pursuant to this Section, Schedule
--------
2.1(a) shall be revised to reflect the modified Revolving Commitment
------
Percentages and Commitments of the Lenders.
32
<PAGE>
2.2 Method of Borrowing.
-------------------
(a) Notice of Request for Extensions of Credit. The Borrower shall
------------------------------------------
request an Extension of Credit hereunder by written notice (or telephone
notice promptly confirmed in writing) as follows:
(i) Revolving Loans. In the case of Revolving Loans, to the
---------------
Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 A.M. (Dallas, Texas time) on
the Business Day of the requested borrowing in the case of Base Rate
Loans, and on the third Business Day prior to the date of the
requested borrowing in the case of Eurodollar Loans. Each such
request for borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify (A) that
a Revolving Loan is requested, (B) the date of the requested borrowing
(which shall be a Business Day), (C) the aggregate principal amount to
be borrowed, and (D) whether the borrowing shall be comprised of Base
Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans or a combination thereof, and if
Eurodollar Loans are requested, the Interest Period(s) therefor. A
form of Notice of Borrowing is attached as Schedule 2.2(a)(i). The
-----------------
Administrative Agent shall give notice to each Lender promptly upon
receipt of each Notice of Borrowing pursuant to this Section
2.2(a)(i), the contents thereof and each such Lender's share of any
borrowing to be made pursuant thereto.
(ii) Letters of Credit. In the case of Letters of Credit, to
-----------------
the Issuing Lender with a copy to the Administrative Agent not later
than 10:00 A.M. (Dallas, Texas time) on the third Business Day prior
to the date of the requested issuance or extension (or such shorter
period as may be agreed by the Issuing Lender). Each such request for
issuance or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be irrevocable and
shall specify, among other things, (A) that a Letter of Credit is
requested, (B) the date of the requested issuance or extension, (C)
the type, amount, expiry date and terms on which the Letter of Credit
is to be issued or extended, and (D) the beneficiary. A form of Notice
of Request for Letter of Credit is attached as Schedule 2.2(a)(ii).
-------------------
The Issuing Lender shall notify the Lenders of the issuance of any
Letter of Credit.
(iii) Swingline Loans. In the case of Swingline Loans, to the
---------------
Swingline Lender not later than 10:00 A.M. (Dallas, Texas time) on the
Business Day of the requested borrowing. Each such request for
borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify (A) that a Swingline
Loan is requested, (B) the date of the requested borrowing (which
shall be a Business Day), (C) the aggregate principal amount to be
borrowed, and (D) the interest rate option and maturity requested
therefor. A form of Notice of Borrowing is attached as Schedule
--------
2.2(a)(i). Each Swingline Loan shall have a maturity date as the
---------
Borrower may request and the Swingline Lender may agree.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection (iii), the
Borrower and the Swingline Lender may from time to time agree to make
Swingline Loan
33
<PAGE>
advances pursuant to an "auto-borrow" and "zero-balance" or other
similar arrangement, subject however to the conditions and limitations
relating to the Swingline Loans set out herein.
(b) Minimum Amounts. Each Revolving Loan borrowing (including
---------------
extensions and conversions) shall be in a minimum principal amount of
$2,500,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof, in the
case of Eurodollar Loans, or $500,000 (or the remaining Committed Amount,
if less) and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, in the case
of Base Rate Loans. Each Swingline Loan advance shall be in a minimum
principal amount of $50,000; provided that in the event that an agreement
--------
providing for an "auto-borrow" and "zero-balance" or other similar
arrangement shall then be in place with the Swingline Lender, Swingline
Loan advances shall be in such principal minimum amounts, if any, provided
by such agreement.
(c) Information Not Provided. If in connection with any such request
------------------------
for a Loan, the Borrower shall fail to specify (i) an applicable Interest
Period in the case of a Eurodollar Loan, the Borrower shall be deemed to
have requested an Interest Period of one month, or (ii) the type of loan
requested in the case of Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans, the Borrower
shall be deemed to have requested a Base Rate Loan.
(d) Maximum Number of Eurodollar Loans. No more than twelve (12)
----------------------------------
borrowings of Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding at any time. For
purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with separate or different Interest
Periods will be considered as separate Eurodollar Loans even if their
Interest Periods expire on the same date.
2.3 Interest.
--------
Subject to Section 3.1, the Loans hereunder shall bear interest at a per
annum rate, payable in arrears on each applicable Interest Payment Date (or at
such other times as may be specified herein), as follows:
(a) Base Rate Loans. During such periods as the Loans shall be
---------------
comprised of Base Rate Loans, the Adjusted Base Rate;
(b) Eurodollar Loans. During such periods as the Loans shall be
----------------
comprised of Eurodollar Loans, the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate; and
(c) Quoted Rate Swingline Loans. During such periods as the Swingline
---------------------------
Loans shall be comprised of Quoted Rate Swingline Loans, the Quoted Rate.
34
<PAGE>
2.4 Repayment.
---------
(a) Revolving Loans. The principal amount of all Revolving Loans shall
---------------
be due and payable in full on the Termination Date.
(b) Swingline Loans. The principal amount of all Swingline Loans shall
---------------
be due and payable on the earlier of (A) the maturity date agreed to by the
Swingline Lender and the Borrower with respect to such Loan, or (B) the
Termination Date.
2.5 Notes.
-----
The Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans shall be evidenced by the Revolving
Notes.
2.6 Additional Provisions relating to Letters of Credit.
---------------------------------------------------
(a) Reports. The Issuing Lender will provide to the Administrative
-------
Agent at least monthly, and more frequently upon request, a detailed
summary report on its Letters of Credit and the activity thereon, in form
and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent. In addition, the
Issuing Lender will provide to the Administrative Agent for dissemination
to the Lenders and the Borrower at least quarterly, and more frequently
upon request, a detailed summary report on its Letters of Credit and the
activity thereon, including, among other things, the Credit Party for whose
account the Letter of Credit is issued, the beneficiary, the face amount,
and the expiry date. The Issuing Lender will provide (i) the proposed form
of Letter of Credit to the Borrower prior to its issuance promptly upon
request, and (ii) copies of the Letters of Credit to the Administrative
Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower promptly upon request.
(b) Participation. Each Lender, with respect to the Existing Letters of
-------------
Credit, hereby purchases a participation interest in such Existing Letters
of Credit, and with respect to Letters of Credit issued on or after the
Closing Date, upon issuance of a Letter of Credit, shall be deemed to have
purchased without recourse a risk participation from the Issuing Lender in
such Letter of Credit and the obligations arising thereunder, in each case
in an amount equal to its pro rata share of the obligations under such
Letter of Credit (based on the respective Revolving Commitment Percentages
of the Lenders) and shall absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably
assume, as primary obligor and not as surety, and be obligated to pay to
the Issuing Lender therefor and discharge when due, its pro rata share of
the obligations arising under such Letter of Credit. Without limiting the
scope and nature of each Lender's participation in any Letter of Credit, to
the extent that the Issuing Lender has not been reimbursed as required
hereunder or under any such Letter of Credit, each Lender shall pay to the
Issuing Lender its pro rata share of such unreimbursed drawing in same day
funds pursuant to the provisions of subsection (c) hereof. The obligation
of each Lender to so reimburse the Issuing Lender shall be absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by the occurrence of a Default, an
Event of Default or any
35
<PAGE>
other occurrence or event. Any such reimbursement shall not relieve or
otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing
Lender under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as hereinafter
provided.
(c) Reimbursement. In the event of any drawing under any Letter of
-------------
Credit, the Issuing Lender will promptly notify the Borrower. Unless the
Borrower shall immediately notify the Issuing Lender that the Borrower
intends to otherwise reimburse the Issuing Lender for such drawing, the
Borrower shall be deemed to have requested that the Lenders make a
Revolving Loan in the amount of the drawing as provided in subsection (d)
hereof on the related Letter of Credit, the proceeds of which will be used
to satisfy the related reimbursement obligations. The Borrower promises to
reimburse the Issuing Lender on the day of drawing under any Letter of
Credit (either with the proceeds of a Revolving Loan obtained hereunder or
otherwise) in same day funds. If the Borrower shall fail to reimburse the
Issuing Lender as provided hereinabove, the unreimbursed amount of such
drawing shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Adjusted Base
Rate plus two percent (2%). The Borrower's reimbursement obligations
hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under all circumstances
irrespective of any rights of setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment
the Borrower may claim or have against the Issuing Lender, the
Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit
drawn upon or any other Person, including without limitation any defense
based on any failure of the Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor to receive
consideration or the legality, validity, regularity or unenforceability of
the Letter of Credit. The Issuing Lender will promptly notify the other
Lenders of the amount of any unreimbursed drawing and each Lender shall
promptly pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing
Lender in Dollars and in immediately available funds, the amount of such
Lender's Revolving Commitment Percentage of such unreimbursed drawing. Such
payment shall be made on the day such notice is received by such Lender
from the Issuing Lender if such notice is received at or before 2:00 P.M.
(Dallas, Texas time) otherwise such payment shall be made at or before
12:00 Noon (Dallas, Texas time) on the Business Day next succeeding the day
such notice is received. If such Lender does not pay such amount to the
Issuing Lender in full upon such request, such Lender shall, on demand, pay
to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender interest
on the unpaid amount during the period from the date of such drawing until
such Lender pays such amount to the Issuing Lender in full at a rate per
annum equal to, if paid within two (2) Business Days of the date that such
Lender is required to make payments of such amount pursuant to the
preceding sentence, the Federal Funds Rate and thereafter at a rate equal
to the Base Rate. Each Lender's obligation to make such payment to the
Issuing Lender, and the right of the Issuing Lender to receive the same,
shall be absolute and unconditional, shall not be affected by any
circumstance whatsoever and without regard to the termination of this
Credit Agreement or the Commitments hereunder, the existence of a Default
or Event of Default or the acceleration of the obligations of the Borrower
hereunder and shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or
reduction whatsoever. Simultaneously with the making of each such payment
by a Lender to the Issuing Lender, such Lender shall, automatically and
without any further action on the part of the Issuing Lender or such
Lender,
36
<PAGE>
acquire a participation in an amount equal to such payment (excluding the
portion of such payment constituting interest owing to the Issuing Lender)
in the related unreimbursed drawing portion of the LOC Obligation and in
the interest thereon and in the related LOC Documents, and shall have a
claim against the Borrower with respect thereto.
(d) Repayment with Revolving Loans. On any day on which the Borrower
------------------------------
shall have requested, or been deemed to have requested, a Revolving Loan
advance to reimburse a drawing under a Letter of Credit, the Administrative
Agent shall give notice to the Lenders that a Revolving Loan has been
requested or deemed requested by the Borrower to be made in connection with
a drawing under a Letter of Credit, in which case a Revolving Loan advance
comprised of Base Rate Loans (or Eurodollar Loans to the extent the
Borrower has complied with the procedures of Section 2.2(a)(i) with respect
thereto) shall be immediately made to the Borrower by all Lenders
(notwithstanding any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section
9.2) pro rata based on the respective Revolving Commitment Percentages of
--- ----
the Lenders (determined before giving effect to any termination of the
Commitments pursuant to Section 9.2) and the proceeds thereof shall be paid
directly to the Issuing Lender for application to the respective LOC
Obligations. Each such Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make its pro
rata share of each such Revolving Loan advance immediately upon any such
request or deemed request in the amount, in the manner and on the date
specified in the preceding sentence notwithstanding (i) the amount of such
---------------
borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for advances of Revolving
Loans otherwise required hereunder, (ii) whether any conditions specified
in Section 5.2 are then satisfied, (iii) whether a Default or an Event of
Default then exists, (iv) failure for any such request or deemed request
for Revolving Loan to be made by the time otherwise required hereunder, (v)
whether the date of such borrowing is a date on which Revolving Loans are
otherwise permitted to be made hereunder or (vi) any termination of the
Commitments relating thereto immediately prior to or contemporaneously with
such borrowing. In the event that any Revolving Loan advance cannot for any
reason be so made on the date otherwise required above (including, without
limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the
Bankruptcy Code with respect to the Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor),
then each such Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith fund its
purchase (as of the date such borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but
adjusted for any payments received from the Borrower on or after such date
and prior to such purchase) from the Issuing Lender such Participation
Interest in the outstanding LOC Obligations as shall be necessary to cause
each such Lender to share in such LOC Obligations ratably (based upon the
respective Commitment Percentages of the Lenders (determined before giving
effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 9.2)),
provided that in the event such payment is not made when required by
--------
subsection (c), such Lender shall pay in addition to the Issuing Lender
interest on the amount of its unfunded Participation Interest at a rate
equal to, if paid within two (2) Business Days of the date of drawing, the
Federal Funds Rate, and thereafter at the Base Rate.
37
<PAGE>
(e) Designation of other Credit Parties as Account Parties.
------------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Credit
Agreement, including without limitation Section 2.2(a)(ii) hereof, a Letter
of Credit issued hereunder may contain a statement to the effect that such
Letter of Credit is issued for the account of a Crescent Guarantor,
provided that notwithstanding such statement, the Borrower shall be the
actual account party for all purposes of this Credit Agreement for such
Letter of Credit and such statement shall not affect the Borrower's
reimbursement obligations hereunder with respect to such Letter of Credit.
(f) Renewal, Extension. The renewal or extension of any Letter of
------------------
Credit shall, for purposes hereof, be treated in all respects the same as
the issuance of a new Letter of Credit hereunder.
(g) Uniform Customs and Practices. The Issuing Lender may have the
-----------------------------
Letters of Credit be subject to The Uniform Customs and Practice for
Documentary Credits (the "UCP") or the International Standby Practices 1998
(the "ISP98"), in either case as published as of the date of issue by the
International Chamber of Commerce, in which case the UCP or the ISP98, as
applicable, may be incorporated therein and deemed in all respects to be a
part thereof.
(h) Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lender's Duties.
--------------------------------------------------
(i) In addition to its other obligations under this Section 2.6,
the Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save the
Issuing Lender and the Lenders harmless from and against any and all
claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) that the Issuing
Lender or any Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence,
direct or indirect, of (A) the issuance of any Letter of Credit or (B)
the failure of the Issuing Lender to honor a drawing under a Letter of
Credit as a result of any act or omission, whether rightful or
wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or
governmental authority (all such acts or omissions, herein called
"Government Acts").
---------------
(ii) As between the Borrower on the one hand and the Issuing Lender
and the Lenders on the other hand, the Borrower shall assume all risks
of the acts, omissions or misuse of any Letter of Credit by the
beneficiary thereof. The Issuing Lender and the Lenders shall not be
responsible: (A) 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 any Letter of
Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects
invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (B) for the
validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or
purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit or the rights or
benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, that may
prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (C) for errors,
omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any
messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise,
38
<PAGE>
whether or not they be in cipher unless such errors, omissions,
interruptions or delays are the result of the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender; (D) for any loss or delay in
the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to
make a drawing under a Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof
unless such loss or delay is the result of the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender; and (E) for any consequences
arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Lender,
including, without limitation, any Government Acts. None of the above
shall affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of the Issuing Lender's
rights or powers hereunder.
(iii) In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the
specific provisions hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted
by the Issuing Lender, under or in connection with any Letter of
Credit or the related certificates, if taken or omitted in good faith,
shall not put such Issuing Lender under any resulting liability to the
Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor. It is the intention of the
parties that this Credit Agreement shall be construed and applied to
protect and indemnify the Issuing Lender and the Lenders against any
and all risks involved in the issuance of the Letters of Credit, all
of which risks are hereby assumed by the Borrower (on behalf of itself
and each of the Crescent Guarantors), including, without limitation,
any and all Government Acts. The Issuing Lender and the Lenders shall
not, in any way, be liable for any failure by the Issuing Lender or
anyone else to pay any drawing under any Letter of Credit as a result
of any Government Acts or any other cause beyond the control of the
Issuing Lender or the Lenders, as the case may be.
(iv) Nothing in this subsection (h) is intended to limit the
reimbursement obligations of the Borrower contained in subsection (d)
above. The obligations of the Borrower under this subsection (h) shall
survive the termination of this Credit Agreement. No act or omissions
of any current or prior beneficiary of a Letter of Credit shall in any
way affect or impair the rights of the Issuing Lender to enforce any
right, power or benefit under this Credit Agreement.
(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
subsection (h), the Borrower shall have no obligation to indemnify the
Issuing Lender in respect of any liability incurred by the Issuing
Lender (A) to the extent arising out of the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Issuing Lender, as determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction, or (B) caused by the Issuing Lender's failure
to pay under any Letter of Credit after presentation to it of a
request strictly complying with the terms and conditions of such
Letter of Credit, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction,
unless such payment is prohibited by any law, regulation, court order
or decree.
(i) Responsibility of Issuing Lender. It is expressly understood and
--------------------------------
agreed that the obligations of the Issuing Lender hereunder to the Lenders
are only those
39
<PAGE>
expressly set forth in this Credit Agreement and that the Issuing Lender
shall be entitled to assume that the conditions precedent set forth in
Section 5.2 have been satisfied unless it shall have acquired actual
knowledge that any such condition precedent has not been satisfied;
provided, however, that nothing set forth in this Section 2.6 shall be
deemed to prejudice the right of any Lender to recover from the Issuing
Lender any amounts made available by such Lender to the Issuing Lender
pursuant to this Section 2.6 in the event that it is determined by a court
of competent jurisdiction that the payment with respect to a Letter of
Credit constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of
the Issuing Lender.
(j) Conflict with LOC Documents. In the event of any conflict between
---------------------------
this Credit Agreement and any LOC Document (including any letter of credit
application), this Credit Agreement shall control.
2.7 Additional Provisions relating to Swingline Loans.
-------------------------------------------------
The Swingline Lender may, at any time, in its sole discretion, by written
notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, demand repayment of its Swingline Loans
by way of a Revolving Loan advance, in which case the Borrower shall be deemed
to have requested a Revolving Loan advance comprised solely of Base Rate Loans
in the amount of such Swingline Loans; provided, however, that any such demand
-------- -------
shall be deemed to have been given one Business Day prior to the Termination
Date and on the date of the occurrence of any Event of Default described in
Section 9.1 and upon acceleration of the indebtedness hereunder and the exercise
of remedies in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2. Each Lender
hereby irrevocably agrees to make its Revolving Commitment Percentage of each
such Revolving Loan advance in the amount, in the manner and on the date
specified in the preceding sentence notwithstanding (i) the amount of such
---------------
borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for advances of Revolving Loans
otherwise required hereunder, (ii) whether any conditions specified in Section
5.2 are then satisfied, (iii) whether a Default or an Event of Default then
exists, (iv) failure of any such request or deemed request for Revolving Loan to
be made by the time otherwise required hereunder, (v) whether the date of such
borrowing is a date on which Revolving Loans are otherwise permitted to be made
hereunder or (vi) any termination of the Commitments relating thereto
immediately prior to or contemporaneously with such borrowing. In the event
that any Revolving Loan advance cannot for any reason be so made on the date
otherwise required above (including, without limitation, as a result of the
commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to the
Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor), then each Lender hereby agrees that it
shall forthwith purchase (as of the date such borrowing would otherwise have
occurred, but adjusted for any payments received from the Borrower on or after
such date and prior to such purchase) from the Swingline Lender such
Participation Interests in the outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary
to cause each such Lender to share in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon
its Revolving Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Committed Amount
(determined before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant
to Section 3.4), provided that (A) all interest payable on the Swingline Loans
--------
shall be for the account of the Swingline Lender until the date as of which the
respective Participation Interest is funded and (B) at the time any purchase of
Participation Interests pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the
purchasing
40
<PAGE>
Lender shall be required to pay to the Swingline Lender, to the extent not paid
to the Swingline Lender by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section
2.4(b), interest on the principal amount of Participation Interests purchased
for each day from and including the day upon which such borrowing would
otherwise have occurred to but excluding the date of payment for such
Participation Interests, at the rate equal to the Federal Funds Rate.
SECTION 3
OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO CREDIT FACILITIES
----------------------------------------------
3.1 Default Rate.
------------
Upon the occurrence, and during the continuance, of an Event of Default,
(i) the principal of and, to the extent permitted by law, interest on the Loans
and any other amounts owing hereunder or under the other Credit Documents shall
bear interest, payable on demand, at a per annum rate 2% greater than the rate
which would otherwise be applicable (or if no rate is applicable, whether in
respect of interest, fees or other amounts, then the Adjusted Base Rate plus 2%)
----
and (ii) the Letter of Credit Fee shall accrue at a per annum rate 2% greater
than the rate which would otherwise be applicable.
3.2 Extension and Conversion.
------------------------
The Borrower shall have the option, on any Business Day, to extend existing
Loans into a subsequent permissible Interest Period or to convert Loans into
Loans of another interest rate type; provided, however, that (i) except as
-------- -------
provided in Section 3.8, Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate Loans
or extended as Eurodollar Loans for new Interest Periods only on the last day of
the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) without the consent of the Required
Lenders, Eurodollar Loans may be extended, and Base Rate Loans may be converted
into Eurodollar Loans, only if the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.2
are satisfied on the date of Continuation or Conversion, (iii) Loans extended
as, or converted into, Eurodollar Loans shall be subject to the terms of the
definition of "Interest Period" and shall be in such minimum amounts as provided
---------------
in Section 2.2(b), (iv) no more than twelve (12) borrowings of Eurodollar Loans
shall be outstanding hereunder at any time (it being understood that, for
purposes hereof, Eurodollar Loans with different Interest Periods shall be
considered as separate Eurodollar Loans, even if they begin on the same date,
although borrowings, Continuations and Conversions may, in accordance with the
provisions hereof, be combined at the end of existing Interest Periods to
constitute a new Eurodollar Loan with a single Interest Period) and (v) any
request for Continuation or Conversion of a Eurodollar Loan which shall fail to
specify an Interest Period shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest
Period of one month. Each such Continuation or Conversion shall be effected by
the Borrower by giving a Notice of Extension/Conversion (or telephonic notice
promptly confirmed in writing) to the office of the Administrative Agent
specified in Section 11.1, or at such other office as the Administrative Agent
may designate in writing, prior to 10:00 A.M. (Dallas, Texas time) on the
Business Day of, in the case of the Conversion of a Eurodollar Loan into a Base
Rate Loan, and on the third Business Day prior to, in the case of the
Continuation of a Eurodollar Loan as,
41
<PAGE>
or Conversion of a Base Rate Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan, the date of the
proposed Continuation or Conversion, specifying the date of the proposed
Continuation or Conversion, the Loans to be so extended or converted, the types
of Loans into which such Loans are to be converted and, if appropriate, the
applicable Interest Periods with respect thereto. Each request for Continuation
or Conversion shall be irrevocable and shall constitute a representation and
warranty by the Borrower of the matters specified in subsections (a) and (b) of
Section 5.2. In the event the Borrower fails to request Continuation or
Conversion of any Eurodollar Loan in accordance with this Section, or any such
Conversion or Continuation is not permitted or required by this Section, then
such Eurodollar Loan shall be automatically continued as a Eurodollar Loan with
an Interest Period of one month at the end of the Interest Period applicable
thereto. The Administrative Agent shall give each Lender notice as promptly as
practicable of any such proposed Continuation or Conversion affecting any Loan.
3.3 Prepayments.
-----------
(a) Voluntary Prepayments. The Loans may be repaid in whole or in part
---------------------
without premium or penalty; provided that (i) Eurodollar Loans may be
--------
prepaid only upon three (3) Business Days' prior written notice to the
Administrative Agent and must be accompanied by payment of any amounts
owing under Section 3.12, (ii) such notice shall be provided by 11:00 A.M.,
Dallas, Texas time on the date of such prepayment, in the case of Base Rate
Loans, or on the date three Business Days' prior to such prepayment, in the
case of Eurodollar Loans, and (iii) partial prepayments shall be minimum
principal amounts of $2,500,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in
excess thereof, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, and $500,000 and integral
multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, in the case of Base Rate Loans;
provided that in the event that an agreement providing for an "auto-borrow"
--------
and "zero-balance" or other similar arrangement shall then be in place with
the Swingline Lender, prepayments of Swingline Loans shall be in such
minimum amounts, if any, provided by such agreement.
(b) Mandatory Prepayments.
---------------------
(i) Revolving Commitments. If at any time (i) the aggregate
---------------------
principal amount of Obligations shall exceed the lesser of (A) the
Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, or (B) the Borrowing Base, (ii)
the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations shall exceed the LOC Committed
Amount, or (iii) the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans
shall exceed the Swingline Committed Amount, the Borrower shall make
payment promptly on demand on the Revolving Loans, on the Swingline
Loans and/or to a cash collateral account in respect of the LOC
Obligations, in an amount sufficient to eliminate the difference.
(ii) Asset Dispositions. To the extent that the aggregate net
------------------
proceeds received from Asset Dispositions exceed $1,000,000 during any
calendar year, the Borrower shall prepay the Obligations hereunder in
an
42
<PAGE>
amount equal to any such net proceeds in excess over $1,000,000
upon receipt thereof. Prepayments under this clause (ii) shall not
result in a commitment reduction and amounts paid on account thereof
may be reborrowed subject to the availability and the other conditions
to Extensions of Credit hereunder.
(c) Application. Unless otherwise specified, prepayments on the
-----------
Obligations shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to
Eurodollar Loans and Quoted Rate Swingline Loans in direct order of
Interest Period maturities.
3.4 Reduction and Termination of Commitments.
----------------------------------------
(a) Voluntary Reduction of Commitments. The Commitments may be
----------------------------------
terminated or permanently reduced in whole or in part upon three (3)
Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, provided
--------
that (i) after giving effect to any voluntary reduction the aggregate
amount of Obligations shall not exceed the lesser of (A) the Aggregate
Revolving Committed Amount, as reduced, or (B) the Borrowing Base, and (ii)
partial reductions shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,500,000 and
integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof. The Administrative Agent
shall promptly notify the Lenders of any such reduction.
(b) Termination of Commitments. The Commitments hereunder shall
--------------------------
terminate on the Termination Date.
3.5 Fees.
----
(a) Commitment Fee. In consideration of the Revolving Commitments
--------------
hereunder, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the
ratable benefit of the Lenders a commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee")
--------------
equal to the Applicable Percentage per annum on the average daily unused
amount of the Revolving Committed Amount for the applicable period. The
Commitment Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the 15th day
following the last day of each calendar quarter for the immediately
preceding quarter (or portion thereof) beginning with the first such date
to occur after the Closing Date and on the Termination Date. For purposes
of computation of the Commitment Fee, Swingline Loans shall not be counted
toward or considered usage under the Revolving Committed Amount.
(b) Letter of Credit Fees.
---------------------
(i) Letter of Credit Issuance Fee. In consideration of the
-----------------------------
issuance of standby Letters of Credit hereunder, the Borrower promises
to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a
fee (the "Letter of Credit Fee") on such Lender's Revolving Commitment
--------------------
Percentage of the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn
under each such standby
43
<PAGE>
Letter of Credit computed at a per annum rate for each day from the
date of issuance to the date of expiration equal to the Applicable
Percentage. The Letter of Credit Fee shall be payable quarterly in
arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and
December for the immediately preceding quarter (or a portion thereof).
(ii) Issuing Lender Fees. In addition to the Letter of Credit Fee,
-------------------
the Borrower promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account of the Issuing Lender without sharing by the other Lenders (i)
a letter of credit fronting fee of one-eighth of one percent (0.125%)
on the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn under each
Letter of Credit computed at a per annum rate for each day from the
date of issuance to the date of expiration and (ii) the customary
charges from time to time of the Issuing Lender with respect to the
issuance, amendment, transfer, administration, cancellation and
conversion of, and drawings under, such Letters of Credit.
(c) Administrative Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
-------------------
Administrative Agent, for its own account, the fees referred to in the
Administrative Agent's Fee Letter (the "Administrative Agent's Fees").
---------------------------
3.6 Capital Adequacy.
----------------
If any Lender has reasonably determined that the adoption or the becoming
effective after the date hereof of, or any change in, or any change after the
date hereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency
charged with the interpretation or administration thereof in the interpretation
or administration of, any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital
adequacy, or compliance by such Lender with any request or directive regarding
capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority,
central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the
rate of return on such Lender's (including, for purposes hereof, the parent
company of such Lender) capital or assets as a consequence of its commitments or
obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender could have
achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, change or compliance (taking into
consideration such Lender's policies with respect to capital adequacy), then,
upon notice from such Lender to the Borrower, the Borrower shall be obligated to
pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Lender for such reduction. Each determination by any such Lender of amounts
owing under this Section shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive and binding
on the parties hereto.
If the Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor is required to pay additional
amount to or for the account of any Lender pursuant to this Section 3.6, then
such Lender will agree to use reasonable efforts to change the jurisdiction of
its Applicable Lending Office so as to eliminate or reduce any such additional
payment which may thereafter accrue if such change, in the judgment of such
Lender, is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.
44
<PAGE>
3.7 Limitation on Eurodollar Loans.
------------------------------
If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar
Loan:
(a) the Administrative Agent reasonably determines (which determination
shall be conclusive) that by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant
market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the
Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period; or
(b) the Required Lenders reasonably determine (which determination
shall be conclusive) and notify the Administrative Agent that the
Eurodollar Rate will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the
Lenders of funding Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period;
then the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower prompt notice thereof, and
so long as such condition remains in effect, the Lenders shall be under no
obligation to make additional Eurodollar Loans, Continue Eurodollar Loans, or to
Convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans.
3.8 Illegality.
----------
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Credit Agreement, in the event
that it becomes unlawful for any Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) to
make, maintain, or fund Eurodollar Loans hereunder, then such Lender shall
promptly notify the Borrower thereof and such Lender's obligation to make or
Continue Eurodollar Loans and to Convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans
shall be suspended until such time as such Lender may again make, maintain, and
fund Eurodollar Loans (in which case the provisions of Section 3.10 shall be
applicable).
3.9 Requirements of Law.
-------------------
If, after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable law, rule, or
regulation, or any change in any applicable law, rule, or regulation, or any
change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental
Authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or its Applicable Lending
Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law)
of any such Governmental Authority, central bank, or comparable agency:
(i) shall subject such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) to
any tax, duty, or other charge with respect to any Eurodollar Loans, its
Notes, or its obligation to make Eurodollar Loans, or change the basis of
taxation of any amounts payable to such Lender (or its Applicable Lending
Office) under this Credit Agreement or its Notes in respect of any
Eurodollar Loans (other than taxes imposed on the overall net income of
such Lender by the jurisdiction in which such Lender has its principal
office or such Applicable Lending Office);
45
<PAGE>
(ii) shall impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve, special
deposit, assessment, or similar requirement (other than the Eurodollar
Reserve Requirement utilized in the determination of the Adjusted
Eurodollar Rate) relating to any extensions of credit or other assets of,
or any deposits with or other liabilities or commitments of, such Lender
(or its Applicable Lending Office), including the Commitment of such Lender
hereunder; or
(iii) shall impose on such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office)
or the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Credit
Agreement or its Notes or any of such extensions of credit or liabilities
or commitments;
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender
(or its Applicable Lending Office) of making, Converting into, Continuing, or
maintaining any Eurodollar Loans or to reduce any sum received or receivable by
such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) under this Credit Agreement or
its Notes with respect to any Eurodollar Loans, then the Borrower shall pay to
such Lender on demand such amount or amounts as will reasonably compensate such
Lender for such increased cost or reduction. If any Lender requests
compensation by the Borrower under this Section 3.9, the Borrower may, by notice
to such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), suspend the obligation
of such Lender to make or Continue Eurodollar Loans, or to Convert Base Rate
Loans into Eurodollar Loans, until the event or condition giving rise to such
request ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 3.10
shall be applicable); provided that such suspension shall not affect the right
--------
of such Lender to receive the compensation so requested. Each Lender shall
promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any event of which
it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle such
Lender to compensation pursuant to this Section 3.9 and will designate a
different Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for,
or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the judgment of such
Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to it. Any Lender claiming compensation
under this Section 3.9 shall furnish to the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent a statement setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to
it hereunder which shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In
determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and
attribution methods.
3.10 Treatment of Affected Loans.
---------------------------
If the obligation of any Lender to make any Eurodollar Loan or to Continue,
or to Convert Base Rate Loans into, Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended pursuant
to Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof, such Lender's Eurodollar Loans shall be
automatically Converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day(s) of the then
current Interest Period(s) for such Eurodollar Loans (or, in the case of a
Conversion required by Section 3.8 hereof, on such earlier date as such Lender
may specify to the Borrower with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and, unless
and until such Lender gives notice as provided below that the circumstances
specified in Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof that gave rise to such Conversion no
longer exist:
46
<PAGE>
(a) to the extent that such Lender's Eurodollar Loans have been so
Converted, all payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise
be applied to such Lender's Eurodollar Loans shall be applied instead to
its Base Rate Loans; and
(b) all Loans that would otherwise be made or Continued by such Lender
as Eurodollar Loans shall be made or Continued instead as Base Rate Loans,
and all Base Rate Loans of such Lender that would otherwise be Converted
into Eurodollar Loans shall remain as Base Rate Loans.
If such Lender gives notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent) that the circumstances specified in Section 3.8 or 3.9 hereof that gave
rise to the Conversion of such Lender's Eurodollar Loans pursuant to this
Section 3.10 no longer exist (which such Lender agrees to do promptly upon such
circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when Eurodollar Loans made by other
Lenders are outstanding, such Lender's Base Rate Loans shall be automatically
Converted, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for
such outstanding Eurodollar Loans, to the extent necessary so that, after giving
effect thereto, all Loans held by the Lenders holding Eurodollar Loans and by
such Lender are held pro rata (as to principal amounts, interest rate basis, and
Interest Periods) in accordance with their respective Commitments.
3.11 Taxes.
-----
(a) Any and all payments by the Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor to
or for the account of any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or
under any other Credit Document shall be made free and clear of and without
deduction for any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts,
deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect
thereto, excluding, in the case of each Lender and the Administrative
Agent, taxes imposed on its income, and franchise taxes imposed on it, by
the United States or any political subdivision thereof or in each case any
taxing authority thereof or therein or otherwise by the jurisdiction under
the laws of which such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) or the
Administrative Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any political
subdivision thereof or in each case any taxing authority thereof or therein
(all such non-excluded taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, charges,
withholdings, and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If
the Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor shall be required by law to deduct
or withhold any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable under this
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document to any Lender or the
Administrative Agent, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary
so that after making all required deductions and withholdings (including
deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under
this Section 3.11) such Lender or the Administrative Agent receives an
amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been
made, (ii) such Credit Party shall make such deductions and withholdings,
(iii) such Credit Party shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to
the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with
applicable law, and (iv) such Credit Party shall furnish to the
Administrative Agent, at its address referred
47
<PAGE>
to in Section 11.1, the original or a certified copy of a receipt
evidencing payment thereof.
(b) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or
future stamp or documentary taxes and any other excise or property taxes or
charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made under this
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or from the execution or
delivery of, or otherwise with respect to, this Credit Agreement or any
other Credit Document (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").
-----------
(c) The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender and the Administrative
Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes (including, without
limitation, any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted by any
jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 3.11) paid by such
Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) and any liability
(including penalties, interest, and expenses) arising therefrom or with
respect thereto.
(d) Each Lender that is not a United States person under Section
7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code, on or prior to the date of its
execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement in the case of each Lender
listed on the signature pages hereof and on or prior to the date on which
it becomes a Lender in the case of each other Lender, and from time to time
thereafter if requested in writing by the Borrower or the Administrative
Agent (but only so long as such Lender remains lawfully able to do so),
shall provide the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with (i) Internal
Revenue Service Form W-8 BEN or W-8 ECI, as appropriate, or any successor
form prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, certifying that such
Lender is entitled to benefits under an income tax treaty to which the
United States is a party which reduces to zero the rate of withholding tax
on payments of interest or certifying that the income receivable pursuant
to this Credit Agreement is effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business in the United States, (ii) Internal Revenue Service Form
W-8 or W-9, as appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the
Internal Revenue Service, and/or (iii) any other form or certificate
required by any taxing authority (including any certificate required by
Sections 871(h) and 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code), certifying that
such Lender is entitled to an exemption from tax on payments pursuant to
this Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.
(e) For any period with respect to which a Lender has failed to provide
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the appropriate form
pursuant to Section 3.11(d) (unless such failure is due to a change in
treaty, law, or regulation occurring subsequent to the date on which a form
originally was required to be provided), such Lender shall not be entitled
to indemnification under Section 3.11(a) or 3.11(b) with respect to Taxes
imposed by the United States; provided, however, that should a Lender,
-------- -------
which is otherwise exempt from or subject to a reduced rate of withholding
tax, become subject to Taxes because of its failure to
48
<PAGE>
deliver a form required hereunder, the Borrower shall take such steps as
such Lender shall reasonably request to assist such Lender to recover such
Taxes.
(f) If the Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor is required to pay
additional amounts to or for the account of any Lender pursuant to this
Section 3.11, then such Lender will agree to use reasonable efforts to
change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office so as to eliminate
or reduce any such additional payment which may thereafter accrue if such
change, in the judgment of such Lender, is not otherwise disadvantageous to
such Lender.
(g) Within thirty (30) days after the date of any payment of Taxes, the
applicable Credit Party shall furnish to the Administrative Agent the
original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing such payment.
(h) If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall become aware that
is entitled to a refund in respect of Taxes for which it has been
indemnified by a Credit Party pursuant to this Section, the Administrative
Agent or such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower of the availability
of such refund and shall apply for such refund at the Borrower's sole cost
and expense. If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive a
refund in respect of any such Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by
a Credit Party pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent or such
Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower of such refund and shall, within
30 days of receipt, pay such refund (to the extent of amounts that have
been paid by a Credit Party under this Section with respect to such refund
and not previously reimbursed) to the Borrower, net of all reasonable out-
of-pocket expenses of such Lender or the Administrative Agent and without
interest (other than the interest, if any, included in such refund).
(i) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Borrower or the Crescent Guarantors hereunder, the agreements and
obligations of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors contained in this
Section 3.11 shall survive the repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and
other obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination of the
Commitments hereunder.
3.12 Compensation.
------------
Upon the request of any Lender, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such
amount or amounts as shall be sufficient (in the reasonable opinion of such
Lender) to compensate it for any loss, cost, or expense incurred by it as a
result of:
(a) any payment, prepayment, or Conversion of a Eurodollar Loan for any
reason (including, without limitation, the acceleration of the Loans
pursuant to Section 9.2) on a date other than the last day of the Interest
Period for such Loan; or
(b) any failure by the Borrower for any reason (including, without
limitation, the failure of any condition precedent specified in Section 5
to be satisfied)
49
<PAGE>
to borrow, Convert, Continue, or prepay a Eurodollar Loan on the date for
such borrowing, Conversion, Continuation, or prepayment specified in the
relevant notice of borrowing, prepayment, Continuation, or Conversion under
this Credit Agreement.
With respect to Eurodollar Loans, such indemnification may include an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the amount of interest which would have
accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, Converted or Continued,
for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow,
Convert or Continue to the last day of the applicable Interest Period (or, in
the case of a failure to borrow, Convert or Continue, the Interest Period that
would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable
rate of interest for such Eurodollar Loans provided for herein (excluding,
however, the Applicable Percentage included therein, if any) over (b) the amount
of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) which would have accrued
to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable
period with leading banks in the interbank Eurodollar market. The covenants of
the Borrower set forth in this Section 3.12 shall survive the repayment of the
Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under the Credit Documents and the
termination of the Commitments hereunder.
3.13 Pro Rata Treatment.
------------------
Except to the extent otherwise provided herein:
(a) Loans. Each Revolving Loan advance, each payment or prepayment of
-----
principal of any Revolving Loan (other than Swingline Loans) or
reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit,
each payment of interest on the Revolving Loans or reimbursement
obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit, each payment of
Commitment Fees, each payment of the Letter of Credit Fee, each reduction
of the Revolving Committed Amount and each conversion or extension of any
Revolving Loan (other than Swingline Loans) shall be allocated pro rata
among the Lenders in accordance with the respective Revolving Commitment
Percentages.
(b) Advances. No Lender shall be responsible for the failure or delay
--------
by any other Lender in its obligation to make its ratable share of a
borrowing hereunder; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender to
-------- -------
fulfill its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its
obligations hereunder. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been
notified by any Lender prior to the date of any requested borrowing that
such Lender does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent
its ratable share of such borrowing to be made on such date, the
Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount
available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such borrowing, and the
Administrative Agent in reliance upon such assumption, may (in its sole
discretion but without any obligation to do so) make available to the
Borrower a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact
made available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall
be able to recover such corresponding amount from such Lender. If such
Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the
50
<PAGE>
Administrative Agent's demand therefor, the Administrative Agent will
promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall immediately pay such
corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent
shall also be entitled to recover from the Lender or the Borrower, as the
case may be, interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day
from the date such corresponding amount was made available by the
Administrative Agent to the Borrower to the date such corresponding amount
is recovered by the Administrative Agent at a per annum rate equal to (i)
from the Borrower at the applicable rate for the applicable borrowing
pursuant to the Notice of Borrowing and (ii) from a Lender, if paid within
two (2) Business Days of the date such amount was made available by the
Administrative Agent to the Borrower, the Federal Funds Rate and thereafter
at a rate equal to the Base Rate
3.14 Sharing of Payments.
-------------------
The Lenders agree among themselves that, in the event that any Lender shall
obtain payment in respect of any Loan, LOC Obligations or any other obligation
owing to such Lender under this Credit Agreement through the exercise of a right
of setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim, or pursuant to a secured claim under
Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest
arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such Lender under
any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by
any other means, in excess of its pro rata share of such payment as provided for
in this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall promptly purchase from the other
Lenders a Participation Interest in such Loans, LOC Obligations and other
obligations in such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time to time,
as shall be equitable to the end that all Lenders share such payment in
accordance with their respective ratable shares as provided for in this Credit
Agreement. The Lenders further agree among themselves that if payment to a
Lender obtained by such Lender through the exercise of a right of setoff,
banker's lien, counterclaim or other event as aforesaid shall be rescinded or
must otherwise be restored, each Lender which shall have shared the benefit of
such payment shall, by repurchase of a Participation Interest theretofore sold,
return its share of that benefit (together with its share of any accrued
interest payable with respect thereto) to each Lender whose payment shall have
been rescinded or otherwise restored. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so
purchasing such a Participation Interest may, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, exercise all rights of payment, including setoff, banker's lien or
counterclaim, with respect to such Participation Interest as fully as if such
Lender were a holder of such Loan, LOC Obligations or other obligation in the
amount of such Participation Interest. Except as otherwise expressly provided
in this Credit Agreement, if any Lender or the Administrative Agent shall fail
to remit to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender an amount payable by
such Lender or the Administrative Agent to the Administrative Agent or such
other Lender pursuant to this Credit Agreement on the date when such amount is
due, such payments shall be made together with interest thereon for each date
from the date such amount is due until the date such amount is paid to the
Administrative Agent or such other Lender at a rate per annum equal to the
Federal Funds Rate. If under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other
similar law, any Lender receives a secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which
this Section 3.14 applies, such Lender shall, to the extent practicable,
exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent with
the rights of the Lenders under this Section 3.14 to share in the benefits of
any recovery on such secured claim.
51
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3.15 Certain Limitations.
-------------------
The provisions of Sections 3.6, 3.9, 3.10 and 3.11 shall be subject to the
following:
(a) Each Lender that desires compensation or indemnification under
Sections 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11 shall notify the Borrower through the
Administrative Agent of any event occurring after the Closing Date
entitling such Lender to compensation or indemnification under any of such
Sections as promptly as practicable, but in any event within 90 days after
the occurrence of the event giving rise thereto; provided that (i) if any
--------
such Lender fails to give such notice within 90 days after the occurrence
of such an event, such Lender shall only be entitled to compensation or
indemnification in respect of such event accruing under Sections 3.6, 3.9
or 3.11 with respect to the period from and after the date 90 days prior to
the date that such Lender does give notice.
(b) Any notice given by a Lender pursuant to subsection (a) above shall
certify (i) that one of the events described in Sections 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11
has occurred, describing in reasonable detail the nature of such event,
(ii) as to the increased cost, reduced amount receivable or loss or expense
resulting from such event and (iii) as to the additional amount demanded by
such Lender, attaching a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation
thereof. Such a certificate as to any compensation or indemnification
payable pursuant to Sections 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11, submitted by such Lender
through the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, shall be conclusive and
binding on the parties hereto in the absence of manifest error.
(c) If any Lender requests compensation or indemnification from the
Borrower under Sections 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11, the Borrower may, at its option,
within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Borrower of written demand
from the affected Lender for payment of such compensation or
indemnification, notify the Administrative Agent and such affected Lender
of its intention to replace the affected Lender. So long as no Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower may obtain, at
the Borrower's expense, a replacement Lender for the affected Lender. If
the Borrower obtains a replacement Lender within ninety (90) days following
notice of its intention to do so, the affected Lender must sell and assign
its loans and obligations and any Commitments to such replacement Lender
pursuant to Section 11.3(b) (without giving effect to any requirement
therein that the Administrative Agent consent thereto), for an amount equal
to the principal balance of all Revolving Loans held by the affected Lender
and all accrued interest and Fees with respect thereto through the date of
such sale, provided that the Borrower shall have paid to such affected
--------
Lender the compensation or indemnification that it is entitled to receive
under Sections 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11, through the date of such sale and
assignment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall not have the
right to obtain a replacement Lender if the affected Lender rescinds its
demand for such compensation or indemnification
52
<PAGE>
within fifteen (15) days following its receipt of the Borrower's notice of
intention to replace such affected Lender. Additionally, if the Borrower
gives a notice to the Administrative Agent and an affected Lender of its
intention to replace such affected Lender and does not so replace such
affected Lender within ninety (90) days thereafter, the Borrower's rights
under this Section 3.15(c) shall terminate and the Borrower shall promptly
pay all compensation or indemnification demanded by such affected Lender
pursuant to Sections 3.6, 3.9 or 3.11.
3.16 Payments, Computations, Etc.
---------------------------
(a) Generally. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all
---------
payments hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent in Dollars in
immediately available funds, without setoff, deduction, counterclaim or
withholding of any kind, at the Administrative Agent's office specified in
Section 11.1 not later than 2:00 P.M. (Dallas, Texas time) on the date when
due; provided that no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have
occurred in connection with payments made on the due date but received
after such cut-off time, even though credited for receipt on the following
Business Day. Payments received after such time shall be deemed to have
been received on the next succeeding Business Day. The Administrative Agent
may (but shall not be obligated to) debit the amount of any such payment
which is not made by such time to any ordinary deposit account of the
Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor maintained with the Administrative Agent
(with notice to the Borrower or such Crescent Guarantor). The Borrower
shall, at the time it makes any payment under this Credit Agreement,
specify to the Administrative Agent the Loans, LOC Obligations, Fees,
interest or other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder to which such
payment is to be applied (and in the event that it fails so to specify, or
if such application would be inconsistent with the terms hereof, the
Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Lenders in such
manner as the Administrative Agent may determine to be appropriate in
respect of obligations owing by the Borrower hereunder, subject to the
terms of Section 3.13(a)). The Administrative Agent will distribute such
payments to such Lenders, if any such payment is received prior to 2:00
P.M. (Dallas, Texas time) on a Business Day in like funds as received prior
to the end of such Business Day and otherwise the Administrative Agent will
distribute such payment to such Lenders on the next succeeding Business
Day. Whenever any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day
which is not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the
next succeeding Business Day (subject to accrual of interest and Fees for
the period of such extension), except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans,
if the extension would cause the payment to be made in the next following
calendar month, then such payment shall instead be made on the next
preceding Business Day. Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, all
computations of interest and fees shall be made on the basis of actual
number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days, except with respect to
computation of interest on Base Rate Loans which shall be calculated based
on a year of 365 or 366 days, as appropriate. Interest shall accrue from
and include the date of borrowing, but exclude the date of payment.
53
<PAGE>
(b) Allocation of Payments After Event of Default. Notwithstanding any
---------------------------------------------
other provisions of this Credit Agreement to the contrary, after the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts
collected or received on or in respect of the Loans and obligations owing
hereunder and under the other Credit Documents (or other amounts owing
under the Credit Documents in connection therewith) shall be paid over or
delivered as follows:
FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees) of
the collateral agent actually incurred in connection with the execution
of its duties as collateral agent in exercising or attempting to
exercise rights and remedies in respect of the collateral and all
protective advances made with respect thereto;
SECOND, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees) of
the Administrative Agent actually incurred in connection with enforcing
the rights and remedies of the Lenders under the Credit Documents and
any protective advances made with respect thereto;
THIRD, to payment of any fees owed to the Administrative Agent;
FOURTH, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses (including without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees) of
each of the Lenders hereunder actually incurred in connection with
enforcing its rights under the Credit Documents or otherwise with
respect to the Obligations owing to such Lender;
FIFTH, to the payment of all accrued interest and fees on or in
respect of the Obligations;
SIXTH, to the payment of the outstanding principal amount of the
Obligations hereunder (including the payment or cash collateralization
of the outstanding LOC Obligations);
SEVENTH, to all other obligations hereunder and other obligations
which shall have become due and payable under the Credit Documents
otherwise and not repaid pursuant to clauses "FIRST" through "SIXTH"
above; and
EIGHTH, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to whoever may be
lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.
In carrying out the foregoing, (i) amounts received shall be applied in the
numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to the next
succeeding category; and (ii) except as otherwise provided, the Lenders
shall receive amounts ratably in accordance with their respective pro rata
share (based on the proportion that the then outstanding Obligations held
by such Lenders bears to the aggregate amount of Obligations then
54
<PAGE>
outstanding) of amounts available to be applied pursuant to clauses
"FOURTH", "FIFTH", "SIXTH" and "SEVENTH" above; and (iii) to the extent
that any amounts available for distribution pursuant to clause "SIXTH"
above are attributable to the issued but undrawn amount of outstanding
Letters of Credit, such amounts shall be held by the Administrative Agent
in a cash collateral account and applied (A) first, to reimburse the
Issuing Lender for any drawings under such Letters of Credit and (B) then,
following the expiration of all Letters of Credit, to all other obligations
of the types described in clauses "FIFTH" and "SIXTH" above in the manner
provided in this Section 3.16(b).
3.17 Evidence of Debt.
----------------
(a) Each Lender shall maintain an account or accounts evidencing each
Loan made by such Lender to the Borrower from time to time, including the
amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time
to time under this Credit Agreement. Each Lender will make reasonable
efforts to maintain the accuracy of its account or accounts and to promptly
update its account or accounts from time to time, as necessary.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to
Section 11.3(c), and a subaccount for each Lender, in which Register and
subaccounts (taken together) shall be recorded (i) the amount, type and
Interest Period of each such Loan hereunder, (ii) the amount of any
principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable to each
Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the
Administrative Agent hereunder from or for the account of the Borrower or
any Crescent Guarantor and each Lender's share thereof. The Administrative
Agent will make reasonable efforts to maintain the accuracy of the
subaccounts referred to in the preceding sentence and to promptly update
such subaccounts from time to time, as necessary.
(c) The entries made in the accounts, Register and subaccounts
maintained pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 3.17 (and, if
consistent with the entries of the Administrative Agent, subsection (a))
shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the
obligations of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors therein recorded
absent manifest error; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender or
-------- -------
the Administrative Agent to maintain any such account, such Register or
such subaccount, as applicable, or any error therein, shall not in any
manner affect the obligation of the Borrower or the Crescent Guarantors to
repay the Loans and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit
Documents to such Lender.
SECTION 4
GUARANTY
--------
55
<PAGE>
4.1 The Guaranty.
------------
Each of the Crescent Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees to
each Lender, each affiliate of a Lender that enters into a Hedging Agreement,
and the Administrative Agent as hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not
as surety, the prompt payment of the Guaranteed Obligations in full when due
(whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a
mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the
terms thereof. The Crescent Guarantors hereby further agree that if any of the
Guaranteed Obligations are not paid in full when due (whether at stated
maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash
collateralization or otherwise), the Crescent Guarantors will, jointly and
severally, promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and
that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the
Guaranteed Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether
at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory
cash collateralization or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such
extension or renewal.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any
other of the Credit Documents or Hedging Agreements, the obligations of each
Crescent Guarantor under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents
shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would
not render such obligations subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the
Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.
4.2 Obligations Unconditional.
-------------------------
The obligations of the Crescent Guarantors under Section 4.1 are joint and
several, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness,
validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Credit Documents or Hedging
Agreements, or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or any
substitution, release, impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or
security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever
which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a
surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.2 that the
obligations of the Crescent Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute and
unconditional under any and all circumstances. Each Crescent Guarantor agrees
that such Crescent Guarantor shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity,
reimbursement or contribution against the Borrower or any other Guarantor for
amounts paid under this Section 4 until such time as the Lenders (and any
affiliates of Lenders entering into Hedging Agreements) have been paid in full
in respect of all Guaranteed Obligations, all Commitments under this Credit
Agreement have been terminated and no Person or Governmental Authority shall
have any right to request any return or reimbursement of funds from the Lenders
in connection with monies received under the Credit Documents or Hedging
Agreements between any member of the Consolidated Group and any Lender, or any
affiliate of a Lender. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is
agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the occurrence of any one
or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of any
Guarantor hereunder which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described
above:
56
<PAGE>
(a) at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Crescent
Guarantor, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the
Guaranteed Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance
shall be waived;
(b) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any of the
Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any member of the
Consolidated Group and any Lender, or any affiliate of a Lender, or any
other agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such
Hedging Agreements shall be done or omitted;
(c) the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be
accelerated, or any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be modified,
supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the
Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any member of the
Consolidated Group and any Lender, or any affiliate of a Lender, or any
other agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such
Hedging Agreements shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the
Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall be released, impaired
or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;
(d) any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or
any Lender or Lenders as security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations
shall fail to attach or be perfected; or
(e) any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be determined to be void or
voidable (including, without limitation, for the benefit of any creditor of
any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person
(including, without limitation, any creditor of any Crescent Guarantor).
With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Crescent Guarantor hereby
expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all
notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any
Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under
any of the Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between any member of the
Consolidated Group and any Lender, or any affiliate of a Lender, or any other
agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such Hedging
Agreements, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or
security for, any of the Guaranteed Obligations.
4.3 Reinstatement.
-------------
The obligations of the Crescent Guarantors under this Section 4 shall be
automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by
or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded
or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Guaranteed
Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or
reorganization or otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify
the Administrative Agent and each Lender on demand for all reasonable costs and
expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel) actually incurred by the
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<PAGE>
Administrative Agent or such Lender in connection with such rescission or
restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against
any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent
transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.
4.4 Certain Additional Waivers.
--------------------------
Each Crescent Guarantor agrees that such Crescent Guarantor shall have no
right of recourse to security for the Guaranteed Obligations, except through the
exercise of rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 4.2 and through the
exercise of rights of contribution pursuant to Section 4.6.
4.5 Remedies.
--------
The Crescent Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
as between the Crescent Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, the Guaranteed Obligations may be
declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in Section 9.2 (and shall
be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances
provided in said Section 9.2) for purposes of Section 4.1 notwithstanding any
stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing
the Guaranteed Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as
against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the
Guaranteed Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and
payable), the Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any
other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Crescent Guarantors
for purposes of Section 4.1. The Crescent Guarantors acknowledge and agree that
their obligations hereunder are secured in accordance with the terms of the
Security Agreements and the other Collateral Documents and that the Lenders may
exercise their remedies thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof.
4.6 Rights of Contribution.
----------------------
The Crescent Guarantors hereby agree as among themselves that, if any
Crescent Guarantor shall make an Excess Payment (as defined below), such
Crescent Guarantor shall have a right of contribution from each other Crescent
Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Crescent Guarantor's Contribution
Share (as defined below) of such Excess Payment. The payment obligations of any
Crescent Guarantor under this Section 4.6 shall be subordinate and subject in
right of payment to the prior payment in full to the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders of the Guaranteed Obligations, and none of the Crescent Guarantors
shall exercise any right or remedy under this Section 4.6 against any other
Crescent Guarantor until payment and satisfaction in full of all of such
Guaranteed Obligations. For purposes of this Section 4.6, (a) "Guaranteed
----------
Obligations" shall mean any obligations arising under the other provisions of
- -----------
this Section 4; (b) "Excess Payment" shall mean the amount paid by any Crescent
--------------
Guarantor in excess of its Pro Rata Share of any Guaranteed Obligations; (c)
"Pro Rata Share" shall mean, for any Crescent Guarantor in respect of any
- ---------------
payment of Guaranteed Obligations, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) as of
the date of such payment of Guaranteed Obligations of (i) the amount by which
the aggregate present fair saleable value of all of its assets and properties
58
<PAGE>
exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of such Guarantor (including
contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding
the obligations of such Crescent Guarantor hereunder) to (ii) the amount by
which the aggregate present fair salable value of all assets and other
properties of the Borrower and all of the Crescent Guarantors exceeds the amount
of all of the debts and liabilities (including contingent, subordinated,
unmatured, and unliquidated liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the
Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors hereunder) of the Borrower and the Crescent
Guarantors; provided, however, that, for purposes of calculating the Pro Rata
-------- -------
Shares of the Crescent Guarantors in respect of any payment of Guaranteed
Obligations, any Crescent Guarantor that became a Crescent Guarantor subsequent
to the date of any such payment shall be deemed to have been a Crescent
Guarantor on the date of such payment and the financial information for such
Crescent Guarantor as of the date such Crescent Guarantor became a Crescent
Guarantor shall be utilized for such Crescent Guarantor in connection with such
payment; and (d) "Contribution Share" shall mean, for any Crescent Guarantor in
------------------
respect of any Excess Payment made by any other Crescent Guarantor, the ratio
(expressed as a percentage) as of the date of such Excess Payment of (i) the
amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all of its assets
and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of such Crescent
Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated
liabilities, but excluding the obligations of such Crescent Guarantor hereunder)
to (ii) the amount by which the aggregate present fair salable value of all
assets and other properties of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors other
than the maker of such Excess Payment exceeds the amount of all of the debts and
liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated
liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Borrower and the Crescent
Guarantors) of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors other than the maker of
such Excess Payment; provided, however, that, for purposes of calculating the
-------- -------
Contribution Shares of the Crescent Guarantors in respect of any Excess Payment,
any Crescent Guarantor that became a Crescent Guarantor subsequent to the date
of any such Excess Payment shall be deemed to have been a Crescent Guarantor on
the date of such Excess Payment and the financial information for such Crescent
Guarantor as of the date such Crescent Guarantor became a Crescent Guarantor
shall be utilized for such Crescent Guarantor in connection with such Excess
Payment. This Section 4.6 shall not be deemed to affect any right of
subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution that any Crescent
Guarantor may have under applicable law against the Borrower in respect of any
payment of Guaranteed Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all rights of
contribution against any Guarantor shall terminate from and after such time, if
ever, that such Crescent Guarantor shall be relieved of its obligations pursuant
to Section 8.4.
4.7 Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee.
------------------------------------------
The guarantee in this Section 4 is a guaranty of payment and not of
collection, is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all Guaranteed
Obligations whenever arising.
59
<PAGE>
SECTION 5
CONDITIONS
----------
5.1 Closing Conditions.
------------------
The obligation of the Lenders to enter into this Credit Agreement and to
make the initial Extensions of Credit shall be subject to satisfaction of the
following conditions (in form and substance acceptable to the Lenders):
(a) Executed Credit Documents. Receipt by the Administrative Agent
-------------------------
of: (i) multiple counterparts of this Credit Agreement, (ii) a Revolving
Note for each Lender and (iii) multiple counterparts of the Friedman's
Guaranty and the Collateral Documents, in each case executed by a duly
authorized officer of each party thereto and in each case conforming to the
requirements of this Credit Agreement.
(b) Legal Opinions. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of multiple
--------------
counterparts of opinions of counsel for the Credit Parties relating to the
Credit Documents and the transactions contemplated therein, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and
including, among other things, opinions regarding enforceability of the
Credit Documents and the perfection of the security interests created
thereby.
(c) Financial Information. Receipt by the Lenders of such financial
---------------------
information regarding the members of the Combined Group as may be requested
by, and in each case in form and substance satisfactory to, the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
(d) Personal Property Collateral. Receipt by the Administrative Agent
----------------------------
of the following:
(i) UCC Financing Statements. Duly executed UCC financing
------------------------
statements for each jurisdiction as is necessary or appropriate, in
the Administrative Agent's discretion, to perfect the security
interests in the Collateral.
(ii) Certificated Interests. Original certificates evidencing
----------------------
the Capital Stock which is the subject of the Pledge Agreement
(including 100% of the Capital Stock of the Borrower) and the
Friedman's Pledge Agreement, together with undated stock transfer
powers executed in blank.
(iii) Intellectual Property. Such patent, trademark and
---------------------
copyright notices and filings as necessary or appropriate, in the
Administrative Agent's discretion, to perfect the security interests
in Intellectual Property.
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(e) Evidence of Insurance. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of
---------------------
insurance certificates or policies evidencing casualty insurance (including
all-risk permanent policies) and liability conforming to the requirements
of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, showing the
Administrative Agent as sole loss payee with respect to the flood hazard
and casualty insurance and as additional insured with respect to liability
insurance, in each case together with evidence of payment of premiums
thereon.
(f) Absence of Legal Proceedings. There shall not exist any action,
----------------------------
suit, investigation or proceeding pending in any court or before any
arbitrator or Governmental Authority which could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Corporate Documents. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of the
-------------------
following (or their equivalent) for each of the Credit Parties:
(i) Charter Documents. Copies of the articles or certificates
-----------------
of incorporation or other charter documents of such Credit Party
certified to be true and complete as of a recent date by the
appropriate Governmental Authority of the state or other jurisdiction
of its incorporation and certified by a secretary or assistant
secretary of such Credit Party to be true and correct as of the
Closing Date.
(ii) Bylaws. A copy of the bylaws, operating agreement or
------
equivalent of such Credit Party certified by a secretary or assistant
secretary of such Credit Party to be true and correct and in force and
effect as of the Closing Date.
(iii) Resolutions. Copies of resolutions of the board of
-----------
directors of such Credit Party approving and adopting the Credit
Documents to which it is a party, the transactions contemplated
therein and authorizing execution and delivery thereof, certified by a
secretary or assistant secretary of such Credit Party to be true and
correct and in force and effect as of the Closing Date.
(iv) Good Standing. Certificates of good standing, existence or
-------------
its equivalent certified as of a recent date by the appropriate
governmental authorities of the state of incorporation and each other
state in which the failure to so qualify and be in good standing would
be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the business
or operations in such state.
(v) Officer's Certificate. An officer's certificate dated as
---------------------
of the Closing Date substantially in the form of Schedule 5.1(g)(v)
------------------
with appropriate insertions and attachments.
(h) Priority of Liens. The Administrative Agent shall have received
-----------------
satisfactory evidence that (i) the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the
Lenders,
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<PAGE>
holds a perfected, first priority Lien on all Collateral (subject only to
Permitted Liens) and (ii) none of the Collateral is subject to any other
Liens other than Permitted Liens.
(i) Officer's Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have
----------------------
received a certificate or certificates executed by an Executive Officer of
the Borrower as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent, stating that (A) the Borrower and each Crescent
Guarantor is in compliance with all existing financial obligations, (B) all
governmental, shareholder and third party consents and approvals, if any,
necessary with respect to the Credit Documents and the transactions
contemplated thereby have been obtained, (C) no action, suit, investigation
or proceeding is pending or to such Executive Officer's knowledge
threatened in any court or before any arbitrator or governmental
instrumentality that purports to affect the Borrower or any Crescent
Guarantor or any transaction contemplated by the Credit Documents, if such
action, suit, investigation or proceeding could have a Material Adverse
Effect, and (D) immediately after giving effect to the initial Loans made
and Letters of Credit issued on the Closing Date, (i) no Default or Event
of Default exists, (ii) all representations and warranties contained herein
and in the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all material
respects and (iii) the Credit Parties are in pro forma compliance with each
of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 (assuming for purposes
hereof that such financial covenants were measured as of, and for the 12-
month period ending on, the most recent fiscal month's end and attaching
detailed calculations demonstrating such pro forma compliance). The
Administrative Agent shall have received a similar certificate executed by
an Executive Officer of Friedman's.
(j) Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have
--------------------
received a certificate executed by an Executive Officer of the Borrower as
of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, regarding the financial condition, solvency and
related matters of the Borrower and each of the Crescent Guarantors. The
Administrative Agent shall have received a similar certificate executed by
an Executive Officer of Friedman's
(k) Borrowing Base Certificate. Receipt by the Administrative Agent
--------------------------
of a Borrowing Base Certificate dated as of the most recent week-end
available, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
and certified by the chief financial officer of the Borrower to be true and
correct as of the date thereof.
(l) Friedman's Credit Facility. Receipt by the Administrative Agent
--------------------------
of confirmation of establishment of the $75 million revolving credit
facility pursuant to the Friedman's Credit Agreement.
(m) Corporate Structure. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of the
-------------------
corporate capital and ownership structure of the members of the
Consolidated Group.
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(n) Field Audit. Completion of a field audit by representatives of
-----------
the Administrative Agent of the accounts receivable, inventory, accounts
payable, and accounting controls and systems of the members of the Crescent
Consolidated Group with results and findings acceptable to the
Administrative Agent.
(o) Fees and Expenses. Payment by the Borrower and the Crescent
-----------------
Guarantors of all fees and expenses owed by them to the Lenders and the
Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, payment to the
Administrative Agent of the fees set forth in the Administrative Agent's
Fee Letter and payment of any fees to the Documentation Agent.
5.2 Conditions to all Extensions of Credit.
--------------------------------------
The obligation of each Lender to make any Loan or of the Issuing Lender to
issue any Letter of Credit hereunder (including the initial Extension of Credit
to be made hereunder) is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions
precedent on the date of making such Extension of Credit:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
------------------------------
warranties made by the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors herein and in
the other Credit Documents or which are contained in any certificate
furnished at any time under or in connection herewith shall be true and
correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Extension of
Credit as if made on and as of such date (except for those which expressly
relate to an earlier date and except for changes expressly permitted
therein or as expressly contemplated herein).
(b) No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default
------------------------------
shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect
to the Extension of Credit to be made on such date unless such Default or
Event of Default shall have been waived in accordance with this Credit
Agreement.
(c) Friedman's Credit Agreement. Extensions of Credit are then
---------------------------
available under the Friedman's Credit Agreement (that is, upon submission
of appropriate notices and requests).
(d) Additional Conditions to Revolving Loans. If a Revolving Loan is
----------------------------------------
requested pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2, all conditions set forth in
Section 2 shall have been satisfied.
(e) Additional Conditions to Letters of Credit. If the issuance of a
------------------------------------------
Letter of Credit is requested pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2, all
conditions set forth in Section 2 shall have been satisfied.
(f) Additional Conditions to Swingline Loans. If a Swingline Loan is
----------------------------------------
requested pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2, all conditions set forth in
Section 2 shall have been satisfied.
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Each request for an Extension of Credit (including Continuations and
Conversions) and each acceptance by the Borrower of an Extension of Credit
(including Continuations and Conversions) shall be deemed to constitute a
representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the date of such Extension of
Credit that the applicable conditions in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c), and in
(d), (e) or (f) of this subsection have been satisfied.
SECTION 6
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
------------------------------
To induce the Lenders to enter into this Credit Agreement and to make the
Extensions of Credit hereunder, each of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors
hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and to each Lender
that:
6.1 Financial Condition.
-------------------
Each of the financial statements described below (copies of which have
heretofore been provided to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the
Lenders) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied
throughout the periods covered thereby, are complete and correct in all material
respects and present fairly in all material respects the financial condition
(including disclosure of all material liabilities, contingent or otherwise) and
results from operations of the entities and for the periods specified, subject
in the case of interim company-prepared statements to normal year-end
adjustments and the absence of footnotes:
(i) audited consolidated balance sheets for the Borrower and its
subsidiaries dated as of July 31, 1996, July 31, 1997 and July 31, 1998,
together with related audited consolidated statements of income and cash
flows for the fiscal years then ending, certified by Ernst & Young LLP,
certified public accountants;
(ii) company-prepared consolidated balance sheets for the Borrower and
its subsidiaries as of April 30, 1999, together with related consolidated
statements of income and cash flows for the fiscal quarter then ending; and
(iii) after the Closing Date, the annual and quarterly financial
statements provided in accordance with Section 7.1(a) and (b).
6.2 No Changes or Restricted Payments.
---------------------------------
Except as set forth on Schedule 6.2, since the date of the most-recent
------------
annual audited financial statements referenced in Section 6.1(i),
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(i) for the period to the Closing Date, except as previously disclosed
in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, (A) there have been
no material sales, transfers or other dispositions of any material part of
the business or property of the members of the Consolidated Group, nor have
there been any material purchases or other acquisitions of any business or
property (including the Capital Stock of any other person) by the members
of the Consolidated Group, which are not reflected in the annual audited or
company-prepared quarterly financial statements referenced in Section
6.1(i) and (ii) hereof, and (B) no Restricted Payments have been declared
or paid by members of the Consolidated Group; and
(ii) there has been no circumstance, development or event relating to
or affecting the members of the Consolidated Group which has had or could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.3 Organization; Existence; Compliance with Law.
--------------------------------------------
Each of the members of the Consolidated Group (a) is duly organized,
validly existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization, (b) has the corporate or other necessary power
and authority, and the legal right to own and operate its Property, to lease the
Property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is
currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign entity and in good
standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or
operation of Property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so
qualified and in good standing would not, in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect, and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law
(including, without limitation, Regulation Z), except to the extent that the
failure to comply therewith would not, in the aggregate, be reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations.
---------------------------------------------
Each of the Credit Parties has the corporate or other necessary power and
authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Credit
Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary corporate or other
action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of the Credit
Documents to which it is a party. No consent or authorization of, filing with,
notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any
other Person is required in connection with acceptance of Extensions of Credit
or the making of the guaranties hereunder or with the execution, delivery or
performance of any Credit Documents by the Credit Parties (other than those
which have been obtained, such filings as are required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission and to fulfill other reporting requirements with
Governmental Authorities) or with the validity or enforceability of any Credit
Document against the Credit Parties (except such filings as are necessary in
connection with the perfection of the Liens created by such Credit Documents).
Each Credit Document to which it is a party constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable against such Credit Party in
accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited
by
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applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general
equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or
at law).
6.5 No Legal Bar.
------------
The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents, the
borrowings hereunder and the use of the Extensions of Credit will not violate
any Requirement of Law or any Contractual Obligation of any member of the
Consolidated Group (except those as to which waivers or consents have been
obtained), and will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any
Lien on any of its respective properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement
of Law or Contractual Obligation other than the Liens arising under or
contemplated in connection with the Credit Documents and other than Permitted
Liens. No member of the Consolidated Group is in default under or with respect
to any of its Contractual Obligations in any respect which would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.6 No Material Litigation and Disputes.
-----------------------------------
(a) No claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any
arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the best knowledge
of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors, threatened by or against, any
members of the Consolidated Group or against any of their respective
properties or revenues which (i) relate to the Credit Documents or any of
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (ii) would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Set forth on Schedule 6.6 is a
------------
summary of all claims, litigation, investigations and proceedings pending
or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors,
threatened by or against the members of the Consolidated Group or against
any of their respective properties or revenues as of the Closing Date
which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) No default exists and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower and
the Crescent Guarantors, no default has been asserted, under any
Contractual Obligations to which any members of the Consolidated Group are
party which individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.7 No Defaults.
-----------
No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
6.8 Ownership and Operation of Property.
-----------------------------------
Each of the members of the Consolidated Group (i) has good record and
marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its material real
property, and good title to, or a valid
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leasehold interest in, all its other material property, and none of such
property is subject to any Lien, except for Permitted Liens, and (ii) has
obtained all material licenses, permits, franchises or other certifications,
consents, approvals and authorizations, governmental or private, necessary to
the ownership of its Property and to the conduct of its business.
6.9 Intellectual Property.
---------------------
Each of the members of the Consolidated Group owns, or has the legal right
to use, all United States trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents,
technology, know-how and processes, if any, necessary for each of them to
conduct its business as currently conducted (the "Intellectual Property") except
---------------------
for those the failure to own or have such legal right to use would not be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Set forth on Schedule
--------
6.9 is a list of Intellectual Property owned and used by members of the
- ---
Consolidated Group. No claim has been asserted in writing to the Borrower or
any Crescent Guarantor and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning
the use of any such Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of
any such Intellectual Property, and the use of such Intellectual Property by the
members of the Consolidated Group does not infringe on the rights of any Person,
except for such claims and infringements that, in the aggregate, would not be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.10 No Burdensome Restrictions.
--------------------------
No Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation of the members of the
Consolidated Group would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
6.11 Taxes.
-----
Each of the members of the Consolidated Group has filed or caused to be
filed all income tax returns (federal, state, local and foreign) and all other
material tax returns which are required to be filed and has paid (i) all amounts
shown therein to be due (including interest and penalties) and (ii) all other
material taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges (including
mortgage recording taxes, documentary stamp taxes and intangibles taxes) owing,
except for such taxes which are not yet delinquent or as are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in
accordance with GAAP have been established unless the failure to make any such
payment could give rise to an immediate right to foreclose on a Lien securing
such amounts. No tax claim or assessment has been asserted against members of
the Consolidated Group which if adversely determined would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.12 ERISA.
-----
Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:
(a) During the five-year period prior to the date on which this
representation is made or deemed made: (i) no ERISA Event has occurred,
and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors, no
event or condition
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<PAGE>
has occurred or exists as a result of which any ERISA Event could
reasonably be expected to occur, with respect to any Plan; (ii) no
"accumulated funding deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of
ERISA and Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code, whether or not waived,
has occurred with respect to any Plan; (iii) each Plan has been maintained,
operated, and funded in compliance with its own terms and in material
compliance with the provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and any
other applicable federal or state laws; and (iv) no lien in favor of the
PBGC or a Plan has arisen or is reasonably likely to arise on account of
any Plan.
(b) The actuarial present value of all "benefit liabilities" (as
defined in Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA), whether or not vested, under each
Single Employer Plan, as of the last annual valuation date prior to the
date on which this representation is made or deemed made (determined, in
each case, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board
Statement 87, utilizing the actuarial assumptions used in such Plan's most
recent actuarial valuation report), did not exceed as of such valuation
date the fair market value of the assets of such Plan.
(c) No member of the Consolidated Group has incurred, or, to the best
knowledge of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors, could be reasonably
expected to incur, any withdrawal liability under ERISA to any
Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan. No member of the
Consolidated Group would become subject to withdrawal liability under ERISA
if any member of the Consolidated Group were to withdraw completely from
all Multiemployer Plans and Multiple Employer Plans as of the valuation
date most closely preceding the date on which this representation is made
or deemed made. No member of the Consolidated Group has received any
notification that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization (within the
meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), is insolvent (within the meaning of
Section 4245 of ERISA), or has been terminated (within the meaning of Title
IV of ERISA), and no Multiemployer Plan is, to the best knowledge of the
Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors, reasonably expected to be in
reorganization, insolvent, or terminated.
(d) No prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code) or breach of fiduciary
responsibility has occurred with respect to a Plan which has subjected or
may subject any member of the Consolidated Group to liability under
Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Internal Revenue Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant
to which any member of the Consolidated Group has agreed or is required to
indemnify any person against any such liability.
(e) No member of the Consolidated Group has liability with respect to
"expected post-retirement benefit obligations" within the meaning of the
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 106. Each Plan which is a
welfare plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) to which Sections 601-
609 of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code apply has been
administered in compliance in all material respects of such sections.
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<PAGE>
(f) Neither the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement nor
the consummation of the financing transactions contemplated thereunder will
involve any transaction which is subject to the prohibitions of Sections
404, 406 or 407 of ERISA by reason of the identity of the Borrower and
members of the Consolidated Group or in connection with which a tax could
be imposed on the Borrower or any member of the Consolidated Group pursuant
to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code. The representation by the
Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors in the preceding sentence is made in
reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of the Lenders' representation in
Section 11.15 with respect to their source of funds and is subject, in the
event that the source of the funds used by the Lenders in connection with
this transaction is an insurance company's general asset account, to the
application of Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 95-60, 60 Fed. Reg.
35,925 (1995), compliance with Section 401(b)(2) of ERISA or the
regulations issued under Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA, or the issuance of
any other prohibited transaction exemption or similar relief, to the effect
that assets in an insurance company's general asset account do not
constitute assets of an "employee benefit plan" within the meaning of
Section 3(3) of ERISA of a "plan" within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(1)
of the Internal Revenue Code.
(g) No ERISA Affiliate that is not a member of the Consolidated Group
has incurred, or to the best knowledge of the Borrower and the Crescent
Guarantors, could reasonably be expected to incur, any liability under
ERISA, the Code or otherwise in relation to any ERISA Affiliate Plan that
would have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.13 Governmental Regulations, Etc.
-----------------------------
(a) No part of the proceeds of the Extensions of Credit hereunder will
be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
any "margin stock" within the meaning of Regulation U. If requested by any
Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the
Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in
conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 referred to in said
Regulation U. No indebtedness being reduced or retired out of the proceeds
of the Extensions of Credit hereunder was or will be incurred for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of
Regulation U or any "margin security" within the meaning of Regulation T.
"Margin stock" within the meanings of Regulation U does not constitute more
than 25% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries. None of the transactions contemplated by this Credit
Agreement (including, without limitation, the direct or indirect use of the
proceeds of the Loans) will violate or result in a violation of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, or regulations issued pursuant thereto, or Regulation T, U or
X.
(b) None of the members of the Consolidated Group is subject to
regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the
Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended.
In addition, none of
69
<PAGE>
the members of the Consolidated Group is (i) an "investment company"
registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, and is not controlled by such a company, or (ii) a
"holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company", or an
"affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary" of a "holding
company", within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
1935, as amended.
6.14 Subsidiaries.
------------
Set forth on Schedule 6.14 are all the Subsidiaries of the Borrower as of
-------------
the Closing Date, including the jurisdiction of organization, classes of Capital
Stock (including options, warrants, rights of subscription, conversion and
exchangeability and other similar rights), ownership and ownership percentages
thereof. The outstanding shares of Capital Stock shown have been validly issued,
fully paid and are non-assessable and owned free of Liens other than Permitted
Liens. The outstanding shares of Capital Stock shown are not the subject of buy-
sell, voting trust or other shareholder agreement except as identified on
Schedule 6.14.
- -------------
6.15 Purpose of Extensions of Credit.
-------------------------------
The Loans will be used by the Borrower solely to (i) refinance certain
existing Funded Debt of the Borrower and (ii) finance working capital and other
general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
6.16 Environmental Matters.
---------------------
Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:
(a) Each of the facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by
the members of the Consolidated Group (the "Subject Properties") and all
------------------
operations at the Subject Properties are in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws, and there is no violation of any Environmental Law with
respect to the Subject Properties or the businesses operated by the members
of the Consolidated Group (the "Businesses"), and there are no conditions
----------
relating to the Businesses or Subject Properties that could give rise to
liability under any applicable Environmental Laws.
(b) None of the Subject Properties contains, or to the Borrower's
knowledge has previously contained, any Materials of Environmental Concern
at, on or under the Subject Properties in amounts or concentrations that
constitute or constituted a violation of, or could give rise to liability
under, Environmental Laws.
(c) None of the members of the Consolidated Group has received any
written notice of, or written inquiry from any Governmental Authority
regarding, any violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or
potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance with
Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Subject Properties or the
Businesses, nor does any member of the Consolidated
70
<PAGE>
Group have knowledge or reason to believe that any such notice will be
received or is being threatened.
(d) Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or
disposed of from the Subject Properties, or generated, treated, stored or
disposed of at, on or under any of the Subject Properties or any other
location, in each case by or on behalf any members of the Consolidated
Group in violation of, or in a manner that would be reasonably likely to
give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law.
(e) No judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative action is
pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower or any Crescent
Guarantor, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which any member of
the Consolidated Group is or will be named as a party, nor are there any
consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or
other orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements outstanding
under any Environmental Law with respect to any member of the Consolidated
Group, the Subject Properties or the Businesses.
(f) There has been no release or, threat of release of Materials of
Environmental Concern at or from the Subject Properties, or arising from or
related to the operations (including, without limitation, disposal) of any
member of the Consolidated Group in connection with the Subject Properties
or otherwise in connection with the Businesses, in violation of or in
amounts or in a manner that could give rise to liability under
Environmental Laws.
6.17 Year 2000 Compliance.
--------------------
The Borrower has (i) initiated a review and assessment of all material
areas within its and each of its Subsidiaries' business and operations
(including those affected by key suppliers, vendors and customers) that could be
adversely affected by the "Year 2000 Problem" (that is, the risk that computer
-----------------
applications used by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or key suppliers,
vendors and customers) may be unable to recognize and perform properly date-
sensitive functions involving certain dates prior to and any date after December
31, 1999), (ii) developed a plan and timeline for addressing the Year 2000
Problem on a timely basis, and (iii) to date, implemented that plan in
accordance with that timetable. Based on the foregoing, the Borrower believes
that all computer applications (including those of its key suppliers, vendors
and customers) that are material to its or any of its Subsidiaries' business and
operations are reasonably expected on a timely basis to be able to perform
properly date-sensitive functions for all dates before and after January 1, 2000
(that is, be "Year 2000 Compliant"), except to the extent that a failure to do
-------------------
so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.18 No Material Misstatements.
-------------------------
None of the information, reports, financial statements, exhibits or
schedules, taken as a whole, furnished by or on behalf of any member of the
Consolidated Group to the
71
<PAGE>
Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of the
Credit Documents or included therein or delivered pursuant thereto contained,
contains or will contain any material misstatement of fact or omitted, omits or
will omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were, are or will be made, not
materially misleading, provided that to the extent any such information, report,
--------
financial statement, exhibit or schedule was based upon or constitutes a
forecast or projection, each of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors
represents only that it acted in good faith and utilized reasonable assumptions
and due care in the preparation of such information, report, financial
statement, exhibit or schedule.
6.19 Labor Matters.
-------------
Except as set forth in Schedule 6.19 as of the Closing Date,
-------------
(i) There are no strikes or lockouts against any members of the
Consolidated Group pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower and
the Crescent Guarantors, threatened;
(ii) the hours worked by and payments made to employees of the
Consolidated Group have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards
Act or any other applicable federal, state, local or foreign law dealing
with such matters in any case where a Material Adverse Effect would
reasonably be expected to occur as a result of the violation thereof;
(iii) all payments due from members of the Consolidated Group, or for
which any claim may be made against a member of the Consolidated Group, on
account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other
benefits, have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the
respective members of the Consolidated Group; and
(iv) none of the members of the Consolidated Group is party to a
collective bargaining agreement.
6.20 Security Documents.
------------------
(a) Security Agreement. The Security Agreement is effective to
------------------
create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the
holders of the Secured Obligations identified therein, a legal valid and
enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Security
Agreement) owned by the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors and, when
financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the appropriate
offices for the locations specified in Schedule 2 to the Security
Agreement, the Security Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien
on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the grantors
thereunder in such Collateral that may be perfected by filing, recording or
registering a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code as in
effect,
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<PAGE>
in each case prior and superior in right to any other Lien on any
Collateral other than Permitted Liens.
(b) Pledge Agreement. The Pledge Agreement is effective to create in
----------------
favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the holders
of the Secured Obligations identified therein, a legal valid and
enforceable security interest in the Collateral (as defined in the Pledge
Agreement) and, when such Collateral is delivered to the Administrative
Agent or financing statements filed, as applicable, the Pledge Agreement
shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security
interest in, all right, title and interest of the pledgors thereunder in
such Collateral, in each case prior and superior in right to any other
Lien.
(c) Intellectual Property. The Security Agreement together with the
---------------------
Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Trademarks and the Notice of Grant
of Security Interest in Patents filed with the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, and the Notice of Grant of Security Interest in
Copyrights filed with the United States Copyright Office will constitute a
fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and
interest of the grantors thereunder in all Patents and Patent Licenses,
Trademarks and Trademark Licenses and Copyrights and Copyright Licenses
(each as defined in the Security Agreement) and in which a security
interest may be perfected by filing, recording or registration of a Notice
in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States
Copyright Office, in each case prior and superior in right to any other
Lien other than Permitted Liens.
(d) Mortgages. The Mortgages (if any) are effective to create in favor
---------
of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the holders of the
Secured Obligations identified therein, a legal, valid and enforceable Lien
on all of the respective grantors' right, title and interest in and to the
Mortgaged Properties thereunder and the proceeds thereof, and constitute
fully perfected Liens on, and security interests in, all right, title and
interest of the grantors in such Mortgaged Properties and the proceeds
thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Lien other
than Permitted Liens.
6.21 Location of Real Property and Leased Premises.
---------------------------------------------
Set forth on Schedule 6.21(a) is a complete and correct list of all real
----------------
property located in the United States and owned or leased by any member of the
Consolidated Group with street address and state where located. Set forth on
Schedule 6.21(b) is a list of all locations where any tangible personal property
- ----------------
of any member of the Consolidated Group is located, including street address and
state where located. Set forth on Schedule 6.21(c) is the chief executive
----------------
office and principal place of business of each member of the Consolidated Group.
The information contained in the foregoing Schedules will be updated by notice
of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.
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<PAGE>
6.22 Solvency.
--------
Immediately after giving effect to each Extension of Credit made on or
after the Closing Date, (i) the fair value of the assets of each Credit Party
will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise;
(ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of each Credit Party will
be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probably liability
of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as
such debts and other liabilities become absolute and mature; and (iii) each
Credit Party will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the
business in which it is engaged as such business is now conducted and is
proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.
SECTION 7
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
---------------------
The Borrower and each Crescent Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees that
so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder
or under any other Credit Document shall remain outstanding or any Letter of
Credit is outstanding, and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have
terminated:
7.1 Information Covenants.
---------------------
The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will furnish, or cause to be
furnished, to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:
(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any
---------------------------
event within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of the members of
the Consolidated Group, a consolidated balance sheet and income statement
of the members of the Consolidated Group as of the end of such fiscal year,
together with related consolidated statements of operations and retained
earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal year, in each case setting forth
in comparative form consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal year, all
such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and
detail and audited by independent certified public accountants of
recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent and whose opinion shall be to the effect that such financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for changes
with which such accountants concur) and shall not be limited as to the
scope of the audit or qualified as to the status of the members of the
Consolidated Group as a going concern or any other material qualifications
or exceptions.
(b) Monthly Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any
----------------------------
event within 30 days after the close of each fiscal month of the members of
the Consolidated Group a consolidated balance sheet, income statement and
statements of cash flows for such fiscal month, in each case setting forth
in comparative form consolidated figures
74
<PAGE>
for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year, all such
financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail
and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and accompanied by a
certificate of an Executive Officer of the Borrower to the effect that such
monthly financial statements fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition of the members of the Consolidated Group and have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from audit
and normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
(c) Officer's Certificate. At the time of delivery of the financial
---------------------
statements provided for in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) above, a certificate
of an Executive Officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of
Schedule 7.1(c), (i) demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants
---------------
contained in Section 7.11 by calculation thereof as of the end of each such
fiscal period and (ii) stating that no Default or Event of Default exists,
or if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and
extent thereof and what action the Credit Parties propose to take with
respect thereto.
(d) Borrowing Base Certificate. No later than the first Business Day
--------------------------
following the end of the preceding calendar week, or on a more frequent
basis as requested, a statement of the Borrowing Base and its components as
of the end of the immediately preceding week (or such other more frequent
period), in form and content satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and
certified by the chief financial officer or treasurer of the Borrower to be
true and correct as of the date thereof (the "Borrowing Base Certificate")
--------------------------
together with a schedule of the Borrower's and the Crescent Guarantors'
Receivables created since the last such schedule and Borrowing Base
Certificate.
(e) Annual Business Plan and Budgets. Within 30 days after the end of
--------------------------------
each fiscal year of the Borrower, beginning with the fiscal year ending
July 31, 2000, an annual business plan and budget of the members of the
Consolidated Group containing, among other things, pro forma financial
statements for the next fiscal year.
(f) Collateral Reports. Within 15 days after the end of each calendar
------------------
month, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, (i) an aging of the accounts receivable of the Borrower and the
Crescent Guarantors, together with a reconciliation to the previous month's
aging of the accounts receivable of the Borrower and the Crescent
Guarantors and to their respective general ledgers, (ii) an aging of the
accounts payable of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors, (iii)
inventory reports by category, with additional detail showing additions to
and deletions from the inventory, together with a reconciliation to the
general ledger and (iv) with the delivery of each of the foregoing, a
certificate of the Borrower executed by the chief financial officer or
treasurer thereof certifying as to the accuracy and completeness of the
foregoing. If any of the records of the Borrower and the Crescent
Guarantors or reports of the Collateral are prepared by an accounting
service or other agent, the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors hereby
authorize
75
<PAGE>
such service or agent to deliver such records, reports, and related
documents to the Administrative Agent, for distribution to the Lenders.
(g) Consumer Credit Policies. Concurrently with delivery of the
------------------------
quarterly company-prepared financial statements under subsection (b)
hereof, the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will provide written
notice to the Administrative Agent of material changes or modifications in
their consumer credit policies and practices, together with a written
explanation, in substance and detail reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, of such changes or modifications to such consumer
credit policies or practices.
(h) Investment Banking Fees. Advance notice to the Administrative
-----------------------
Agent of all investment banking fees in excess of $250,000 payable by
members of the Crescent Consolidated Group in connection with any single
transaction, together with a certification from the Borrower that after
giving effect thereto no Default or Event of Default shall exist on a Pro
Forma Basis.
(i) Auditor's Reports. Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of any
-----------------
other report or "management letter" submitted by independent accountants to
any member of the Consolidated Group in connection with any annual, interim
or special audit of the books of such Person.
(j) Reports. Promptly upon transmission or receipt thereof, (i) copies
-------
of any filings and registrations with, and reports to or from, the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor agency (excluding any
exhibits thereto and any registration statements filed on Form S-8), and
copies of all financial statements, proxy statements, notices and reports
as any member of the Consolidated Group shall send to its stockholders or
to a holder of any Indebtedness owed by any member of the Consolidated
Group in its capacity as such a holder and (ii) upon the request of the
Administrative Agent, all reports and written information to and from the
United States Environmental Protection Agency, or any state or local agency
responsible for environmental matters, the United States Occupational
Health and Safety Administration, or any state or local agency responsible
for health and safety matters, or any successor agencies or authorities
concerning environmental, health or safety matters.
(k) Notices. Upon any Executive Officer of the Borrower or any
-------
Crescent Guarantor obtaining actual knowledge thereof, the Borrower will
give written notice to the Administrative Agent immediately of (i) the
occurrence of an event or condition consisting of a Default or Event of
Default, specifying the nature and existence thereof and what action the
Credit Parties propose to take with respect thereto, and (ii) the
occurrence of any of the following with respect to any member of the
Consolidated Group (A) the pendency or commencement of any litigation,
arbitral or governmental proceeding against such Person which if adversely
determined would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
or (B) the institution of any proceedings against such Person with respect
to, or the receipt of notice by such Person of potential
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liability or responsibility for violation, or alleged violation of any
federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, including but not limited
to, Environmental Laws, the violation of which could have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(l) ERISA. Upon any Executive Officer of the Borrower or any Crescent
-----
Guarantor obtaining knowledge thereof, the Borrower will give written
notice to the Administrative Agent promptly (and in any event within five
Business Days) of: (i) any event or condition, including, but not limited
to, any Reportable Event, that constitutes, or might reasonably lead to, an
ERISA Event; (ii) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt of
notice as prescribed in ERISA or otherwise of any withdrawal liability
assessed against the Credit Parties or any ERISA Affiliates, or of a
determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent
(both within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA); (iii) the failure to make
full payment on or before the due date (including extensions) thereof of
all amounts which any member of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA
Affiliate is required to contribute to each Plan pursuant to its terms and
as required to meet the minimum funding standard set forth in ERISA and the
Internal Revenue Code with respect thereto; or (iv) any change in the
funding status of any Plan that could have a Material Adverse Effect,
together with a description of any such event or condition or a copy of any
such notice and a statement by an Executive Officer of the Borrower briefly
setting forth the details regarding such event, condition, or notice, and
the action, if any, which has been or is being taken or is proposed to be
taken by the Credit Parties with respect thereto. Promptly upon request,
the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors shall furnish the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders with such additional information concerning any Plan
as may be reasonably requested, including, but not limited to, copies of
each annual report/return (Form 5500 series), as well as all schedules and
attachments thereto required to be filed with the Department of Labor
and/or the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to ERISA and the Internal
Revenue Code, respectively, for each "plan year" (within the meaning of
Section 3(39) of ERISA).
(m) Additional Patents and Trademarks. At the time of delivery of the
---------------------------------
financial statements and reports provided for in Section 7.1(a), a report
signed by an Executive Officer of the Borrower setting forth (i) a list of
registration numbers for all patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames
and copyrights awarded to any member of the Consolidated Group since the
last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) a list of all
patent applications, trademark applications, service mark applications,
trade name applications and copyright applications submitted by any member
of the Consolidated Group since the last day of the immediately preceding
fiscal year and the status of each such application, all in such form as
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(n) Other Information. With reasonable promptness upon any such
-----------------
request, such other information regarding the business, properties or
financial condition of any member of the Consolidated Group as the
Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request.
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7.2 Preservation of Existence and Franchises.
----------------------------------------
Except as a result of or in connection with a dissolution, merger or
disposition of a Subsidiary permitted under Section 8.4 or Section 8.5, the
Borrower and each Crescent Guarantor will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and
effect its existence and all material rights, franchises and authority.
7.3 Books and Records.
-----------------
The Borrower and each Crescent Guarantor will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, keep complete and accurate books and records of its
transactions in accordance with good accounting practices on the basis of GAAP
(including the establishment and maintenance of appropriate reserves).
7.4 Compliance with Law.
-------------------
The Borrower and each Crescent Guarantor will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders, and all
applicable restrictions imposed by all Governmental Authorities, applicable to
it and its Property if noncompliance with any such law, rule, regulation, order
or restriction could have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.5 Payment of Taxes and Other Indebtedness.
---------------------------------------
The Borrower and each Crescent Guarantor will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges or levies imposed upon it, or upon its income or profits, or upon any of
its properties, before they shall become delinquent, (b) all lawful claims
(including claims for labor, materials and supplies) which, if unpaid, might
give rise to a Lien upon any of its properties, and (c) except as prohibited
hereunder, all of its other Indebtedness as it shall become due; provided,
--------
however, that no member of the Consolidated Group shall be required to pay any
- -------
such tax, assessment, charge, levy, claim or Indebtedness which is being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves
determined in accordance with GAAP have been established, unless the failure to
make any such payment (i) could give rise to an immediate right to foreclose on
a Lien securing such amounts or (ii) could have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.6 Insurance.
---------
(a) The Borrower and each Crescent Guarantor will, and will cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, at all times maintain in full force and effect
insurance (including worker's compensation insurance, liability insurance,
casualty insurance and business interruption insurance) in such amounts,
covering such risks and liabilities and with such deductibles or self-
insurance retentions as are in accordance with normal industry practice (or
as otherwise required by the Collateral Documents). The Administrative
Agent shall be named as loss payee or mortgagee, as its interest may
appear, and/or additional insured with respect to any such insurance
providing coverage in respect of any Collateral, and each provider of any
such insurance shall
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agree, by endorsement upon the policy or policies issued by it or by
independent instruments furnished to the Administrative Agent, that it will
give the Administrative Agent ten (10) days prior written notice before any
such policy or policies shall be altered or canceled, and that no act or
default of any member of the Consolidated Group or any other Person shall
affect the rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders under such
policy or policies. The present insurance coverage of the members of the
Consolidated Group is outlined as to carrier, policy number, expiration
date, type and amount on Schedule 7.6.
-------------
(b) The proceeds from insurance received from the theft, loss,
physical destruction or damage, taking or similar event shall be used
either to repair, replace or reinvest in the same or similar assets or to
prepay the Loans and Obligations hereunder.
7.7 Maintenance of Property.
-----------------------
The Borrower and each Crescent Guarantor will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, maintain and preserve its properties and equipment material to
the conduct of its business in good repair, working order and condition, normal
wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted, and will make, or cause to
be made, in such properties and equipment from time to time all repairs,
renewals, replacements, extensions, additions, betterments and improvements
thereto as may be needed or proper, to the extent and in the manner customary
for companies in similar businesses, except, as to any of the foregoing
activities, where the activities are not otherwise prohibited hereunder.
7.8 Performance of Obligations.
--------------------------
The Borrower and each Crescent Guarantor will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, perform in all material respects all of its obligations under
the terms of all material agreements, indentures, mortgages, security agreements
and other debt instruments to which it is a party or by which it is bound except
to the extent that the failure to do so will not result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
7.9 Use of Proceeds.
---------------
The Borrower will use the proceeds of Extensions of Credit solely for the
purposes set forth in Section 6.15.
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7.10 Audits/Inspections.
------------------
Upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, the Borrower and
each of the Crescent Guarantors will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, permit representatives appointed by the Administrative Agent, including,
without limitation, independent accountants, agents, attorneys, and appraisers
to visit and inspect its property, including its books and records, its accounts
receivable and inventory, its facilities and its other business assets, and to
make photocopies or photographs thereof and to write down and record any
information such representative obtains and shall permit the Administrative
Agent or its representatives to investigate and verify the accuracy of
information provided to the Lenders and to discuss all such matters with the
officers, employees and representatives of such Person. The cost of such
inspections and audits shall be at the expense of the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders or at the expense of the Borrower as provided in the Security
Agreement. Lenders, and their representatives may accompany the Administrative
Agent and its representatives on any such inspection or audit at their own
expense.
7.11 Financial Covenants.
-------------------
(a) Combined Leverage Ratio. As of the end of each fiscal quarter for
-----------------------
the Friedman's Consolidated Group, the Combined Leverage Ratio shall be not
greater than:
Closing Date through December 30, 2000 4.0:1.0
December 31, 2000 and thereafter 3.5:1.0
(b) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As of the end of each
----------------------------------------
fiscal quarter, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be not
less than 1.1:1.0.
(c) Capital Expenditures. Consolidated Capital Expenditures for any
--------------------
fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal to (i) 20% of Consolidated
EBITDAR for the immediately preceding fiscal year plus (ii) the unused
----
amount available for Consolidated Capital Expenditures under this Section
7.11 for the immediately preceding fiscal year (excluding any carry forward
available from any prior fiscal year).
7.12 Additional Guarantors.
---------------------
As soon as practicable and in any event within 30 days after any Person
becomes a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower, the Borrower shall provide the
Administrative Agent with written notice thereof setting forth information in
reasonable detail describing all of the assets of such Domestic Subsidiary and
shall (i) cause such Domestic Subsidiary to execute a Joinder Agreement, and
cause 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of such Person to be
delivered to the Administrative Agent (together with undated stock powers signed
in blank) and pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to an appropriate
pledge agreement(s) in substantially the form of the Pledge Agreement
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delivered on the Closing Date and otherwise in form acceptable to the
Administrative Agent, and (ii) cause such Domestic Subsidiary to (A) if such
Domestic Subsidiary has any Eligible Real Property which is deemed material by
the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, deliver to the Administrative
Agent, with respect to each such Eligible Real Property, (1) a fully executed
and notarized Mortgage, (2) copies of recent ALTA surveys of each such Mortgaged
Property by registered engineers or land surveyors (including the location of
special flood hazard areas), (3) standard ALTA mortgagee policies insuring the
priority of the Mortgage (4) appraisals of such Mortgaged Property and (5)
copies of environmental reports and other environmental documentation, if any,
relating to such Mortgaged Property, all in form, content and scope reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (B) deliver such other
documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection
with the foregoing, including, without limitation, appropriate UCC-1 financing
statements, certified resolutions and other organizational and authorizing
documents of such Domestic Subsidiary, favorable opinions of counsel to such
Domestic Subsidiary (which shall cover, among other things, the legality,
validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation referred to
above and the perfection of the Administrative Agent's liens thereunder).
7.13 Pledged Assets.
--------------
The Borrower and each Crescent Guarantor will cause (i) all of its personal
property located in the United States other than Excluded Property and (ii) to
the extent deemed to be material and requested by the Administrative Agent or
the Required Lenders, (A) all of its owned real property (wherever located)
other than Excluded Property and (B) all of its leased real property (wherever
located) other than Excluded Property, to be subject at all times to first
priority, perfected (in the case of personal property the perfection of a
security interest therein is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code or by
filing appropriate notices of security interests in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, as applicable) and, in
the case of real property (whether leased or owned), title insured Liens to
secure the Loans and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit
Documents pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents or,
with respect to any such property acquired subsequent to the Closing Date, such
other additional security documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably
request, subject in any case to Permitted Liens. With respect to any real
property acquired by the Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor subsequent to the
Closing Date and required by this Section 7.13 to be pledged to secure the Loans
and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, such
Person will cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent with respect to
such real property documents, instruments and other items of the types required
to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.12 in form acceptable to the
Administrative Agent. Without limiting the generality of the above, the
Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will cause 100% of the issued and
outstanding Capital Stock of the Borrower and each Domestic Subsidiary of the
Borrower to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien to
secure the Loans and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit
Documents pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents or
such other security documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably
request.
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If, subsequent to the Closing Date, the Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor
shall (a) acquire any intellectual property, securities, instruments, chattel
paper or other personal property required to be pledged to the Administrative
Agent as Collateral hereunder or under any of the Collateral Documents or (b)
acquire or lease any real property, the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors
shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of same. The Borrower and each
Crescent Guarantor shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, take such
action (including but not limited to the actions set forth in Section 5.1(d) and
Section 7.12) at its own expense as requested by the Administrative Agent to
ensure that the Administrative Agent has a first priority perfected Lien to
secure the Loans and obligations owing hereunder and under the other Credit
Documents in all Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens. The Borrower and
each Crescent Guarantor shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
adhere to the covenants regarding the location of personal property as set forth
in the Security Agreement.
7.14 Year 2000 Compliance.
--------------------
The Borrower and each Crescent Guarantor will promptly notify the
Administrative Agent in the event the Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor
discovers or determines that any computer application (including those of its
key suppliers, vendors and customers) that is material to its or any of its
Subsidiaries' business and operations will not be Year 2000 Compliant, except to
the extent that such failure could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
7.15 Interest Rate Protection.
------------------------
The Borrower shall, within 60 days of the Closing Date, enter into interest
protection agreements protecting against fluctuations in interest rates as to
which the material terms are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
and the Required Lenders, and providing, among other things, a principal
coverage amount of at least $40 million with a duration of at least three (3)
years.
SECTION 8
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
------------------
The Borrower and each Crescent Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees that
so long as this Credit Agreement is in effect or any amounts payable hereunder
or under any other Credit Document shall remain outstanding or any Letter of
Credit is outstanding, and until all of the Commitments hereunder shall have
terminated:
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8.1 Indebtedness.
------------
The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will not permit any member of the
Consolidated Group to contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any
Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness existing or arising under this Credit Agreement or
the other Credit Documents;
(b) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries set forth on
Schedule 8.1, and renewals, refinancings and extensions thereof on terms
------------
and conditions which, taken as a whole, are no less favorable to such
Person than such existing Indebtedness;
(c) purchase money Indebtedness (including for purposes hereof
obligations in respect of Capital Leases or Synthetic Leases) hereafter
incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to finance the purchase
of fixed assets and any refinancing thereof; provided that (i) the total of
--------
all such Indebtedness for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken together
shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 at any one
time outstanding; (ii) such Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the
purchase price of the asset(s) financed; and (iii) no such Indebtedness
shall be refinanced for a principal amount in excess of the principal
balance outstanding thereon at the time of such refinancing;
(d) obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries owing under
interest rate, commodities and foreign currency exchange protection
agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to manage
existing or anticipated risks and not for speculative purposes;
(e) unsecured intercompany Indebtedness owing by a member of the
Consolidated Group to another member of the Consolidated Group or to any
member of the Friedman's Consolidated Group (subject, however, to the
limitations of Section 8.6 in the case of the member of the Consolidated
Group extending the loan, advance or credit);
(f) Support Obligations given by members of the Consolidated Group
with respect to any Indebtedness permitted under this Section 8.1; and
(g) other unsecured Funded Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of up to $5,000,000 at any
time.
8.2 Liens.
-----
The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will not permit any member of the
Consolidated Group to contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any
Lien with respect to any of its Property, whether now owned or after acquired,
except for Permitted Liens.
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8.3 Nature of Business.
------------------
The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will not permit any member of the
Consolidated Group to substantively alter the character or conduct of the
business conducted by such Person as of the Closing Date and any business
ancillary or complimentary thereto.
8.4 Merger and Consolidation, Dissolution and Acquisitions.
------------------------------------------------------
(a) No member of the Consolidated Group will enter into any
transaction of merger or consolidation, except that
(i) any member of the Crescent Consolidated Group (other than the
Parent) may be a party to a transaction of merger or consolidation
with another member of the Crescent Consolidated Group (other than the
Parent); provided that (A) if the Borrower is a party to such
--------
transaction, it shall be the surviving entity, and (B) in any event,
the surviving entity shall be a Domestic Subsidiary and, if it is not
already a Credit Party, it shall execute and deliver such joinder and
pledge agreements as may be necessary for compliance with the
provisions of Section 7.12 and 7.13; and
(ii) a Subsidiary of the Borrower may enter into a transaction of
merger or consolidation in connection with an Asset Disposition
permitted under Section 8.5.
(b) No member of the Consolidated Group, other than a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower (and then only if no Material Adverse Effect
shall result on account thereof), may dissolve, liquidate or wind up its
affairs.
(c) No member of the Consolidated Group shall make any Acquisition
(except as expressly permitted by the provisions of clause (a) of this
Section), without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.
8.5 Asset Dispositions.
------------------
The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will not permit any member of the
Consolidated Group to make any Asset Disposition (including, without limitation,
any Sale and Leaseback Transaction), unless
(i) the sale, lease or other disposition is to a member of the
Crescent Consolidated Group or a member of the Friedman's Consolidated
Group, which, in any such case, is a Guarantor hereunder;
(ii) such Asset Disposition is in connection with the closing of store
locations in the ordinary course of business;
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(iii) such Asset Disposition is the result of theft, loss, physical
destruction or damage, taking or similar event with respect to the assets
subject to such Asset Disposition and the proceeds from insurance resulting
from such Asset Disposition are used to repair, replace or reinvest in the
same or similar assets; or
(iv) in all other cases, (A) at least seventy-five percent (75%) of
the consideration paid therefor shall consist of cash and Cash Equivalents,
(B) if the subject transaction involves Capital Stock of a Subsidiary, the
subject transaction is of a controlling interest in such Subsidiary, (C)
the aggregate net book value of all assets sold, leased or otherwise
disposed of shall not exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year, (D) no Default
or Event of Default shall exist immediately after giving effect thereto,
and (E) the Borrower shall have demonstrated compliance with the financial
covenants hereunder on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the
disposition and shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a Pro
Forma Compliance Certificate (including reaffirmation of the
representations and warranties hereunder as of such date before and after
giving effect to such transaction) in connection therewith.
The Administrative Agent will promptly deliver to the Borrower upon
request, at the Borrower's expense, such release documentation (including
delivery of applicable stock certificates) as may be reasonably requested to
give effect to the release of subject assets from the security interests
securing the obligations hereunder in connection with Asset Dispositions
permitted hereunder.
8.6 Investments.
-----------
The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will not permit any member of the
Consolidated Group to make or permit to exist Investments in or to any Person,
except for Permitted Investments.
8.7 Restricted Payments.
-------------------
Neither the Borrower nor the Parent will make any Restricted Payments
without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, except that the
Parent may reacquire or otherwise take back its Capital Stock in connection with
the forgiveness of indebtedness of up to $700,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal
year owing by employees in connection with purchases of Capital Stock by such
employees under the Crescent Jewelers, Inc. 1992 Restricted Stock Purchase Plan,
so long as no Default or Event of Default shall exist immediately prior to
giving effect thereto or immediately thereafter after giving effect thereto on a
Pro Forma Basis.
8.8 Modifications and Payments in respect of Other Funded Debt.
----------------------------------------------------------
None of the members of the Consolidated Group will
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(a) After the issuance thereof, amend or modify (or permit the
amendment or modification of) the terms of any Subordinated Debt in a
manner adverse to the interests of the Lenders (including specifically any
amendment of the terms of subordination, shortening any maturity or average
life to maturity or requiring any payment sooner than previously scheduled
or increasing the interest rate or fees applicable thereto) or in a manner
prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof; or
(b) Make any prepayment, redemption, defeasance or acquisition for
value of (including without limitation, by way of depositing money or
securities with the trustee with respect thereto before due for the purpose
of paying when due), or refund, refinance or exchange of any Funded Debt
(other than the Indebtedness under the Credit Documents and intercompany
Indebtedness permitted hereunder) other than regularly scheduled payments
of principal and interest on such Funded Debt, except in connection with a
refinancing or refunding permitted hereunder.
8.9 Transactions with Affiliates.
----------------------------
The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will not permit any member of the
Consolidated Group to enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of
transactions with any officer, director, shareholder, Subsidiary or Affiliate of
such Person other than (a) advances of working capital to any member of the
Crescent Consolidated Group other than the Parent, (b) transfers of cash and
assets to any member of the Crescent Consolidated Group other than the Parent,
(c) transactions permitted by Section 8.1, Section 8.4, Section 8.5, Section
8.6, or Section 8.7, (d) normal compensation and reimbursement of expenses of
officers and directors and (e) except as otherwise specifically limited in this
Credit Agreement, other transactions which are entered into on terms and
conditions substantially as favorable to such Person as would be obtainable by
it in a comparable arms-length transaction with a Person other than an officer,
director, shareholder, Subsidiary or Affiliate.
8.10 Fiscal Year; Organizational Documents.
-------------------------------------
The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will not permit any member of the
Consolidated Group to amend, modify or change its articles of incorporation (or
corporate charter or other similar organizational document) or bylaws (or other
similar document) without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
8.11 Ownership of Subsidiaries; Limitations on Parent.
------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Credit Agreement to the
contrary:
(a) The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will not permit any
member of the Consolidated Group to (i) permit any Person (other than the
Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower) to own any Capital
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Stock of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, except (A) to qualify directors
where required by applicable law or to satisfy other requirements of
applicable law with respect to the ownership of Capital Stock of Foreign
Subsidiaries or (B) as a result of or in connection with a dissolution,
merger, consolidation or disposition of a Subsidiary permitted under
Section 8.4 or Section 8.5, (ii) permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to
issue any shares of preferred Capital Stock or (iii) permit, create, incur,
assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any Capital Stock of any Subsidiary
of the Borrower, except for Permitted Liens.
(b) The Parent shall not (i) hold any assets other than the Capital
Stock of the Borrower, (ii) have any liabilities other than (A) the
liabilities under the Credit Documents, (B) tax liabilities in the ordinary
course of business, (C) loans and advances permitted under Sections 8.1 and
8.6 and (D) corporate, administrative and operating expenses in the
ordinary course of business or (iii) engage in any business other than (A)
owning the Capital Stock of the Borrower and activities incidental or
related thereto and (B) acting as a Guarantor hereunder and pledging its
assets to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders,
pursuant to the Collateral Documents to which it is a party.
8.12 No Further Negative Pledges.
---------------------------
The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will not permit any member of the
Consolidated Group to enter into, assume or become subject to any agreement
prohibiting or otherwise restricting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon
its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or requiring
the grant of any security for any obligation if security is given for any other
obligation, except (i) pursuant to or as otherwise expressly permitted by this
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents and (ii) pursuant to the terms
of any purchase money Indebtedness permitted by Section 8.1(c) to the extent
such limitations relate only to the property which is the subject of such
financing.
8.13 Limitation on Management Fees.
-----------------------------
The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will not permit members of the
Crescent Consolidated Group to pay management or consulting fees (exclusive of
investment banking fees payable in connection with capital raising, debt
placement or other financial transactions which are dealt with under Section
7.1(h) hereof) to any Affiliates (including, without limitation, Morgan Schiff
and its Affiliates) in an aggregate amount in excess of $500,000 during any
fiscal year.
8.14 Limitation on Foreign Subsidiaries.
----------------------------------
The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors will not permit any member of the
Crescent Consolidated Group to create, acquire or permit to exist any Foreign
Subsidiary after the Closing Date (other than Sparkle Insurance Company, a Turks
and Caicos company) without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.
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SECTION 9
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
-----------------
9.1 Events of Default.
-----------------
An Event of Default shall exist upon the occurrence of any of the following
specified events (each an "Event of Default"):
----------------
(a) Payment. The Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor shall
-------
(i) default in the payment when due of any principal of any of the
Loans or of any reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under
Letters of Credit, or
(ii) default, and such default shall continue for three (3) or
more Business Days, in the payment when due of any interest on the
Loans or on any reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under
Letters of Credit, or of any Fees or other amounts owing hereunder,
under any of the other Credit Documents or in connection herewith or
therewith; or
(b) Representations. Any representation, warranty or statement made or
---------------
deemed to be made by the Borrower or any Crescent Guarantor herein, in any
of the other Credit Documents, or in any statement or certificate delivered
or required to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove untrue
in any material respect on the date as of which it was deemed to have been
made; or
(c) Covenants. The Borrower or the Crescent Guarantor shall
---------
(i) default in the due performance or observance of any term,
covenant or agreement contained in Sections 7.2, 7.9, 7.11, or 8.1
through 8.14, inclusive;
(ii) default in the due performance or observance of any term,
covenant or agreement contained in Sections 7.1(a), (b) (c) or (d) and
such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least five
(5) Business Days after the earlier of an Executive Officer of a
Credit Party becoming aware of such default or notice thereof by the
Administrative Agent; or
(iii) default in the due performance or observance by it
of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in
subsections (a), (b), (c)(i) or (c)(ii) of this Section 9.1) contained
in this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document and such default
shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after the
earlier of an Executive Officer of a Credit Party
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becoming aware of such default or notice thereof by the Administrative
Agent; or
(d) Other Credit Documents. Except as otherwise expressly permitted
----------------------
herein, any Credit Document shall fail to be in full force and effect in
all material respects or to give the Administrative Agent and/or the
Lenders the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created
thereby in all material respects, or any Credit Party shall so state in
writing; or
(e) Guaranties. Except as the result of or in connection with a
----------
dissolution, merger or disposition of a Subsidiary permitted under Section
8.4 or Section 8.5, the guaranty given by any Guarantor (including any
Person which becomes a Guarantor after the Closing Date in accordance with
Section 7.12) or any provision thereof shall cease to be in full force and
effect in all material respects, or any Guarantor (including any Person
which becomes a Guarantor after the Closing Date in accordance with Section
7.12) or any Person acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor shall deny or
disaffirm such Guarantor's obligations under such guaranty; or
(f) Bankruptcy, etc. Any Bankruptcy Event shall occur with respect to
---------------
any Credit Party; or
(g) Defaults in respect of Other Indebtedness. With respect to any
-----------------------------------------
Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness outstanding under this Credit
Agreement) in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate for the members of the
Consolidated Group taken as a whole, (i) any member of the Consolidated
Group shall (A) default in any payment (beyond the applicable grace period
with respect thereto, if any) with respect to any such Indebtedness, or (B)
the occurrence and continuance of a default in the observance or
performance relating to such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or
agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event or
condition shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or
other event or condition is to cause, or to permit, the holder or holders
of such Indebtedness (or trustee or agent on behalf of such holders) to
cause (determined without regard to whether any notice or lapse of time is
required), any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated
maturity; or (ii) any such Indebtedness shall be declared due and payable,
or required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required
prepayment, prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
(h) Judgments. One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered
---------
against one or more of the members of the Consolidated Group involving a
liability of $1,000,000 or more in the aggregate (to the extent not paid or
fully covered by insurance provided by a carrier who has acknowledged
coverage and has the ability to perform) or otherwise having a Material
Adverse Effect and any such judgments or decrees shall not have been
vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 30 days from
the entry thereof; or
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(i) ERISA. Any of the following events or conditions, if such event or
-----
condition is reasonably likely to involve the imposition of taxes,
penalties, and other liabilities against members of the Consolidated Group
in an aggregate amount in excess of $1,000,000: (i) any "accumulated
funding deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and
Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code, whether or not waived, shall
exist with respect to any Plan, or any lien shall arise on the assets of
any member of the Consolidated Group in favor of the PBGC or a Plan; (ii)
an ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Single Employer Plan, which
is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, likely to result
in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA; (iii) an
ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple
Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative
Agent, likely to result in (A) the termination of such Plan for purposes of
Title IV of ERISA, or (B) any member of the Consolidated Group incurring
any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, reorganization of
(within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or insolvency (within the
meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) of such Plan; (iv) any prohibited
transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of
the Internal Revenue Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility shall
occur which may subject any member of the Consolidated Group or any ERISA
Affiliate to any liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, or under any agreement
or other instrument pursuant to which any member of the Consolidated Group
or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify any person
against any such liability; or (v) the occurrence of any event described in
the preceding sections (i) - (iv) in relation to an ERISA Affiliate Plan,
if such event actually results in any member of the Consolidated Group's
incurring liability for taxes, penalties or other liabilities in an
aggregate amount in excess of $1,000,000; or
(j) Ownership. There shall occur a Change of Control; or
---------
(k) Friedman's Credit Agreement. The occurrence and continuance of an
---------------------------
Event of Default under the Friedman's Credit Agreement or the termination
of commitments in full prior to the stated Termination Date (as extended,
if extended) thereunder.
9.2 Acceleration; Remedies.
----------------------
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time thereafter
unless and until such Event of Default has been waived by the requisite Lenders
(pursuant to the voting requirements of Section 11.6) or cured to the
satisfaction of the requisite Lenders (pursuant to the voting procedures in
Section 11.6), the Administrative Agent shall, upon the request and direction of
the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower take any of the
following actions:
(a) Termination of Commitments. Declare the Commitments terminated
--------------------------
whereupon the Commitments shall be immediately terminated.
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(b) Acceleration. Declare the unpaid principal of and any accrued
------------
interest in respect of all Loans, any reimbursement obligations arising
from drawings under Letters of Credit and any and all other indebtedness or
obligations of any and every kind owing by the Credit Parties to the
Administrative Agent and/or any of the Lenders hereunder to be due
whereupon the same shall be immediately due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby waived by the Credit Parties.
(c) Cash Collateral. Direct the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors
---------------
to pay (and the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors agree that upon
receipt of such notice, or upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under
Section 9.1(f), they will immediately pay) to the Administrative Agent
additional cash, to be held by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of
the Lenders, in a cash collateral account as additional security for the
LOC Obligations in respect of subsequent drawings under all then
outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to the maximum aggregate
amount which may be drawn under all Letters of Credits then outstanding.
(d) Enforcement of Rights. Enforce any and all rights and interests
---------------------
created and existing under the Credit Documents including, without
limitation, all rights and remedies existing under the Collateral
Documents, all rights and remedies against a Guarantor and all rights of
set-off.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in Section
9.1(f) shall occur with respect to the Borrower, then the Commitments shall
automatically terminate and all Loans, all reimbursement obligations arising
from drawings under Letters of Credit, all accrued interest in respect thereof,
all accrued and unpaid Fees and other indebtedness or obligations owing to the
Administrative Agent and/or any of the Lenders hereunder automatically shall
immediately become due and payable without the giving of any notice or other
action by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.
SECTION 10
AGENCY PROVISIONS
-----------------
10.1 Appointment, Powers and Immunities.
----------------------------------
Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative
Agent to act as its agent under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents with such powers and discretion as are specifically delegated to the
Administrative Agent by the terms of this Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Each Lender further authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to execute
and deliver releases (or similar agreements) to give effect to the provisions of
this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, including specifically,
without limitation, the provisions of Section 8.5 hereof. The Administrative
Agent (which term as used in this sentence and in Section 10.5 and the first
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sentence of Section 10.6 shall include its Affiliates and its own and its
Affiliates' officers, directors, employees, and agents): (a) shall not have any
duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Credit
Agreement and shall not be a trustee or fiduciary for any Lender; (b) shall not
be responsible to the Lenders for any recital, statement, representation, or
warranty (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Credit
Document or any certificate or other document referred to or provided for in, or
received by any of them under, any Credit Document, or for the value, validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability, or sufficiency of any Credit
Document, or any other document referred to or provided for therein or for any
failure by any Credit Party or any other Person to perform any of its
obligations thereunder; (c) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to
ascertain, inquire into, or verify the performance or observance of any
covenants or agreements by any Credit Party or the satisfaction of any condition
or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of any Credit Party
or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; (d) shall not be required to initiate
or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings under any Credit Document;
and (e) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken by
it under or in connection with any Credit Document, except for its own gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent may employ agents
and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be responsible for the negligence or
misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with
reasonable care.
10.2 Reliance by Administrative Agent.
--------------------------------
The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any certification,
notice, instrument, writing, or other communication (including, without
limitation, any thereof by telephone or telecopy) believed by it to be genuine
and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by or on behalf of the proper
Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including
counsel for any Credit Party), independent accountants, and other experts
selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and
treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless
and until the Administrative Agent receives and accepts an Assignment and
Acceptance executed in accordance with Section 11.3(b) hereof. As to any
matters not expressly provided for by this Credit Agreement, the Administrative
Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but
shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected
in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Required
Lenders, and such instructions shall be binding on all of the Lenders; provided,
--------
however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action
- -------
that exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or that is contrary
to any Credit Document or applicable law or unless it shall first be indemnified
to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense
which may be incurred by it by reason of taking any such action.
10.3 Defaults.
--------
The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of
the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent
has received
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written notice from a Lender or a Credit Party specifying such Default or Event
of Default and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default". In the event
that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a
Default or Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice
thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall (subject to Section 10.2)
take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall
reasonably be directed by the Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as
required by Section 11.6), provided that, unless and until the Administrative
-------- ----
Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but
shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action,
with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in
the best interest of the Lenders.
10.4 Rights as a Lender.
------------------
With respect to its Commitment and the Loans made by it, Bank of America
(and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) in its capacity as a Lender
hereunder shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender
and may exercise the same as though it were not acting as the Administrative
Agent, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless the context otherwise
indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity. Bank of
America (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) and its Affiliates
may (without having to account therefor to any Lender) accept deposits from,
lend money to, make investments in, provide services to, and generally engage in
any kind of lending, trust, or other business with any Credit Party or any of
its Subsidiaries or Affiliates as if it were not acting as Administrative Agent,
and Bank of America (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) and its
Affiliates may accept fees and other consideration from any Credit Party or any
of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates for services in connection with this Credit
Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to the Lenders.
10.5 Indemnification.
---------------
The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent not
reimbursed under Section 11.5 hereof, but without limiting the obligations of
the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors under Section 11.5) ratably (in
accordance with their respective Revolving Commitments (or, if the Revolving
Commitments have been terminated, the outstanding Revolving Loans, Swingline
Loans and Participation Interests in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loan
(including the Participation Interests of the Issuing Lender in Letters of
Credit and the Participation Interests of the Swingline Lender in Swingline
Loans)) for any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees), or
disbursements of any kind and nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred
by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (including by any Lender) in any
way relating to or arising out of any Credit Document or the transactions
contemplated thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent
under any Credit Document; provided that no Lender shall be liable for any of
--------
the foregoing to the extent they arise from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the Person to be indemnified. Without limitation of the
foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent promptly
upon demand for its
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ratable share of any costs or expenses payable by the Borrower and the Crescent
Guarantors under Section 11.5, to the extent that the Administrative Agent is
not promptly reimbursed for such costs and expenses by the Borrower and the
Crescent Guarantors. The agreements in this Section 10.5 shall survive the
repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under the Credit
Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder.
10.6 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
------------------------------------------------------
Each Lender agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the
Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries and decision to enter into this Credit
Agreement and that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative 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
analysis and decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit
Documents. Except for notices, reports, and other documents and information
expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent
hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to
provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs,
financial condition, or business of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries
or Affiliates that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or
any of its Affiliates.
10.7 Successor Administrative Agent.
------------------------------
The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to
the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders
shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent. If no
successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required
Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after
the retiring Administrative Agent's giving of notice of resignation, then the
retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor
Administrative Agent which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws
of the United States having combined capital and surplus of at least
$100,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent
hereunder by a successor, such successor shall thereupon succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, discretion, privileges, and duties of the
retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring
Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the
provisions of this Section 10 shall continue in effect for its benefit in
respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as
Administrative Agent.
10.8 Appointment of Collateral Agent.
-------------------------------
The Lenders hereby appoint, authorize and direct Bank of America, N.A., its
successors and assigns in such capacity, to act as collateral agent under the
Collateral
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Documents (in such capacity, the "Collateral Agent") with such powers and
----------------
discretion as are specifically delegated to the Collateral Agent by the
terms thereof, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. The Lenders further agree that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled
to the same rights, privileges, powers, immunities and indemnification provided
to the Administrative Agent under this Section 10 to the same extent as provided
to the Administrative Agent.
10.9 Documentation Agent.
-------------------
The Documentation Agent, in its capacity as such, shall have no rights,
powers, duties, liabilities, fiduciary relationships or obligations under this
Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.
SECTION 11
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
11.1 Notices.
-------
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other
communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective (a) when
delivered, (b) when transmitted via telecopy (or other facsimile device) to the
number set out below, (c) the Business Day following the day on which the same
has been delivered prepaid to a reputable national overnight air courier
service, or (d) the third Business Day following the day on which the same is
sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, in each case to the
respective parties at the address, in the case of the Borrower, the Crescent
Guarantors and the Administrative Agent, set forth below, and, in the case of
the Lenders, set forth on Schedule 11.1, or at such other address as such party
-------------
may specify by written notice to the other parties hereto:
if to the Borrower or the Crescent Guarantors:
Crescent Jewelers
315 11th Street
Oakland, California 94607
Attn: Joe Donaghy
Telephone: (510) 874-7689
Telecopy: (510) 835-0906
with a copy to each of the following:
Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP
One Market-Spear Street Tower
San Francisco, California 94105
Attn: Douglas M. Young, Esq.
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Telephone: (415) 442-1005
Telecopy: (415) 442-1010
Friedman's Inc.
4 West State Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Attn: Victor Sughia
Telephone: (912) 231-6606
Telecopy: (912) 234-1031
Alston & Bird, LLP
1201 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Attn: Mark F. McElreath
Telephone: (404) 881-7378
Telecopy: (404) 881-4777
if to the Administrative Agent:
Bank of America, N.A.
901 Main Street, 6th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75202-3714
Attn: Mark King
Agency Services
Telephone: (214) 209-0411
Telecopy: (214) 209-0477
with a copy to:
Bank of America, N.A.
600 Peachtree Street, NE
19th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30308-2214
Attn: Walter Bland
Telephone: (404) 607-5861
Telecopy: (404) 607-6343
and
Bank of America, N.A.
901 Main Street, 6th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75202-3714
Attn: Jim Casper
Telephone: (214) 209-0401
Telecopy: (214) 209-3501
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11.2 Right of Set-Off; Adjustments.
-----------------------------
Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default,
each Lender (and each of its affiliates) is hereby authorized at any time and
from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, 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 (or any
of its affiliates) to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any
Crescent Guarantor against any and all of the obligations of such Person now or
hereafter existing under this Credit Agreement, under the Notes, under any other
Credit Document or otherwise, irrespective of whether such Lender shall have
made any demand under hereunder or thereunder and although such obligations may
be unmatured. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify any affected Credit Party
after any such set-off and application made by such Lender; provided, however,
-------- -------
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 11.2 are in
addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other
rights of set-off) that such Lender may have.
11.3 Benefit of Agreement.
--------------------
(a) This Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of
the parties hereto; provided that none of the Borrower or any of the
--------
Crescent Guarantors may assign or transfer any of its interests and
obligations without prior written consent of each of the Lenders; provided
--------
further that the rights of each Lender to transfer, assign or grant
-------
participations in its rights and/or obligations hereunder shall be limited
as set forth in this Section 11.3.
(b) Each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a
portion of its rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement
(including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Loans, its Notes,
and its Commitment); provided, however, that
-------- -------
(i) each such assignment shall be to an Eligible Assignee;
(ii) except in the case of an assignment to another Lender, an
Affiliate of an existing Lender or any fund that invests in bank loans
and is advised or managed by an investment advisor to an existing
Lender or an assignment of all of a Lender's rights and obligations
under this Credit Agreement, any such partial assignment shall be in
an amount at least equal to $5,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining
amount of the Commitment being assigned by such Lender) or an integral
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
(iii) any such assignment shall be of a constant, not varying,
percentage of all of the Obligations and Commitments hereunder and of
the
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Obligations and Commitments under the Friedman's Credit Agreement;
and
(iv) the parties to such assignment shall execute and deliver to
the Administrative Agent for its acceptance an Assignment and
Acceptance in the form of Schedule 11.3(b) hereto, together with any
----------------
Note subject to such assignment and a processing fee of $3,500.
Upon execution, delivery, and acceptance of such Assignment and Acceptance,
the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of such
assignment, have the obligations, rights, and benefits of a Lender
hereunder and the assigning Lender shall, to the extent of such assignment,
relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under this
Credit Agreement. Upon the consummation of any assignment pursuant to this
Section 11.3(b), the assignor, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower
shall make appropriate arrangements so that, if required, new Notes are
issued to the assignor and the assignee. If the assignee is not a United
States person under Section 6701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code, it
shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent certification as
to exemption from deduction or withholding of Taxes in accordance with
Section 3.11.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain at its address referred to
in Section 11.1 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and
accepted by 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 owing to, each Lender from time to time (the "Register"). The
--------
entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes,
absent manifest error, and the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as
a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement. The Register
shall be available for inspection by the Credit Parties or any Lender at
any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
Any assignment of any loan, commitment, interest or obligation hereunder or
under the other Credit Documents shall be effective only upon an entry with
respect thereto being made in the Register.
(d) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by the
parties thereto, together with any Note subject to such assignment and
payment of the processing fee, the Administrative Agent shall, if such
Assignment and Acceptance has been completed and is in substantially the
form of Schedule 11.3(b) hereto, (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance,
----------------
(ii) record the information contained therein in the Register and (iii)
give prompt notice thereof to the parties thereto.
(e) Each Lender may sell participations to one or more Persons in all
or a portion of its rights, obligations or rights and obligations under
this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment or its
Loans); provided,
--------
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however, that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Credit Agreement
-------
shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to
the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the
participant shall be entitled to the benefit of the yield protection
provisions contained in Sections 3.7 through 3.12, inclusive, (but only to
the extent of the Lender selling such participation) and the right of set-
off contained in Section 11.2 (upon exercise of such right of set-off, such
exercising participant shall notify the Borrower), and (iv) the Credit
Parties shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in
connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Credit
Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the
obligations of the Credit Parties relating to the obligations of the
Borrower and the Guarantors hereunder or in connection herewith owing to
such Lender and to approve any amendment, modification, or waiver of any
provision of this Credit Agreement (other than amendments, modifications,
or waivers decreasing the amount of principal of or the rate at which
interest is payable on such Loans or Notes, extending any scheduled
principal payment date or date fixed for the payment of interest on such
Loans or Notes, or extending its Commitment).
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Credit
Agreement, any Lender may at any time assign and pledge all or any portion
of its Loans and its Notes to any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral
security pursuant to Regulation A and any Operating Circular issued by such
Federal Reserve Bank. No such assignment shall release the assigning
Lender from its obligations hereunder.
(g) Any Lender may furnish any information concerning the members of
the Consolidated Group in the possession of such Lender from time to time
to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and
participants), subject, however, to the provisions of Section 11.14 hereof.
(h) Each Lender hereby acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the
standstill provisions appearing in Section 28 of the Friedman's Guaranty
Agreement, and further agrees to cooperate with the Administrative Agent
and Friedman's in connection with any purchase and assignment of the rights
of the Lenders under this Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents
as provided in Section 29 of the Friedman's Guaranty Agreement.
11.4 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.
------------------------------
No failure or delay on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender
in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit
Document and no course of dealing between the Administrative Agent or any Lender
and any of the Credit Parties shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or under
any other Credit Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder. The
rights and remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies
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which the Administrative Agent or any Lender would otherwise have. No notice to
or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle the Credit Parties to
any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or
constitute a waiver of the rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to
any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.
11.5 Expenses; Indemnification.
-------------------------
(a) The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors jointly and severally
agree to pay on demand all reasonable costs and expenses of the
Administrative Agent actually incurred in connection with the syndication,
preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, and
amendment of this Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents, and the
other documents to be delivered hereunder, including, without limitation,
the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Administrative Agent
with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Administrative Agent
as to its rights and responsibilities under the Credit Documents. The
Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors further jointly and severally agree to
pay on demand all reasonable costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders, if any (including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses and the cost of internal counsel), in
connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings, or otherwise) of the Credit Documents and the other documents
to be delivered thereunder. In addition, the Borrower and the Crescent
Guarantors agree to permit the Administrative Agent to perform periodic
inventory and accounts receivable field audits for members of the
Consolidated Group at the Borrower's expense.
(b) The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors jointly and severally
agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each
Lender and each of their Affiliates and their respective officers,
directors, employees, agents, and advisors (each, an "Indemnified Party")
-----------------
from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs,
and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees
actually incurred) that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against
any Indemnified Party, in each case arising out of or in connection with or
by reason of (including, without limitation, in connection with any
investigation, litigation, or proceeding or preparation of defense in
connection therewith) the Credit Documents, any of the transactions
contemplated herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the
Loans, except (a) to the extent such claim, damage, loss, liability, cost,
or expense is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of
competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Indemnified Party's gross
negligence or willful misconduct, or (b) to the extent such claim, damage,
loss, liability, cost or expense arises solely by or results solely from a
dispute among the Lenders or a dispute between any Lender and the
Administrative Agent, or (c) to the extent such claim, damage, loss,
liability, cost or expense results from a breach of contract by such
Indemnified Party with respect to the Credit Documents. In the case of an
investigation, litigation or other
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proceeding to which the indemnity in this Section 11.5 applies, such
indemnity shall be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation
or proceeding is brought by any of the Borrower and the Crescent
Guarantors, their respective directors, shareholders or creditors or an
Indemnified Party or any other Person or any Indemnified Party is otherwise
a party thereto and whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are
consummated. The Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors agree not to assert
any claim against the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any of their
Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees,
attorneys, agents, and advisors, on any theory of liability, for special,
indirect, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise
relating to the Credit Documents, any of the transactions contemplated
herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans.
(c) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors hereunder, the agreements and
obligations of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors contained in this
Section 11.5 shall survive the repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and
other obligations under the Credit Documents and the termination of the
Commitments hereunder.
11.6 Amendments, Waivers and Consents.
--------------------------------
Neither this Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document nor any of the
terms hereof or thereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or
terminated unless such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is in
writing entered into by, or approved in writing by, the Required Lenders and the
Borrower, provided, however, that:
-------- -------
(a) without the consent of each Lender affected thereby, neither this
Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document may be amended to
(i) extend the final maturity of any Loan or of any
reimbursement obligation, or any portion thereof, arising from
drawings under Letters of Credit,
(ii) reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest
(other than as a result of waiving the applicability of any post-
default increase in interest rates) thereon or Fees hereunder,
(iii) reduce or waive the principal amount of any Loan or of any
reimbursement obligation, or any portion thereof, arising from
drawings under Letters of Credit,
(iv) increase the Commitment of a Lender over the amount thereof
in effect (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any Default
or Event of Default or mandatory reduction in the Commitments shall
not constitute a change in the terms of any Commitment of any Lender),
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(v) except as the result of or in connection with an Asset
Disposition permitted by Section 8.5 or otherwise expressly permitted
under the Collateral Documents, release any Collateral having a book
value exceeding $1,500,000,
(vi) except as the result of or in connection with a
dissolution, merger or disposition of a member of the Consolidated
Group permitted under Section 8.4, release the Borrower, Friedman's or
any other Credit Party from its obligations under the Credit
Documents,
(vii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 11.6
or Section 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 3.15,
9.1(a), 11.2, 11.3, 11.5 or 11.9,
(viii) reduce any percentage specified in, or otherwise modify,
the definition of Required Lenders, or
(ix) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower,
Friedman's or any other Credit Party of any of its rights and
obligations under (or in respect of) the Credit Documents except as
permitted thereby;
(b) without the consent of the Administrative Agent, no provision of
Section 10 may be amended; and
(c) without the consent of the Issuing Lender, no provision of
Sections 2.2(a)(ii) or 2.6 may be amended; and
(d) the advance rate percentages against Eligible Receivables and
Eligible Inventory comprising the Borrowing Base may be adjusted downward
by the Administrative Agent in its good faith discretion (and thereafter
readjusted upward by the Administrative Agent in its good faith discretion
to rates not in excess of the original advance rates) without the prior
consent of, or notice to, the Credit Parties or the other Lenders;
Notwithstanding the fact that the consent of all the Lenders is required in
certain circumstances as set forth above, (x) each Lender is entitled to vote as
such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the
Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of
the Bankruptcy Code supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein
and (y) the Required Lenders may consent to allow a Credit Party to use cash
collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.
11.7 Counterparts.
------------
This Credit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in
making proof of this Credit Agreement to
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produce or account for more than one such counterpart for each of the parties
hereto. Delivery by facsimile by any of the parties hereto of an executed
counterpart of this Credit Agreement shall be as effective as an original
executed counterpart hereof and shall be deemed a representation that an
original executed counterpart hereof will be delivered.
11.8 Headings.
--------
The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided for
convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of
any provision of this Credit Agreement.
11.9 Survival.
--------
All indemnities set forth herein, including, without limitation, in Section
2.6(h), 3.11, 3.12, 10.5 or 11.5, shall survive the execution and delivery of
this Credit Agreement, the making of the Loans, the issuance of the Letters of
Credit, the repayment of the Loans, LOC Obligations and other obligations under
the Credit Documents and the termination of the Commitments hereunder, and all
representations and warranties made by the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors
herein shall survive delivery of the Notes and the making of the Loans
hereunder.
11.10 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.
------------------------------------------------
(a) THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED
THEREIN, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE
PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Credit Agreement or any
other Credit Document may be brought in the State or Federal courts located
in Charlotte, North Carolina, and, by execution and delivery of this Credit
Agreement, each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably accepts for itself
and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, the
nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts. Each of the parties hereto
further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the
aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of
copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to it at
the address set out for notices pursuant to Section 11.1, such service to
become effective three (3) days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall
affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner
permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or to otherwise proceed
against any party hereto in any other jurisdiction.
(b) Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives any
objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any
of the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection
with this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document brought in the
courts referred to in subsection (a) above and hereby further irrevocably
waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such
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court that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has been
brought in an inconvenient forum.
(c) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR
COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, ANY OF
THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
11.11 Severability.
------------
If any provision of any of the Credit Documents is determined to be
illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and
the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provisions.
11.12 Entirety.
--------
This Credit Agreement together with the other Credit Documents represent
the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any commitment
letters or correspondence relating to the Credit Documents or the transactions
contemplated herein and therein.
11.13 Binding Effect; Termination.
---------------------------
(a) This Credit Agreement shall become effective at such time on or
after the Closing Date when it shall have been executed by the Borrower,
the Crescent Guarantors and the Administrative Agent, and the
Administrative Agent shall have received copies hereof (telefaxed or
otherwise) which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each Lender,
and thereafter this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Borrower and the Crescent Guarantors, the Administrative
Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns.
(b) The term of this Credit Agreement shall be until no Loans, LOC
Obligations or any other amounts payable hereunder or under any of the
other Credit Documents shall remain outstanding, no Letters of Credit shall
be outstanding, all of the Loans and obligations owing hereunder and under
the other Credit Documents have been irrevocably satisfied in full and all
of the Commitments hereunder shall have expired or been terminated.
11.14 Confidentiality.
---------------
The Administrative Agent and each Lender (each, a "Lending Party") agrees
-------------
to keep confidential any information furnished or made available to it by the
Credit Parties pursuant to this Credit Agreement that is marked confidential;
provided that nothing
- --------
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herein shall prevent any Lending Party from disclosing such information (a) to
any other Lending Party or any Affiliate of any Lending Party, or any officer,
director, employee, agent, or advisor of any Lending Party or Affiliate of any
Lending Party, (b) to any other Person if reasonably incidental to the
administration of the credit facility provided herein, (c) as required by any
law, rule, or regulation, (d) upon the order of any court or administrative
agency, (e) upon the request or demand of any regulatory agency or authority,
(f) that is or becomes available to the public or that is or becomes available
to any Lending Party other than as a result of a disclosure by any Lending Party
prohibited by this Credit Agreement, (g) in connection with any litigation to
which such Lending Party or any of its Affiliates may be a party, (h) to the
extent necessary in connection with the exercise of any remedy under this Credit
Agreement or any other Credit Document, (i) to the National Association of
Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized
rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender's investment
portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, (j) to
any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in swap agreements or such
contractual counterparty's professional advisor (so long as such contractual
counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual counterparty (i) has
been approved in writing by the Borrower and (ii) agrees in a writing
enforceable by the Borrower to be bound by the provisions of this Section 11.14)
and (k) subject to provisions substantially similar to those contained in this
Section 11.14, to any actual or proposed participant or assignee.
11.15 Source of Funds.
---------------
Each of the Lenders hereby represents and warrants to the Borrower that at
least one of the following statements is and will, throughout the term of this
Credit Agreement, remain an accurate representation as to each source of funds
to be used by such Lender in connection with the financing hereunder:
(a) (i) no part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to any
separate account maintained by such Lender in which any employee benefit
plan (or its related trust) has any interest, or (ii) to the extent that
any part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to any separate account
maintained by such Lender, such Lender has disclosed to the Borrower the
name of each employee benefit plan whose assets in such account exceed the
limits imposed by Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 90-1 as of the
date of such purchase (and, for purposes of this clause (ii), all employee
benefit plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization are
deemed to be a single plan and each party-in-interest with respect to such
plan);
(b) to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes assets of an
insurance company's general account, the assets of the general account do
not constitute plan assets because the general account complies with
Section 401(b)(2) or Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA (and the regulations,
including proposed regulations, thereunder), or the insurance company
complies with Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 95-60 as to such
general account; and
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(c) to the extent that any part of such funds constitute assets of one
or more specific benefit plans such Lender has identified in writing to the
Borrower the name of each such benefit plan and each party-in-interest with
respect to such plan.
As used in this Section 11.15, the terms "employee benefit plan", "party-in-
interest" and "separate account" shall have the respective meanings assigned to
such terms in Section 3 of ERISA.
11.16 Conflict.
--------
To the extent that there is a conflict or inconsistency between any
provision hereof, on the one hand, and any provision of any Credit Document, on
the other hand, this Credit Agreement shall control.
[Signature Page to Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of
this Credit Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first
above written.
BORROWER: CRESCENT JEWELERS,
- --------
a California corporation
By: /s/ Joseph M. Donaghy
----------------------------
Name: Joseph M. Donaghy
-------------------------
Title: Chief Financial Officer
GUARANTORS: CRESCENT JEWELERS, INC.,
- ----------
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Joseph M. Donaghy
----------------------------
Name: Joseph M. Donaghy
-------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President and
-------------------------
Chief Financial Officer,
[Signature Pages Continue]
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LENDERS: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
- -------
individually in its capacity as a
Lender and in its capacity as Administrative Agent
By:
----------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,
individually in its capacity as a
Lender and in its capacity as Documentation Agent
By:
----------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
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<PAGE>
GUARANTY AGREEMENT
THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT dated as of September __, 1999 (the "Guaranty") is
--------
given by FRIEDMAN'S INC., a Delaware corporation, and the subsidiaries and
affiliates identified on the signature pages hereto and as may hereafter join as
a Guarantor hereunder (collectively, the "Guarantors"), in favor of BANK OF
----------
AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative
--------------
Agent") for the Lenders under the Crescent Credit Agreement referenced below.
- -----
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, a $112.5 million revolving credit facility, as increased or
decreased from time to time, has been established in favor of Crescent Jewelers,
a California corporation (the "Borrower") pursuant to the terms of that Credit
--------
Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, modified, extended renewed or
replaced, the "Crescent Credit Agreement"; capitalized terms used herein but not
-------------------------
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Crescent Credit
Agreement) among the Borrower, the subsidiaries and affiliates identified
therein, as guarantors (the "Crescent Guarantors"), the lenders identified
-------------------
therein (the "Lenders"), Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and
-------
General Electric Capital Corporation, as documentation agent;
WHEREAS, this Guaranty is a condition precedent to the obligations of the
Lenders to make loans and extensions of credit to the Borrower under the
Crescent Credit Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the Guarantors hereby agree as follows:
1. The Guaranty. Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally
------------
guarantees to each Lender, each affiliate of a Lender that enters into a Hedging
Agreement with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent as hereinafter
provided, as primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment of the
Guaranteed Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a
mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or
otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof. The Guarantors hereby
further agree that if any of the Guaranteed Obligations then due are not paid in
full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by
acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise), the
Guarantors will, jointly and severally, promptly pay the same, without any
further demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of
time of payment or renewal of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, the same will
be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory
prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise)
in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.
This is a guaranty of payment and not of collection.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any
other of the Credit Documents, in the event of a bankruptcy or other similar
insolvency proceeding of a Guarantor, the obligations of each such Guarantor
hereunder shall be limited to an aggregate
<PAGE>
amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its Guaranteed
Obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy
Code or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.
As used herein,
"Guaranteed Obligations" means, collectively:
----------------------
(i) all unpaid principal of and interest on (including, interest
accruing after the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event, regardless of whether
such interest is an allowed claim under the Bankruptcy Code) the loans and
obligations of the Borrower under the Crescent Credit Agreement, the prompt
payment and performance of the guaranty obligations of the Crescent Guarantors
under the Crescent Credit Agreement, and the other obligations (including
indemnities, payment of fees, recovery of expenses and costs of enforcement
and collection) owing under the other Credit Documents relating to the
Crescent Credit Agreement, howsoever evidenced, created, incurred or acquired,
whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, or joint and several; and
(ii) all obligations and liabilities owing under Hedging Agreements
with Lenders or affiliates of Lenders under the Crescent Credit Agreement to
the extent the permitted under the Crescent Credit Agreement.
2. Guaranteed Obligations Unconditional. The obligations of the
------------------------------------
Guarantors under Section 1 are joint and several, absolute and unconditional,
irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability
of any of the Credit Documents or Hedging Agreements, or any other agreement or
instrument referred to therein, or any substitution, compromise, release,
impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the
Guaranteed Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise
constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor,
it being the intent of this Section 2 that the obligations of the Guarantors
hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, the occurrence of any one or more of the
following shall not alter or impair the liability of any Guarantor hereunder
which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:
(a) at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Guarantor,
the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Guaranteed
Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be
waived;
(b) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any of the
Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreements between a Lender or an affiliate
of a Lender and the Borrower, or any other agreement or instrument referred
to in the Credit Documents or such Hedging Agreements shall be done or
omitted;
(c) the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be
accelerated, or any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be modified,
supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the
Credit Documents, any Hedging Agreement between a Lender or
2
<PAGE>
any affiliate of a Lender and the Borrower, or any other agreement or
instrument referred to in the Credit Documents or such Hedging Agreements
shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the Guaranteed Obligations
or any security therefor shall be released, impaired or exchanged in whole
or in part or otherwise dealt with;
(d) any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or
any Lender or Lenders as security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations
shall fail to attach or be perfected; or
(e) any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be determined to be void or
voidable (including, without limitation, for the benefit of any creditor of
any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person
(including, without limitation, any creditor of any Guarantor).
With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby expressly
waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment (except as expressly provided
Section 1), protest, notice of acceptance of this Guaranty and of extensions of
credit which may constitute Guaranteed Obligations, notice of amendments,
waivers or supplements to the Credit Documents or the compromise, release or
exchange of collateral or security and all other notices whatsoever, and any
requirement that the Administrative Agent or any Lender exhaust any right, power
or remedy or proceed against any Person under any of the Credit Documents, any
Hedging Agreements between a Lender or any affiliate of a Lender and the
Borrower, or any other agreement or instrument referred to in the Credit
Documents, or such Hedging Agreements or against any other Person under any
other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Guaranteed Obligations.
3. Reinstatement. Neither the Guarantors' obligations hereunder nor any
-------------
remedy for the enforcement thereof shall be impaired, modified, changed or
released in any manner whatsoever by an impairment, modification, change,
release or limitation of the liability of the Borrower, by reason of the
Borrower's bankruptcy or insolvency or by reason of the invalidity or
unenforceability of all or any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations. The
obligations of the Guarantors under this Guaranty shall be automatically
reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf
of any Person in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must be
otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, whether
as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, and
each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each
Lender on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the
Administrative Agent or such Lender in connection with such rescission or
restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against
any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent
transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.
4. Certain Additional Waivers. The Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty may
--------------------------
be enforced by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders without the necessity of
resorting to or exhausting any other security or collateral and without the
necessity at any time of having recourse to the Borrower under the Crescent
Credit Agreement or any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or
otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees not to assert any right to require the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders to proceed against the Borrower or any
other Person (including any co-guarantor) or to require the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders to pursue
3
<PAGE>
any other remedy or enforce any other right. Each Guarantor further agrees that
it shall not exercise its right of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnity, nor
shall it exercise right of recourse to security, if any, for the Guaranteed
Obligations so long as any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or the
Lenders in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations shall remain outstanding and
until all of the Commitments shall have expired or been terminated. Each
Guarantor further acknowledges and agrees that, subject to Section 28 hereof,
nothing contained in this Guaranty shall prevent the Administrative Agent or the
Lenders from suing the Borrower in respect of its obligations under the Crescent
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents or foreclosing on any security
interest or lien on any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or from
exercising any other rights available to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders under the Credit Documents if neither the Borrower nor the Guarantors
timely perform their obligations, and the exercise of any of such rights and
completion of any such foreclosure proceedings shall not constitute a discharge
of any of the Guarantors' obligations hereunder unless as a result thereof the
Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full and all of the Commitments
shall have terminated or expired, it being the purpose and intent that the
Guarantors' obligations hereunder be absolute, irrevocable, independent and
unconditional under all circumstances.
5. Remedies. Each Guarantor agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted
--------
by law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders, on the other hand, the Guaranteed Obligations may be declared
to be forthwith due and payable for purposes of Section 1 notwithstanding any
stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing
such Guaranteed Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as
against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or such
Guaranteed Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and
payable), such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any
other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for
purposes of Section 1. The Guarantors acknowledge and agree that their
obligations hereunder are secured in accordance with the terms of the Collateral
Documents and that the Lenders may exercise their remedies thereunder in
accordance with the terms thereof.
6. Attorneys' Fees and Costs of Collection. If at any time or times
---------------------------------------
hereafter the Administrative Agent or the Lenders employ counsel to pursue
collection, to intervene, to sue for enforcement of the terms hereof or of the
Crescent Credit Agreement or any other of the Credit Documents, or to file a
petition, complaint, answer, motion or other pleading in any suit or proceeding
relating to this Guaranty, the Crescent Credit Agreement or any other of the
Credit Documents, then in such event, all of the reasonable attorneys' fees
actually incurred relating thereto shall be an additional liability of the
Guarantors to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder, payable on
demand.
7. Right of Set-Off. After the occurrence of an Event of Default under the
----------------
Crescent Credit Agreement, any Lender may set-off any matured obligation owed by
any Guarantor under this Guaranty (to the extent beneficially owned or held by
such Lender) against any obligation (whether or not matured) owed by such Lender
to such Guarantor, regardless of the place of payment. If any obligation is
unliquidated or unascertained, such Lender may set-off in any amount estimated
by it in good faith to be the amount of that obligation. Any such payments
received by any Lender shall be shared in the manner described in Section 3.14
of the Crescent Credit Agreement.
4
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8. Term of Guarantee. This Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect
-----------------
until the Guaranteed Obligations are fully and indefeasibly paid, performed and
discharged and all Commitments have expired or been terminated. This Guaranty
covers the Guaranteed Obligations whether presently outstanding or arising
subsequent to the date hereof including all amounts advanced by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender in stages or installments.
9. Further Representations and Warranties. Each Guarantor agrees that the
--------------------------------------
Administrative Agent and the Lenders will have no obligation to investigate the
financial condition or affairs of the Borrower for the benefit of the Guarantor
nor to advise the Guarantor of any fact respecting, or any change in, the
financial condition or affairs of the Borrower which might come to the knowledge
of the Administrative Agent or any Lender at any time, whether or not the
Administrative Agent or any Lender knows or believes or has reason to know or
believe that any such fact or change is unknown to such Guarantor or might (or
does) materially increase the risk of such Guarantor as guarantor or might (or
would) affect the willingness of the Guarantor to continue as guarantor with
respect to the Guaranteed Obligations.
10. Additional Liability of Guarantors. If any Guarantor is or becomes
----------------------------------
liable for any indebtedness owing by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or
any Lender by endorsement or otherwise other than under this Guaranty, such
liability shall not be in any manner impaired or reduced hereby but shall have
all and the same force and effect it would have had if this Guaranty had not
existed and such Guarantor's liability hereunder shall not be in any manner
impaired or reduced thereby.
11. Cumulative Rights. All rights of the Administrative Agent and the
-----------------
Lenders hereunder or otherwise arising under any documents executed in
connection with or as security for the Guaranteed Obligations are separate and
cumulative and may be pursued separately, successively or concurrently, or not
pursued, without affecting or limiting any other right of the Administrative
Agent or any Lender and without affecting or impairing the liability of any of
the Guarantors.
12. Usury. Notwithstanding any other provisions herein contained, no
-----
provision of this Guaranty shall require or permit the collection from any
Guarantor of interest in excess of the maximum rate or amount that such
Guarantor may be required or permitted to pay pursuant to any applicable law.
In the event any such interest is collected, it shall be applied in reduction of
such Guarantor's obligations hereunder, and the remainder of such excess
collected shall be returned to the Guarantor once such obligations have been
fully satisfied.
13. The Administrative Agent. In acting under or by virtue of this
------------------------
Guaranty, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to all the rights,
authority, privileges and immunities provided in the Crescent Credit Agreement,
all of which provisions are incorporated by reference herein with the same force
and effect as if set forth herein.
14. Successors and Assigns. This Guaranty shall be binding on and
----------------------
enforceable against each Guarantor and its successors and assigns; provided
--------
that, none of the Guarantors may assign or transfer any of its obligations
hereunder without prior written consent of the requisite Lenders as provided in
the Crescent Credit Agreement. This Guaranty is intended for and shall
5
<PAGE>
inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and each and
every person who shall from time to time be or become the owner or holder of any
of the Guaranteed Obligations, and each and every reference herein to
"Administrative Agent" or "Lender" shall include and refer to each and every
successor or assignee of the Administrative Agent or any Lender at any time
holding or owning any part of or interest in any part of the Guaranteed
Obligations. This Guaranty shall be transferable and negotiable with the same
force and effect, and to the same extent, that the Guaranteed Obligations are
transferable and negotiable, it being understood and stipulated that upon
assignment or transfer by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any of the
Guaranteed Obligations the legal holder or owner of the Guaranteed Obligations
(or a part thereof or interest therein thus transferred or assigned by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender) shall (except as otherwise stipulated by the
Administrative Agent or any such Lender in its assignment) have and may exercise
all of the rights granted to the Administrative Agent or such Lender under this
Guaranty to the extent of that part of or interest in the Guaranteed Obligations
thus assigned or transferred to said person. Each Guarantor expressly waives
notice of transfer or assignment of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part
thereof, or of the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder.
Failure to give notice will not affect the liabilities of the Guarantors
hereunder.
15. Application of Payments. Each of the Administrative Agent and the
-----------------------
Lenders may apply any payments received by it from any source against that
portion of the Guaranteed Obligations (principal, interest, court costs,
attorneys' fees or other) in such priority and fashion as it may deem
appropriate.
16. Modifications. Subject to the terms of the Crescent Credit Agreement,
-------------
this Guaranty and the provisions hereof may be changed, discharged or terminated
only by an instrument in writing signed by each of the Guarantors affected
thereby and the Administrative Agent.
17. Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices
-------
and other communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective (a)
when delivered, (b) when transmitted via telecopy (or other facsimile device) to
the number set out below, (c) the Business Day following the day on which the
same has been delivered prepaid to a reputable national overnight air courier
service, or (d) the third Business Day following the day on which the same is
sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, in each case to the
respective parties at the address set forth below or at such other address as
such party may specify by written notice to the other parties hereto:
if to any Guarantors:
c/o Friedman's, Inc.
4 West State Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Attn: Victor Sughia
Telephone: (912) 231-6606
Telecopy: (912) 234-1031
with a copy to:
6
<PAGE>
Alston & Bird LLP
1201 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Attn: Mark F. McElreath
Telephone: (404) 881-7378
Telecopy: (404) 881-4277
if to the Administrative Agent:
Bank of America, N.A.
101 N. Tryon Street
Independence Center, 15th Floor
NC1-001-15-04
Charlotte, North Carolina 28255
Attn: Angela Berry
Agency Services
Telephone: (704) 386-8958
Telecopy: (704) 388-9436
with a copy to:
Bank of America, N.A.
600 Peachtree Street, NE
19th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30308-2214
Attn: Walter Bland
Telephone: (404) 607-5861
Telecopy: (404) 607-6343
and
Bank of America, N.A.
901 Main Street, 6th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75202-3714
Attn: Jim Casper
Telephone: (214) 209-0401
Telecopy: (214) 209-3501
18. Taxes.
-----
(a) Any and all payments by any Guarantor to or for the account of any
Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Credit
Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and
all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, charges
or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in
---------
the case of each Lender and the Administrative Agent, taxes imposed on its
income, and franchise taxes imposed on it, by the jurisdiction under the
laws of which such Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) or the
Administrative Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any political
subdivision thereof (all such
7
<PAGE>
non-excluded taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, charges,
withholdings, and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If
-----
any Guarantor shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in
respect of any sum payable under this Guaranty or any other Credit Document
to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, (i) the sum payable shall be
increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions such
Lender or the Administrative Agent receives an amount equal to the sum it
would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Guarantor
shall make such deductions, (iii) such Guarantor shall pay the full amount
deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in
accordance with applicable law, and (iv) such Guarantor shall furnish to
the Administrative Agent, at its address referred to in Section 12.1 of the
Guaranty, the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment
thereof.
(b) In addition, each Guarantor agrees to pay any and all present or
future stamp or documentary taxes and any other excise or property taxes or
charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made by such
Guarantor under this Guaranty or any other Credit Document or from the
execution or delivery of, or otherwise with respect to, this Guaranty or
any other Credit Document (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").
-----------
(c) Each Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Lender and the
Administrative Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes paid by
such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) and any
liability (including penalties, interest, and expenses) arising therefrom
or with respect thereto.
(d) Each Lender that is not a United States person under Section
7701(a)(30) of the Code, on or prior to the Closing Date in the case of
each Lender listed on the signature pages to the Crescent Credit Agreement
and on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Lender in the case of
each other Lender, and from time to time thereafter if requested in writing
by any Guarantor or the Administrative Agent (but only so long as such
Lender remains lawfully able to do so), shall provide the Guarantors and
the Administrative Agent with (i) Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or
4224, as appropriate, or any successor form prescribed by the Internal
Revenue Service, certifying that such Lender is entitled to benefits under
an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party which reduces
the rate of withholding tax on payments of interest or certifying that the
income receivable pursuant to this Guaranty is effectively connected with
the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, (ii) Internal
Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, as appropriate, or any successor form
prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, and/or (iii) any other form or
certificate required by any taxing authority (including any certificate
required by Sections 871(h) and 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code),
certifying that such Lender is entitled to an exemption from or a reduced
rate of tax on payments pursuant to this Guaranty or any of the other
Credit Documents.
(e) For any period with respect to which a Lender has failed to provide
the Guarantors and the Administrative Agent with the appropriate form
pursuant to Section 18(d) (unless such failure is due to a change in
treaty, law, or regulation occurring subsequent to the date on which a form
originally was required to be provided), such Lender shall not be entitled
to indemnification under Section 18(a) or 18(b) with respect to Taxes
imposed by the United States; provided, however, that should a Lender,
-------- -------
which is otherwise exempt from or subject to a reduced rate of withholding
tax, become subject to Taxes because of its failure to deliver a form
required hereunder, the Guarantors shall take such steps as such Lender
shall reasonably request to assist such Lender to recover such Taxes.
8
<PAGE>
(f) If any Guarantor is required to pay additional amounts to or for
the account of any Lender pursuant to this Section 18, then such Lender
will agree to use reasonable efforts to change the jurisdiction of its
Applicable Lending Office so as to eliminate or reduce any such additional
payment which may thereafter accrue if such change, in the judgment of such
Lender, is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.
(g) Within thirty (30) days after the date of any payment of Taxes, the
applicable Guarantor shall furnish to the Administrative Agent the original
or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing such payment.
(h) If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall become aware that
is entitled to a refund in respect of Taxes for which it has been
indemnified by a Guarantor pursuant to this Section, the Administrative
Agent or such Lender shall promptly notify such Guarantor of the
availability of such refund and shall apply for such refund at the
Borrower's sole cost and expense. If the Administrative Agent or any Lender
shall receive a refund in respect of any such Taxes as to which it has been
indemnified by a Guarantor pursuant to this Section, the Administrative
Agent or such Lender shall promptly notify such Guarantor of such refund
and shall, within 30 days of receipt, pay such refund (to the extent of
amounts that have been paid by such Guarantor under this Section with
respect to such refund and not previously reimbursed) to such Guarantor,
net of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of such Lender or the
Administrative Agent and without interest (other than the interest, if any,
included in such refund).
(i) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Guarantors hereunder, the agreements in this subsection shall survive the
termination of this Guaranty and the payment of all amounts payable
hereunder.
19. Severability. If any provision of this Guaranty is determined to be
------------
illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and
the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provisions.
20. Governing Law. This Guaranty and the rights and obligations of the
-------------
parties hereto shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of
the State of North Carolina.
21. Waiver of Jury Trial. To the extent permitted by law, each of the
--------------------
Administrative Agent and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably waives all right to
trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of or
relating to this Guaranty or the transactions contemplated hereby.
22. Consent to Jurisdiction.
-----------------------
(a) Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Guaranty may be
brought in the courts of the State of North Carolina in Mecklenburg County, or
of the United States for the Western District of North Carolina, and, by
execution and delivery of this Guaranty, each of the Guarantors hereby
irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally and
unconditionally, the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts. Each of the
Guarantors further irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of
the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the
9
<PAGE>
mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to
it at the address set out for notices pursuant to Section 17, such service to
become effective three (3) days after such mailing. Nothing herein shall affect
the right of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to serve process in any
other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or to otherwise
proceed against any Guarantor in any other jurisdiction.
(b) Each of the Guarantors hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives,
to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which
it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty in the courts referred to
in Section 22(a). Each of the parties hereto hereby further irrevocably waives
and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action or
proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(c) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process
in the manner provided for notices in Section 17. Nothing in this Agreement
will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any
other manner permitted by law.
23. Headings. The headings in this instrument are for convenience of
--------
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of any
provisions hereof.
24. Counterparts. This Guaranty may be executed in any number of
------------
counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each
constituting an original, but all together one and the same instrument.
25. Rights of the Required Lenders. All rights of the Administrative Agent
------------------------------
hereunder, if not exercised by the Administrative Agent, may be exercised by the
Required Lenders.
26. Rights of Contribution. The Guarantors hereby agree, as among
----------------------
themselves, that if any Guarantor shall become an Excess Funding Guarantor (as
defined below), each other Guarantor shall, on demand of such Excess Funding
Guarantor (but subject to the next sentence hereof and to subsection (b) below),
pay to such Excess Funding Guarantor an amount equal to such Guarantor's Pro
Rata Share (as defined below and determined, for this purpose, without reference
to the properties, assets, liabilities and debts of such Excess Funding
Guarantor) of such Excess Payment (as defined below). The payment obligation of
any Guarantor to any Excess Funding Guarantor under this Section 26 shall be
subordinate and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the
obligations of such Guarantor under the other provisions of this Section 26, and
such Excess Funding Guarantor shall not exercise any right or remedy with
respect to such excess until payment and satisfaction in full of all of such
obligations. For purposes hereof, (i) "Excess Funding Guarantor" shall mean, in
------------------------
respect of any obligations arising under the other provisions of this Section 26
(hereafter, the "Guaranteed Obligations"), a Guarantor that has paid an amount
----------------------
in excess of its Pro Rata Share of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) "Excess
------
Payment" shall mean, in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations, the amount paid
- -------
by an Excess Funding Guarantor in excess of its Pro Rata Share of such
Guaranteed Obligations; and (iii) "Pro Rata Share", for the purposes of this
--------------
Section 26, shall mean, for any Guarantor, the ratio (expressed as a percentage)
of (a) the amount by which the aggregate present fair saleable value of all of
its assets and properties exceeds the amount of all debts and liabilities of
such Guarantor (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated
liabilities, but excluding the
10
<PAGE>
obligations of such Guarantor hereunder) to (b) the amount by which the
aggregate present fair saleable value of all assets and other properties of the
Company and all of the Guarantors exceeds the amount of all of the debts and
liabilities (including contingent, subordinated, unmatured, and unliquidated
liabilities, but excluding the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors
hereunder) of the Company and all of the Guarantors, all as of the Closing Date
(if any Guarantor becomes a party hereto subsequent to the Closing Date, then
for the purposes of this Section 26 such subsequent Guarantor shall be deemed to
have been a Guarantor as of the Closing Date and the information pertaining to,
and only pertaining to, such Guarantor as of the date such Guarantor became a
Guarantor shall be deemed true as of the Closing Date).
27. Additional Guarantors. At such time as any Domestic Subsidiary
---------------------
(whether now existing or hereinafter acquired) of a Guarantor becomes a Credit
Party under the Friedman's Credit Agreement, such Guarantor shall provide the
Administrative Agent with written notice thereof setting forth information in
reasonable detail describing all of the assets of such Domestic Subsidiary and
shall (i)(a) cause such Domestic Subsidiary to execute a Joinder Agreement in
substantially the same form as Schedule 1, (b) cause 100% of the issued and
----------
outstanding Capital Stock of such Person to be pledged in support of the
Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to an appropriate pledge agreement(s) in form
acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (c) cause such Domestic Subsidiary to
pledge its accounts and inventory in support of the Guaranteed Obligations
pursuant to an appropriate security agreement(s) in form acceptable to the
Administrative Agent, and (ii) deliver such other documentation as the
Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing,
including, without limitation, appropriate UCC-1 financing statements, certified
resolutions and other organizational and authorizing documents of such Domestic
Subsidiary, favorable opinions of counsel to such Domestic Subsidiary (which
shall cover, among other things, the legality, validity, binding effect and
enforceability of the documentation referred to above and the perfection of the
liens granted thereunder), all in form, content and scope reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
28. Standstill Provision.
--------------------
At the request of Friedman's and subject to the conditions hereafter set
forth, the Lenders have agreed not to accelerate payment of the Obligations
under the Crescent Credit Agreement or request payment under this Guaranty or
otherwise exercise the remedy of foreclosure under the Crescent Credit Agreement
or the other Credit Documents (including, without limitation, this Guaranty)
relating thereto for a period of up to thirty (30) days (the "Standstill
----------
Period") following Friedman's receipt of written notice from the Administrative
- ------
Agent that an Event of Default (other than under Section 9.1(f) of the Crescent
Credit Agreement on account of a Bankruptcy Event) has occurred (and including
therewith a description of the Event of Default which then exists), provided
that at all times during such Standstill Period:
(i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Combined Credit
Obligations shall not exceed the Combined Borrowing Base; and
(ii) (A) the Combined Leverage Ratio is then at least 0.5:1.0 less than
the maximum Combined Leverage Ratio then permitted under Section 7.11(a) of
the Crescent Credit Agreement (e.g., if the maximum Combined Leverage Ratio
permitted under Section 7.11(a) is then 4.0:1.0, then a ratio of 3.5:1.0 or
less, or if the maximum
11
<PAGE>
Combined Leverage Ratio permitted under Section 7.11(a) of the Crescent
Credit Agreement is then 3.5:1.0, then a ratio of 3.0:1.0 or less), and (B)
the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the Friedman's Consolidated Group is
then at least 0.5:1.0 less than the maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio
then permitted under Section 7.11(a) of the Friedman's Credit Agreement
(e.g., if the maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio permitted under Section
7.11(a) thereof is then 3.0:1.0, then a ratio of 2.5:1.0 or less).
provided that notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 28 to the
- --------
contrary, (i) the Lenders shall be under no obligation to make additional
Extensions of Credit under the Crescent Credit Agreement during any such
Standstill Period and (ii) during any Standstill Period, the Obligations under
the Crescent Credit Agreement shall bear interest at the rate provided in
Section 3.1 of the Crescent Credit Agreement. As used herein,
"Combined Credit Obligations" shall mean, at any time, the sum of:
---------------------------
(i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Obligations
under the Crescent Credit Agreement, plus (ii) the aggregate principal
amount of loans and obligations (including letter of credit obligations
and the like) under the Friedman's Credit Agreement.
"Combined Borrowing Base" shall mean, at any time, an amount equal to the
-----------------------
sum of :
(i) an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the sum of (A)
Eligible Receivables under the Crescent Credit Agreement, plus (B)
Eligible Receivables under the Friedman's Credit Agreement; plus
(ii) an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the sum of (A)
Eligible Inventory under the Crescent Credit Agreement, plus (B)
Eligible Inventory under the Friedman's Credit Agreement.
29. Right to Purchase Obligations under the Crescent Credit Agreement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Friedman's shall have the right, at any time after the Commitments have been
terminated under the Crescent Credit Agreement, to purchase the Guaranteed
Obligations in whole, but not in part, in lieu of payment under this Guaranty.
Any such purchase of the Guaranteed Obligations (including accrued interest and
fees) hereunder shall be at par, shall be exercised by notice to the
Administrative Agent and to Crescent of an intent to exercise the right of
purchase under this Section and shall be without recourse or representation or
warranty of any kind. The Lenders and the Administrative Agent will cooperate
with, and assist, Friedman's (at the sole expense of Friedman's) in
accomplishing a purchase under this Section, including execution of an
Assignment Agreement in substantially the form attached to the Crescent Credit
Agreement (with appropriate modification to reflect the existence of an Event of
Default and termination of Commitments thereunder). Exercise of the right to
purchase under this provision shall be settled within five (5) Business Days of
notice by Friedman's of its intent to exercise the right to purchase hereunder
and shall be made by payment to the Administrative Agent of the par value of the
Guaranteed Obligations (including accrued interest and fees) in cash and in
immediately available funds, together with the payment in full of any reasonable
expenses actually incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with such
purchase and assignment. Unless otherwise agreed by the Required Lenders,
failure by Friedman's to exercise its right to so purchase, including payment of
the purchase price, within the requisite time shall result in the reinstatement
of the
12
<PAGE>
right by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders under the Crescent Credit
Agreement to make demand for payment under this Guaranty. Notwithstanding
provisions to the contrary contained in the Crescent Credit Agreement, the
Administrative Agent may resign, and shall thereupon be released from its duties
and obligations thereunder, at any time after exercise of this right of purchase
by Friedman's hereunder. Friedman's shall, upon exercise of the purchase rights
hereunder, succeed to the collateral interests under the Crescent Credit
Agreement as assignee of the Lenders, except that as to the collateral interests
granted by Friedman's and its Subsidiaries to secure this Guaranty, such
collateral interests shall be junior and subordinated to the collateral
interests of the holders of the other Secured Obligations secured thereby (as
defined in the Friedman's Pledge Agreement and the Friedman's Security
Agreement). The Administrative Agent and the Lenders will cooperate with, and
assist, Friedman's (at the sole expense of Friedman's) in reflecting assignment
of the collateral interests associated with the interests purchased in an
exercise of purchase rights hereunder, including delivery of original stock
certificates and associated stock powers pledged to secure such interests,
delivery of UCC financing statement assignments, and delivery of any transfer
documents and or pleadings in any bankruptcy proceeding of the Borrower or any
Crescent Guarantor (including the assignment of any proof of claim) to evidence
the transfer of the Lenders' claims against such Person to Friedman's.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
13
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to
be duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.
GUARANTORS: FRIEDMAN'S INC.,
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Victor M. Suglia
---------------------
Name: Victor M. Suglia
Title: Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
Treasurer and Secretary
ACCEPTED:
- --------
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
By: /s/
Name: --------------------
Title:
14
<PAGE>
GUARANTY FEE AGREEMENT
This Guaranty Fee Agreement ( the "Agreement"), dated as of September 15,
1999, is by and between Friedman's Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Friedman's")
and Crescent Jewelers Inc., a Delaware corporation and its wholly-owned
subsidiary, Crescent Jewelers, a California corporation (collectively,
"Crescent").
WHEREAS, to induce Friedman's to enter into that certain Guaranty
Agreement dated as of September 15, 1999 (as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "Guaranty") in favor of Bank of
America, N.A., as administrative agent for the Lenders under that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of September 15, 1999 (as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "Crescent Credit Agreement"), among
Crescent, the Lenders named therein and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative
agent, Crescent has agreed to compensate Friedman's pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and
valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties do
hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
-----------
Except as otherwise indicated, all terms used herein and not otherwise
defined shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Crescent Credit
Agreement.
2. Guaranty Fee.
------------
(a) On the Closing Date, Crescent agrees to execute and deliver to
Friedman's a Warrant Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A
hereto.
(b) Crescent agrees to pay to Friedman's a fee equal to 2% per annum of the
average amount of the Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty) during
the preceding fiscal quarter (the "Guaranty Fee"). The Guaranty Fee will be
payable in arrears on the 15th calendar day after the end of each fiscal
quarter. The calculation of the Guaranty Fee will be made by the Chief Financial
Officer of Crescent and certified to Friedman's in writing within 10 calendar
days after the end of each fiscal quarter. In the event the Guaranty Fee is not
paid when due, interest shall accrue on the unpaid fee commencing as of the end
of the fiscal quarter at the Base Rate plus 2%.
(c) Amounts owing under this Agreement are expressly made subordinate and
junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash and cash
equivalents of all loans, obligations and other amounts owing under the Crescent
Credit Agreement and the
<PAGE>
other Credit Documents relating thereto (collectively, the "Senior
------
Obligations"), and termination of commitments thereunder, in the manner provided
- -----------
therein; provided that
--------
(i) prior to (A) the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Event, or (B) notice
from the Administrative Agent of the occurrence of an Event of Default
under the Crescent Credit Agreement, Crescent may make payment, and
Friedman's may receive, the Guaranty Fee and other amounts owing hereunder,
and
(ii) thereafter, unless the Bankruptcy Event shall have been dismissed
or the Event of Default shall have been remedied or waived, as appropriate,
(A) no payment shall be made, direct or indirect, of the Guaranty
Fee or other amounts owing hereunder or otherwise in respect hereof,
nor shall Friedman's exercise any remedies hereunder or in respect of
any collateral interests in respect of amounts owing hereunder;
(B) any payment or other amounts payable on or in respect of this
Agreement shall be paid directly to the Administrative Agent for
application to the Senior Obligations, and
(C) if, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, Friedman's
shall receive payment on or in respect of this Agreement in
contravention of the provisions hereof, such amounts shall be received
and held in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Senior
Obligations and will be promptly paid over to the Administrative Agent
for the Senior Obligations,
until the Senior Obligations have been paid in full in cash or cash
equivalents.
3. Term.
----
This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the Guaranty is
terminated.
4. Legal Opinion.
-------------
On the Closing Date, counsel to Crescent shall deliver a legal opinion in
form and scope satisfactory to counsel for Friedman's with regard to the
organization, existence and capitalization of Crescent Jewelers Inc. and each of
its Subsidiaries and the enforceability of this Agreement and the Warrant
Agreement.
-2-
<PAGE>
5. Miscellaneous.
-------------
(a) All communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall
be delivered or mailed to the address set forth below, or at such other address
as shall have furnished in writing after the date hereof.
If to Crescent:
Crescent Jewelers
315 11th Street
Oakland, California 94607
Attn: Joe Donaghy, Chief Financial Officer
If to Friedman's
Friedman's Inc.
4 West State Street
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Attn: Victor M. Suglia, Chief Financial Officer
Any written communication so addressed and mailed by certified mail,
return receipt requested, shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed.
All other written communications shall be deemed to have been given upon receipt
thereof.
(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the law of the State of Delaware.
(c) This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
(d) This Agreement may be amended or supplemented, and the observance of
any term hereof or thereof may be waived, only with the written consent of
Friedman's and Crescent.
(e) This Agreement may be executed and delivered simultaneously in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
[Signatures On Next Page]
-3-
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEROF, the undersigned have caused their names to be signed
hereto by the respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and
year first above written.
CRESCENT JEWELERS INC.
/s/ Joseph M. Donaghy
----------------------------------
Name: Joseph M. Donaghy
---------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
---------------------------
and Chief Financial Officer
CRESCENT JEWELERS
/s/ Joseph M. Donaghy
------------------------------
Name: Joseph M. Donaghy
---------------------------
Title: Chief Financial Officer
---------------------------
FRIEDMAN'S INC.
/s/ Victor M. Suglia
----------------------------------
Name: Victor M. Suglia
---------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
---------------------------
Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Secretary
-4-
<PAGE>
THIS WARRANT AND ANY SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE UPON THE EXERCISE
OF THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED,
PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF AND NO TRANSFER OF SUCH
SECURITIES WILL BE MADE ON THE BOOKS OF THE COMPANY, UNLESS (I) SUCH TRANSFER IS
MADE IN CONNECTION WITH AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT AND
ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR (II) THE COMPANY HAS BEEN FURNISHED WITH
A SATISFACTORY OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE HOLDER HEREOF THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS
EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT OF SUCH ACT, THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
IN EFFECT THEREUNDER AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
WARRANT
To Purchase Common Stock of
Crescent Jewelers Inc.,
a Delaware corporation
THIS IS TO CERTIFY that Friedman's Inc., a Delaware corporation having its
principal place of business at 4 West State Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401, or
its registered assigns, is entitled upon the due exercise hereof at any time
during the Exercise Period (as hereinafter defined) to purchase 7,942,904 shares
of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value, of Crescent Jewelers Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), at an Exercise Price of $.06295 per share and to
exercise the other rights, powers and privileges hereinafter provided, all on
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. The foregoing
Exercise Price and number of shares of Class A Common Stock purchasable
hereunder are subject to adjustment as hereinafter set forth.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
The terms defined in this Article I, whenever used in this Warrant, shall
---------
have the following respective meanings:
"Adjustment Transaction" shall mean any of (i) the declaration of a
----------------------
dividend upon, or distribution in respect of, any of the Company's Capital
Stock, payable in Capital Stock of the Company or Convertible Securities or
Stock Purchase Rights that would permit the purchase of Capital Stock of the
Company, (ii) the subdivision or combination by the Company of its outstanding
Capital Stock into a larger or smaller number of shares of Capital Stock, as the
case may be, (iii) a Dilutive Transaction, (iv) any capital reorganization or
reclassification of the Capital Stock of the Company, (v) the consolidation or
merger of the Company with or into another corporation, (vi) the sale or
transfer of the property of the Company as (or substantially
<PAGE>
as) an entirety, (vii) any repurchase, through cancellation of promissory notes
accepted from employees of the Company or employees of a Subsidiary of the
Company, of shares of Class A Common Stock purchased by such employees pursuant
to the Company's Restricted Stock Purchase Plan, or (viii) any event as to which
the foregoing clauses are not strictly applicable but which is required to be
treated as an Adjustment Transaction in order for the holder hereof and the
holder of all Issued Warrant Shares to collectively be the owner of (or have the
right to acquire pursuant hereto) 50% (as such an amount may be adjusted in the
event of a cashless exercise pursuant to Section 2.2(b)) of the Company's
Capital Stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis, except as such percentage
may be reduced as a consequence of an issuance of Capital Stock of the Company
not requiring any adjustment in the Exercise Price in accordance with Section
4.2; provided, however, that Adjustment Transaction shall not include the
issuance of Capital Stock of the Company or Convertible Securities or Stock
Purchase Rights that would permit the purchase of Capital Stock of the Company,
pursuant to a Company Stock Plan.
"Affiliates" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (i)
----------
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with such Person or (ii) directly or indirectly owning or holding
ten percent (10%) or more of the Capital Stock in such Person. For purposes of
this definition, "control" when used with respect to any Person means the power
to direct the management of the policies of such Person directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
"Assignment" means the form of Assignment set forth on Exhibit 1-A.
---------- -----------
"Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, any and all shares,
-------------
interest, participations or other equivalents however designated whether or not
voting, of corporate stock including each class of common stock and each class
of preferred stock, (ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any
and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however
designated) of capital stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership
interest, (whether general or limited), (iv) in the case of a limited liability
company, membership interests and (v) any other interest or participation that
confers on the person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of,
or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
"Class A Common Stock" means shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock,
--------------------
$.01 par value per share, any stock into which such stock shall have been
changed or any stock resulting from any reclassification of such stock.
"Class B Common Stock" means shares of the Company's Class B Common Stock,
--------------------
$.01 par value per share, any stock into which such stock shall have been
changed or any stock resulting from any reclassification of such stock.
"Closing Date" means September 10, 1999.
------------
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission or another
----------
federal agency from time to time administering the Securities Act.
-2-
<PAGE>
"Common Stock" means shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock and
------------
Class B Common Stock.
"Company" has the meaning set forth on the cover page of this Warrant and
-------
shall include any successor corporation.
"Company Stock Plan" means an employee or director stock option or stock
------------------
purchase plan or other equity-based incentive compensation plan sponsored by the
Company or a Subsidiary of the Company which provides for the grant of
restricted stock, stock options or other incentives to acquire an interest in
the Company's Capital Stock, excluding, for purposes of this definition, any
such plan that exists as of the date of this Warrant or existed prior to the
date of this Warrant.
"Convertible Securities" means evidences of indebtedness, shares of stock
----------------------
or other securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for, with or
without payment of additional consideration, additional shares of Capital Stock,
either immediately or upon the arrival of a specified date or the happening of a
specified event.
"Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as of September 10,
----------------
1999, among the Company, Bank of America, N.A. ("Bank of America"), as
administrative agent, and the lenders named therein, as the same may be amended
from time to time, together with all of the other Credit Documents (as defined
in the Credit Agreement), each as the same may be amended from time to time.
"Current Market Price" as to any security on any date specified herein
--------------------
means the average of the daily market price for the thirty (30) consecutive
trading days before such date excluding any trades which are not bona fide arm's
length transactions. The daily market price for each such trading day shall be
(i) the last sale price on such day on the principal stock exchange on which
such security is then listed or admitted to trading, (ii) if no sale takes place
on such day on any such exchange, the last reported sale price as officially
quoted on any such exchange, (iii) if the security is not then listed or
admitted to trading on any stock exchange but is traded on The Nasdaq Stock
Market, the last reported sale price as officially quoted on The Nasdaq Stock
Market, (iv) if the security is not then traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market, the
last reported sale price on the over-the-counter market, as reported by the
National Quotation Bureau Incorporated (or any similar organization or agency
succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), or if such sale price is not
available on such date, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such
date as reported by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated (or any similar
organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), or (v)
if there is no such organization or agency, as furnished by any member of the
NASD selected mutually by the holder(s) and the Company or, if they cannot agree
upon such selection, by a member selected by two such members of the NASD, one
of which shall be selected by the holder(s) and one of which shall be selected
by the Company.
-3-
<PAGE>
"Dilutive Transaction" shall mean any issuance by the Company after the
--------------------
Closing Date of shares of its Capital Stock (or Stock Purchase Rights or
Convertible Securities that would permit the purchase of the Company's Capital
Stock) for a consideration less than the greater of (i) the Exercise Price per
share then in effect or (ii) the then Fair Value per share.
"Event of Default" means (a) the breach of any warranty, or the inaccuracy
----------------
of any representation, made by the Company herein, (b) the failure by the
Company to comply with any covenant contained herein, or (c) an Event of Default
under the Credit Agreement.
"Exercise Period" means the period commencing on the Closing Date and
---------------
terminating on the fifteenth anniversary of the Closing Date.
"Exercise Price" means the price per share of Class A Common Stock set
--------------
forth on the cover page of this Warrant, as such price may be adjusted pursuant
to Article IV.
-----------
"Fair Value" means the fair value of the appropriate security, property,
----------
assets, business or entity (taking into account the value to such business or
entity of any covenant not to compete in favor thereof) as determined by an
opinion of an independent investment banking firm or firms in accordance with
the following procedure. In the case of any event which gives rise to a
requirement to determine "Fair Value" pursuant to this Warrant, the Company
shall be responsible for initiating the process by which Fair Value shall be
determined as promptly as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) days
following such event, and if the procedures contemplated herein in connection
with obtaining such opinion have not been complied with fully, then any such
determination of Fair Value for any purpose of this Warrant shall be deemed to
be preliminary and subject to adjustment pending full compliance with such
procedures. The Company and the holder(s) of this Warrant or, if Fair Value is
being determined other than for purposes of Article IV, the holders of Issued
----------
Warrant Shares (who, if more than one, shall agree among themselves by a two-
thirds majority) shall each retain a separate independent investment banking
firm (which firm, in either case, may be the independent investment banking firm
regularly retained by the Company or any such holder); provided, however that
-------- -------
the holder(s) may, at its option, elect to rely on the firm retained by the
Company in lieu of retaining its own firm. Such firms shall jointly determine
the fair value of the security, property, assets, business or entity, as the
case may be, in question and deliver their opinion in writing to the Company and
to such holder. If such firms cannot jointly make such determination (or in the
event that the holder(s) has elected to rely upon the firm retained by the
Company and disagrees with the determination made by such firm), then, unless
otherwise directed by agreement of the Company and the holders of two-thirds or
more of the Warrant Shares, such firms (or firm), in their (or its) sole
discretion, shall choose another independent investment banking firm of the
Company or such holders, which firm shall make such determination and render
such an opinion. In either case the determination so made shall be conclusive
and binding on the Company and such holders. The fees and expenses of all
investment banking firms retained pursuant to this provision shall be borne by
the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company shall have effected
a public offering of Class A Common Stock and the Class A Common Stock is traded
on a public market, Fair Value means, with reference to the Warrant Shares, the
Current Market Price of the Class A Common Stock as of any date of
determination.
-4-
<PAGE>
"Guaranty" means the Guaranty dated as of September 10, 1999 executed by
--------
the Initial Holder in favor of Bank of America, as the same may be amended from
time to time.
"Initial Holder" means Friedman's Inc.
--------------
"Issuable Warrant Shares" means the number of shares of Class A Common
-----------------------
Stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of this Warrant.
"Issued Warrant Shares" means the shares of Class A Common Stock that have
---------------------
been issued by the Company pursuant to the exercise of this Warrant.
"NASD" means the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
----
"Notice of Exercise" means the form of Notice of Exercise set forth on
------------------
Exhibit 1-B.
- -----------
"Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion of counsel experienced in Securities
------------------
Act chosen by the holder of this Warrant or the holder of Issued Warrant Shares,
which counsel may be counsel to such holder. Any such counsel must receive the
prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
"Permitted Payment Methods" means either of (i) wire transfer of
-------------------------
immediately available funds to an account in a bank located in the United States
designated by the payee for such purpose or (ii) delivery of a certified or
official bank check.
"Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm,
------
corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other enterprise
(whether or not incorporated) or any governmental authority.
"Put Options" means either of the options described in Section 7.1.
----------- -----------
"Repurchase Period" means the period commencing on the earliest of (a) the
-----------------
third anniversary of the Closing Date, (b) the termination of the Credit
Agreement and the Guaranty, or (c) the occurrence of a Value Event, and
terminating at 5:00 p.m. Atlanta time on the last day of the Exercise Period.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
--------------
successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
"Stock Purchase Rights" means any warrants, options or other rights to
---------------------
subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of Capital Stock or any
Convertible Securities.
"Subsidiary" means, as to any Person at any time, (a) any corporation more
----------
than 50% of whose capital stock of any class or classes having by the terms
thereof ordinary voting power to
-5-
<PAGE>
elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether
or not at such time, any class or classes of such corporation's capital stock
shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any
contingency) is at such time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through
Subsidiaries, and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture or other
entity of which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries owns at
such time more than 50% of the Capital Stock. Unless otherwise identified,
"Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries" shall refer to Subsidiaries of the Company.
"Value Event" means any of the following events: (a) any merger or
-----------
consolidation of the Company or any Subsidiary with or into any corporation that
is not the Company or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, (b) any sale or
disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company or any
Subsidiary to a Person other than the Company or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of
the Company, (c) any public offering by the Company or any subsidiary of Capital
Stock or Convertible Securities, (d) any sale or other disposition by the
Company or an Affiliate of the Company of shares of Capital Stock constituting
(on a cumulative basis) more than 20% of the number of shares of such class of
Capital Stock then outstanding (other than to an Affiliate of the Company) or
(e) any sale or other disposition of the capital stock of any Subsidiary (either
in one sale or in a series of sales) constituting more than 20% of the
outstanding capital stock of any Subsidiary.
"Voting Stock" means securities of any class or series of a corporation or
------------
association the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of
contingencies, entitled to participate in the election of directors or persons
performing similar functions of such corporation or association.
"Warrant" means this Warrant dated as of Closing Date issued to the Initial
-------
Holder and all warrants issued upon the partial exercise, transfer or division
of, or in substitution for, any warrant.
"Warrant Shares" means the Issuable Warrant Shares plus the Issued Warrant
--------------
Shares.
The following terms have the meanings given to them in the indicated
Sections of this Warrant:
Term Section
---- -------
"Distribution" 6.1
"Piggy-Back Shares" 5.2
"Repurchase Price" 7.2
Terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective
meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement. If the Credit Agreement is
terminated prior to the termination of this Warrant, such terms shall have the
definitions given to them in the Credit Agreement as in effect immediately prior
to its termination.
-6-
<PAGE>
Whenever used in this Warrant, any noun or pronoun shall be deemed to
include both the singular and plural and to cover all genders, and the words
"herein," "hereof," and "hereunder" and words of similar import shall refer to
this instrument as a whole, including any amendments hereto. Unless specified
otherwise, all Article, Section and Exhibit references shall be to the Articles,
Sections and Exhibits of or to this Warrant.
ARTICLE II
EXERCISE OF WARRANT
2.1 Right to Exercise. On the terms and subject to the conditions of this
-----------------
Article II, the holder hereof shall have the right, at its option, to exercise
- ----------
this Warrant in whole or in part at any time during the Exercise Period.
2.2 Manner of Exercise, Issuance of Class A Common Stock. To exercise
----------------------------------------------------
this Warrant, the holder hereof shall deliver to the Company (a) a Notice of
Exercise duly executed by such holder specifying the number of shares of Class A
Common Stock to be purchased, (b) an amount equal to the aggregate Exercise
Price for all shares of Class A Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to this
Warrant under such Notice of Exercise and (c) this Warrant. At the option of
such holder, payment of the Exercise Price may be made by (A) either of the
Permitted Payment Methods, (B) deduction from the number of shares delivered
upon exercise of the Warrant of a number of shares which has an aggregate Fair
Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for all
shares to be purchased under such Notice of Exercise pursuant to this Warrant,
or (C) by any combination of the foregoing methods.
Upon receipt of the required deliveries, the Company shall, as promptly as
practicable but in any event within five Business Days thereafter, cause to be
issued and delivered to the holder hereof (or its nominee) or, subject to
Article V, the transferee designated in the Notice of Exercise, a certificate or
- ---------
certificates representing shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the aggregate
number of shares of Class A Common Stock specified in the Notice of Exercise
(less any shares in payment of a cashless exercise pursuant to Section 2.2(B)).
--------------
Such certificate or certificates shall be registered in the name of the holder
hereof (or its nominee) or in the name of such transferee, as the case may be.
If this Warrant is exercised in part, the Company shall, at the time of delivery
of such certificate or certificates, unless the Exercise Period has then
expired, issue and deliver to the holder hereof or, subject to Article V the
---------
transferee so designated in the Notice of Exercise, a new Warrant evidencing the
right of the holder hereof or such transferee to purchase the aggregate number
of shares of Class A Common Stock for which this Warrant shall not have been
exercised, and this Warrant shall be canceled.
2.3 Effectiveness of Exercise. Unless otherwise requested by the holder
-------------------------
hereof, this Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised and such certificate
or certificates shall be deemed to have been issued, and the holder or
transferee so designated in the Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to have
become the holder of record of such shares for all purposes, as of the close of
business on the first date as of which each of the Notice of Exercise, payment
of the Exercise Price (unless a cashless exercise is being effected pursuant to
Section 2.2(B)) and this Warrant are received by the Company.
- --------------
-7-
<PAGE>
2.4 Fractional Shares. The Company shall not issue fractional shares of
-----------------
Class A Common Stock upon any exercise of this Warrant. As to any fractional
share of Class A Common Stock which the holder hereof would otherwise be
entitled to purchase from the Company, the Company shall purchase from the
holder such fractional share at a price equal to an amount calculated by
multiplying such fractional share (calculated to the nearest .001 of a share) by
the Current Market Price of the Class A Common Stock calculated as of the date
of the Notice of Exercise or, if there is not a Current Market Price for the
Class A Common Stock, then the fair market value of a share of Class A Common
Stock as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company. Payment of such
amount shall be made at the time of delivery of any certificate or certificates
deliverable upon such exercise in cash or by check payable to the order of the
holder hereof or, subject to Article V, the transferee designated in the Notice
---------
of Exercise, as the case may be.
2.5 Continued Validity. A holder of shares of Class A Common Stock issued
------------------
upon the whole or partial exercise of this Warrant shall continue to be entitled
to all rights to which a holder of this Warrant is entitled pursuant to the
provisions hereof except such rights as by their terms apply solely to the
holder of a Warrant. The Company agrees and acknowledges that each such holder
of shares of Class A Common Stock shall be and is hereby deemed to be a third
party beneficiary of this Warrant.
ARTICLE III
REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
The Company shall keep at its principal office an open register in which it
shall provide for the registration, transfer and exchange of this Warrant. The
holder hereof and the Company shall take such actions as may be necessary from
time to time (or as may be reasonably requested by the other party) to effect
the proper registration of this Warrant or portions hereof and in connection
with any transfer or exchange of this Warrant or portions hereof. All Warrants
issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Warrants shall be the
valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same rights, and entitled to
the same benefits, as the Warrants surrendered upon such registration of
transfer or exchange.
Upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the
loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, the Company will execute
and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Warrant. The Company and any agent of the
Company may treat the Person in whose name this Warrant is registered on the
register kept at the principal office of the Company as the owner and holder
thereof for all purposes.
ARTICLE IV
ANTIDILUTION PROVISIONS
4.1 General Statements of Intent, Adjustment of Number of Shares
------------------------------------------------------------
Purchasable. The Company hereby acknowledges that the initial number of shares
- -----------
issuable upon exercise of this Warrant was calculated based upon the
representation of the Company that the number of shares
-8-
<PAGE>
of the Company's Capital Stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis as of the
Closing Date (including the Issuable Warrant Shares) was 6,589,913 shares of
Class A Common Stock and 8,049,748 shares of Class B Common Stock. If for any
reason it shall hereafter be determined by the holder of this Warrant that the
actual number of shares or classes of the Company's Capital Stock outstanding on
a fully diluted basis as of the Closing Date was different from the foregoing,
such holder may notify the Company of such determination and if the Company does
not dispute the same, the Company shall forthwith reissue this Warrant with
appropriate adjustments in the initial number of shares issuable upon the
exercise hereof. If the Company shall dispute such determination and the parties
cannot otherwise resolve the dispute promptly and in good faith, then the
Company shall appoint an independent arbitrator of recognized standing, who
shall give his opinion as to the adjustment, if any, to be made to the number of
shares issuable upon the exercise hereof. Upon receipt of such opinion, the
Company shall promptly mail a copy thereof to the holder of this Warrant and
shall make the adjustment described therein.
It is the intent of the parties hereto that after giving effect to any
exercise of this Warrant, the holder hereof and the holder of all Issued Warrant
Shares would collectively be the owner of (or have the right to acquire pursuant
hereto) 50% (as such amount may be adjusted in the event of a cashless exercise
hereof pursuant to Section 2.2(B)) of the Company's Capital Stock outstanding on
---------------
a fully diluted basis, except as such percentage may be reduced as a consequence
of an issuance of Capital Stock as described in the proviso to the definition of
"Adjustment Transaction" or otherwise not requiring any adjustment in the
Exercise Price in accordance with Section 4.2.
-----------
Upon any adjustment of the Exercise Price as provided in Section 4.2, the
-----------
holder hereof shall thereafter be entitled to purchase, at the Exercise Price
resulting from such adjustment, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock
obtained by multiplying the number of shares of Class A Common Stock purchasable
hereunder immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (A) the numerator
of which shall be the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such
adjustment and (B) the denominator of which shall be the Exercise Price
resulting from such adjustment.
4.2 Adjustment of Exercise Price. If any Adjustment Transaction shall
----------------------------
occur, the Exercise Price shall be adjusted by the Company upward or downward,
as the case may be, so as to fairly preserve, without dilution or inflation, the
purchase rights represented by this Warrant in accordance with Section 4.1 and
-----------
otherwise with the essential intent and purposes hereof. If the holder of this
Warrant disputes the adjustment of the Exercise Price made by the Company and
the parties cannot otherwise resolve the dispute promptly and in good faith,
then the Company shall appoint an independent arbitrator of recognized standing,
subject to the approval of such arbitrator by the holder of this Warrant, which
approval shall not be withheld unreasonably, who shall give his opinion as to
the adjustment, if any, to be made to the Exercise Price as the result of the
relevant Adjustment Transaction. Upon receipt of such opinion, the Company
shall promptly mail a copy thereof to the holder of this Warrant and shall make
the adjustment described therein.
-9-
<PAGE>
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be
required to make any adjustment of the Exercise Price in the case of the
issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon the exercise in whole or part of
this Warrant.
In case the Company after the date hereof shall propose to (i) pay any
dividend payable in stock to the holders of shares of Capital Stock of the
Company or to make any other Distribution to the holders of shares of Capital
Stock of the Company, (ii) offer to the holders of shares of Capital Stock of
the Company rights to subscribe for or purchase any additional shares of any
class of stock or any other rights or options or (iii) effect any
reclassification of the Capital Stock of the Company (other than a
reclassification involving merely the subdivision or combination of outstanding
shares of Capital Stock of the Company), or any capital reorganization or any
consolidation or merger (other than a merger in which no distribution of
securities or other property is to be made to holders of shares of Capital Stock
of the Company), or any sale, transfer or other disposition of its property,
assets and business as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, or the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each such case,
the Company shall mail to the holder of this Warrant notice of such proposed
action, which shall specify the date on which the stock transfer books of the
Company shall close, or a record shall be taken, for determining the holders of
Capital Stock of the Company entitled to receive such stock dividends or other
Distribution or such rights or options, or the date on which such
reclassification, reorganization, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer, other
disposition, liquidation, dissolution shall take place or commence, as the case
may be, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Capital Stock of
the Company of record shall be entitled to receive securities or other property
deliverable upon such action, if any such date is to be fixed. Such notice
shall be mailed in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at
least ten (10) business days prior to the record date for determining holders of
Capital Stock of the Company for purposes of receiving such payment or offer, or
in the case of any action covered by clause (iii) above at least thirty (30)
business days prior to the date upon which such action takes place and twenty
(20) business days prior to any record date to determine holders of Capital
Stock of the Company entitled to receive such securities or other property or,
in each case, such later date as shall be agreed by the holder hereof. Failure
to file any certificate or notice or to mail any notice, or any defect in any
certificate or notice pursuant to this Section shall not affect the legality or
validity of the adjustment of the Exercise Price or the number of shares
purchasable upon exercise of this Warrant, or any transaction giving rise
thereto.
ARTICLE V
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
Neither this Warrant nor any Issued Warrant Shares shall be transferable
without the prior written consent of the Company except (a) to an Affiliate of
the holder hereof, (b) to a successor corporation to the holder hereof as a
result of a merger or consolidation with, or sale of all or substantially all of
the stock or assets of, the holder hereof, (c) as is or may be required by the
holder hereof to comply with any federal or state law or any rule or regulation
of any governmental or public body or authority, (d) in a public offering
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (e) in
an offering constituting an exempt transaction under Rule 144 or Rule 144A, or
(f) pursuant to Article VII.
-----------
-10-
<PAGE>
5.1 Notice of Proposed Transfer; Registration. In the event that a holder
-----------------------------------------
of this Warrant or of Issued Warrant Shares has given the Company notice of its
intent to transfer this Warrant or any Issued Warrant Shares as permitted by
subsection (a)-(c) and (e) and (f) of the first paragraph of this Article V,
---------
such holder shall obtain an Opinion of Counsel as to whether the proposed
transfer may be effected without registration or qualification under any federal
or state securities or blue sky law. Such Counsel shall, as promptly as
practicable, notify the Company and the holder of such opinion and of the terms
and conditions, if any, to be observed in such transfer, whereupon the holder
shall be entitled to transfer this Warrant or such Issued Warrant Shares (or
portion thereof).
If (i) the Opinion of Counsel referred to in the first paragraph of this
Section 5.1 determines that the proposed transfer may not be effected without
registration or qualification under the Securities Act and the securities or
blue sky laws of any jurisdiction where the proposed transfer occurs or may be
deemed to occur or (ii) the holder hereof or holder of Issued Warrant Shares so
elects, such Person shall have the right to request the Company to use its best
efforts to effect any such registration or qualification of the applicable
Warrant Shares; provided, however, the Company shall only be required to use
-------- -------
such best efforts (a) on one (1) occasion for any holder of the Warrants or
Issued Warrant Shares pursuant to this Section, provided that such holder holds
at least 50% of the Warrant Shares and (b) after such time as the Company is
eligible to use Form S-3 (or its successor form or forms) as promulgated under
the Securities Act; provided, further, if in the opinion of an independent
-------- -------
investment banking firm such registration or qualification would, if not
deferred, materially and adversely affect a proposed business or financial
transaction of substantial importance to the Company's financial condition
(other than an underwritten public offering of its securities), the Company may
defer such registration or qualification for a single period (specified in such
notice) of not more than ninety (90) days.
If the managing underwriter, who shall be selected by the Person who
originally requested such registration to manage the distribution of the Warrant
Shares being registered, advises the prospective sellers in writing that the
aggregate number of Warrant Shares to be sold in the proposed distribution and
other shares of Class A Common Stock, if any, requested to be registered by
other holders of registration rights or proposed to be included in such
registration by the Company should be less than the number of Warrant Shares and
other shares of Class A Common Stock requested or proposed to be registered, the
number of Warrant Shares and other shares of Class A Common Stock to be sold by
each prospective seller (including the Company) shall be reduced as follows:
first, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock proposed to be registered by
the Company shall be reduced to zero, if necessary; second, the number of shares
of Class A Common Stock proposed to be registered by the holders of Class A
Common Stock possessing registration rights granted by the Company other than
under or arising from this Warrant shall be reduced to zero, if necessary; and
third, the number of Warrant Shares proposed to be included in such registration
shall be reduced pro rata, so that each prospective seller may sell that
proportion of Warrant Shares to be sold in the proposed distribution which the
number of Warrant Shares proposed to be sold by such prospective seller bears to
the aggregate number of Warrant Shares proposed to be sold by all prospective
sellers.
-11-
<PAGE>
5.2 Incidental Registration and Qualification. If the Company or any
-----------------------------------------
security holder of the Company other than a holder hereof or of Issued Warrant
Shares proposes to register any securities of the Company under the Securities
Act on any registration form (otherwise than for the registration of securities
to be offered and sold by the Company pursuant to (a) an employee benefit plan,
(b) a dividend or interest reinvestment plan, (c) other similar plans, or (d)
reclassifications of securities, mergers, consolidations and acquisitions of
assets), then not less than ninety (90) days prior to each such registration the
Company shall give to the holder hereof and the holders of Issued Warrant Shares
bearing the legend required by Section 5.7 written notice of such proposal which
-----------
shall describe in detail the proposed registration and distribution and, upon
the written request of the holder hereof or a holder of Issued Warrant Shares
furnished within thirty (30) days after the date of any such notice, proceed to
include in such registration such Warrant Shares ("Piggy-Back Shares") as have
been requested by any such holder to be included in such registration. The
Company will in each instance use its best efforts to cause all such Piggy-Back
Shares to be registered under the Securities Act and qualified under the
securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction requested by a prospective
seller, all to the extent necessary to permit the sale or other disposition
thereof (in the manner stated in such request) by a prospective seller of the
securities so registered.
If the managing underwriter, who shall be selected by the Person who
initiated such registration, advises the Company in writing that, in its
opinion, the inclusion of the Piggy-Back Shares with the securities being
registered by the Company and other prospective sellers would materially
adversely affect the distribution of all such securities, then the Company and
each prospective seller other than the Company may sell that proportion of the
shares of Capital Stock of the Company to be sold in the proposed distribution
which the number of shares of Capital Stock of the Company proposed to be sold
by such prospective seller bears to the aggregate number of shares of Capital
Stock of the Company proposed to be sold by all prospective sellers (including
the Company); provided, that a prospective seller of Piggy-Back Shares may at
its option delay its offering and sale for a period not to exceed ninety (90)
days after the effective date of such registration as such managing underwriter
shall reasonably request. In the event of such delay, the Company shall use its
best efforts to effect any registration or qualification under the Securities
Act and the securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction as may be necessary
to permit such prospective seller of Piggy-Back Shares to make its proposed
offering and sale following the end of such period of delay and shall pay all
expenses related thereto in accordance with Section 5.5.
-----------
The holder hereof and any holder of Issued Warrant Shares who has requested
shares of Class A Common Stock to be included in a registration pursuant to this
Section, by acceptance hereof or thereof, agrees to (a) the selection by the
Company or such other security holder of the underwriter to manage such
registration and (b) execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriter
that is (i) reasonably satisfactory to such holder and (ii) in customary form.
Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to require the Company to proceed with
any registration of its securities after giving the notice as provided herein;
provided, however, that the Company shall pay all expenses incurred pursuant to
- -------- -------
such notice in accordance with Section 5.5.
-----------
-12-
<PAGE>
5.3 Registration and Qualification Procedures. Whenever the Company is
-----------------------------------------
required by the provisions of Section 5.1 or 5.2 to effect the registration of
----------- ---
any Warrant Shares under the Securities Act, the Company will, as expeditiously
as is practicable, take such steps as are reasonably necessary or appropriate
(and will consult in good faith with the holder hereof or the holder of Issued
Warrant Shares, as applicable, as to what steps may be included) to prepare for
a registration or qualification of its securities, including without limitation
preparing and filing with the Commission a registration statement, and
amendments and supplements thereto, furnishing to each seller sufficient copies
of prospectuses, preparing and filing registrations under the blue sky laws of
applicable jurisdictions, entering into and performing underwriting agreements,
keeping each seller advised as to the progress of the steps being taken and
otherwise taking such actions in cooperation with each seller as are customarily
taken or required in connection with the public registration and sale of
securities. The Company, the holder hereof and each holder of Issued Warrant
Shares shall cooperate with each other in supplying such information as may be
necessary for any of such parties to complete and file any information reporting
forms presently or hereafter required by the Commission or any commissioner or
other authority administering the blue sky or securities laws of any
jurisdiction where shares of Class A Common Stock are proposed to be sold
pursuant to this Article V.
---------
5.4 Holdback Agreements. The Company agrees not to effect any public sale
-------------------
or distribution of its Capital Stock or Convertible Securities or Stock Purchase
Rights that would permit the purchase of Capital Stock of the Company during the
seven (7) days prior to or ninety (90) days after any underwritten registration
pursuant to Section 5.1 or 5.2 has become effective, except as part of such
----------- ---
underwritten registration and except pursuant to registrations on Form S-8 or
S-4 or any successor or similar forms thereto, and to cause each Person who
purchases its Capital Stock or such Convertible Securities or Stock Purchase
Rights at any time after the date of this Warrant (other than in a public
offering) to agree not to effect any such public sale or distribution of such
securities, during such period.
If any registration pursuant to Section 5.1 or 5.2 is in connection with
----------- ---
an underwritten public offering, each holder hereof and of Issued Warrant Shares
agrees, if so required by the managing underwriter, not to effect any public
sale or distribution of Issued Warrant Shares (other than as part of such
underwritten public offering) during the period beginning seven (7) days prior
to the effective date of such registration statement and ending on the ninetieth
(90th) day after the effective date of such registration statement; provided
--------
that each Person that is an officer, director, or beneficial owner of five
percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any Capital Stock of the
Company or Convertible Securities or Stock Purchase Rights that would permit the
purchase of Capital Stock of the Company enters into such an agreement on
similar terms.
5.5 Allocation of Expenses. If the Company is required by the provisions
----------------------
of this Article V to use its best efforts to effect the registration or
---------
qualification under the Securities Act or any state securities or blue sky laws
of any of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall pay all professional fees
(including the costs and expenses incurred by such professionals), all expenses
and all registration fees in connection therewith, including, without
limitation, the reasonable legal fees, costs and expenses of counsel to any
holder of this Warrant or Issued Warrant Shares.
-13-
<PAGE>
5.6 Indemnification. In connection with any registration or qualification
---------------
of securities under this Article V, the Company agrees to indemnify the holder
---------
hereof and the holders of any Issued Warrant Shares, including each Person, if
any, who controls the holder or such stockholder within the meaning of Section
15 of the Securities Act, against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
expenses (including reasonable costs of investigation and the costs, fees and
expenses of legal counsel) caused by any untrue, or alleged untrue, statement of
a material fact contained in any such registration statement, preliminary
prospectus, prospectus or notification or offering circular (as amended or
supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements
thereto) or caused by any omission, or alleged omission, to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses are caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission based upon information furnished in
writing to the Company by the holder or any such stockholder or underwriter
expressly for use therein. The Company and each officer, director and
controlling Person of the Company shall be indemnified respectively by the
holder of this Warrant and by the holders of any Issued Warrant Shares for all
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including the costs of
reasonable investigation and the costs, fees and expenses of legal counsel)
caused by any such untrue, or alleged untrue, statement or any such omission or
alleged omission, based upon information furnished in writing to the Company by
the holder hereof or any such stockholder expressly for use therein.
The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the
extent it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party, to assume the
defense of such action at its own expense, with counsel chosen by it and
satisfactory to such indemnified party. The indemnified party shall have the
right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the
defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel (other than
reasonable costs of investigation) shall be paid by the indemnified party unless
(a) the indemnifying party agrees to pay the same, (b) the indemnifying party
fails to assume the defense of such action with counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the indemnified party or (c) the named parties to any such action (including
any impleaded parties) have been advised by such counsel that representation of
such indemnified party and the indemnifying party by the same counsel would be
inappropriate under applicable standards of professional conduct (in which case
the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such
action on behalf of such indemnified party). No indemnifying party shall be
liable for any settlement entered into without its consent, which consent shall
not be withheld unreasonably.
If the indemnification provided for in this Section is unavailable or
insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or actions in respect thereof referred to
herein, then each indemnifying party shall in lieu of indemnifying such
indemnified party contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified
party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or
actions in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of
the Company, on the one hand, and the sellers of such Capital Stock of the
Company, on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or actions as
well as any other
-14-
<PAGE>
relevant equitable considerations, including the failure to give the notice
required hereunder. The Company and the holder hereof agree that it would not be
just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section were determined by
any method of allocation which did not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section, in no event shall the amount contributed by any seller of Capital Stock
of the Company exceed the net proceeds received by such seller from the sale of
Capital Stock of the Company to which such contribution claim relates. No person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentations (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who is not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
Each holder of this Warrant and each holder of shares of Issued Warrant
Shares bearing the legend required by Section 5.7, by acceptance hereof or
-----------
thereof, as the case may be, agrees to the indemnification and contribution
provisions of this Section 5.6.
-----------
5.7 Legend on Warrants and Certificates. Each Warrant shall bear a legend
-----------------------------------
in substantially the following form:
"This Warrant and any shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of this Warrant have not been registered under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be
transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of and
no transfer or such securities will be made on the books of the Company,
unless (i) such transfer is made in connection with an effective
Registration Statement under such Act and any applicable state securities
laws or (ii) the Company has been furnished with a satisfactory opinion of
counsel for the holder hereof that such transfer is exempt from the
registration requirement of such Act, the rules and regulations in effect
thereunder and any applicable state securities laws."
In case any shares are issued upon the exercise in whole or in part of this
Warrant or are thereafter transferred, in either case under such circumstances
that no registration under the Securities Act is required, each certificate
representing such shares shall bear the following legend:
"The shares represented by this certificate have not been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and
may not be transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise
disposed of and no transfer or such securities will be made on the books of
the Company, unless (i) such transfer is made in connection with an
effective Registration Statement under such Act and any applicable state
securities laws or (ii) the Company has been furnished with a satisfactory
opinion of counsel for the holder hereof that such transfer is exempt from
the registration requirement of such Act, the rules and regulations in
effect thereunder and any applicable state securities laws. In addition,
any transfer of these shares is subject to the conditions specified in the
Warrant dated as of September 10, 1999 originally issued by Crescent
Jewelers Inc. (the "Company") to Friedman's Inc. to purchase shares of
Class A Common
-15-
<PAGE>
Stock, $.01 par value, of the Company. A copy of the form of such Warrant
is on file with the Secretary of the Company at 315 11th Street, Oakland,
California 94607, and will be furnished without charge by the Company to
the holder of this certificate upon written request to the Secretary of the
Company at such address."
5.8 Termination of Restrictions. The restrictions imposed under this
---------------------------
Article V upon the transferability of this Warrant, or of Issued Warrant Shares,
- ---------
shall cease when (a) a registration statement covering such Issued Warrant
Shares becomes effective under the Securities Act or (b) the Company receives an
Opinion of Counsel that such restrictions are no longer required in order to
ensure compliance with the Securities Act. When such restrictions terminate,
the Company shall, or shall instruct its transfer agent and registrar to, issue
new certificates in the name of the holder not bearing the legends required
under Section 5.7.
-----------
5.9 Rule 144. After any initial public offering of the Company's Capital
--------
Stock, the Company covenants that it will file all reports required to be filed
by it with the Commission, and that it will take such further action as a holder
may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable
such holder to sell this Warrant or Issued Warrant Shares without registration
under the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar rule then in
effect) promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act. Upon the
request of a holder, the Company will deliver to such holder a notice stating
whether it has complied with such requirements.
ARTICLE VI
PARTICIPATION IN CORPORATE DISTRIBUTIONS AND OTHER RIGHTS
6.1 Company's Obligation to Make Payments; Holder's Subscription Right.
------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) The Company shall not declare, make or pay any dividend or other
distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property, with respect to its
Capital Stock (a "Distribution") unless it concurrently makes a cash payment to
the holder of this Warrant equal to the product of (1) the amount of cash plus
the Fair Value of any property or securities distributed with respect to each
outstanding share of Capital Stock of the Company multiplied by (2) the number
of shares of Class A Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.
(b) Except for (i) repurchases of this Warrant or Issued Warrant
Shares upon the exercise of the Put Options herein contained and (ii)
repurchases of Capital Stock of the Company or Convertible Securities or Stock
Purchase Rights that would permit the purchase of Capital Stock of the Company
originally issued pursuant to Company Stock Plans, the Company shall not
repurchase or redeem any of its Capital Stock or Convertible Securities or any
Stock Purchase Rights which would permit the purchase of Capital Stock of the
Company unless it concurrently makes a cash payment to the holder of this
Warrant (which shall not be required to sell or tender for redemption any
securities held by it as a result) equal to the product of (1) the quotient
obtained by dividing (x) the aggregate amount of cash and the aggregate Fair
Value of any property paid out by the Company in connection with any such
repurchase or redemption by (y) the number of shares of Capital Stock of the
Company outstanding on a fully diluted
-16-
<PAGE>
(excluding Issuable Warrant Shares) basis immediately after such repurchase or
redemption and (2) the number of Issuable Warrant Shares.
(c) In the event that at any time after the date hereof the Company
proposes to issue shares of its Capital Stock in a transaction that does not
constitute a Dilutive Transaction and such shares are not being issued pursuant
to an employee or director stock option or stock purchase plan or other equity-
based incentive compensation plan sponsored by the Company, the Company shall
notify the holder of this Warrant and of any Issued Warrant Shares of such
proposed issuance thereof in writing. Within twenty (20) days after the receipt
of such a notice, (i) the holder of this Warrant shall have the right (but not
the obligation) to inform the Company in writing that such holder elects to have
issued to it, for no additional consideration, additional warrants to acquire,
at an exercise price equal to the proposed sale price of the shares being
issued, a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of shares
then being issued by the Company multiplied by such holder's percentage of the
then total number of outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Company
represented by the then outstanding Warrant and (ii) the holder of Issued
Warrant Shares shall have the right (but not the obligation) to inform the
Company in writing that such holder elects to have issued to it, at the price
equal to the proposed sale price of the other shares then being issued, a number
of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to the number of other shares then being
issued multiplied by the percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of
Capital Stock of the Company represented by the Issued Warrant Shares then held
by the holder.
6.2 Take-Along Rights. The Company shall use its best efforts to obtain,
-----------------
within a reasonable time after the date of this Warrant, for each holder of a
Warrant or Issued Warrant Shares the right to be taken along in the sale of any
Capital Stock of the Company by CJ Morgan LP, its Affiliates, and their
successors and assigns, as the principal stockholder of the Company. Such
rights shall be evidence by a letter agreement addressed to each holder, and any
assignee, transferee or successor, substantially in the form of Exhibit 1-C
-----------
attached hereto and made a part hereof.
ARTICLE VII
PUT OPTIONS
7.1 Company's Obligation to Repurchase Warrants and Issued Warrant
--------------------------------------------------------------
Shares. Upon written notice from the holder of this Warrant from time to time
- ------
during the Repurchase Period, the Company shall, within sixty (60) days of the
date designated in such notice, repurchase from such holder all or the portion
of this Warrant designated in such notice for an amount determined by
multiplying (a) the Repurchase Price per share of Class A Common Stock as of the
date of such notice less the Exercise Price per share in effect on such date by
(b) the number of Issuable Warrant Shares as of such date that are designated
for repurchase in such notice; provided, however, the Company shall not be
obligated to repurchase any portion of this warrant, if such repurchase would
violate any terms of the Credit Agreement. On the date designated for such
repurchase, the holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company, without
being required to make any representation or warranty (other than that the
holder has good and valid title to the Warrant free and clear of liens, claims,
encumbrances and restrictions of any kind), against
-17-
<PAGE>
payment therefor by either of the Permitted Payment Methods, as selected by the
holder. If less than all of this Warrant is being repurchased, the Company shall
cancel this Warrant and issue in the name of, and deliver to, the holder a new
Warrant for the portion of the Issuable Warrant Shares not being repurchased.
7.2 Determination of the Repurchase Price. For the purposes of this
-------------------------------------
Article VII, the Repurchase Price per share of Class A Common Stock as of a date
- -----------
specified herein (the "Repurchase Price") shall be equal to the quotient of the
Fair Value of the Company as of the date of such determination divided by the
number of shares of Capital Stock of the Company outstanding on a fully diluted
basis (including the Issuable Warrant Shares, after giving effect to the payment
of the Exercise Price therefor), as of such date.
ARTICLE VIII
FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION
8.1 Information. As long as the Credit Agreement and Guaranty are in
-----------
effect, the Company shall deliver to the holder hereof or of Warrant Shares (i)
copies of the financial and other information required by the Credit Agreement
to be delivered to the Bank of America or any successor agent thereunder and
(ii) the information specified in subsection (a) below. In the event the Credit
Agreement and Guaranty are terminated, the Company shall thereafter deliver to
the holder hereof or of Issued Warrant Shares:
(a) as soon as such information is delivered to the Board of Directors
of the Company after the end of each calendar month in each fiscal year of the
Company, and in any event within forty-five (45) days thereafter, one copy of
(i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries
as at the end of such month and (ii) the unaudited consolidated statements of
income, retained earnings and changes in financial position of the Company and
its Subsidiaries for such month, in each case setting forth in comparative form
the figures for the corresponding dates and periods in the previous fiscal year.
Such statements shall be (1) prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied, (2) in reasonable detail and (3)
certified as complete and correct by the chief financial or accounting officer
of the Company;
(b) as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year of the
Company and in any event within ninety (90) days thereafter, one copy of (i) the
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of
such year and (ii) consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and
changes in financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such year,
in each case setting forth in comparative form the figures for the previous
fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and accompanied by a report thereon by a
firm of independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing
selected by the Company, which report shall state that (1) such financial
statements fairly present the financial position of the entities being reported
upon at the end of such year and the results of their operations and changes in
accounting principles consistently applied (except for changes in accounting
principles with which such accountants concur), and (2) its examination of such
financial statements has
-18-
<PAGE>
been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and included
such tests of the accounting records and other auditing procedures as they
considered necessary in the circumstances;
(c) within 30 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company,
projections of the financial performance of the Company for the forthcoming
fiscal year, in such detail and with respect to such particular matters as the
holder hereof or of Issued Warrant Shares may reasonably request;
(d) if applicable, promptly upon their becoming available, one copy of
each report, notice or proxy statement sent by the Company to its stockholders
generally and of each regular or periodic report or registration statement,
prospectus or written communication (other than transmittal letters) filed by
the Company with the Commission or any securities exchange on which shares of
Capital Stock of the Company are listed;
(e) promptly upon the occurrence thereof or upon the Company's
obtaining knowledge thereof, notice of the existence of an Event of Default,
describing such Event of Default in reasonable detail; and
(f) with reasonable promptness, such other information as from time to
time may be reasonably requested by the holder hereof or of any Issued Warrant
Shares.
ARTICLE IX
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Initial Holder and each
subsequent holder of this Warrant that as of the Closing Date:
9.1 Organization and Capitalization of the Company. The Company is a
----------------------------------------------
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware. The authorized capital of the Company consists (i)
5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, none of which are issued and outstanding,
(ii) 28,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, 54,347 of which are issued and
outstanding and held by the holders listed on Schedule 9.1(a) hereto, and (iii)
10,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, 7,888,557 shares of which are issued
and outstanding and which are held by the holders listed on Schedule 9.1(b)
hereto. Except as described on Schedule 9.1(c) hereto no unissued shares of
Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock are reserved for any purpose other
than for issuance upon the exercise of this Warrant and the Company has not
issued or agreed to issue any Stock Purchase Rights or Convertible Securities,
and there are no preemptive rights in effect with respect to the issuance of any
shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock. All the outstanding
shares of the Company's Capital Stock have been validly issued without violation
of any preemptive or similar rights and are fully paid and nonassessable.
-19-
<PAGE>
9.2 Organization and Capitalization of Subsidiaries. The Company's
-----------------------------------------------
Subsidiaries and their jurisdiction of incorporation or organization are set
forth on Schedule 9.2 hereto. The Subsidiaries of the Company are validly
------------
existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions
of incorporation or organization. The authorized Capital Stock and currently
outstanding shares of Capital Stock of such Subsidiaries are as set forth on
Schedule 9.2. No unissued shares of Capital Stock of such Subsidiaries are
- ------------
reserved for any purpose. The Company and such Subsidiaries have not issued or
agreed to issue any Stock Purchase Rights or Convertible Securities which would
permit the purchase of Capital Stock of such Subsidiaries, and there are no
preemptive rights with respect to the issuance of any shares of Capital Stock of
such Subsidiaries. All of the outstanding shares of the Capital Stock of such
Subsidiaries are held by the Company and have been validly issued without
violation of an preemptive or similar rights and are fully paid and
nonassessable.
9.3 Authority. The Company has full corporate power and authority to
---------
execute and deliver this Warrant and to perform all of its obligations
hereunder, and the execution, delivery and performance hereof have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on its part. This Warrant has been
duly executed on behalf of the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms.
9.4 No Legal Bar. Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this
------------
Warrant will (a) conflict with or result in a violation of the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws of the Company, (b) conflict with or result in a
violation of any law, statute, regulation, order or decree applicable to the
Company or any Affiliate (except that the Company's ability to honor its
obligations with respect to the Put Options is subject to the availability of
sufficient earned and/or capital surplus), (c) require any consent or
authorization or filing with, or other act by or in respect of, any governmental
authority, or (d) result in a breach of, constitute a default under or
constitute an event creating rights of acceleration, termination or cancellation
under any mortgage, lease, contract, franchise, instrument or other agreement to
which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.
9.5 Validity of Shares. When issued upon the exercise of this Warrant as
------------------
contemplated herein, shares of Class A Common Stock will have been validly
issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable.
9.6 Credit Agreement. Each of the representations and warranties
----------------
contained in the Credit Agreement are true and correct and of the same legal
effect and force as if made in this Warrant.
ARTICLE X
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
10.1 No Impairment or Amendment. Except for the CJ Morgan LP
--------------------------
Restructuring as described below, the Company shall not by any action including,
without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, any
reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or
sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to
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<PAGE>
avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant or
impair the ability of the holder hereof or of Issued Warrant Shares to realize
upon the intended economic value hereof, but will at all times in good faith
assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such
action as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of the holder
hereof or of Issued Warrant Shares against impairment. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Company will (a) not increase the par value of
any shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant
above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise, (b) take all such action
as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly issue
fully paid and nonassessable shares of Class A Common Stock upon the exercise of
this Warrant, (c) obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from
any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof as may be necessary to
enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant, and (d) not
issue any Capital Stock of any class which is preferred as to dividends or as to
the distribution of assets upon the voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the Company. The Company and the Initial Holder
agree that the provisions of this Section 10.1 shall not be interpreted to
prevent or prohibit the exchange by the holder of Class A Common Stock listed on
Schedule 9.1(a) and the holders of Class B Common Stock listed on Schedule
9.1(b), of all of their interests in such Capital Stock of the Company for
limited partnership interests in CJ Morgan LP or for interests in other entities
controlling or controlled by CJ Morgan LP (the "CJ Morgan LP Restructuring").
10.2 Reservation of Class A Common Stock. The Company will at all times
-----------------------------------
reserve and keep available, solely for issuance, sale and delivery upon the
exercise of this Warrant, a number of shares of Class A Common Stock equal to
the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of this
Warrant. All such shares of Class A Common Stock shall be duly authorized and,
when issued upon exercise of this Warrant, shall be validly issued and fully
paid and non-assessable with no liability on the part of the holders thereof.
10.3 Listing on Securities Exchange. If the Company shall list any shares
------------------------------
of Class A Common Stock on any securities exchange it will, at its expense, list
thereon, maintain and increase when necessary such listing of, all Issued
Warrant Shares and, to the extent permissible under the applicable securities
exchange rules, all Issuable Warrant Shares, so long as any shares of Class A
Common Stock shall be so listed. The Company will also so list on each
securities exchange, and will maintain such listing of, any other securities
which the holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive upon the exercise
thereof if at the time any securities of the same class shall be listed on such
securities exchange by the Company.
10.4 Disposal of Assets. Without the prior written consent of the holder
------------------
hereof and the holder of any Issued Warrant Shares or as otherwise permitted
under the Credit Agreement, if such agreement has not expired or terminated, the
Company shall not, other than in the ordinary course of its business, either
directly or indirectly, dispose of all or substantially all of the business,
assets or securities of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company.
10.5 Interested Transactions. Without the prior written consent of the
-----------------------
holder hereof and of the holder of any Issued Warrant Shares, or as otherwise
permitted under the Credit Agreement, if such agreement has not expired or
terminated, neither the Company nor any
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<PAGE>
Subsidiary of the Company shall (a) merge, consolidate with, or otherwise
acquire all or any portion of the business, assets or securities of any
Affiliate of the Company; (b) make any loans or other advances of money to
officers, directors or stockholders of the Company, any Subsidiary of the
Company or any Affiliate of the Company; or (c) otherwise enter into, or be a
party to, any transaction with any officer, director, stockholder of the
Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company or of
such officer, director or stockholder; except in each of the foregoing cases
pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the Company's or such Subsidiary's
business and upon fair and reasonable terms which are no less favorable to the
Company or such Subsidiary than would obtain in a comparable arm's length
transaction with a Person not an officer, director, stockholder or Affiliate of
the Company or such Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company.
10.6 Indemnification. If the Company fails to make when due any payments
---------------
provided for in this Warrant, the Company shall pay to the holder hereof (a)
interest at a rate equal to the prime lending rate published in The Wall Street
Journal on the date such payment was due plus 2%, on any amounts due and owing
to such holder and (b) such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any
costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses incurred by such holder in collecting any amounts due hereunder. The
Company shall indemnify, save and hold harmless the holder hereof from and
against any and all liability, loss, cost, damage, reasonable attorneys' and
accountants' fees and expenses, court costs and all other out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with or arising from the violation of this Agreement by
the Company, except to the extent that any of the foregoing is the result of
such holder's own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
10.7 Certain Expenses. Except as specifically provided to the contrary in
----------------
Section 5.6, the Company shall pay all expenses in connection with, and all
- -------------
taxes (other than stock transfer taxes) and other governmental charges that may
be imposed in respect of, the issue, sale and delivery by the Company to the
holder or holders of this Warrant of (a) the Warrant, (b) the Issuable Warrant
Shares and (c) the Issued Warrant Shares.
10.8 Other Covenants. The Company and its Subsidiaries will at all times
---------------
abide by the covenants contained in Sections 7 (excluding those covenants
contained in Sections 7.11, 7.12, 7.13 and 7.15) and 8.11(a) of the Credit
Agreement as if such covenants were contained herein. If the Credit Agreement
is terminated prior to the termination of this Warrant, such covenants shall
remain in full force and effect under this Agreement as such covenants existed
in the Credit Agreement as in effect immediately prior to termination.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Nonwaiver. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise
---------
any right, power or remedy hereunder on the part of the holder hereof shall
operate as a waiver of or otherwise prejudice such holder's rights, powers or
remedies.
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<PAGE>
11.2 Holder Not a Stockholder. Prior to the exercise of this Warrant as
------------------------
hereinbefore provided, the holder hereof shall not be entitled to any of the
rights of a stockholder of the Company including, without limitation, the right
as a stockholder to (a) vote on or consent to any proposed action of the Company
or (b) receive (i) dividends or any other distributions made to stockholders
(except as provided in Article VI), (ii) notice of or attend any meetings of
----------
stockholders of the Company (except as provided in Article IV) or (iii) notice
----------
of any other proceedings of the Company (except as provided in Article IV).
----------
11.3 Notices. Any notice, demand or delivery to be made pursuant to the
-------
provisions of this Warrant shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first
class mail postage prepaid, addressed to (a) the holder of this Warrant or
Issued Warrant Shares at its last known address appearing on the books of the
Company maintained for such purpose or (b) the Company at its principal office
at 315 11th Street, Oakland, California 94607, Attention: Joe Donaghy, Chief
Financial Officer. The holder of this Warrant and the Company may each
designate a different address by notice to the other pursuant to this Section
-------
11.3.
- ----
11.4 Like Tenor. All Warrants shall at all times be identical, except as
----------
to the Preamble.
11.5 Remedies. The Company stipulates that the remedies at law of the
--------
holder of this Warrant in the event of any default or threatened default by the
Company in the performance of or compliance with any of the terms of this
Warrant are not and will not be adequate and that, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, such terms may be specifically enforced by a decree for the
specific performance of any agreement contained herein or by an injunction
against a violation of any of the terms hereof or otherwise.
11.6 Successors and Assigns. This Warrant and the rights evidenced hereby
----------------------
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of
the Company, the holder hereof and (to the extent provided herein) the holders
of Issued Warrant Shares, and shall be enforceable by any such holder.
11.7 Modification and Severability. If, in any action before any court or
-----------------------------
agency legally empowered to enforce any provision contained herein, any
provision hereof is found to be unenforceable, then such provision shall be
deemed modified to the extent necessary to make it enforceable by such court or
agency. If any such provision is not enforceable as set forth in the preceding
sentence, the unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the other
provisions of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed as if such
unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.
11.8 Integration. This Warrant replaces all prior agreements, supersedes
-----------
all prior negotiations and constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with
respect to the transactions contemplated herein.
11.9 Amendment. This Warrant may not be modified or amended except by
---------
written agreement of the Company and the holder hereof.
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<PAGE>
11.10 Headings. The headings of the Articles and Sections of this Warrant
--------
are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be
deemed a part of this Warrant.
11.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS WARRANT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS
-------------
(AS OPPOSED TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PROVISIONS) OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
[signature page follows]
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Warrant has been executed by the Company as of the
Closing Date.
CRESCENT JEWELERS INC.
By:
/s/ Joseph M. Donaghy
--------------------------------------
Name: Joseph M. Donaghy
-----------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President &
----------------------------------
Chief Financial Officer
CRESCENT JEWELERS
By: /s/ Joseph M. Donaghy
---------------------------------------
Name: Joseph M. Donaghy
-----------------------------------
Title: Chief Financial Officer
----------------------------------
SPARKLE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Joseph M. Donaghy
---------------------------------------
Name: Joseph M. Donaghy
-----------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------------
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<PAGE>
Thursday September 16, 7:58 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Friedman's Inc.
Crescent Jewelers: Announces Restructuring
SAVANNAH, Ga., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Friedman's Inc. (Nasdaq: FRDM - news)
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announced today that Crescent Jewelers, its West-Coast based privately-owned
jewelry retailing affiliate, has concluded a transaction with its stakeholders
to restructure Crescent's balance sheet. Crescent also announced today that it
has closed a $112.5 million, three-year bank facility, led by Bank of America,
N.A, to fund the restructuring transaction and provide for its working capital
needs. The Crescent restructuring and new financing arrangements will
significantly enhance its financial stability and liquidity, enable proper
stocking of merchandise for the upcoming Christmas season and provide for
resumption of unit growth.
As part of the restructuring, Friedman's $25 million investment in Crescent plus
all accrued interest has been repaid in full. In addition, in exchange for
credit enhancement of the new Crescent bank facility, Friedman's will receive a
fee of 2% per annum on the amount of borrowings under the facility and a fifteen
year warrant for a 50% ownership stake in Crescent Jewelers with an exercise
price of $500,000.
Commenting on the restructuring transaction, Bradley J. Stinn, Chief Executive
Officer of both Friedman's and Crescent said, "We are very pleased to announce
the successful completion of the Crescent Jewelers restructuring, following over
one year of intense and complex negotiations among Crescent's stakeholders. The
closing of this transaction will strengthen Crescent's competitive position by
enabling Crescent to improve the merchandising of its stores and to resume unit
growth.
"From the Friedman's perspective, we are very pleased to continue our strategic
relationship with Crescent Jewelers. We believe Crescent is positioned very well
in one of the largest and fastest growing markets in the United States. In
particular, Crescent operates 102 stores in the state of California, nearly
double the amount of its nearest competitor. California represents the seventh
largest economy in the world, the most populous state in the United States
(population estimated to be 34 million in 1998) and is projected by the United
States Census Bureau to be the fastest growing state through 2025.
"The transaction as structured will be immediately additive to earnings per
share, provide attractive
<PAGE>
accounting treatment and improve return on equity. And furthermore, the
transaction creates the potential for certain operating synergies as we go
forward."
Crescent Jewelers is a specialty retailer of fine jewelry based in Oakland,
California, and operates a total of 150 stores in 7 western states, with 102
stores in California.
Friedman's Inc. is a specialty retailer of fine jewelry based in Savannah,
Georgia. The Company is a leading operator of fine jewelry stores in power strip
centers. At September 16, 1999, the Company operated a total of 531 stores in 21
states of which 328 were located in power strip centers and 203 were located in
regional malls. The Company's Class A Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq
National Market (Nasdaq Symbol, FRDM).
In connection with the transaction, management of both Friedman's and Crescent
will be holding a conference call on Thursday, September 16, 1999 at 4:30 p.m.
EST to discuss the transaction and respond to any questions. Parties interested
in joining the call should phone 1-800-368-9817 on Thursday, September 16, 1999
on or after 4:25 p.m. EST. For anyone unable to participate on the call, there
will be a replay until 6:00 p.m. EST on Friday, September 17, 1999 at 1-888-690-
6080, passcode number 1630412. Please note that these are two different numbers
for the live call and the replay.
Some of the statements included in this press release contain forward-looking
information that involves a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those otherwise
anticipated include Crescent's ability to achieve expected performance in the
1999 Christmas season and successfully open and operate new stores and other
risks identified from time to time in the Company's public announcements and SEC
reports and announcements.
CONTACT: Victor M. Suglia, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Friedman's, 912-233-9333, ext. 6103.
